Hi, I don't know anything about your situation specifically (I'd have thought being a British citizen - presumably you're dual Canadian/British? - ought to count for something but might be wrong). However, I know someone who is an advisor on this kind of thing at a London university. Obviously that isn't your uni, but wondering if perhaps either Coventry or Reading has someone similar? (She's not a student herself - it's a full-time job for her to advise on immigration/visa/residence issues).

Initially, asking your student union might be an idea - I know mine is supposed to be able to advise on this kind of thing, and if not, to advise who would know.

Good luck!

[cont]

What I did before applying was to find out who the course directors are of places I was interested in them and email them saying 'this is my background, I realise you can't guarantee me a place but is it feasible for me to apply and if not, what's the main thing I'm missing'? You will probably find that course directors are much more helpful - I usually found 'admin' types were rather dismissive and had to peddle the 'official' line of 'scientists only please, you need to do a Psychology conversion course first' - but course directors were more willing to be flexible and interested in what I had to offer, providing they thought I'd be up to it.

For my application form statement I discussed why I wanted to do neuroscience, what specific aspects I was interested in and what I'd done/read so far - plus the bibliography I mentioned. Given that you've done linguistics, you may want to use that as a 'crossover' - eg you're interested from your studies of linguistics in how the brain processes language.

I hope this helps. You are welcome to PM me if you have any more questions (eg about my course and what it's like etc) - I'm happy to help where I can as it's always good to hear of someone else who likes brains but has a humanities degree! I think a good number of people thought I was crazy for doing this but I love it and definitely don't regret taking the plunge - just crossing fingers now for the PhD...

Hi leben13,

Had to answer this really - I'm another one who 'crossed over'! I have an undergrad degree in classics and I'm just getting to the end of a part-time MSc in Cog Neuro and Neuropsych and applying for PhDs.

What you've done so far sounds good. I'd also say: keep an eye out for conferences or events you can go to (eg ICN seminars, CDCN seminars if you're in or near London - you can get on the mailing list for these); go to anything you can and make sure you list them on your application and be prepared to talk a bit about what you found interesting (having said that, I didn't have an interview for the one I'm doing so this is just guesswork). I also read a lot, trying to stick to the more hard science end of what's out there though some popular science as well, and did a bibliography with proper formatting/referencing etc for my application form.

I'd say it's important to demonstrate that you'd be able to handle the stats/analysis side of things as well; that was stressed when I was applying. I have an A level in maths with 2 stats modules but I also took a few refresher lessons with a local physics PhD student who was teaching to earn extra cash (not that expensive).

There are also MIT OpenCourseWare courses you could look at (google them). And last Sept (so after I was already on the course) I went on a Human Brain Anatomy course run by Neurocourses - helpful but very expensive; thought I'd mention it anyway. [tbc]

Well, in case anyone out there is in a similar position, thought I'd briefly update on what happened with this query.

Good news basically - he said 'sorry I haven't replied - go look on my website, there's a new fully funded studentship in my lab and your background seems good so I'd encourage you to apply'.

This seems like a positive result: the project is a really interesting one. No guarantees of course (and he said as much which I completely understand - he doesn't want me claiming later that I was promised a shortlist place on the basis of this email!) but I was worried after missing the ESRC deadlines that there wasn't much else out there and it was my other application or nothing. It's also nice to know that I am considered a reasonable contender for two PhDs (this one and one at my current uni where I'm doing my Masters), particularly since my background is not exactly typical (humanities undergrad, science masters, want to do science PhD) and I hadn't been sure whether this might count against me. Still might in some places but at least I've got some options!

Thanks HazyJane! Will do - good to know that I was more or less on track. I did wonder about asking to meet as I know others who have had productive meetings and really had a chance to discuss things with potential supervisors, but don't want to push it too far at this stage.

Apologies if I'm asking the obvious but still new to the niceties here...

I emailed a potential PhD supervisor a couple of weeks ago but haven't heard back yet. I realise he might have been away (though I haven't had an out of office), busy or just not interested but it would be good to know for sure, if a shame (his research area is v interesting), if he really doesn't want to take things any further.

I thought I might send a polite enquiry/reminder, but should I wait a bit longer? And what's the best way to phrase things without sounding too pushy? Not asking anyone to write an email for me but I'm never sure how 'I was wondering if you had had a chance to read my email' comes across, so if anyone has any advice on the most tactful way to nudge someone it would be appreciated - thanks!

Thanks psychresearcher! (I'm guessing from your name that you might possibly be in a similar area to me... ;))

I wasn't very clear - sorry - it would be full time PhD, part time TA with this, and actually since I posted I have discovered that as long as I am a full-time student on the PhD it doesn't matter what job I might have - relief as the travel discounts and council tax reduction will help. As far as I can tell the salary (15k) is about the same as a full scholarship/stipend would be, at least for London, but taxable. It's livable on but London is an expensive place so any extra help like student discounts is welcome. (Have discovered that I'm in the wrong subject area hehe - Durham law school is offering basically the same deal as I have here with the same number of hours' TA work for at least 10k more! I wonder what the catch is mind you, but in any case I'm not about to switch to law).

A part-time PhD would be an option in theory but not with what I'm currently applying for; however I really think I would need a new job as well as it's starting to get difficult that my current job is so different from the Masters.

Not heard back yet from the other supervisor I contacted. It's not been that long but was wondering: does anyone know if generally potential supervisors you contact will get back to you even if it's just to say 'thanks but no thanks' or if it's like job applications where they don't bother a lot of the time if it's no?

A belated question - sorry but I'm still feeling my way in and finding out more:

-I've really enjoyed studying where I am and they do have the research areas I'm interested in but the admin can be pretty terrible. Case in point: I was informed yesterday - my supervisor who was helping me with the proposal had only just been told - various key points about what should be in the proposal and about its length etc, none of which has been said elsewhere, and the guidance provided is pretty useless. The application is due Monday so I could very easily have submitted it already. Is this kind of thing (there are other examples from the MSc) par for the course with most universities and just something I have to put up with or, if I do get the PhD/TA job, is it a bit of a warning signal that I might have problems in the future if I stay here?

Hi everyone,

A bit late in the year, but here goes. I'm currently doing an MSc (cognitive neuroscience) part time and love it. It's a big change in direction for me and I want to do something with it, but hadn't been sure that something was academia and looking into other options.

With all this dithering, I've missed a lot of deadlines (like ESRC funding) because I didn't want to apply when I wasn't sure I really wanted to do a PhD. Then my MSc supervisor sent me a link to TA positions at my uni which are linked to a PhD application (you apply for both and get funded by your salary and fees paid); I'd provisionally discussed PhDs with her in the autumn and she encouraged me to apply as she thought I'd be a good candidate (though have to say, now I'm doing the proposal and application I feel like I keep putting my foot in it and saying really stupid things and she's going to regret suggesting it!).

I've now really got into the idea of doing a PhD, but realise it's too late for most funded places (I have made an approach to another supervisor I'd like to work with). If this one at my current uni doesn't work out and (as I suspect) I'm too late to try for funded places elsewhere this year, I was thinking of trying to find a research assistant place (hard, I know) and trying next year. I could technically do it part-time but have been told it generally only works if your job is relevant which my current one is not.

Does this make any sense or is it a massively bad idea? And does anyone have any experience of/ideas about the pros and cons of the kind of set-up at my university with the TA position (eg - I'm wondering if I'd still be a student for council tax, travel purposes etc).

Thanks for any advice.