I disagree. In terms of value as the highest academic degree and examination standards, all PhD in the UK ARE equal. If you declare the opposite, you question the entire degree purpose.

Content is a different matter, of course. So is an individual's ability to subsequently market it in terms of job prospects.

A PhD is a PhD, at least in the UK. They are all examined according to high standards. Always involving an external examiner from a different university. Often, PhDs in Russel Group are examined by new university scholars and vice versa. If someone gets a PhD, a certain standard should be there.

Surely, the ability to transform a PhD into SUBSEQUENT publications is down to the individual student and has no impact on the standard of the PhD itself. Therefore, mediocrity is a very weird expression in this context.

I find the expression "mediocre" PhD very problematic.

I would say it doesn't matter for career prospects in this environment. What will be important AFTER the PhD is publications and the postdoc location and supervisor, and the university where s.o. works as a lecturer.

it is not advisable to complete a PhD in a new university and then to stay there forever. But it is easy to complete a PhD in a new university and then move to a more prestigious place.

University of Birmingham
University of Bristol; University of Cambridge; Cardiff University ;University of Edinburgh ;University of Glasgow ;Imperial College London ;King's College London
University of Leeds ;University of Liverpool ;London School of Economics & Political Science ;University of Manchester ;Newcastle University ;University of Nottingham ;Queen's University Belfast ;University of Oxford ;University of Sheffield ;University of Southampton ;University College London ;University of Warwick


20 Universities - but all they can do is award a PhD degree as hundreds of other universities in the UK. It doesn't matter where the PhD is from. Publications matter.

The thread-title sounds like a PhD title.

Coming from an egalitarian university system, I think that the UK system makes students work harder to get into the best places like Oxford. The additional requirements you've been talking about are a good thing, in my opinion. They make sure some effort goes into the application. If you want to study in a prestigious place, unfortunately you need to be prepared for this, also in terms of time it takes.

Alternatively, just enrol at Kielder University. Takes a minute, but doesn't shine on the CV.

Which gender are you?

if male, I recommend the local barbershop for £6-£9. never seen a man going to toni & gay...

Today and yesterday were quite warm, apparently. I don't know as I'm sitting in my cage writing a PhD, not leaving the house, blinds down, long beard. My own family wouldn't recognise me like this. So I'm hoping for more summer days next month? Or should I not get my hopes up?

PLEASE tell me August is the hottest month in the UK?

That's a great analogy with the fires of Mordor. Has there not been a whole story on this here in the forum once? PhD changes subject like the ring changes Frodo.

It may sound naive to some, but we buy an insurance cover for a feeling of security. A feeling that, in case something happens, we get an uncomplicated payout. Not for a feeling that, in case something happens, we have to beg for a payout, fight for it, or commission legal advise to get a payout.

I think there is a more fundamental, underlying problem with insurers these days. Regardless of small print, they appear to attempt to trick the customer into believing cover is given which simply does not exist. Concealing the conditions of specific policies is a similar matter. From my personal, moral beliefs, I deeply believe that many insurers have lost any credibility or ethical foundations along the way.

Is there any reason why you cannot search yourself? Why do you want other students to do the work for you? I just don't understand sometimes the requests which pop up...

Life is all about the right vibe and tune.