Just wanted to do as I didn't have one.

Thanks for your reply and good wishes. It's good to know that age isn't a factor - it is in so many other areas! I'm keeping my fingers crossed but if it all goes pear-shaped I'll be able to carry on supply teaching 1 day a week whilst doing my research and make up for it at the w/e.
The wait will be over mid-July so plenty more nail-biting for me!

Thanks for the reply - the funding is competition-based so I will be going individually: there aren't any other options it looks like. I have the support of my supervisor but as it's based on merit I'm not sure she can do much. My PhD will be in the field of translation studies.

I'm not holding my breath though as I'm sure fresher-faced young things with the right connections might be luckier!

Thank you!

apologies for all the typos!

Hi All - newbie here so please be gentle!

I've just been accepted by Manchester Uni for a PhD and whilst I'm chuffed to bits at the prospect of working with the best academic in my field of studies I am obviously concerned with the financial side of things, having missed the deadline for the major funding bodies.

I am applying for a studentship and although I have asked what criteria they were looking at to be awarded one I did receive a straight answer so wondered if anyone here was willing to share.

I hold an MA from my home country (France) for which I was awarded 17/20 (equivalent of a distinction here I think), a PGCE and have also got an MSc from Manchester (back in the days where it was still called Umist...)for which I had an overall grade of B-: I have no idea what this stands for (was told it was just a pass/fail system although I was seriously confused when one student in my year got a distinction). Can that hinder my chances? I don't if this is relevant at all, but I'm also a working mum (part-time supply teacher) in my mid-thirties