Eager beaver!

You're thinking about it too early - drop the subject for at least another year.

Where are you thinking of applying?

A huge amount of difference!!

You'll definitely get offers from some top 20 uni's.

Hi, I basically echo bewildered's comments.

As far as I'm aware, most leading uni's (esp. KCL) ask for a First (at UG), or 2.1 plus high Merit/Distinction at Masters level, as a basic entry requirements. Many also look for a distinction in the dissertation element of a Masters.

You may have good reason for your 2.2 (I also presume you mean a pass), but if this is your achievement while working at full capacity, you may want to question whether a PhD is an appropriate route. However, don't completely dismiss the idea, something like a distinction in your MA dissertation (if you do one) may swing your chances. Your UG degree may also swing it - e.g. if your 2.1 is high, and from KCL or somewhere equivalent or better (e.g. Oxbridge), then you will get PhD offers...but funding is another matter.

I don't mean to sound like a petulant teenager...

but when will the new forum or 'forum improvements' make an appearance?

Putting the political issues aside for moment, the opening ceremony was v.v. impressive.

Best: cufflinks

Weirdest: booze!!

Outside London, £13k is sufficient to live on. I find student digs are around £400-500 in most places.

In London, £13k would not cover you -I ended up taking out a loan to cover expenses.

Good job you're moving outside London!

lol@Lara.

I also surf the net (visit a site called Miniclip..don't go there!), and do housework.

^^ so much for today's political correctness.

I would say the opposite: a smock looks great on anyone sized 10 or below, but for anyone bigger it gives the distinct maternity look.

- Finally, some individuals are just born academics. They are passionate about researching, writing and teaching, and no matter how negatively perceived the profession is, they will still pursue it...although the best will go to the USA for better pay ;).

- Looking at long-term prospects, jobs in UK academia are very competitive. The UK operates a very open-door policy, in comparison with, for example, Canada who will favour Canadian citizens and permanent residents for academics posts (the rights and wrongs of this policy is another issue).

- On a positive note (yes, I do have one ), academic careers offer greater flexibility in terms of working in different environments and removes one from the 9-5 drudgery of an office job.

- At doctoral level, researchers receive no contributions to pension schemes or NI (unless they do it themselves, which is usually impossible given their income level). This contrasts with some other countries (I think Sweden is one).
- Pursuing a research career often (if not usually) holds back an individual’s financial progression in terms of mortgages/pensions etc.
- The average researcher (particularly the lowly doctoral student) is often not well-respected by HE institutions or society at large.
- The academic world, a supposedly liberated/egalitarian world, is often beset with discrimination, bullying, snobbery, and intellectual freedom issues. Researchers are often unwilling to challenge problems as their careers are dependent from references from their university.

I don’t think this there is just a ‘perception’ that research careers are less attractive, but rather it’s regarded as a ‘known fact’ amongst graduates.

Assuming we are just talking about research in HE here, it is less attractive for a number of obvious reasons:
- The other careers you mention are all private sector jobs = better pay, greater stability, employment rights, more perks (particularly private health care and pension schemes). This is also applicable to public sector jobs to a certain extent…healthcare, teaching, civil service.
- Research at doctoral & post-doc level is the antithesis of all the above. For doctoral researchers = no empt. rights. For post-docs will have employment rights, but are often limited by the short-term nature of their contracts.
- Funding for doctoral research is typically just above the bread-line.

I go to a French deli for French macaroons...which are really hard to find in the UK. Otherwise, M&S deserts...yum!