======= Date Modified 10 Sep 2009 20:07:19 =======
Hi, a borderline distinction or merit will usually get you entry into a PhD programme (obviously UG results will play a factor). The standards entry requirements for most PhDs are UG: First (alone) or UG 2.2/2.1 and Masters Distinction/Merit (together). An equally important matter is to get in touch with your local uni, approach potential supervisors, get yourself 'known' in the dept, and see if they can aid you in the process of funding. The fact you have tailored yourself to you local uni is a good move (and may mean you pip the post compared to other applicants).

Is this a survey, TennieV?

======= Date Modified 30 Aug 2009 11:40:27 =======
TennieV is referring to what we all commonly know as 'transferable skills courses'. I'm also not sure that the courses I have attended are in fact funded via 'Roberts money'. Only students funded by Research Councils must attending 'Roberts training' (which I think its two weeks a year, and involves going on those GradSchool type courses) - so it's not necessarily an integral part of doing a doctorate in the UK.

Some of the courses I've been on are quite good - but most are very rudimentary and padded out with an awful lot of psychobabble. The general intention of the courses is to obtain transferable skills to make students more market to industry as well as general academic training (eg how to complete a PhD), but the courses are usually taught by academics who have carved-out a career in running these courses, and rarely do they have any industry experience.

======= Date Modified 26 Aug 2009 15:43:22 =======
I can only speak generally here, but I've also heard negative things about City - in particular, students complaining a low number of teaching hours cf. to KCL, QMUL and LSE. I can't say I've heard anything positive or negative about Royal Holloway, but it has a very nice campus.

One thing, that may or may not be of interest, is that Royal Holloway is part of the University of London, which is internationally recognised, and will give you access to more facilities (eg. Senate House library and other college libraries).

Your own cottage...hmmph well I'm jealous! ;-)

I work at home now (well my parents' home...my funding finished too). I would recommend you keep your work space very separate from your living space. Eg. if you have a garage or out-building, think about converting it into an office. If not, use a spare room and remove all luxuries (like cable TV, comfy sofa etc). Make sure family and friends know that just because you're at home doesn't mean you're not 'at work'. Try not to be a hermit - it's really easy to fall into the hermit lifestyle when doing a PhD from home. 

======= Date Modified 25 Aug 2009 11:55:19 =======
Hi Rubyw, thanks for the advice! :)

It sounds like minor corrections can be a little fickle - especially concerning what type of correction they're after. I think it would be unfair of your examiners to ask for any 'content' changes when you've only have minor corrections - hopefully you have the type of supervisor who'll advocate on that matter. But knowing this can happen, I'll be submitting cheaper soft-bound copies to my examiners.

I'm in the same position as you with respect to getting access to people and adding additional information - there is so much more work I can do on my thesis but I've ran out of time and word count, but I'd really like to improve things for publication. Most of my fellow PhDers who have now passed have published their thesis in its original format, but I don't believe this is very reader friendly (and not very marketable).

I was thinking of making mine a little more textbook'ish, so a general reader of the subject might find it interesting.

You may have a second-wind of interest for your thesis when you pick the design for a book cover and find out what royalties you'll receive (haha...wishful thinking that we'll make any money from publishing!).

@Lara, I like your attitude (I need to adopt it!). As you say 'let the cards fall', or as Dale Carnegie says "Co-operate with the inevitable. If you know a circumstance is beyond your power to change or revise, say to yourself: 'Is is so; it cannot be otherwise". (I'm current reacquainting myself with Mr Cargenie as I've become a terrible worrier!).

I can't believe you don't know who your examiners are though - that's just not cricket!!

Well, my PhD is going s l o w l y, but it's got to be finished in the next month. I like some of my thesis, and hate other parts...but mostly just overwhelmed with ennui about it now.

@Rubyw, the issue of a corrections report is a bit of a mystery to me - could you tell me if the examiners quite specific about what they want corrected? I don't fancy lots of back and forth exchanges if I end up with corrections (which is likely). Also, are you publishing your thesis 'as is' or are you going to re-write it? As I'm finishing my writing, I'm not sure if to just publish it in its present state (assuming it passes!) or spend another 6 mths making it more reader-friendly and adding additional research.

======= Date Modified 23 Aug 2009 14:14:08 =======
Hi Questionmark, there is certainly no problem with going ahead with a PhD at 41 (I know several people who have successfully done this and gone on to good academic careers...not back into industry though), but similarly to PhdBug, I would ask why do you actually want to do a PhD?

Are you interested in research (as opposed to practice) and/or working in academia, or an IB position that requires a PhD (eg. in financial economics)?

If you are using the PhD primarily as way to find a 'new life'  you should think long and hard about whether it's the right decision (eg. in the US, you're looking at a five year commitment). Also in your field, you'll be up against a lot of competition as so many other people are in the same position (many bankers have taken academic positions), so you may find you'll invest 3/5 years of your life in research and have no job at the end of it (lots of recent PhDs are in this position now). It's quite a big gamble (and potentially very expensive).

If research isn't your top priority, but rather starting a life in Europe or the US and career, have you thought of doing an MBA (which would be about 2 years) or maybe another masters eg. an MSc/LLM in finance/risk management, and then moving back into banking/corporate sector? Even without a PhD, you'd also open yourself up to working academia, particularly if you can offer niche expertise of your country's financial markets.

The answer to these questions depends on where you want to study (most universities allow part-time PhD study, self-funding, but not usually online/distance learning). You might be wise to ask your tutors on your MA course about PhD opportunities in your field, they will point you in the right direction.

A third class degree will be a disadvantage, but how did you perform in your MA/did you get a distinction in your thesis? An excellent grade in your MA will go a long way to offset a poor performance at UG level.

Hey Lara! Good to see you've got a date as last - Woo!! You sound in the right mindset and one month is a good amount of time to get all your knowledge together. Do you know who your examiners will be?

======= Date Modified 17 Aug 2009 20:57:16 =======
Skippy, have you failed? Or are going through a crisis of confidence?

If you're in the UK, it's unlikely you'll fail your PhD is it's half decent (I was told one in ten fail their PhD, but I believe the odds are much lower than that).

If you think your PhD is not up to scratch when you go into the viva, be prepared to fight tooth and nail to be referred/re-submit - this is the normal course of action. If you know the problems with your thesis and you can explain to the examiners what is potentially wrong/missing and what you think needs to be put right etc. a reasonable examiner will probably give you a re-submission opportunity.

You could start a PhD again, but you'd have to check out IP issues (as noted below), and check out self-plagarism issues if you've been awarded an MPhil.

But, if you haven't actually failed, you might be wise trying to focus on being impressive in the viva, rather than worse-case scenarios.

I think you should have a break too and cut down your working hours. You can't be that productive working 15/16 hours a day - unless you're super human! If you cut down your hours, slept more, you'd probably be more productive working 8-10 hours.

I realised last year that my poor diet (mostly chocolate and bad carbs) was having bad effects on my health and energy levels, and now 90% of the time I eat healthy foods (no white foods or sweets). I also try to take a short walk or do 30 mins of exercise in the morning as this seems to clear my head. I can't say I've given up on drinking coke and I still have 'healthy'ish snacks like granola bars (these will give you energy for a longer time than chocolate).

I also take Berocca effervescent supplements - it's probably a placebo effect, but they do seem to give me a boost of energy.

======= Date Modified 13 Aug 2009 21:56:28 =======
I wouldn't agree that finding a supervisor in any way guarantees you entry, but it will certainly help (particularly if they are a senior faculty member).

Generally, I would say never apply for a PhD without first approaching a supervisor, discussing your research with him/her, and coming to at least some informal agreement that they are willing to supervise you.

I might be wrong, but I think 'N' was fail (near miss), but was then replaced with 'U' which is unclassified.

But really don't be concerned about it!

Once you have a degree, A Levels or the any other high school level qualifications are not put on your CV.