I don't think it necessarily devalues what real PhD students do as it is not recognised as being an academic achievement, like he wouldn't be able to get anywhere with it in the academic world. What is a honourary doctorate anyway? Would he be able to use a Dr. title? I don't think Vernon Kay really deserves it though, and I think its probably because he is the only 'famous' person to come from Bolton. Its probably not much more than an attempt to up the university's profile.

Thank you both for the replies, I've started doing some reading for my MSc so that I am more prepared for approaching potential PhD supervisors (I have a few in mind where I am and am also looking at others elsewhere) and writing a proposal. I know that the MSc course is going to go very quickly and be very intense once it starts so I'm going to start thinking about it now so avoid some of the stress come September.

Regarding studentships, without talking to anyone about this I presumed that if anything I would be less likely to get a studentship as a current student; I thought that they would want to give somebody else a chance to study there, providing that they thought the candidate was suitable. I have heard that they are looking for more doctoral students so hopefully similar opportunities would be available next year once I have completed my Masters.

I really want to get started now but I think the next couple of months I have off will be useful as well...I need to get my head around all of this properly and organise myself so that I have a better idea of what I want to research etc.

I was just going to do some general reading as I have had books recommended to me by the professor, but is there anything else that I should be doing that would give me the 'edge'? I'm getting a bit too settled into not studying and really need to get back into it, I have the motivation but its all a bit daunting at the moment!

Thanks, Natassia x

Hi, just a little update after my numerous posts worrying about my undergraduate results and potential prospects - I got my results yesterday (a few days earlier than expected) and I got a First!!! I was working towards it in my final year but was still very doubtful, but obviously now I am absolutely thrilled, relieved and looking forward to starting my MSc (same university) in September. Its still sinking in, I still don't see myself as a first class student but I guess I am!

I would really love to do a PhD after my MSc, ideally at the same university although I would consider moving if the opportunity arose. On the website for the School there are 2 studentships advertised for this academic year, I won't be applying this year as I am doing my MSc but if they are advertising them this year, is there a good chance that there would be 2 vacancies next year as well? Also are they more likely to give the place to someone applying from outside or someone who is a current student?

I really don't know a lot about studentships at all so would really appreciate any knowledge/advice. All I really know is that I want to do a PhD (for an academic career), and I am trying to decide the best way to go about studying for one, and getting a supervisor/funding.

Thanks, Natassia x

Hi Sarah, where have you done your undergraduate degree, also was it just criminology or joint honours with another discipline? Have you just finished your second year or have you finished your whole degree? Well done for everything you have achieved so far and good luck with your results - I'm waiting for mine at the moment and its horrible!
I have an offer for an MSc in Psychosocial Studies, I think that generally, and with the social sciences in particular, you would need to have a Masters degree (even with a really good UG result) to be accepted to do a PhD, thats what I've been told anyway as the Masters provides you with good research experience and ensures that you are totally committed to the subject. You can get funding from the ESRC for both Masters and PhD, but it is really competitive - a lot of people fund the masters themselves then get +3 funding or a studentship (or something similar) for the PhD. Your current tutors will be the best people to talk to about this. Have you seen any courses that appeal to you?
Also remember that you are doing this for yourself only, not your partner as well.
Good luck, and I hope I've helped! Nx

Well done! It sounds like you had a really positive experience that you really used to your advantage, and you probably didn't sound shaky at all at the beginning! The only thing I've been to apart from a normal lecture was a public lecture by a well-respected professor in my field (dissertation supervisor told me about it as it was relevant, otherwise undergrads don't get told about things like that), and I found the questions at the end to be the most interesting and important part for me, as they provided a way of consolidating what had been said, and then it all became much clearer for me. So its really good that you and the other girl on your panel got to answer loads of questions and have feedback, it would have probably made yours stand out from the others and would have made it more thought-provoking.

I don't think I have to worry so much as everyone knows where my university is, however it is practically next door to a really good university and so it is a bit overlooked in the area, if that makes sense. However, for my MSc subject (interdisciplinary and fairly new) it totally stands out. I am more worried about when I go for a PhD place (as I want to) and they decide to take someone from a 'better' university based on name rather than what I have actually studied. I guess one of the ways to avoid that is to do my PhD at the same university, which would be ideal. So many things to think about at the moment though, and I haven't even got my undergrad results yet!

If I get to PhD level, this is a situation that I can see myself being in, coming from an ex-poly myself. Although for my subject it is well-respected, some people probably can't get over the name of the university, if that makes sense. Thats their problem though, don't let it intimidate you if thats what you're worried about and as I'm sure you know you have as much right to be there as any of them, like you said you all have to start somewhere and presenting at a conference is a massive achievement in itself.

Are you going on your own or is anyone else from your university presenting? Good luck, hope it all goes well for you, Natassia x x

Hi Alex, Like you I've just finished my UG degree and nervously awaiting my results, have a place at my uni to do an MSc in a really interesting area so I'm sorted, as long as I get a 2:1. Is there anything at your present university that you like the look of?

KB has given you great advice, all I can add is maybe talk to your tutors if they're still around and they may have suggestions/contacts that could help you. I have no idea about that subject area so can't help you much there, but I think a Masters would definitely be the best option. Also if you're applying to start this year you don't have that much time left, I think you would need to get your application in by July and you'd need academic references as well so I would contact your tutors first. Good luck, Natassia

I'm only starting my MSc this September so really don't know how much help I can realistically give, but I can say that, for me, the best way of having a break from your work is exercise, like the gym or swimming, something outside. When I was working flat out for my undergraduate degree (probably nothing compared to what you're doing, but I was giving it my all) I still allowed myself to ride my horse everyday as he needed the exercise and it was a total break that I didn't feel guilty for having, I would have felt more guilty if I hadn't done it and it doesn't take much time out of my day as I get up early to do it. What I'm trying to say is that it can really help to have some other small responsibilities aside from your PhD; although it is obviously the priority and should be, you have to look after yourself as well and don't feel guilty for taking some time out to go to the gym or whatever. I personally wouldn't advise watching tv/a film as a break as you're still looking at a screen and mentally processing something, its best to go outside and use your mind in a totally different way so that you feel more refreshed and motivated afterwards.

I feel like I've lost a few friends at this stage even as I do tend to isolate myself and just get on with the work, and its also unfortunate that none of my friends from university are pursuing postgraduate studies, so they don't necessarily understand why I want to do it, and what I want for my career, at the end of the degree they just wanted to get pissed and stop studying asap. I'm not saying that I'm not sociable, however for me, work will always come first and some of my friends seem to resent that. Anyway, enough about me...I'm just saying that isolation is maybe an inevitable part of research if you want to do well, it is really hard though and I can understand what you are experiencing there to an extent.

I also want to say, as someone at the very beginning of the process who only has ambitions of doing a PhD, you are really fortunate to be in the position you are in. I'm not implying that you are taking it for granted, however maybe try to think back to when you had graduated, and when you decided you were going to do a PhD...how did you feel then? Excited and motivated about your research? Try to think that it is a wonderful achievement to be accepted to do a PhD, and to get funding or whatever, look back at the good moments of your academic life so far and the good things that have been said about your work. I don't want to sound patronising at all, I totally acknowledge that it is a tough situation but, for me, it appears to be part of the complex PhD process that I would love to experience in the future.

I hope thats made some sense and that you feel better soon, Natassia x x

I did my undergrad degree at a university with that sort of commute, and am doing my MSc there as well. However, as I drive it most of the time it only takes me 1 1/2 hours max, not too bad at all really and you do get used to it. I did it 3x a week and although it was tiring, it was definitely do-able. I just made sure that I got there reasonably early (about 9.30) and left late-ish (about 4.30-5) so that I could make the most of it; lectures, tutorials, seminars, library etc.

I would imagine that with a PhD you are in university less, maybe once or twice a week? I think you'll be able to manage it fine, however if there are other things going on like guest lectures you might have a problem if you can't make it. If your supervisor suggested it they obviously think it would be a good opportunity for you, do you agree with them?

It looks like you definitely know what you want out of a Masters degree, so go for it! Although my Masters will hopefully lead to research study, and studying is 'work' for me, I do also see it as a type of leisure activity and it can relax me as well, so I can totally see where you're coming from when you say studying would be a hobby for you. Good luck!

Thank you all so much for the lovely replies, its so reassuring to hear that others felt the same way as I do and got through it! HazyJane and anyone else who is waiting for something - good luck and I hope we all get what we want eventually!

I have started a new job and been on a training course for 2 days this week, I'm working as a receptionist at a rather up-market hairdressing salon part time now, to fund my Masters and also for a bit of personal development as well, hopefully. Although I have worked in the hairdressing/fashion industry before (as a student) this type of role is outside of my comfort zone, and very far removed from academia! I am required to be quite managerial and assertive, and I think this will really help me become more confident with my own abilities as well as providing a nice distraction from my real work. I will not be making a career out of it (hopefully), but it is a good job to have. So like you said Hazyjane, I am certainly not at the top of my game at the salon yet, getting there is going to be my focus for the next few weeks I think! I also have my horse to keep myself occupied, going to do some more competing, as well as catching up with friends. So I have a lot going on, but results are always at the back of my mind.


Regarding perfectionism, I think I'm a perfectionist because I was never very good at school - I got quite good GCSE grades but my A-Levels weren't good at all and I was lucky to get into the university I am at. When I did well at university during the first year I really surprised myself, and as I have improved during the course of my degree I have continued to surprise myself - getting a 70+ grade makes me feel fantastic and therefore acts as a positive reinforcement. I guess I have realised that I can do well, and want to do that well or better all the time otherwise I feel I have failed. My worst mark this year was 68 and I felt terrible, even one of my friends said to me "you just can't take it when you don't get a first", and I don't like to admit it but she was right. I am my own worst enemy in that respect, I still know that a 2:1 is a real achievement but I still need to really believe that. I can achieve all I want to with a 2:1 as well, in fact one of my tutors who has an amazing career only got a 2:1, so it is not the end of the world by any means. But I can't deny it, if I got a first I would be absolutely ecstatic!!

Thanks again for the replies, you're all so supportive and its great to have some honest feedback, my friends are all like "you'll get a first, I'd put money on it" - as lovely as that is to hear it doesn't really help me, if that makes sense! Natassia x x x

I'm afraid I don't know anything about that actual course at Birkbeck, but I can say that Birkbeck is a really good university for postgraduate study, with good teaching and research. I wanted to go there to do an MA in a different subject area and despite being a strong candidate (as I was told), I was rejected. I was later told by my tutors that my rejection could have been due to my age (21), as they are used to taking older students with more professional backgrounds. I was a bit put out by this but at the same time I do not have anything against the university and would certainly recommend it to others - I may even apply to do my MPhil/PhD there in due course, I have another Masters place now which I think will be much better for me.

There is an open evening soon (sorry if it has already passed), I went to one back in February and it was really good, go on the website and book a place. Good luck!

I have an offer for an MSc that I can't wait to start, and want to do a PhD afterwards, hopefully at the same university. Everything has gone well up until this point - with the marks I already have I average at a 1:1 but I am just so worried about getting my results, and I have to wait until early July. My tutors seem hopeful and I've really been trying for a first, but I am so worried about not getting it, its all I am thinking about. What's worse is that I'm worried about one of my assignments that I found really difficult to write and think I messed up, even though I did what my tutor advised and discussed the whole essay with her as I was writing it.

I know a 2:1 would be good but I will probably be disappointed with that, I am a real perfectionist and I would probably feel as if I had let myself and my tutors down. I know I just have to put it to the back of my mind and wait for the letter but I'm seriously finding it so difficult, I keep trying to speculate and thats not helping either, its becoming a bit of an obsession and stopping me from sleeping, eating properly, and enjoying the first few weeks of my summer. I have started to do a bit of reading for my MSc course as I really need to succeed in this, not a lot only an hour max a day but I feel like I'm tempting fate by doing that.

Is it 'normal' to be like this when waiting for undergraduate results, how can I try to take my mind off it? I have plenty to keep me occupied but this is really driving me mad, and I'm getting fed up with myself, and I'm worrying that people are getting fed up with my constant panicking. Any advice really appreciated, Natassia x

Well done, an amazing achievement and brilliant comments as well, the obviously think very highly of you - whats your PhD on? Good luck with it, I can't wait to start one myself!