The honest answer is that unless you can bring something else to the table (e.g. a publication or good work experience) the odds are heavily stacked against you because you are up against competition with better marks. To a supervisor, these represent a lower risk and, ultimately, greater academic ability. To be brutally honest, if you bring a Masters to the table, you are usually expected to have a Distinction.

It does raise one question though, if you're so keen to do a PhD, how have you got yourself into a third class position?

The sun is shining, I'm in a good mood, so this afternoon I will be listening to the Beatles.

With love from me to you...

Ditto SK.

The more you read the greater your confidence and the greater your sense of purpose.

If you plan the sections of your Lit Review before reading (i.e. a list of headings and subheadings), it will focus your mind on what is and isn't relevant when you're ploughing through the literature so should keep you focussed.

If you set up EndNote as well at this time, you can begin writing and citing as you read each article. That way, you won't have to re-read them later. The LR can be a bit daunting, so the trick (as my supervisor frequently reminds me) is to do a only a few hours at a time (e.g. every morning), then do something else in the afternoon so you don't get information overload. Good luck!

Welcome back Athina. Nice to have you back on board again!

Oh..

Blimey o'reilly!

No worries, I'm sure you'll be gracious in defeat.

I am now. Fresh back from the pub. sylvesterpostgradforum @ hotmail.co.uk is my forum address.

What have you got in store for me?

Oh god, is this back again?

Okay, let's put this another way. If I was the said bloke and I had the hots for you, how might you think I'd react if you bought me a V Card + present?

But, erm, it's Valentine's Day and surely you only send someone a gift/card who you want to be with??

I presume so. There was talk of him coming to England but Jojo said it was "too little too late".

Isn't your boyfriend the footballer Freddy Adu? I'm sure he won't have difficulty finding a new love.

Your question is very pertinent as I had this conversation with my solicitor yesterday and she suggested to get a good mortgage advisor as they can be good at getting you an offer.

Life insurance is one of these bolt-on policies that they like to push so they can make more money out of you. Unfortunately, some require it as a condition of the mortgage, but alot don't. Your best bet is to see a mortgage advisor as they are good at handling lenders and they are normally paid commission by the eventual lender. Just enquire as to whether they are independent or whether they represent a panel of lenders.