I assumed that it wouldn't be until I registered, but wasn't sure how long I'd have to wait. Thanks for all your replies!

Hi, I'm starting my PhD on October 1st at Bath now, and got my EPSRC CASE funding confirmation through today. I wondered if anyone had any idea when the first quarter's money comes through, as my undergrad degree has left me seriously broke!

If it's an application form, I can't really enclose a covering letter though, can I?

In which case, should I include it in my personal statement?

Thanks for all the help so far, guys!

That seems to make sense - is that something everyone else would agree with? This is an application form to Bristol (my preferred choice by a mile) but I'm also applying to Oxford and Imperial, so want to be sure that I won't miss out!

So I've started filling in application forms for PhDs and I've started with one which asks me:

"Are you applying to other universities? If yes, please state which and for what programmes of study."

I don't want to just apply to one at a time because otherwise I could have problems if I'm rejected from my first choice. But will it predjudice the University against me if I apply elsewhere (and so have to declare it)?

Cheers.

Yeah, referees are another problem, lol!

I think I will have to use my supervisor for my final year project, but the second one is difficult. Maybe my lab supervisor from last year?

^^ Thanks very much sue - I know you weren't trying to do that, and the link was useful (they have another page of links on the site)

I was only trying to prevent the war over maths requirements to get in! Thanks for that link, I'll take a look at it

Thanks for that advice sylvester: that's useful to know!

Seeing as I haven't offered phonecalls in the e-mails that I sent out, do people think I should leave it for a while, then email again, with this offer included? I obviously don't want to seem excessively pushy!

Quantum physics, and especially QI is quite mathsy anyway.

Wasn't thinking of applying to Cambridge particularly! Thanks for the advice so far - I'm just a bit edgy because noone replies to my e-mails. Even the Professor at my current Uni, who I have seen around so know that he's in, hasn't replied.

Oh well, I'm probably just being impatient, right?

Hi everyone,

I've now started sending out e-mails to potential supervisors, aiming to start a PhD after this coming academic year (my final year of a 4-year u/g M.Sci).

From reading what all of you have written up here over time, I thought this was a good way to start, ahead of formally applying. For the moment, is this enough? Is there anything more I can be doing?

Also, does anyone know if theoretical physics (quantum information) is a particularly hard field to get into?

I'm finding all this rather daunting! :) It's like applying for University when I was at school, but without UCAS to help me!

I'm looking to do a PhD in quantum information/computation/foundations of quantum mechanics. I'm coming to the end of my penultimate year, so will be looking to apply at the end of this year.

What I'm wondering about, and what I can't exactly answer with FAQs at findaphd.com and elsewhere is what my options are if I do a PhD. I haven't properly decided between a future in academia and in industry. I can't even find out the pros and cons of both paths, and I'm also uncertain about how one moves into both worlds when one has finished a PhD.

I'd like to know this before I wander down this path, because I'd love to do a PhD - I've always wanted to do research - but I don't like the idea of not knowing enough about my options.

SO, can anyone here help?

Cheers,
Fred