Bit of a long story to follow, but I'm really struggling here with my nerves:

Passed my undergraduate degree in astrophysics in 2018, graduating with a 2:1 from Keele University in the UK. Took a master's course in biomedical engineering because I was interested in medical imaging but that didn't quite go as planned - still passed the course with distinction (including 78% in my final project.) Spent my time between 2019 and 2021 in teacher training and obtained my PGCE this year from UCL.

Teaching physics made me realise I'd made a mistake trying to leave the subject for medical related engineering and put together an application for a PhD in astrophysics at UCL. That was rejected, so I decided to apply for an MSc instead to see if I could get myself up to the level required for PhD study. My second application ended up going to the wire as one of my referees had to pull out on me so had to find a replacement fast (thankfully my HoD stepped in at the last minute.)

Hoping to study part time and also continue teaching part time over the duration of the course - but I'm currently two days off hitting the 8 week mark since my application was submitted and now I'm getting a bit stressed waiting so figured I'd come to a place where I suspect other people are in similar (or at least distantly related) boats - I'm not usually this nervous but for some reason I'm pretty wired right now. Not really sure if need help, info or just somewhere to vent, but I figured sharing might help me in some way :S

Hi all,

Apologies if this is a very long-winded post but I'm very unsure of my position and wanted to ask people who may well know more if they can help out.

Two years ago I graduated with a 2:1 in a BSc Astrophysics degree (with some modules in computer science too) and went onto do an MSc in Biomedical Engineering (graduated with Distinction - mainly thanks to a 78% in my final research dissertation).

I've spent the last year or so teaching science at secondary level, and while I've enjoyed doing it, I really miss doing physics at university level and have a real desire to go back. In particular, I have a (admittedly broadly defined) research interest in a particular field of astrophysics. It's not something I studied within my undergraduate degree due to module availability, but I did complete a literature review on the topic for my final dissertation and (when I have spare time - which isn't often due to teaching...) am working through university-level lecture slides and problems on it.

I've looked at some universities, and while I technically have met the requirements for their PhD intake (minimum 2:1 and MSc), I'm worried my MSc being in a distantly related field will disqualify it from consideration.

Has anyone here who works in a physical science department ever come across a situation like mine? Or is it likely to be a hopeless pursuit?

Thanks in advance for any information that can be offered :)