Hi,

I would like to know my chances of getting a scholarship for a PhD, here's my situation: I hold a bachelor of communication (journalism and politics) - though I didn't go for my honours - but, I'm now studying for my masters in philosophy, which I should be done by the end of the year, and I'm focusing on a lot of political philosophy.

I'm in Australia (and a citizen), and I am currently funding my own masters degree. My GPA for my masters might, by the end, be a 6.1. Because of my background, I will do a PhD thesis in political philosophy, thus getting one supervisor from the philosophy department, and one from the political science one.

From this, what are my chances of getting a scholarship (ususally around the $22,000 mark a year)?

Thanks.

P.S: I'm 22 years old, turning 23.

Ah, thanks fpor the posts, guys. I didn't realise about the payments from centrelink. I better get a scholarship, then. My topic might be in political philosophy.

Hi,

I want to complete a PhD in 2 years. Let me explain first, lol. Here, in Australia, there is no course work for the PhD, it is free, and the word count is only 60,000 words, we only need to submit a disertation.

Now, let's say that I don't have much of a social life, I am debt free, I won't bother with publishing papers until after my disertation (I have reasons for this), I won't bother with teaching in tutorials, I will only work 6 hours a week for income (I will also rely on government AUSstudy - yes, I can do that), and I am able to carry on a topic that I will use for my Masters thesis. Also, the PhD thesis is under the humanities department.

Do you reckon I could complete the PhD in 2 years if I am very self-motivated, and have these conditions? Also, keep in mind that I have written - and I am aware that it is quite a different thing - a fantasy manuscript in under a month, which consisted of around 90,000 words. I can write very fast, and I'm good at research.

...Actually, even less? lol.

Cheers.

Hi,

I'm currently doing my Masters in philosophy at the moment. I did my undergraduate degree in Journalism and Politics. I wanted, at the time, to become a writer (books, etc), and I eventually decided on becoming an academic. After much consideration, I think I want to do the former.

The reason: well, first, I'm in Australia, and although studying for the PhD is free here, there aren't many jobs in philosophy departments. Most don't get jobs. So, I want to write books now, and if you know anything about the publishing industry, you would know that it's a lot harder to get books published (through decent publishers) than it was in the past. With a PhD, I believe it would help in getting my work through. Yes, I am aware that content is very important, too, but having the PhD credential, I believe, would help.

So, having nearly half-way done my masters, should I continue with the PhD (they've dropped the word count to 60,000-80,000 words, and keep in mind that it's free, and can be done within 3 years, not seven like in America) for the sake of becoming a writer (non-fiction)?

I also want to write on many topics, and some of them might seem very abstract, weird, controversial, etc, and it's another reason for the PhD.

Thanks for your time.