Hi there, I'm new to the forum and hoping to tap into some of the knowledge on here

I'm trying to gain a better understanding of Phd opportunities that may be open to me. I've just graduated with a first class hons in Community Learning and Development. I'm wondering what the chances are of getting on a fully funded phd course without a masters. I'm aware of the possibility of applying to research councils and likes of Carnegie Trust myself but I've no idea how realistic getting this funding is? I've also read online that there is more funding in the US. I would be prepared (perhaps even prefer) to study abroad so I'd be open to the US or anywhere else. Am I being unrealistic in hoping for a fully funded Phd?

Many thanks

Craig

Hi Craig,

I've not come across that degree before but am assuming something on the lines of education / sociology? If so, the relevant funding council would be the ESRC in the UK. You wouldn't apply yourself directly to the ESRC but would need to research which of their recognised doctoral training centres have funding for a relevant pathway and look out for their deadlines to apply (usually early Spring). They do offer 1+3 funding which is a combined MA/PhD training where the MA element is usually heavily research methods based. How competitive you would be without a masters, I don't know. It is more usual to have done a masters before applying for the PhD funding in the social sciences. I would suggest getting some advice from your old university tutors as they will have a good idea of the possibilities. Non-ESRC funding does come up sometimes but you have to keep a close eye on the adverts. For the US, how competitive you would be would depend on how good your GRE scores would be - a lot of social sciences programmes in the US are very quantitative so they expect good maths scores. You'd also need great references. You also need someone who knows the US system to advise you where is and is not worth applying to from what I've heard.
Hope this helps.