Hi there,

It's been a while since I posted, but back again to pick some doctoral brains!

After completing my MA in september (just missed a distinction, but was working (more than) full time, and with other issues so I'm still pretty prod of that), I've developed a research proposal which I sent to my former MA tutor, and also another institution who are also informally interested.

My main issue/ question is this: how much influence does a potential supervisor (or team of) have over the decision to award a studentship? Particularly in the case of ESRC, if it makes a difference?

The reason I ask is, I am confident in the quality, novelty and timeliness of my proposal and also benefit from some quite strong professional experience over the 5 years since my BA. The downside, as I've mentioned before is my 2:2 (just from one very poor module which I failed to submit on time - everything else got a 1st - or lowest, 69 - this was from an Oxbridge Uni) coupled with the MA pass. As I've also mentioned in previous posts, I've struggled with depression (actually BP Disorder) which explains why I isolated myself so much during my BA and crashed during my finals...but my recent record shows determination in overcoming these barriers, with all the work and extra-curricular studies and projects I've managed to hold down.

I'm aware studentships are ridiculously competitive. However, my former MA tutor (who obviously knows my MA mark, and SHOULD remember my BA mark from the original applications) has invited me to meet with her and a colleague (potential co-supervisor?) tomorrow to "discuss the proposal further." If this meeting convinces them, I assume my chances will have greatly improved. But, will I ultimately be knocked back down by the final decision-makers who will not see past my grades?

If the department wants me, can they argue this to the internal ESRC rep (if that's how it works). And, finally, should I tactfully remind my former tutor about my 2:2, in case she feels deceived...?

Sorry for the rambly post - I just hate remembering the 2:2. I forget its a barrier, as I've worked so hard to cancel it out, but realise now that it won't go away :-(

Hi Prettypollicy - congratulations on finishing and passing your Masters, I got a merit in mine at the beginning of this year and was so relieved as like you I had been working full-time when writing up my dissertation and it certainly wasn't easy!

I have just started my PhD but didn't apply for ESRC funding as I didn't think I had a chance due to my research area and department, so I can only offer limited advice. Although I am in the social sciences I had a look on their website and my topic isn't something they are particularly interested in. Also I am at an ex-poly and although my three supervisors have excellent reputations, the ESRC probably wouldn't see past that. There is a staff member in my department who used to be on the deciding panel for the ESRC who told me this when I was applying for PhDs during my MSc, and I got a first in my BA.

So basically what I am trying to say is that the ESRC appear to take the university you are at and your supervisors into quite high consideration. If you were/are at Oxbridge that should stand you in good stead. Your potential supervisors will obviously be able to tell you more tomorrow but I don't think they would be offering to meet you and discuss your proposal if they didn't think you had a chance of getting a place and/or funding. I also suspect that the greater the reputation of the supervisor, they greater the influence they will have over the ESRC's decision.

I hope that helps in some way and good luck in your meeting tomorrow.

Nx

Hi Natassia,

Thanks so much for your reply! Yes, I remember reading many of your posts when you were doing your dissertation, too... Well done for passing with a great mark, and for starting your PhD!

To answer your question, it was only my BA from Oxbridge; my MA is from a leading institution in the social and educational research and I consider my main (potential) supervisor to be well-published and active within industry research etc.

Obviously, as you say, this will only help me so much! At least I'm coming from a place of low expectations, given my circumstances, so I will be happy just to get accepted onto the PhD - which is, at least, looking promising...

On another note, I really can't see how I can do this while working 5, often 6-day working weeks and there is no possibility of going part-time where I work (they have also stopped some staff from taking on courses/ MAs etc - I slipped through the net!). Therefore, without funding, I don't know what I'll do financially. I know some people on here have completed PhDs successfully while working full-time, but I really don't think its a viable option for me...

Natassia, hope its not too personal, but can I ask how you manage financially - do you undertake teaching or other work, or have support from elsewhere/ family etc...do you find it managable?

(Gah! Feeling so wound up about this, I've just managed to order dinner on Hungryhouse.com without even noticing I'd entered my card details...and THAT'S why I will struggle to self-fund!!)

PP x

Oh - and, thanks for the 'good luck' wishes...will post an update after my meeting tomorrow (come rain or shine)

x

p.s. now checking my email to see exactly what food I've ordered for myself...I'm not kidding!

I just checked out Hungryhouse.com as I hadn't heard of it - looks good, hope you've ordered something nice!

Not too personal at all, my first year fees are being funded with some inheritance, and I still live at home so don't pay rent at the moment. I really want to move out but I have a horse as well so I can't afford it. I do my PhD full time and also work approx. 20 hours a week as a PA in a private physiotherapy clinic to cover living expenses. My parents help me out when I need them to, although I really don't like to ask them for money. I also do a few hours of private A-level tuition a week but that has stopped for a few weeks as the girls are having a break as they have just had exams. Being honest, I would love to be able to do my PhD 9-5 but with my other work I can't. It is a real struggle and it is early days at the moment, but I think I am coping ok. I should be teaching at uni from October onwards and that pays quite well so hopefully I'll be able to give up working at the clinic then. At the moment I spend 2 days a week working from my little desk at uni and the rest of the time working from home.

So are you thinking of doing your PhD part time then? Being sensible, I should probably be doing that...

Nx

Hi,

As the ESRC has scrapped the open competition and concentrated funding in 21 doctoral training centres, your first step has to be to check whether your preferred university has actually got funded places available for a relevant pathway for your topic. Some studentships have been reserved by the ESRC for certain types of PhD eg advanced quants-based topics and language-based area studies, but other than that it seems to be up to the DTC to decide how they should be allocated. As there are fewer studentships available than ever before and concentrated in far fewer places, my gut feeling is that it will be pretty competitive. It will almost certainly not be up to your supervisor - normally even if they are on the committee, they would be expected to excuse themselves on grounds of conflicting interests for the discussion of your application. Their help comes in trying to make sure the proposal, references etc are as strong as they can be.

Hi,

yes! Had spicy red snapper and plantain in the end from a South African takeaway place, so my comfort-eating/ cyborg hand at least chose well...

Hi Bewildered,

Yes, my institution just found out recently that they are to be a DTC. So if I follow you, that means the decision is at least internal, so they will have a better idea of who I am/ what I can do than an entirely detached ESRC person, at least. I will ask today if they definitely have a studentship allocated in this department.

Regarding my references, I have contacted a former tutor from my BA who is happy to help and even offered to meet me to catch up on what I've been doing (to write an informed reference). The other referee, should I ask my potential supervisor/ former MA tutor or someone different (eg. work - puh, not likely! Or an institution where i did some other postgrad training, and 60 M credits)?

Thanks,

PP x

Hi all,

Thanks again for the support...I'm glad I suspected it was going to be more 'interviewey' than perhaps prospective sup's casual wording suggested. There were some quite probing q's amid all the friendly banter. Then at the end, they exchanged glanced and verbally offered me a place, and said they'd be putting me forward for the ESRC! Woooo! Actually surprised they offered the place there and then, as I felt like I wasn't on great form, verbally...ah well

Then we discussed a little bit what I'd do if I didn't get it...I mentioned I could broker the topic of dropping a couple of days from my job, but that my employers didn't really support study/ research - especially as they don't understand how its relevant to my department ( :-s smacks own head).

They hinted that ESRC have more confidence in studies backed by an institution/ employer that could be one of the case studies....I kind of couldn't be clearer than I was that this WON'T work, but maybe I need to at least imply its a possibility on my shortened ESRC proposal (500 words). Will they hold me to it, if (in a parallel universe) I did get a grant and the employer case study doesn't materialise.... ?

slightly excited PP x

Well done PP - it sounds like it couldn't really have gone any better for you! I remember when I got offered a place for my PhD, it really is one of the best feelings ever, a lovely mix of excitement and relief! Would you be starting in September? Good luck with the funding application, I really don't think they would be putting you forward for it if they didn't think you had a chance.

I am really busy but, like you, I didn't want it to drag on and neither did my parents, which is why they are helping me out a bit financially. It is hard though, especially at the moment when I have a deadline at the end of this week and have to work full time at the clinic because it's 1/2 term...c'est la vie I suppose. I still manage to have a bit of a social life and I have my horse, which is really good for my sanity!

Thanks v much, Natassia - sorry for late reply, have had a madly busy week at work.

PP x

p.s. will be back to post a bit more in a bit...hope everyone's having a good weekend x