I am a second year undergraduate student and I am faced with a big dilemma. I want to continue directly to my third year and then go for a PhD, but on the other hand maybe it should be better to spend my third year in industry in a work placement. I would like to ask you the following: How important is work experience when doing applications for PhD placements? Is it necessary for me to spend one year in a placement, or I can go directly to my third year and apply for PhD with no problem at all?

You can apply and successful gain a PhD project directly following your final year, but it is preffered if you have some sort of work experience. What I did was apply for summer placements for during my summer holidays, and then I took a year out after I finished my degree to do more work in temporary lab jobs. Also I did a bit of travel, which seemed to impress more at interviews than the work experience!!

I would definitely recommend doing a year in industry, it did both my bank balance and job prospects a world of good.

its all relative... its better if u go into industry - they may even be able to fund your phd if you establish a good raport with with them. Its all relative...

Hmm, I think that the year in industry is less important for someone who already has many years of work experience and who already has an established skills record. If I were you Paul, I think I would talk to a careers advisor at your Uni about this.

Its all well for you to plan for PhD degrees, but I think you should leave it until you are nearly half way through your third year, perhaps later. Your plans can change in that time, I know mine did.

Just enjoy your time as undergrads and worry about 'what to do after' nearer the time you finish.