In February this year I was awarded an MA distinction in International Politics with the highest mark of anyone on the course.
Because I graduated in Feb I could not apply for a PhD starting in Autumn this year and will start applying shortly for studentships for PhD's starting in Autumn 2011.

I was hoping to start a thread that will help,guide an reassure few people but first I have one question.

Is it true that it is basically pointless applying for any kind of PhD funding if you got a 2:1 on your BA?

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No. I won AHRC funding but had a 2-1 in my BA. I also had a distinction for my Masters. I started the PhD straight after my Masters, self-funded initially, and won funding for the remainder. When I applied to AHRC the acceptance rate was 1 out of every 5 applicants, so I did very well to win funding. It may also have helped that I had relevant RA experience to backup my application.

So I could have applied to start in Sept this year then?
Damn.
Was reading elsewhere on this forum (or maybe another one) that someone was told at the start of their MA course that if they were thinking about doing a PhD should forget it if they didn't get at least a first in their BA. So that's comforting.

What's "RA" though???

RA = research assistant. I worked as a research assistant on a relevant project overlapping the end of my part-time Masters and the start of my part-time PhD.

Hey! Nah, you're fine with a 2.1 and a distinction at MA! A first might make it a little easier to get funding from some sources but I know loads of people with 2.1s with fully funded PhDs and I'm in a really competitive field. I also have a pal with a 2.2 and a pass at MSc level who is doing a fully-funded PhD, so I don't think you've got anything to worry about. It's tough to get funding and you might have to apply to a few different places, but you've definitely got the minimum requirements degree-wise so you should be fine! Best of luck with the applications, KB

Hi Williambriggs79,

I hope I'm not hijacking your post by extending your question to that of whether a 2:1 generally affects post-doc applications?

I too have a BA 2:1 & MA distinction - I didn't get funding for my PhD, and thought this was due to my 2:1 (several people told me this was the case) - so I'm gratified to hear that funding with a 2:1 can be achieved

Wishing you well with your applications! (and congrats on the distinction and top marks!)

Hi Williambriggs

I got a 2:1 for my BA, and a Distinction for my MA thesis (83%), with a 79.04% overall, - which at my Uni, only gave me an overall Merit, plus Distinction for the Long Study. I've just been awarded a fully funded AHRC collaborative doctorate place, so, to answer your question, a 2:1 BA + MA Distinction shouldn't hold you back at all. That said, alot still comes down to how you interview, so, I suppose there are still plenty of variables. Good luck.

I do not think it should be a problem...I have been offerred a PhD Studentship with a 2:1 BSc, and I am still waiting for my master's results (submitted thesis in the end of June...now the University lecturers are off in August...so hopefully will get my viva in September)...and I know someone with a 2:1 who got a PhD studentship straight from the BSc (no master's) in a prestigious UK university. I think it depends on whether you are the right fit, possible experience in the area etc

williambriggs - for Politics your best chance to to target institutions with ESRC quota places, ahead of those who can only offer a spot in the open competition. The open competition seems to only be funding applications these day with an A+ score - so top marks for project, supervisory team and candidate, and it's then that people with 2:1s + distinction seem to be losing out to those with 1sts = distinction. If you can grab a quota place, it doesn't matter.