Hi,

I've recently finished all the work in my degree, and it looks like I'm going to get a 2:1. I was thinking about going on to a PhD, thinking that the latest you could do this was like the end of June.

That said, looking into things a bit more closely, it seems that I may have been mistaken. From the way I see things now, the deadlines for the most common types of funding have passed.

It seems like there are other sources of funding but that the chances of me getting it via them aren't all that great, because these only pay for a really limited number of students.

So ultimately, what I'm wondering is: is it worth trying to apply for funding now or is it really just too late for me to realistically have a chance of getting it?

Thanks for your help.

You need to provide some info regarding your discipline if you want a constructive response.

I did a BSC(Hons) degree in Psychology, looking to do a PhD in something relating to Social Psychology- specifically, research into ways to stop people procrastinating/ improving motivation.

Thanks for your response.

To be honest, you'd be very lucky to get funding with just a undergraduate degree at 2.1.

It always worth trying if deadlines are still open.

I'd second Miss Spacey's response really. As I'm sure you know Psychology is highly competitive so I think you might struggle. That's not to say it isn't worth a bash!

To be honest, you'll be very lucky to get funding for your own project to start this year, but if deadlines are still open, then there is no harm in going for it. Your best bet would probably be School-funded studentships or scholarships at the university you are applying to- external funding applications usually take ages to get processed (over a year in some cases). I guess it also depends how far you have got with your project proposal and whether you have already made contact with prospective supervisors etc. Just one thing- I am in a large Psychology department in the UK and although I am in clinical psychology and not social, I only know of a single student here who doesn't have an MSc, and even this student has many years of relevant experience. On a personal note, I would not have been well equipped to cope with the demands of a PhD in Psychology without my MSc (although I know a masters is not so important in other subjects). Might be worth thinking about...KB

Sorry I'm late on this, but I'd have to agree with the others. To get funding now would be a very tall order, its normally started around Feb time and I'm surprised that your uni didn't have a timetable in place. The deadlines for the main bodies have passed now, but there may still be time for internal scholarships. Having said that, I would also question, in the nicest way, your decision to go straight to PhD. I'm doing mine now (and going through funding applications again lol) but I couldn't have coped I don't think without have done the masters. Its like a stepping stone from U/G up to doctorate level, my supervisor always said it was like an apprenticeship, and with a good MSc you are more likely to be considered for funding next year. PhD is a long and lonely journey and without that transition and the knowledge gained during the masters it would be horrible (imo)!

If there are still funding options internally open then go for it, nothing ventured and all that, but it is so competitive, and in psychology particularly so, that without a first, or better still a good masters, your chances will be low. Another reason for the masters route I think, if it looks as though you are on line for a 2:1 (and don't let anyone suggest that that isn't a fantastic result - its just that funding is so sparce and you may well be up against people with firsts) then if you do a masters and go for it big time and get a really good result in that it would give you far higher chances of getting the 3 years of the PhD paid for which is the really valuable part :)

Hi, my one year Masters has contributed SO MUCH to me intellectually, and in terms of getting to get my thoughts together for the PhD, deciding on supervision, knowing the academy a bit, reading the right thing, I could go on. I'd be completely lost in my PhD without it.

As for funding, May-June is too late for any external body. Open scholarships from trusts and similar do declare their results around now, but they all had deadlines in Jan-Feb, and max March. Research councils are out of the question now.

Schools sometimes have full scholarships (only tuitiuon though) but all decided by now, applications in Feb, in line with ESRC etc usually. I am not aware of exceptions. The only things that happen now I think are departmental and school studentships which are at best partial, cos a small sum of money is divided in a pool of very many new and contininuing PhD-ers

Sorry to bring disappointing news, but isnt it worthwile spending a year reading or gaining relevant experience if funding a Masters is difficult even in the next yr? Just throwing ideas around..

Good luck!