i'm gonna be applying for AHRC funding this year but i dont have a masters. i got a 1st in my BA and i've been working as a research assistant for the last two years. I've been heavily involved in other people's research projects and have presented at conferences, written proposals and undertaken lecturing etc etc

I am confident that i have the aptitude and ability to go the distance and i have a well thought out and original idea for a topic

I was just wondering if anyone else has applied without a masters and whether they'll just shove it straight in the no pile.

many thanks

The AHRC expects applicants for PhD funding to have a master’s degree. However, the AHRC website states that people without masters qualifications can apply for PhD funding if they can display:

“Evidence of sustained experience beyond first degree level that is specifically relevant to your proposed research topic, and could be considered equivalent to Master’s study.”

I guess that it is up the AHRC to decide whether or not your research experience is equivalent to a master’s degree. There is more information on this in the Guide for Applicants on the AHRC website.

If you do apply this year then it would definitely help if you mentioned that you were willing to take additional taught MA modules in the first year of your PhD to officially bring your research knowledge up to master’s level.

Hope this helps!

thanks xjr, i've already undertaken a few research methods modules to help me with with my RA work, so hopefully i'll be in good stead.

I am doing biological sciences with BBSRC funding so I am notsure if it is exactly the same for your area/funding .. but I got my studentship without having a masters.

JUST OUT OF INTEREST, HOW DID YOU GET A JOB AS A RESEARCH ASSISTANT STRAIGHT FROM A BACHELORS DEGREE? I THOUGHT YOU HAD TO COMPLETE A PHD TO DO THAT - AND WAS IT IN EXACTLY THE SUBJECT YOU STUDIED AT BA?

I'M LOOKING FOR A JOB AT ATM AS WELL AS CONSIDERING A PHD, AND THIS MAY BE A PERFECT COMBINATION OF THE TWO! COULD YOU GIVE ME A POINTER WHERE TO START LOOKING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT?

THANKS!

I actually wondered how said person undertook 'lecturing' straight from a undergrad degree. I'm assuming you mean in an informal sense?

You are right to say that very often RA jobs are best suited to people who have completed, or are completing a research degree. But there are also many quite senior 'academics' out there who dont have PhDs, I guess it really depends on the institution's policies and the suitability of the person.

The actual job i do involves a varied range of skills, including working on practice based and research based projects, so they needed someone who had a very specific range of skills and knowledge of software etc. I had also done some 'freebie' research assisting on some published work while i was an undergrad, so that really helped.

I'd bear in mind that most RAs are on short term contracts, i've had 5 in the last two years, so it can feel quite insecure. You may also find that with a studentship they may also want you to take on other commitments such as research or teaching as part of the deal. So think carefully whether you can balance everything.

golfpro- i started out with less formal teaching then after a while i was asked to lecture modules that were specific to my work as an RA. I have kept up to date in my field of research and have worked on major research projects it made sense for my department to choose me.

My experience is that academic credentials are very very useful, but they are not the be all and end all. It is your knowledge, enthusiasm and commitment that students admire and learn from, a PhD is merely one way of gaining that.

Well yes I agree Lofty. That said PhD's are effectively obligatory if you want anything resembling a decent academic career.

You can be a research assistant without a PhD - I know several people in this position. Generally, they either have a master's degree, or got a first in the bachelor's degree, or are using the research assistant route to getting a PhD. In fact, out of the RA's I've met, the vast majority didn't have a PhD at all.

thanks everyone for your comments and advice, I have been accepted for a part time scholarship which i am really happy with.