I think the carnivalesque is relevant for any times when people lose their heads a little, and when they put worrying about everyday life on hold. Traditionally that was going to the carnival (hence the term obviously, I don't want to insult you). Try to think of modern equivalents of this - like when the whole Nation grinds to a halt to get drunk & watch England play football. I would argue that every weekend is carnivalesque for most 9-5ers. Just a few thoughts - I'm probably talking garbage

Not yet. I'm only 1/2 way through my masters. I really don't want to do a PGCE, and I don't know how much help it'd be getting a lecturing post at HE level... As for the PhD funding, put something that's currently a big news/government issue (especially cancer, obesity or immigration) in the title and the AHRC should be flinging the money at you. Sad but true.

You should take the high ground and criticise your professor for reading the email even though it was clearly a mistake and not intended for him !!

CONGRATULATIONS!! I knew you'd get it

Getting started would be enough for me!!

I share a private house with 3 others in Fallowfield, Manchester Student Central, it's a good place to live and we have not been robbed, but we are very careful & have an alarm. We don't have locks on our bedrooms but we respect each other's property and privacy so we don't need them. By all means, if you don't trust your housemates, fit a lock. It's your peace of mind at the end of the day. I wouldn't bother locking against thieves - as mentioned, if they can get in your house they can get in your room. My housemates are like family and I can't imagine not trusting them. And not all parts of 'gunchester' are that rough, by the way.

thanks x

[nods in agreement with JXR]

And having self-funded may not be as impressive as having been given thousands of pounds of funding, but think of the personal tenacity and dedication to your subject that self-funding shows.

Another question: has anyone on here self-funded their PhD (ie. with a career development loan) and if yes, how's it been?

I didn't really expect an affirmative answer tbh - just wanted to ask. Actually a few of the proper Old Skool lecturers got jobs without PhDs, but I think the employment market was very different in those days.

Thanks very poor. I want to teach degree level tho so guess I'll just have to bankrupt myself. I hope you get richer as I get poorer x

I'd say UK is better. But I'm no expert..

Do what interests you, as long as you can afford it. Study is about passion as much as cost. As long as you find a reasonable quality university to study the subject you like, you'll do fine

...and without a distinction at master's level? I've heard a lot of institutions will accept you for a PhD without a masters level distinction (which is great) but it's nearly impossible to get funding! I'm doing a masters at present and not likely to get a distinction or AHRC funding - would anyone like to take a guess at my chances of getting a lecturing post in Literature without a PhD? I'm recoiling from the idea of financial ruin caused by more self-funding...