It doesn't have to be expensive, I got a funded MSc from Birmingham Uni with living expenses.

Yes, I will make sure i read up on the research the department does. Thanks for the advice everyone.

I think I have enough experience really, because one of my friends is doing a PhD and she said she didn't have a clue how to use the equipment etc when she started, but obviously people showed her so it was OK. My problem that is I have trouble proving to people that I can do it, because I don't have a lab. project that I can use to demonstrate my skills.

Hopefully they would offer me unpaid/low work for a month or so and eventually a PhD. That would be good.

I already have an MSc and don't see the point of doing another one, and i especially don't want to have to pay to do it. My research project was computor-based, so I haven't done a project in a lab. which i think has hindered me.

I applied at the uni previously for a different PhD, but didn't get it (which i think was because I don't have enough research experience), so i emailed someone else in the department who also supervises PhDs and asked if she could help me to get the relevent experience that I need so I that i wouldn't be in the same situation again if i applied for another one.

I have a meeting with a PhD supervisor at a uni next week, (as i emailed her to say that I needed research experience to enable me to be accepted to a funded PhD) and she replied saying that I should meet with her to discuss options.

This is a bit of strange question, but what do you think she will say? Would she say to come and do some unpaid research at the uni for work experience, or offer me a job as a research assistant etc?

What do you think?

Yeah they said that they will get back to me in 2 weeks, so I will wait and see if I am accepted, and if not then I will look for other places.

Ok thanks for that, that has helped to put my mind at rest. Fortunately i didn't know that the other applicant was at the uni until after the interview so it didn't affect me during it.

I had an interview for a PhD last week and the other applicant is currently doing a Masters at the same uni, whereas I finished my MSc in 2006 at a different uni. Does this give the applicant an advantage over me as the staff already know her etc? Is she more likely to be given the PhD than me due to this difference?

You will get a 25% reduction on your council tax if there is 1 student and 1 non-student living in the property.

I have got an interview for a PhD in 2 weeks time. Does anyone know on average how many people are interviewed for 1 PhD position?