Typically, it's the academic(s) you want to work with that you approach first to know if they are willing to mentor you during your post-doc. Once that's been agreed in principle, the academic(s) notifies the department which then supports your application (the support may be financial in nature, f.i., the Leverhulme Early Careers expects the academic unit/department to contribute a % of the wages; it could also be expertise e.g. a letter to confirm that there are senior academics to mentor your post-doc work, etc, etc). The funding body would need to satisfy itself that the needed resources (financial, human, etc) are in place to facilitate the candidate's work.

I started my fully funded PhD at 40, and finished at 44. It's doable, sir.

Years ago, a department at the University of Wales Bangor routinely would ask PhD applicants to first enrol and complete MPhil before starting and completing a PhD, maintaining that it's a tried and tested practice that worked well. It takes 5 years non stop (2 years MPhil; 3 years PhD) to get through the entire process. I simply declined taking it further and took my proposal elsewhere.

Difficult to tell expect one had previously studied or taught on both programmes. Nonetheless, having taken independent modules (not philosophy) from both unis, I think course materials from which module tutors teach are equally solid. That said, note that Lampeter enables you to follow either the MA in Philosophy or MA Applied Philosophy which in itself seems attractive to me. Both programmes offers a wide range of modules from which you take six and then write a dissertation. The OU programme leaves you with no options. You take two compulsory modules (which arguably may cover materials spread out in Lampeter's several modules) and do a dissertation. The problem with this is that, it doesn't allow you to follow specific modules which meet your specific learning needs. Another major difference is that whilst Lampeter's modules are examined by coursework (5000 essays) which could be developed into journal articles, OU modules are examined (I think) by TMAs and examination. Personally, I don't find postgraduate written examinations attractive at all. I'll rather write essays than write an exam.

Many thanks, Wowzers, for the info on the Teach First scheme. Unfortunately, my subject area is full. I'm unsure I want to go into primary teaching. Besides, it seems the most difficult sector to get jobs post-qualifying.

Do not click the link on jennifer1's (only) post on this site. It was blocked by my antivirus as a dodgy link.

Thanks all for your inputs. I found them helpful. Please keep your thoughts coming.

@wowzers: it's true that the current UK education policy allows academies and independent/free schools as well as FE colleges to appoint graduates without teaching qualifications to teach. The reality is that with a first class honours degree, two masters degrees - each with distinction - and a PhD (all from red brick unis), I could not get a teaching job. They're all asking for teaching qualification and experience. So, I have the gut feeling that the jobs are going to people with a teaching qualification and experience. This makes me think that earning a PGCE might make a difference. But, you're right, I need to be sure I'm not acquiring additional qualification that wouldn't add any value. My postdoc is in Netherlands which rules out the possibility of acquisition of teaching experience through part-time (paid/volunteer) work in schools.

I really feel like I duped myself into believing that working hard to earn higher degrees would land me an academic job! Life isn't fair.

Thanks guys for all your responses. I wouldn't be able to combine the PGCE and my Postdoc. Apart from the highly demanding nature of each programme, the postdoc is based in Netherlands and not the UK, making it difficult to combine the two.

@Bewildered, you raised very pertinent questions which I've pondered upon quite deeply. I would be more inclined to go into teaching -- I possess excellent subject knowledge and my intention is to teach in the FE sector after gaining my PGCE (Secondary) + QTS. I would like to teach in the FE sector because, unlike in the school sector where pupils are there mandatorily (and sometimes makes life difficult for the teacher who could end up controlling the crowd rather than teaching his subject), FE students are there out of their own volition and tend to be more serious and matured. After a few years, with further publications, my chances of moving to the Higher Education sector should, hopefully, improve.

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MY DILEMMA:
I’ve just landed, through a foundation, a 2 year postdoctoral fellowship position which pays around €2700pm. On completion of this fellowship, I would most probably have to start searching for jobs and feared remaining jobless again. Whereas, if I take a PGCE (Sep 2014-June 2015), I should have a permanent job from September 2015 and shouldn’t have to worry too much about being jobless. To this end, the postdoc seems a temporary fix whereas pursuing a professional degree in, for example, teaching, social work, etc, seems a permanent solution. Age isn’t on my side and I have a family. In the light of the foregoing, what would you do if you were in my shoes? I’m really depressed and sometimes feel suicidal but for the thoughts of my very supporting spouse and lovely children.

I've occasionally visited this site but have only newly registered and this is my first posting, seeking your help.

MY STORY:
Having completed my PhD (prior to which I earned my BA with a first and MA with a distinction), I worked as an RA on a one year fixed term contract and subsequently became jobless. I feel completely screwed up realising quite lately in life that earning a PhD would not necessarily get you a job outside the academia (where one is considered overqualified) and in the academia (where the prospects are very slim).

After a lot of soul-searching, I decided to go back to the university and train in a specialist field leading to a professional career with excellent job prospects and progression (e.g. teaching by completing a PGCE; Social Work, Occupational Therapy or Speech and Language Therapy by completing a 2 year Masters degree). I’ve already secured a PGCE place for September 2014 but 2014 entry into masters in Social Work (SW), Occupational Therapy (OT) or Speech and Language Therapy (SLT), etc, seems late (these require the acquisition of relevant work experience—paid or voluntary—which I do not possess). As it stands, I have to wait until 2015 if I opt for SW, OT and SLT professions. Also earning a PGCE in my BA, MA, PhD subject area should make me a strong candidate when chasing jobs post-qualifying in comparison to the fields of SW, OT or SLT, etc, where I’ll be a new comer.