Ok, thanks everyone.

Based on the feedback I've had from here, and from other post-graduate forums, my action plan is thus:

1. Wait for a response about this course at York: http://www.york.ac.uk/philosophy/postgraduates/diploma/#tab-1 it looks like it may ease my mind about my research capabilities. If I become a graduate of both universities in York, I can at least be part of the both research cultures, and attending all research events could make getting on a PhD here more likely.

The email I sent to the Philosophy department at York makes my future ambitions clear, it reads:

'Hello,

My name is Laura Hyde, and I'm about to graduate from York St John with MA in Creative Writing. My long-term plan is to do a PhD in Post-modern Narratology. Before I commit to doctoral study, I would like to hone my research skills and make more informed progress with a potential PhD proposal. Would the Graduate Certificate in Philosophy course allow me to do this?

Also, if I were to study the diploma part-time, how often should I expect to attend?

Kind regards,

Laura Hyde'


2. If the course seems appropriate, apply, and hopefully be accepted.

Between now and September 2014, complete the new equivalent of PTLLS, which is the basic FE teaching qualification. If I could get CTLLS in as well, that would allow me to become an Associate Teacher at a college.

3. If I'm accepted on the Philosophy course, do it

4. Get a really polished PhD proposal down and see if I can find a supervisor, local if possible.

5. If that's not possible, I should have enough qualifications by then to get the required teaching hours for a FE teaching Diploma by volunteering at adult learning classes a community centre , and I can keep honing a PhD proposal at the same time.

Thanks,

I was looking at going into academia, though I'm also looking at FE teacher training NVQs so that college teaching would be an option if there are no viable tenures at unis. I suppose there is no harm in liasing with York St John and York to see if they're interested. I would be self-funded anyway I would imagine because my former Head of Programme has already told me there's no funding, as has someone at York uni.

Oh, and one more thing. How often are Phd students in the vicinity of their base university? If my physical limitations are going to hinder my travel to a far away uni often, should I stay local or does the amount of independent research mean I could conduct most of it away from the uni?

I ask because based on my preliminary searches, my feeling is that my research interests might be more in line with the research themes of unis that aren't local.

Thanks again for your support.

Ah ok, thanks. The fact I shouldn't already have stuff out there is a relief.

Ok thanks,

Is it common to try and get journal articles written (and maybe published) before considering a Phd?

Hello,

I'm looking for some advice.

I graduate from my MA in November (with a Merit in Creative Writing) I'm 22, and I want to do a practical PhD (a lot more honed and specific obviously but I won't bore you with specific research ideas here) but I am not ready, my research skills are not up to scratch. The thing is, I don't know how to get ready. I'm severely physically disabled, so I am not able to hold down a job yet until my health and mobility improve.

I'm freelancing right now, and I've had my poetry published ten times this year so the creative side is coming along nicely, but is there something I can do to become more confident in post-graduate research side? I want to be confident that my idea is viable and the people looking at it aren't going to think I'm woefully undereducated.

What should I do next? I was considering an Mres but there aren't any appropriate ones in my area. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Laura