Phd in Computer Science can mean big money in finance. Just take a look at efinancialcareers.co.uk and type in phd + computer science and have a look at some of the entry level jobs. Theyre probably very difficult to get but it gives you some idea what the potential is in the industry if you can apply your Phd knowledge to finance. Not exactly the most interesting field but if money is your motivation...

Hi K,
If you manage any significant breakthroughs with your robotic taxi driver project, can you hold off for a couple of years please, just until I finish my phd. (Im also a cabbie, to pay the bills!)

Sheffield no doubt for finance. Especially if your doing risk management. Prof. Dowde from uni of Sheffield is perhaps the most famous in the field from UK

think its something to do with rain and stuff

GolfPro,
no im not talking about academic wages, im not sure i would even consider a phd if that was the case. My field is quantitative finance and the jobs advertised seem extremely well paid. There's a big shortage of quant developers with phd's so wages have gone through the roof. Even so, Id only be doing the phd for the money at the end, I dont find the field all that interesting. Im sure it would be worth it in the end but 3 years of misery is a big price to pay

Im in a similar position. Im just finishing my masters and have been toying with the idea of doing a phd. Theres no jobs available for me even with my masters, but with a Phd I think it would make a big difference and possibly lead to massive wages down the line. I just dont think I could stomach 3 more years right now and im making lots of money on ebay anyway but dont know how long its going to last, its such a hard decision to make- to sentence yourself to 3 years of hell especially when the rewards are not guarenteed. Suppose weve just got make sure we know what were letting ourselves in for

Im in a similar position. I got a 2:2 a couple of years ago and didnt have any luck getting a job, so I did a masters which I should finish in a few weeks. I havent had any job offers yet but i havent tried too hard really. I went to a careers fair last week and spoke to some recruiters from big firms, most of them said they would accept poor degree marks with a good masters ie you'd pass the basic requirements. The thing they emphasized the most though was experience, get a job in a relevant field just to put on your cv and it can make all the difference.
If not, you could always carry on studying

No chance of recalling it, I didnt know about it till he emailed me. He just wrote that I should call him in the morning to talk about the research and said the title of the email was inappropriate. I replied straight away and apologised for the language used but didnt mention the nasty things I said about him, he replied straight away saying "no harm done". hopefully he's too busy and intelligent to give a monkeys what someone like me thinks about him. At least I hope so- he's marking my dissertation!

Sent an email to a mate saying my progress is as slow as one of the professor's lectures. Saying maybe we could sort out a group demonstration so as to minimise the time spent alone with him. Titled the email "DisserF**kingTation". Then somehow, accidentally sent it to the professor's address instead of my friend's.
Never been so embarrased, and got a meeting with him next week!

Cheers guys, if the checks are only carried out when vulnerable people are involved then itll be ok. I think if i told them about it theyd probably be OK with it anyway as it was quite a long time ago now. But I think after reading your comments Ill just tick the no box and keep my fingers crossed. (so much for honest is the policy!)

There wont be anything like that- im applying to maths depts

Has anyone had to do a CRB check before being accepted? Application forms always ask about convictions but I always assumed it was a formality and not worried too much. Im just a bit concerned it may be different at phd level. This wont matter if checks are not done.
Would universities take convictions into account when looking at applicants if im honest and put them down? I know I should really but dont want to ruin my chances especially since the convictions will no longer show up an a check in a few months time.

They come in the top 10 in some league tables and then not in the top 20 in others. How highly regarded are they (for financial maths)?
My main concern is what future employers think of them. Any advice?

There seems to be a lot of negativity about phd prospects but so many of the top jobs down the line require phds. Im sure the doom and gloom will all be forgotten in years to come. Just keep flipping those burgers in the meantime

Great thread you absolute party animals!