I am currently studying Political Theory at LSE and have attained a bursary to study a Masters in Contemporary China at Manchester. Aside from the headache of having to move and take my wife away from a job, a city we both love and all the rest, I am not sure whether two masters is worth it. However, my idea for a PhD is substantially different to that which my current MSc could facilitate. Is this a problem? Is a masters just a stepping stone, more proof of academic ability than an initiation into a particular discipline? How much of a PhD can be dedicated to getting a firmer grounding in the discipline itself? Can a PhD be developed in tandem to the taking of certain Masters course? Any help or advice that can be given in relation to these questions would be very helpful,
cheers