I'm guessing the answer is no, but I thought there was no harm in asking those who might know a little more than me. I graduated in 2007 and got a scholarship to do an MA. At the time I was 20 and didn't really know what I wanted to do, plus there was a lot of pressure to find a way to get a job (humanities student!) so I decided I would take an MA in filmmaking, following on from a BA in film studies and English, thinking I would learn some practical skills, get some work experience and would have more career options open to me. I found out pretty quickly it wasn't for me then got ill and had to leave anyway. Since I hadn't enjoyed it I decided to quit rather than defer.

Sorry for the slight life story but it's relevant in this case. I've really regretted my decision to take that MA and I've kept thinking over the last few years that I'd love to go back and study critical theory, which was my strength in my BA and the option I should have taken the first time round. I was put off at the time by the lack of career prospects, but now I'm older I'm happier to take the risk of an MA+PHD then look for a post as lecturer. I phoned the uni a few years ago to check if they did studentships but it seems that at any institution I'd have to go through the AHRC to get a scholarship - and I've already had and paid back one of those! I'm guessing they won't give me another one!

Have I guessed right and is there any other way to do this?

Many thanks