Hi everyone,
I v' e completed my M.B.B.S. from India and have got accepts from a few UK places for a masters. I'm leaning towards an MRes in Molecular Medicine at Glasgow because I'm aiming for a PhD in translational cancer research eventually...I'm a bit concerned about PhD prospects in the UK..I have been looking at positions in general and the way i see it a lot of places do not offer full funding for international students..This is unlike some places like say Germany, where as far as I know, funding becomes an intrinsic part once you are accepted onto the program.
Also most places in the UK seem to start accepting applications from almost a year before your PhD starts if you want funding..Does this mean that I need to start work on my applications in something like October 2010 for a place in 2011??My MRes would be starting in Sept 10.
This is my first post here..I dont want to seem to be getting too ahead of myself wrt the PhD..but at this point I 'm going to be shelling out a lot of money just to get this Masters..Dont want to end up in a self or partly funded PhD situation a year from now..I wont be able to manage that.
Another thing is..I think an MRes is widely regarded as a pre-PhD..so my prospects for a PhD at Glasgow itself would improve right??
Any advice would be much appreciated..Thanks :-)

Hi,

You may want to do more research into the PhD possibilities in Germany. I've heard from many, many German friends (who are doing their PhDs in the U.K. and other countries, e.g. Canada) that it takes a very long time to complete a PhD in Germany (hence they all chose to do it abroad), because in Germany PhD students are essentially their supervisor's staff, and are often given so much work to do (for their sup) that they don't get enough time to work on their PhDs. In the U.K. however, (full time) PhD students are expected to focus on their PhDs and are encouraged to submit within 3-4 years. So this may be something you'd want to think about.

As for putting in applications for PhD studentship while doing MRes, obviously it depends on the closing date of the actual studentship(s). I had two separate studentships for my MSc and my PhD, and yes I did prepare and submit my application for the PhD studentship in the middle of my MSc year (but not at the very start).

As for whether the MRes would improve your chance of getting a PhD studentship. Afraid I can't comment because I'm not in your area. In my area a MSc is essential to get the research council PhD studentship, but even so the competition for studentships is very fierce, as there's a huge demand for them.

Good luck!

K..thanks a lot for that info

Hi everyone
I ve finished Msc biotech in India.last one year i sought for phd opportunities in abroad, but cant managed to get scholarship. Some saying that it would be better to do MSc again in countries like Germany, Sweden etc....then it ll be easy to get phd over there. but im just planed to take Mres in UK and look for phd, but i heard in uk the stipend is relatively very low wen compare to other countries like Netherlands and Germany and all...which one could be the better option? can u give me some suggestion regarding this...
also i would like to know abt INDUSTRIAL phd.....