Hello all! I'm after a bit of advice and was hoping you guys might be able to give me some help. I'm currently a second year Psychology student at uni in Leeds. I'm on track to get a 2:1 degree or, if i push myself a little more (somehow!) I might be able to get a 1:1...however I doubt this!

Anyway, I'm nearly finished my second year [already!] and I've been thinking for a fair while about what I want to do next. I'm certainly prefer the academic life - I love learning and I love researching, and I love Psychology, because of this I really want to apply for a PhD. Originally, I thought you needed a masters but found out that this was not the case, which is excellent as I doubt I could afford an MSc!

Over the summer I'm going to thoroughly research what PhD I'd like to do. When I procrastinate I frequently find myself with on findaphd.com or on various department's websites looking at what they offer. I really really want to get myself onto a PhD next year, and basically, I was wondering if you had any advice that might be useful for me at this stage?

How do you find a good university/supervisor? Is there anything I should be looking for inparticular? Is the transition from BSc to PhD manageable? Do you need to be really clever to cope?! I'm not the brightest button and to get this far I've had to work my arse off, which I don't mind...I'd just hate to fail further down the line! Is there anything I should do that would be useful? I've applied for a Nuffield Bursary for the summer and another work experience opportunity to stand out a little bit (fingers crossed) - is there anything else I could do?

Really, I'm just after any advice I could get from REAL people who've experience this. It's all very well speaking to people at uni (tutors, friends) and family but...I want truthful, real, answers. Anything would be MASSIVELY appreciated.

I'm interested in specialising in Biological Psychology or Neuropsychology at a variety of places - at the minute I'm interested in Newcastle, Leeds, Cardiff and Kings but I'm also thinking of going anywhere, really! Of course this is all research for it and who knows what could happen in the future, I just think i'm best if I'm somewhat prepared - time is going SO quickly!

I do Psychology (actually more of a mix now but I have a BSc and an MSc in it).

I don't know anyone who is doing a PhD in Psychology who hasn't got at least one Masters level qualification (sometimes two). This includes people who are not funded (where the rules tend to be a little more relaxed). Technically I don't think you need one but the competition is so fierce that in reality you will need one.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

A

I'm not in psychology but another competitive discipline, and usually a student has to get a first class degree to move directly to a PhD. Unfortunately, most students have to invest in a masters before moving on to a PhD now.

Although I agree with the previous posters, if you are at Leeds uni (not Leeds Met), then I know they offer loads of scholarships, so if you do put some hard work in and impress your lecturers, they are likely to recommend you for one of those. It would most likely mean a first though; but it may be the case that you don't necessarily have to pay for a Masters...

Well when I first decided that I wanted to stay within the academic circle I was more than prepared that I would have to do a masters in order to do a PhD, but when I spoke to my tutor about this she said it wasn't necessary to do a MSc before the doctorate.... I'll obviously need to look into it more but I didn't think it was a prerequsite. Maybe it'll make me be more appealing to potential supervisors but...I'm not sure, really!

Hi Poubelle.

I think your point about being more attractive to supervisors is what I was trying to say. In terms of finances, there are ways...My Masters came with a bursary, it wasn't a huge amount but it covered my fees and a bit more.

The ERSC does 1+3 awards where they provide funding for your Masters and your PhD.

Good luck!

A

Hi again A116 is right.

You will find, time and time again, that just because things are not necessary in principle (such as not needing a Masters), they are necessary in practice due to extremely high levels of competition. Much of academia is, rather sadly, about promoting oneself as one better than others.

Hi Poubelle! I am currently doing a PhD in Clinical Psychology in a large psych department in the UK that is well regarded. I have to say, I don't know of anyone who got onto a PhD in this department without either having a masters, or having spent a few years doing psychologcial research as a research assistant. I know that people in other disciplines can get away without doing a masters but I think you will struggle in Psychology, especially for a funded place. I guess if you got a first class degree it might make a difference, but I am not convinced...I have a first class degree as do a several other PhD-ers that I know, and still all have done an MSc (although having a first might make the PhD funding issue a little easier!). In addition, it is often through making contacts and developing interests in specific areas of psychology through the masters degree that people tend to choose their topic and supervisor. I am only in the first year of my PhD at the moment, but I would not have been well-equipped to deal with the demands of a research PhD without the experience of doing a research-based MSc beforehand. Having said that, I don't wish to discourage you- speak to different departments and check out their requirements, maybe some will not ask for a masters. However, I absolutely love my PhD and if you are really enthusiastic about Psychology and research- and it sounds like you are- then it might be worth investing in the extra year to make sure that you end up where you want to be, researching what you want to research, and with the people who are at the top of their field. Best of luck!!

My tip would be to contact the supervisor directly. I do a PhD in psychology, my sup always has a few funded PhD places going but refuses to give them out until someone has contacted her directly (often people try to go through me) - she wants to see they are keen on the topic etc. And how is she supposed to know you are out there if you don't introduce yourself?

ESRC 1+3 is probably your best bet - it may be an idea to contact an organisation and an academic supervisor to see if you can come to an agreement to put in a proposal for a CASE studentship - see the ESRC website for more detials.

A116 - why aren't you being accountable!?

Thanks for all your advice! I think i was in such belief I could go straight for a PhD because a handful of the tutors at my university have done just that...I'm unsure as to what classification of degree they recieved though, which might make all the difference. I'll certainly investigate the 3+1 option more. It was something I saw but wasn't really taken by it, however the skills/knowledge from an MSc could certainly be benifical. I think I might try for the PhD, just incase, but apply for Master's also...I can't imagine being out of the study bubble, that's for certain.

I've investigate the CASE options, too. I think I came accross this whilst applying for my research bursary over Xmas.

Thanks again for your advice, it's really appreciated!

I think historically it was easier to go straight from BSc to phD due to less competition, and other factors. After all, when I did my BSc, it was fairly common for lecturers in my subject (and others) to have a diploma rather than BSc.

That said, it is still possible. I recently applied for a studentship where they did not mention postgraduate qualifications as essential or desirable.

Definitely get as much 'real' research experience as you can.

Hi

I am currently a final year Psychology Undergrad and have recently secured ESRC 1+3 funding (wooo!) to start this Sept. I was considered for all funding opportunities at the University (they had a few different funded places) but I was told that I would not stand a chance of getting funding that just paid for a PhD as I did not have a MSc. They said it is possible to get a PhD without a MSc, but that the sheer number of applicants meant that I would not measure up to those who already have a masters - therefore I had a better chance getting a funded place that paid for a masters too.

I had interviews at a few different Universities. I worked as a Research Assistant for 12 weeks in the summer between my 2nd and 3rd year of my undergraduate degree on an EPS bursary (like the Nuffield one you spoke about). I personally feel that this is what clinched it for me - every interview / discussion I had with people involved speaking about the summer project. The university that I will be doing my MSc and PhD at even said that the summer placement gave me a distinct advantage over other undergrads.

I strongly recommend you try to get some form of research experience over the summer. I have a published paper and a conference poster presentation under my belt thanks to the summer placement.

Also, you really should push for a first class grade. There are so, so many applications that you really need to stand out. I'm on track for a 1:1, but require a 2:1 to start my course.

Good luck :-)

I think applying for a 3+1 would certainly be my next best option especially given the sheer amount of competition that is now part of doing Psychology.

With regards to work experience, is there any advice anyone can give on managing to get some form of research placement? I'm hoping I'm succesful with the Nuffield Bursary more than anything, as it would be an amazing experience and would give me the chance to be on a published paper. I'm also aiming to have my dissertation published, too (my supervisor seems resonasbly confident that we should manage it) and obviously both of these would aid any postgrad applications...is there anything else I can research wise? I guess, really, I need a good back up incase I don't get the Nuffield. The more I think about it the most convinced I come that I'll be declined!

I've been in touch with a fair few people about placements and many of the places (various hospitals and organisations that deal in Neuropsychology, mainly) have said that unfortunatley they have no room over the summer to allow me to be there for X number of weeks. Is there anything more I can do, at all?

Thanks for all the advice.