Hi everyone,

I am really confused with regards to what I should do. I recently completed my Master's and while doing my MSc, I had applied for a PhD studentship. I was interviewed via telephone a week before the results of the studentship were due to be announced and the interviewer (a senior lecturer) sounded positive that I would be successful in obtaining the studentship. However, when the results were announced, I found out that I was unsuccessful in my application. That was a major disappointment for me as I had really set my hopes up after the interview. As I am an overseas student, I had been planning on covering the difference between the home fees and international fees had I obtained the studentship and stipend. I am now searching for other universities that offer studentships in my area of specialization. However, I've noticed that there are hardly any studentships available for overseas students. Are there any overseas students on the forum? If so, how are you funded? Self-funded or funded by the university? Are overseas students ever completely funded i.e. complete fees plus stipend? I am also worried about the fact that most of you who are currently doing your PhD's sound like you're having a financial crisis! I thought that as most of you were funded, it wouldn't be so difficult in terms of finance, but that does not appear to be the case. Furthermore, can you work part-time if you are funded by the university? I have done my MSc in Clinical Nutrition and as my dissertation made use of qualitative methodology and adopted a sociological perspective, I developed a greater interest in sociology. Hence, I am interested in pursuing my PhD in either nutrition or sociology. However, I am confused with regards to whether it's beneficial career wise to change professions? To be honest, I am so passionate about my subject (I am planning on developing my MSc dissertation further in the PhD) that I don't mind either field as long as I get to do my research. However, I am aware that I need to consider whether or not this PhD will benefit me in the long-run.

I apologize for rambling, not sure if I am making sense but I really am confused with regards to what I should do next and would greatly appreciate some advice and insight on these issues.

Thanks! :-)

HI SL, ;lots of questions there!! :)

First, if you're speaking of the UK< face it, non-EU students have an exceptionally hard time. You are not eligible for research council funding, you pay very high fees.

Second, people still do it. As I've said elsewhere I've given up full fellowships in the US, to work with my supervisor here in the UK, at less than half the money. The rest in the first yr is self funded, though I have a research studentship for a little more than half of my tuition. next yr on i wil work, and lets see how it goes.

Third, there might still be positions available for nonEU people, but i dont think they are gonna be wholly funded inclusive of livign costs. If you are planning to stay in London, natural costs are higher.

Fourth, as far as your subject goes, both nutrition and socio are highly specialised fields to "enter", unlike media, or management and many other field which are great and challenging places to enter from diverse disciplinary histories. So, considering the field you want enter is itself specialised please take a moment to think carefullly before you decide. You dnt want to spend a hellish amt of time doing groundwork in socio, when you are prepard from nutri (and not something close liek anthro or psycho or history etc). Of course, the choice is upto you, and maybe yous hould after all make the change.

best!

In terms of funding- Loans, loans, loans. They're sort of inevitable, and as a non-EU student who is not independently wealthy I've had to take out my fair share of federal (never private) ones. Will I be paying them off until I'm 50? Probably, but I'd rather shell out a little money each month than not go to school. There are studentships available to all students, but they are competitive and- I'm not saying this to sound bitter- will probably be given to home students.
If you have your over-6-month student visa, I believe you are automatically approved to work in the UK. Most universities will only allow you to work a limited number of hours as a full time student, though.
Good luck...

Hi guys,

Thank you very much for both of your input. It is quite helpful to get others' perspective when one is in a dilemma. Izzim, It is true that home students are usually successful in obtaining studentships compared to non-EU. Don't get me wrong, obviously considering the fact that their fees is usually half or less than half of those that are overseas, institutions will prefer them over the non-EU. Nothing much can be done about that though. I agree with what you stated Phdbug about not wanting to spend time 'doing groundwork in sociology, when I have specialized in nutrition which is why I wanted to know others' opinion on this issue. You're right and I am now giving this serious thought. Cheers guys!

Just to add my tuppence worth: home/EU students do not get studentships because the fees are half of that of international students. But rather, home students get priority because the vast majority of university studentships and funding from research councils come directly from the public purse (i.e. UK taxpayers' money). Therefore, priority has always been given to home students (and in the past decade or so EU students)...and consequently, the chances of international students getting full-funding are very, very slim.

IMO, it's a bit naughty of the senior lecturer to lead you to believe you were likely to get the funding, and it was unlikely to be him who made the decision.

I would advise that you look at funding offered by your own government, and also funding available via the British Council (there are some very good funding opportunities available on their website). Also look towards countries that operate private or part-private education systems (more money, and less favourability to home students), and also consider whether a UK education is really worth paying the exorbitant fees.