Hi everybody,

I just graduated with a 1st class BA, I decided at the end of my second year I wanted to do a PhD and found one that seems perfectly suited to my previous degree, career plans and research interests. My undergraduate dissertation was a 'practice run' for want of a better phrase and my plans for research will look at the same topic in much, much greater detail.

Im job hunting at the minute, which is not fun! But I have had interviews for the companies I think are ideal and matched really well with my research interests. My plan is to start the PhD in September 2012 (if I get accepted), I want to study part-time whilst working full-time.

Anyone else in the same situation? I'm stupidly organised so I don't think it is impossible although I'm sure it will be a struggle at times having a job will mean I can fund myself and the research won't be as lonely as studying full-time, also this means I have experience AND education.

Anyone have any wise words of wisdom for me? Any help or advice at all is greatly appreciated!

:-)

You could think about CASE studentships - working with an organisation, but doing the PhD full time.

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Hi Sneaks,

After a quick google it seems CASE studentships are for science and engineering based PhDs, which unfortunately doesn't apply to me.

My PhD will be based around music licensing, and the organisations I want to work for are the official bodies in the UK such as PRS for Music and PPL. This way I can get experience from the job which will help me with the PhD, I also hope to be able to secure interviews with board members of these organisations which form part of my qualitative research.

ah ok. I'm a social scientist and am on a CASE - although with the stress of 'impact' in the REF, I suspect that most research councils offer some kind of collaborative award - may be worth chasing.

Hi

I am in the same position as ResearchGeek.

I am due to start my PhD this September but want to work full time. I have been advised that there is a high drop-out rate for part time PhD students and supervisors and the university in general prefer full-time students.

I was thinking of enrolling full-time but working for maybe 3 days a week. Some advice from someone doing a part-time PhD would be helpful.

Thanks