Hi,

So I am a fair way off of actually applying for a PhD (I'll probably be in some 2009 admission at the earliest), but regardless I am intrigued as to how difficult I am going to find it to get funding. The PhD I choose will almost certainly be within the realms of applied mathematics and possibly, more specifically, within the field of fluid dynamics. By the time of my admission I will have a high 2:1 in mathematics (and an awesome looking first on an extremely relevent dissertation), a year of employment as a research assistant in a relevant industry (with good references), and an MSc in applied mathematics from imperial college, finally I am also a UK/home student. In an ideal world imperial will offer me a funded PhD, but, from the vague feelings I am getting from this funding milarky, competition will be stiff. How difficult is it really? Am I being scared unnecessarily or should a set my targets at a department/university where I am likely to have slighty less extreme competition? Is it typical or even reasonable for a PhD applicant to have an 'insurance' application elsewhere?

Cheers for any help you can provide!

Hi there dovetailed

Well, it certainly sounds like you have options and a good academic base to start from so that is good. The only question I can answer is that it is typical to apply to more than one place for a PhD position because you can't be sure you will get it - the same as for any other course/job etc. The other questions though... They are something I feel only you can answer or or unanswerable! How stiff is competition for a funded place at Imperial? Tough! Any funded place is tough to get and we don't know who your competitors are... Should you apply elsewhere too? I don't know: should you? Do you want to go to another uni? It would be typical if you really want to do a PhD to apply to a few places as said before. I think a bit of research is in order so you can help yourself answer these questions... which uni's, which supervisors, which funding...

Hope this helps clear your mind in any way.

Thanks for that, Janey . Also, thanks for the kind words about the good academic base - I do feel pretty positive about what I have to offer a PhD position; it's just that, as you say, imperial funding will be tough. I kind of feel that compared to the standard they must see all the time I'd be a mediocre applicant, where as elsewhere I might be seen as a good applicant who is deserving of a good supervisor and good funding... hopefully.

I've got time to think about all this anyway, and seeing as I now know it's not too rude or unheard of to spread your eggs when it comes to PhD applications I guess I can just try a few places, including IC, and see what I get back.

I think you're in a pretty strong position. A first is not as essential in technical fields as competition for funding is less intense (i.e. there's more of it, although it might not seem like it). If it's a funded place rather than getting individual funding seperately - even better, as that really depends on the opinion of the supervisor and how you click. Definitley apply to as many as seem suitable.