I'm a final year student doing a Physics and Astrophysics degree. I've wanted to do a PhD for a long time but have had a bad time at this University - some big life 'disasters' etc have caused havoc.

I had planned on doing a Masters in Astronomy at Sussex even though it would be a financial burden and then trying for a PhD. That was under the assumption that I'd get a 2:2. Now things are looking much better and I'm in the running for a 2:1, I'm wondering whether maybe I should see if I can skip the MSc. Although ideally I’d want a PhD in Astronomy/Astrophysics, I’d be willing to bend to funding and location needs to some extent. My current degree is at a “top ten” University but not Oxbridge.

I'd really appreciate any advice on this all, I'm at a loss at what to do right now. Should I apply for both a Masters and a PhD even if they're at the same Universities, should I wait until I get my final mark or should I just dig myself a hole and bury my head?! I'm feeling very lost and confused right now!

I would do the master regardless, that way if you get a 2.1 it looks good and you have an even better chance of funding the following year. Also, you will be known in the department, and so will hear of funded PhDs coming up more readily. We have a girl, a MSc student, who was accepted to do her PhD this year, but decided to do the MSc first and will do her project linked to what she will do her PhD on, so you could do it both ways (but she did her undergraduate at my department, so may have had more flexibility).

I would apply to the Masters but not the PhD at the same university (I guess its the same department). However I would also apply to other universities for a PhD, if possible. To be honest you don't sound that confident and unless you are good at hiding it, it would come through at interview etc.

If you really feel confident, then apply to the phd at the university and if you don't get in, then ask if you can do the Masters instead.

H, confidence isn't an issue. Although it won't have come across in my message above because I'm trying to be as honest as possible on here, I'm very confident and usually do well in interviews. I'm an athletic union society president and a teacher aid in a school on the 'worst schools' list so am used to performing under pressure!

Due to financial reasons, doing a Masters at Sussex would be the only real option. A funded PhD would widen my potential places of study to the whole of London and some more of Sussex. I've always really liked the idea of a Masters since I feel I could do pretty well at one. The organisation of the one at Sussex and the way its assessed all sound ten times better than here in my BSc. The biggest worry is finance since unfortunately I don't have anyone like parents to fall back on.

Thanks guys for the advice btw, its really helping!

I would say if you're really sure of persuing a PhD, not to bother with a masters (for sciences anyway). I went straight from my BSc to PhD and it hasn't caused any problems - I worked as a research tech for a few months inbetween. Have you thought about taking some time out after your BSc? Maybe to sort your head out and get some experience in your field. PhDs are available all year round, so you can take as long as you need. I don't think the added pressure of fees (which is ridiculous - my friend has to pay >£1000 of bench fees as well?!?) and intensity of a masters is worth it in my opinion. But that's just me, I'm sure it's worth it for many others.

I've spent some time thinking about it and I'm generally coming to the conclusion that if I could get onto a funded PhD right without doing a Masters then that would be a better idea. The idea of having all that maintenance money vs living in financial squalour does carry a lot of weight.

I'm a bit worried though since I think I'd be happiest with being at Sussex vs anywhere else since its nearby from home, I already have a nice home in Brighton and I absolutely *love* the city. I know people that have done PhDs with 2:1s in Physics and someone mentioned on here that they knew someone who'd got onto a PhD at Sheffield in Astronomy with a 2:1. However, looking at the sites of the current DPhil students, it seems like the majority have done a Masters and a couple have done a Masters, got a distinction and have a Bachelors degree with a 1st classification. A slight upside is that two of the astronomers at my current Uni did their DPhils at Sussex and one of them is my third year project supervisor. I'll go and see her this week to talk things over and get her input.
Do you think the best idea would be to apply for the PhD and then if I don't get the funded place or if all goes wrong and I only get a 2:2 then I ask if I can do the MSc instead?

BTW Schlu, what BSc and PhD did you do? I can't afford to take time out after my BSc, its either get a real job to earn money, get a part time job and do a masters and live off baked beans for a year or get funding for a PhD. I know 100% that I want to do a PhD and I'll do whatever's necessary to do it. I know it doesn't count for much but I hold about 510 points in UCAS form, Microsoft Qualification and am working as a teaching assistant right now.

PS Sorry for multi-posting. 200 words per post is not enough sometimes!!