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Cheers for the reply.

The subject area at which I am looking sits on the boundary of Education and Child / Developmental Psychology. I have not looked into supervisors yet. To be honest, I am really just trying to get an idea of whether it is possible to get on a PhD with the kind of grades I will have. Not applying this year, I just want an idea as to whether it is worth my while looking at a PhD next year.

I would like to do a PhD for 2 reasons:

1. there are a couple of areas which I have a real interest in and I have some good (at least I think so) ideas for research in these areas.

2. I want the challenge of getting up everyday, expanding my knowledge and getting the best out of myself.

I am currently sitting an MEd in the UK and am on course for a Merit overall. In my original degree, I only got a 2:2 in my original degree. I am just wondering what my chances would be of securing a PhD place. Ideally, I would love to go to Canada or America to do a PhD, but my query is not necessarily country specific.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Being an Irish Catholic, I have been abused on a few occasions in this country (England). It was quite annoying and at first it infuriated me. However, when I thought about it,  I realised that many English people get racially abused in Ireland. I have also lived in New Zealand and Australia and I have encountered racists (though not abusing me) there too. My point is that there are racist idiots in every country, race, creed and any other way in which you can subdivide the human race. The best way to deal with it is just to let the idiots be idiots and focus on the good people, because the world is full of good people and I have been fortunate enough to meet them in each of the aforementioned countries and from all races and creeds.

Long live diversity and multi-culturalism!

First of all, remember that it is ok to be worried and nervous. There are many people like you who are nervous about taking up a new challenge so please dont think that this is some sort of failing. I think the previous posters have given some good tips. I would just like to add one more. Try easing yourself into it. Go in for an hour or two one day, and then again the next or later in the week. After a while you may be able to become accustomed to your new circumstances. I know it is an old cliche but take one day at a time and dont expect too much of yourself too soon.

Best of luck

Hi Gat,
I have not done a PhD yet but I would like to give you some advice from an experience I have had during my career. 5 years ago, I was being bullied in my workplace by a female manager. Given that I am a male I found it very hard to stand up to her without seeming to be aggressive. After some time my mental health was being affected so I decided to take some action. I was given some advice by a colleague which proved invaluable. I was told to keep a notebook of every negative comment and incident. I did so at the earliest opportunity. With each comment and incident, I noted the date, time and location. When the situation finally came to a head I had a great deal of accurate information to back up my side of the story.

Some other valuable advice which I received was:

1 You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity at all times. I recommend a quick read of the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

2 People who bully and harass others usually do so because they lack self-esteem and confidence and when you realise this you view them very differently.

3 Keep your Eyes on the Prize. In this case, the prize is your PhD. That is the only thing that matters. This guy is only a resource to help you achieve your goal. You simply need to work with him when it is required and you can ignore him at all other times. It is Ok not to like or be friends with everybody.

I wish you the very best of luck.

Hi I am looking for some advice on my chances of getting a PhD place. I am about to begin an MEd Psychology of Education course and hope upon completion to apply for a PhD.

The dilemma I have is that when I sat my original degree, not in Psychology, I was immature and only achieved a 2:ii. My masters will make me eligible for Graduate Basis of Registration with the British Psychological Society.

I was wondering if anyone could advise me as to what my chances of getting a PhD place would be, or how I might improve my chances. Please note that I know I am highly unlikely to get a funded place and that is not really something that concerns me.

I would also be happy to receive any information on PhD's elsewhere in Europe as that may be an option.

Thank you!