Thanks! That makes me feel a little less anxious about things! :-P

Hi All,

I have been offered a fully funded 4 year PhD, starting in September. I'm still waiting to get all the final details etc sent through. I know it is rude to talk about money, however I need to plan ahead what I will be able to afford. I feel cheeky (and a little rude) asking the people who have offered me this positions the questions below.

My studentship/ stipend is around £13,500 which to me sounds quite reasonable as it is tax free, right? I know I'll have to downgrade on shopping etc and be a little more careful with ££, but no big dramas!

Do many people have to take part time jobs? I keep hearing you can earn a few extra pennies doing practicals with undergrads? Can you also lecture and if so what experience do you need and how do you go about it?
Can you apply for further funding from other places? (although it sounds a little greedy to me!). Do you get NUS discounts?

And can you go on holiday? Do you have a set allowance like in a job?

Just wanted to hear from few current/past/prospective PhD students.

:-)

Hi Bow,

I'm also due to start a PhD studentship in Sept and I'm also both terrified and excited. I just keep thinking to myself it'll mostly be great after my brain has been dribbling out of my ears for the past 3 years of "grown-up" (boring and mentally unstimulating) work.

Good luck! Where are you going?

I'm sure we will soon venting off on here!
:p

How do you prepare for an interview for a funded PhD? I hope someone can give me some tips or tell me if I am going in the wrong direction!

I have looked and read through the department website looking at who the staff are (especially those interviewing me!), their research interests, recent publications, links with other departments etc and check I understand what they do. Then I have had a quick revision of my degree notes to ensure I remember this (!!)

In my application I talk about my final year research project so I guess I best ensure I remember this well and check out any recent advances on that topic etc etc.

I have prepared for the typical questions- why do you want to do a PhD here, what do you want to achieve etc. I have also got an answer in case they ask what area I would like to get involved in in their department.

Any other tips/ ideas are more than welcome! 
(up)

Thanks to both of you. I tend to get in trouble for being tooooo honest sometimes in the wrong situations so I thought I'd best ask! I guess being honest is normally the best way forward!

Thanks!

Soo... if you get asked at an interview for a PhD whether you have applied for other PhDs aside from the one you are being interviewed for what's the best answer?

I was honest and said I had applied for others. Should I have lied? Would you think this would be used against me?

Any feedback is welcome. Now just nervously waiting to hear back from this...

Hi, I'm new to this and need some advice guys. So I have decided to apply for a PhD and I now wonder what to do with references, CV and cover letter... :$

References
In some of the "how to apply" details it states " 2 x academic references only, whereas others is both academic and professional.
I graduated in 2007 with a degree in Physiology, then was offered work with my final year research project Supervisor til July 2008. I have since been working at a company contracted out by the NHS in a patient-facing role. My boss here is a Clinical Physiologist with a PhD himself. Who do I ask for references!?
I am guessing that both my supervisor from 2007-2008 and my current boss would be able to do this as both a professional and academic reference? Or should I ask my tutor whilst at uni (who I haven't spoken to in yonks!)?

CV
I am guessing this will be a standard CV but with more emphasis on my academic ability, grades, experience in research? Anyone got any specific advice? Have been looking on the web but all I seem to have found is postdoc stuff.

Cover Letter
Again, I am guessing this will be very much the standard cover letter but with more emphasis on academic ability, transferable skills, experience in research and what you hope to achieve/ future plans. Again anyone got any specific advice? Have been looking on the web but all I seem to have found is postdoc stuff.

Any input/ advice is most welcome! ,-)