This question may have already been posted, however...does anyone want to venture a guess on how difficult it is to be accepted for a PhD program ( at Bham and Nham School of Law) approx. 60 and 45 students respectively in each at present I am told. I have no idea as to the approx. # of apps submitted from which they choose, therefore should I approach my offers as a one time opportunity, or might I take the chance and wait, until?
I am a US student and am concerned about the economy (as are most people wherever they reside) and will not know about any funding help (STA/other) until mid Nov for Bham and for Nham, I was told I would not know what I would be eligible for until after registration. Is it uncommon to not be offered any outside assistance in advance, or does it infer that my thesis, (although in an area of interest or no offer would have been made) or total app package not rate high enough on whatever scale is used? I know it is a money game to attract overseas students for the fees, but I am hesitant to carry the entire 3+ yrs of costs alone ( Staffords, private loans). Lastly, if at the start there are no extra funds offered/available, is it possible to be considered for same once you are better into your program and can prove your work worthy of...?
At 43 you could say my career clock is ticking and to add to the mix, I have a daughter who is now in her freshman year, whom I must support to some extent so she is not debt laden at graduation :-(
PS-do the uni's expect that you will take the 2 months granted to accept/decline, or does that put one at a disadvantage?

Thanks in advance for the advice! :-)

That is most helpful! If you could name the top 5 best things about studying at Bham, what would they be? and the 5 most negative aspects. Also, in re suburbs, in case of a shortage in campus housing, I had better start looking now in the private sector. Might you name a couple that would be suitable in terms of a reasonable commute and for a mature student ( say 20 min or less by train) and I am not familiar with that service either, other than it is said to run thru campus. All these replies are very helpful, for although my info pack is on its way, it may be another two weeks in the post.....and that is time lost otherwise.

I am very excited that the country is readily accessible by train as well, for I enjoy the outdoors....whether walking and window shopping in antique/ eclectic type shops, or a chance to stop for a bite in a small cafe and get to know the locals. If I had my drothers, I'd rent a flat in an older established neighborhood (say an old victorian house with a good size main floor flat) , maybe with an outdoor grassy area to plant flowers, n such. A place to truly call home for 3 or more years! As I love antiques also, I am hoping to get a place big enough as to do some 'collecting' while there and in other nearby countries as well. Again, any and all ideas are welcome and so much appreciated! I know there are advantages to living on campus, but I want so much to feel at home in other ways!

Joanne

Hi again! I have thought about Cambridge, however missed applying in time this year as I was caring for a terminally ill sister......so I got a late start. Also my daughter just graduated High school and started a 4 yr program in wisconsin in Zoology. Her and I have both been to the UK before and I tried to get her to study there, but she chose to remain at home. As to the Cadbury factory, that is awesome, it is the best chocolate ( I know from having been born and raised in Canada, so I grew up loving sweets!) In view of the LLB, in the event my thesis proposal didn't fly, I also had applied for a distance LLB with U of London External degree program (2 yrs) then I'd do a one yr LLM to top it off. It till would not be a disadvantage to have that, and a PhD. Whether I could swing both simultaneously is another question! I might relook at Cambridge as I forget now what their gathering fields are for apps. I have never looked at Kent, but will check to see what research they are interested in.
Whereabouts do you reside, and what are your academic interests/accomplishments?

You are all too right about the usury fees charged to Int'l applicants, but it is a total package for many of us: the cultural learning opps, etc. that at least for me make it worthwhile over staying at home. I would have to move to another state anyhow to get into a preffered school, so why not just go overseas! My husband will have to come visit anyways, so it might as well be something new! We both spent time in the military ( he for 22 yrs as a Marine) so he is accustomed to traveling and non-traditional lifestyles, as am I.

Best Regards,

Joanne

What a pleasant and encouraging reply! I do appreciate your opinion. I have a police officer background as well as my paralegal degree ( which here is equivalent to the first year and a half of law school) I also received a near 4.0 gpa and a partial scholarship in my second year as my grades were so high. Second, one of my LOR's (the content of which is fantastic) was from my instructor there, who has been a practising attorney for many years, and is also the director of the entire PL program.

That being said, I am hoping that the latter holds me in higher stead for the PTA position. What are your thoughts? So I have experience in both civil and criminal ( academic and actual work).
During the app process, I was asked for additional info on my legal background, and about 4 weeks after that was provided I received an offer. It took much longer than I anticipated overall, but I imagine with summer hiatus and what not that there were extenuating circumstances. Would you know of any statistics on how difficult it is to be accepted at Bham--based on overall rates or for specific programs? I know the PG programmes administrator said that they are to be near 60 research students come spring, and I am one of the first for the MPhil ( as they just initiated it). Also was told that they have 14 PTA's at present ( not all in law) which is a higher number than many other uni's.

Lastly, if you have any ideas as to accomodation at Bham, on campus or off--I am still gathering info as to which way to proceed there. BTW, have you ever been to Bham as you have Lancaster? I lived in Los Angeles for many years, and it seems the city size is comparative, but the idea of being so close to the countryside in Bham is definitely a plus! (Almost all freeways in LA and no green!).

Thanks again!

Joanne

Thank you for your reply! True there are many things to consider, not the least of which is establishing good communication from the outset, but now with this financial upheaval, I am more inclined now towards that which provides some financial assistance: and is considered on the basis that both unis are ranked very closely in many polls. :-)

Am a US student now completing an MSc in CJ and have been offered a place at two UK Uni's: Bham for School of Law ( MPhil to PhD in law ) and Lancaster (MPhil to PhD in Applied Social Sciences). Question is LANC has no student assistantships available and am in doubt about finan. assistance (other than my own funding) : however I have had tremendously good communication directly with my supervisor there since my application was submitted, and they project that I might also choose doing a split doctorate if I chose, and they have been looking for a co-super here in the US for same.
Conversely, prior to the formal offer letter being sent out, Bham had to get permission for me to contact my super there in order for me to clarify some questions I have (and they say I also will not have a co-super) however: they do have one or more scholarships to apply for as well as teaching assistantships.

Doing my PhD with the mind of a F/T academic position way down the line, I am curious to see what others think of one vs the other. In terms of both the Law vs Applied SocSc program as well as the tchg opps and benefits.
Thanks to all who care to comment!