Bluebird

I'm applying to British PhD programs for 2012 entry. So far I'm 100% sure about 4 schools I'm applying to and I have 3 more as possibilities.
I have even gone over to meet a few of professors (who were all very welcoming, and one keeps in touch via email regularly). I was lucky enough to meet up with one of the professors twice when he came here to give a talk near my university.He was kind enough to spend a second afternoon talking with me. While in EngIand I attended a few Open Evenings and took a few campus tours, met some prospective students and even took a bus ride with a professor who suggested we lengthen our meeting en route to a lecture.
I lived in England for awhile so I'm really comfortable with the idea of going to school there.

I admit I am also a bit unclear about how the funding works. I missed the funding deadlines earlier this year. You really have to dig around on some of the university websites for info, while others readily tell you all about the funding.
My understanding is that you can apply to British schools any time - there is no deadline and there are several entry dates, typically April, June and October but double check department info. One of my prospective PhD supervisors told me about that after I missed the funding deadlines.
Funding often has deadlines in February but sometimes announcements are sent out in spring and summer saying that new funding has opened up. You have to keep checking the websites or get on any mailing list they might have.

Each university website has a section for research degrees/post grad degrees and a section for International Students. Read both of those sections closely as they will give you clues about the available funding through that university. Some also include a bit of info on external funding (websites, dispensaries, etc.). You may qualify for a Marshall scholarship - I don't.

Once you start familiarizing yourself with the website info and narrowing down which schools look like a good match, make sure you keep everything in a file (physical or on your computer) so you don't get confused about deadlines, requirements, faculty, etc. I have already started 2 of my applications and I keep all info in a small file box (Target $ 8.99). I have a folder for each school and copies of target faculty pages, funding info/resources for that school, copies of blank applications and drafts of my research proposals. I tried an Excel file but it didn't work well for me...probably due to my low technological skills/interest!

If you're interested in a UK student chat forum try The Student Room. It has a postgrad section. I'm a bit of a lurker there but sometimes people have good info. If you're on Twitter you might want to follow the UK Chevening scheme as they announce their application opening dates (if you're interested in applying for their funding). Twitter is amazing for fast, up to date info. Another way to get scholarship info is on H-Grad.

Contacting the professors seemed a bit intimidating at first. The best thing you can do is be prepared by reading some of their work first. Then make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to study. In the first email I introduced myself, said where I was from, what I study and asked them if they will be taking any new students in 2012. Keep it simple the first time. I received some good, friendly replies (with questions about my interests) and have been able to keep up the correspondence. But I still have 4 or 5 more to contact...I'm dragging my feet.

I hope some of this makes sense. Maybe someone with more funding info can help us out. But if anyone has questions I'd be happy to share all my info. I've been researching all of this for over a year now. I'm so ready to be there!
One more great thing about going to school in UK: no GRE!

I'm applying to British PhD programs for 2012 entry. So far I'm 100% sure about 4 schools I'm applying to and I have 3 more as possibilities.
I have even gone over to meet a few of professors (who were all very welcoming, and one keeps in touch via email regularly). I was lucky enough to meet up with one of the professors twice when he came here to give a talk near my university.He was kind enough to spend a second afternoon talking with me. While in EngIand I attended a few Open Evenings and took a few campus tours, met some prospective students and even took a bus ride with a professor who suggested we lengthen our meeting en route to a lecture.
I lived in England for awhile so I'm really comfortable with the idea of going to school there.

I admit I am also a bit unclear about how the funding works. I missed the funding deadlines earlier this year. You really have to dig around on some of the university websites for info, while others readily tell you all about the funding.
My understanding is that you can apply to British schools any time - there is no deadline and there are several entry dates, typically April, June and October but double check department info. One of my prospective PhD supervisors told me about that after I missed the funding deadlines.
Funding often has deadlines in February but sometimes announcements are sent out in spring and summer saying that new funding has opened up. You have to keep checking the websites or get on any mailing list they might have.

Each university website has a section for research degrees/post grad degrees and a section for International Students. Read both of those sections closely as they will give you clues about the available funding through that university. Some also include a bit of info on external funding (websites, dispensaries, etc.). You may qualify for a Marshall scholarship - I don't.

Once you start familiarizing yourself with the website info and narrowing down which schools look like a good match, make sure you keep everything in a file (physical or on your computer) so you don't get confused about deadlines, requirements, faculty, etc. I have already started 2 of my applications and I keep all info in a small file box (Target $ 8.99). I have a folder for each school and copies of target faculty pages, funding info/resources for that school, copies of blank applications and drafts of my research proposals. I tried an Excel file but it didn't work well for me...probably due to my low technological skills/interest!

If you're interested in a UK student chat forum try The Student Room. It has a postgrad section. I'm a bit of a lurker there but sometimes people have good info. If you're on Twitter you might want to follow the UK Chevening scheme as they announce their application opening dates (if you're interested in applying for their funding). Twitter is amazing for fast, up to date info. Another way to get scholarship info is on H-Grad.

Contacting the professors seemed a bit intimidating at first. The best thing you can do is be prepared by reading some of their work first. Then make sure you have a clear idea of what you want to study. In the first email I introduced myself, said where I was from, what I study and asked them if they will be taking any new students in 2012. Keep it simple the first time. I received some good, friendly replies (with questions about my interests) and have been able to keep up the correspondence. But I still have 4 or 5 more to contact...I'm dragging my feet.

I hope some of this makes sense. Maybe someone with more funding info can help us out. But if anyone has questions I'd be happy to share all my info. I've been researching all of this for over a year now. I'm so ready to be there!
One more great thing about going to school in UK: no GRE!

I love that quote too, it's really uplifting and encouraging. So let's PRESS ON!