(Post)Graduate school in the UK?

[goldielocks]

Hello all. I haven't posted on here in ages, though I do still lurk about from time to time. I'm entering my second year of an MA at a pretty much unknown school; my goal was to recover from a pretty terrible illness and write a solid thesis, hoping to increase my chances of landing a spot in a reputable PhD program. (My MA is in my hometown, where I moved back to recover, and decided to just grab an MA while I'm here.) My BA is from a pretty decent state school. My marks are high and I have faith that I'm churning out a strong MA thesis right now.

ANYWAY. All of that being said, since Britain is my geographic specialization, I'm researching the logistics of pursuing a postgraduate (PhD) degree there, rather than here. Does anyone here have any words of wisdom, at all? I've scoured the internet but would appreciate any general info, advice, suggestions, etc. about applying, contacting advisors, funding (this seems to be the scariest part), moving, or anything at all?

Thanks in advance. Hope you are all enjoying your summer!

[goldielocks]

I might also ask: would it be worth considering an MPhil from a more prestigious institution before moving on to the PhD? I am considering this possibility, as getting an MPhil in Britain would lend me the opportunity to strengthen my academic pedigree, do primary source research there, and decide if I want to live there or here in the USA.

I really hope someone has some insight into this. I'm very confused.

Thank you for reading.

[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!

[goldielocks]

Bluebird, that is a lot of helpful info. Thank you! Hopefully we can get a good discussion going here with others who are hoping to end up in the UK.

[Bluebird]

Thanks, goldielocks. Do you have any idea yet to which schools you might apply?

Don't forget Fulbright opportunities, Rotary, and Rhodes (for Oxford).

[goldielocks]

Thanks, goldielocks. Do you have any idea yet to which schools you might apply?

Don't forget Fulbright opportunities, Rotary, and Rhodes (for Oxford).

Well right now, I'm trying to sift through the institutions that have scholars I'd like to work with, and choose the ones:

1. Where I might be able to get in

2. Where I might have a shot at funding

3. That have a strong reputation that would strengthen my career

This part of the process is a bit overwhelming. For example, Birkbeck (University of London), University of Brighton, University of Sheffield, & University of Essex all have fantastic historians that I've been following for a long time, and would love to have as an advisor. However, I am having a hard time evaluating programs like these (i.e.: non-Oxbridge) using the three criteria mentioned above. Also, part of me feels very silly even considering applying to Oxford or Cambridge with an MA from an unknown institution here in the US.

How about you, Bluebird? Want to share where you're looking?

Edited June 27, 2011 by goldielocks

[beefmaster]

What exactly is your subject? I am from the UK and I studied history. Maybe I can help you identify some places.

[goldielocks]

What exactly is your subject? I am from the UK and I studied history. Maybe I can help you identify some places.

I focus on Modern Britain, gender, and culture. Temporally, I focus on interwar Britain.

[Bluebird]

I'm applying to Birkbeck, King's, Queen Mary, Warwick; and possibly Cambridge, Essex, Leeds and IHR. Still have a few more to look at. A contact on Twitter directed me to a list of UK schools in my field so I am trying to get through it. And you're right ~ it is overwhelming. There is someone at Cambridge I would love to work with and I intend to apply for a Gates Scholarship for that. I also feel it's a long shot but worth a try. Cambridge is tricky to understand because you have to apply to 2 colleges. And I have no idea how to choose the colleges. One of my profs said choose the one my target advisor is in, and another prof said to do exactly the opposite! So who knows...but if I fail to get shortlisted for the Gates Scholarship this Fall, I think that will be the end of my Cambridge pursuit.

I went to a Postgraduate Open Evening for Birkbeck. They don't offer much in the way of funding but my first choice PhD advisor is there. Everyone I met was personable and the library rep gave me a free pass to their library. It's small but conveniently located. The experience made me feel very comfortable with my intention to apply there.

Are you applying to any US universities as well? Do you plan on an academic career?

Well right now, I'm trying to sift through the institutions that have scholars I'd like to work with, and choose the ones:

1. Where I might be able to get in

2. Where I might have a shot at funding

3. That have a strong reputation that would strengthen my career

This part of the process is a bit overwhelming. For example, Birkbeck (University of London), University of Brighton, University of Sheffield, & University of Essex all have fantastic historians that I've been following for a long time, and would love to have as an advisor. However, I am having a hard time evaluating programs like these (i.e.: non-Oxbridge) using the three criteria mentioned above. Also, part of me feels very silly even considering applying to Oxford or Cambridge with an MA from an unknown institution here in the US.

How about you, Bluebird? Want to share where you're looking?