PhD in the UK

[Francophile1]

Hello,

I am possibly looking into doing a PhD in the UK next year. I was wondering if maybe anyone knows any of these factors:

 

1. As part of a PhD program there do students teach or they simply dedicate their time to research

 

2. If I will receive an MA in a foreign language, could I still apply to an english or comparative lit based PhD or should I first aim for the MA level.

 

3. What is exactly the difference between their MA-taught, and MA-research?

 

If anyone can answer any of these questions I would appreciate it very much.

[viviandarkbloom]

1. It isn't normally a requirement, but there are often opportunities to do some teaching that you can take advantage of - this is more common now than it used to be. Most people I know who've taught as PhD students in the UK have complained of a lack of support and guidance and terrible pay - it's not nearly so structured and integrated into your training as it is in most US programs. You'd probably be teaching a first-year literature course (ie some sort of broad introductory survey of a chronological period like 'Romanticism' or 'Victorian lit'), since the sort of composition courses that most people teach (at least at first) in the US system don't really exist in the UK.

 

2. That would probably depend on the details of your project. In the UK you apply for a PhD with a very specific research proposal (it's essentially the abd stage of a US PhD). If your MA is demonstrably linked to your intended PhD project then that would probably be fine, but if you lack a background in the field in which you're proposing to specialize, you might need to do an MA first. The best way of finding this out would probably be to get in touch with a potential supervisor and sound them out about your project, whether they'd be interested in working with you and whether your current qualifications are sufficient - this is standard practise in the UK.

 

3. The majority of people in the UK take taught MAs - they're generally one year, and involve a mixture of coursework and a final research project (mine was a 15,000 word dissertation) which you write over the summer. Research MAs have no coursework component, and are essentially just the first year of a PhD, where you work on a longer research project. If you already have a project in mind then the research MA would be a way to consolidate it and make yourself a more competitive candidate for PhD funding.

 

Hope this helps.

[Francophile1]

Thanks so much that helps alot! Vivian- still another question, still can't get quiet a grip on the whole MA taught vs. MA research degree.

Here in the US, let's say if I want to go from a foreign language into english lit or comp lit it is very possible to do. I assume this is because even if you apply and get into a PhD they still make you take classes.

 

So as I understand, it would be wiser for me to go into an MA first in the UK.

 

BUt still not sure exactly which MA is more suitable taught or research. If I will not have direct research in english lit after my MA from the US, and I want to go to an English PhD later, is it advisable to go with the taught MA?

[viviandarkbloom]

The standard route onto a PhD course is via a taught MA, and it sounds like that's probably the way you should go (if you need to do an MA). They tend to be based on a particular chronological period (mine was 1850 to present), over which you gain a breadth and depth of knowledge that is beyond undergrad level, and then you pick a topic for your dissertation, which you research in detail. This project normally forms the basis of a PhD proposal (if you're going on to do one), which unlike a US statement of purpose is a lengthy document that outlines a substantial research project in a reasonable amount of detail. The research MA would work if you already had a very specific topic lined up, but for whatever reason didn't want to commit to a PhD. Whereas in your case it sounds like you want a grounding in a new period or national literature to serve as a foundation for a PhD application, which is essentially what a taught MA is designed to give you. 

[viviandarkbloom]

Bear in mind also that, especially as an international applicant, admissions will be less competitive than it would be for a US PhD program, but it will be very difficult to get funding. In lots of US PhD programs all admitted students are funded - very much not the case in the UK. Only the chosen few get a free ride these days...

[mikers86]

Francophile, what exactly is drawing you to puruse a PhD in the UK versus the US? And what are your end goals in terms of teaching? US/UK? (I'm assuming you're in the US, but if not, I apologize).

[Francophile1]

Well actually I have been set on applying to US only schools, but lately I have been thinking about applying to 1-2 UK ones as well.

Reasons:

1.) I am interested in studying British Literature

2.) I want to apply to a diverse amount of programs, and getting into a Phd or MA in the UK might seem easier

3.) I realize that I might not be able to be financed fully, this is why I will be applying to programs in the US as well

4. Would love the opportunity to live in europe again

[Francophile1]

The standard route onto a PhD course is via a taught MA, and it sounds like that's probably the way you should go (if you need to do an MA). They tend to be based on a particular chronological period (mine was 1850 to present), over which you gain a breadth and depth of knowledge that is beyond undergrad level, and then you pick a topic for your dissertation, which you research in detail. This project normally forms the basis of a PhD proposal (if you're going on to do one), which unlike a US statement of purpose is a lengthy document that outlines a substantial research project in a reasonable amount of detail. The research MA would work if you already had a very specific topic lined up, but for whatever reason didn't want to commit to a PhD. Whereas in your case it sounds like you want a grounding in a new period or national literature to serve as a foundation for a PhD application, which is essentially what a taught MA is designed to give you. 

Thanks! yes in this case I definitely need to do the MA-taught first. I realize that I might not get funding this is why I will be applying to US universities as well

[literary_tourist]

I would really recommend the taught MA. It only takes a year though, and the disadvantage there is that one barely has enough time to digest what one has learnt during that year. Nonetheless, taught MAs usually help students narrow down their research interests in order to come up with a very specific research proposal.

 

All Phds though, may have to apply as MRes students first before converting that into a Phd.

 

Usually, Phds take about 4 years. There are some opportunities to teach, but that is not usually the focus of the Phd. One is usually expected to focus on writing, conference presentations and one's research.

 

I hope that helps.