Applying for a PhD Antonia Wimbush PhD French Studies, University of Birmingham Thesis title: Exile in Francophone Women’s Autobiographical Writing Supervised by Dr Louise Hardwick and Dr Nicki Hitchcott (University of Nottingham)

Why study for a PhD? Research your passion Teaching experience Conferences and seminars Networking Learn and read Training New experiences

When did I know I wanted to do a PhD? Final year undergraduate (BA French and Spanish, University of Exeter)→ enjoyed studies workshop on further study MA in Translation→ discussed PhD with dissertation supervisor looked into funding No funding available→ PGCE, University of Exeter Funding available→ decided to apply

How did I apply for a PhD? Came up with research project→ not pre-existing project Contacted potential supervisors→ University of Birmingham University of Exeter Looked into funding→ AHRC DTPs/College funding Application form + research proposal→ worked with potential supervisor Interview/phone interview Offers→ accepted Birmingham/Midlands3Cities funding

How Will a PhD support my Career Aspirations? Work in academia→ PhD essential Postdoc→ Lectureship? Teaching fellow? Research management? FE teacher? Secondary teacher?

Tips and Advice Start early! Contact potential supervisors and work with them on research proposal Look at research profiles on university website→ good fit/experience of supervising doctoral students Consider other universities→ a change is good! Go to workshops/Open days to help with application process Apply for different sources of funding Choose a topic which really excites you→ you have to study it for at least 3 years!

Any questions? Thesis title: Exile in Francophone Women’s Autobiographical Writing Supervised by Dr Louise Hardwick and Dr Nicki Hitchcott (University of Nottingham) Funded by M3C