Demystifying the PhD Process Catherine Reynolds & Shahida Osman

Presenters Shahida Osman Careers Adviser Imperial College London Catherine Reynolds Senior Careers Adviser University of Sussex

Learning Outcomes Evaluate different approaches to helping students considering PhD study as their next step Understand the differences in application mode between the three main disciplines – sciences, social sciences and humanities Identify some strategies to apply for increasing their expertise with this type of client Leave the session with some knowledge of how and where to access the appropriate resources to work with these different groups

Facts and Figures 580,000 (half a million) students enrolled on PG courses in the UK in 2009 – 10: Half full time and half part time More than 2 and half million students in HE so one fifth are PGs What ever you chose to do apply as early as possible to increase your chances of funding.

Types of Courses And they are either doing: Taught PG courses – usually masters : MA, MSc, MRes or PG Diploma Or research degrees – PhD (doctorates) or MPhil

Destinations after PhD

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8 Issues for Discussion Status of the PhD? Motivation, interests, commitment to research? What experience do they have of research? = Evidence What might be the challenges of doing a PhD? Some common reasons for studying a PhD Pros &Cons of doing a PhD? Realities! Career Focus post PhD? Create a check-list?

Application Process

11 How to apply No centralised application system like UCAS. Separate application for each College or University References will be required Beware of deadlines e.g. universities have general application deadline but groups may have earlier deadlines Important to be armed with all relevant information? Make contact (contact names usually on web pages) Write or – dialogue with questions very important

12 When to apply For UK PhD places: Jan – March 2012 BUT beware specific local deadlines. Ask the contact person if there is an application deadline Applications maybe considered when they arrive so applying early can be advantageous. Catch 22 As in the job market, you may have tough decisions. e.g. get offer from University A in January - deadline of few weeks. Prefer University B but they have left you in a holding position without making an offer NB. There can be a “mop up” season (April/may) or “out of synch” season – some groups may recruit at odd times of the year.

13 Going for an Interview As for any interview communication skills, enthusiasm and motivation will be assessed at these interviews. Not just their ability to get a 2.1 in an exam. Have to be prepared to discuss any project work or UROP (Science/Engineering) project. Research the group’s activities in advance of going Have to be prepared to be flexible on research topic interests Have to be prepared to talk about previous research projects that they may have been involved in. Take their final year project report if they have one written up. Think about their research strengths and need to be prepared to talk about them.

Research Councils There are seven grant-awarding Research Councils: Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Medical Research Council (MRC) Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

During the PhD It’s all about evidence of impact of research End of year one report Attending and presenting at conferences Publications Public engagement Learned societies Training and support

Learning Outcomes Evaluate different approaches to helping students considering PhD study as their next step Understand the differences in application mode between the three main disciplines – sciences, social sciences and humanities Identify some strategies to apply for increasing their expertise with this type of client Leave the session with some knowledge of how and where to access the appropriate resources to work with these different groups