Applying for post-graduate studies

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Applying for post-graduate studies Questions to ask yourself: Why am I thinking of applying for post-graduate study? What do I want to achieve? PG study is: - not for the faint hearted - not a substitute for looking for a job - hard work, full-time, rewarding -a passport to a career either within or outside science (keep an open mind –you may not stay until Professor)

Post-graduate study Taught - MSc Research- MRes - one year full time Masters - 3 or 4 years full time PhD

Masters Courses – MSc or MRes? Note: some undergraduate degrees incorporate a Masters year (MSci) - don’t confuse this with a PG Masters At Imperial (and usually elsewhere) Taught Masters lead to an MSc MSc in Ecological Applications: 6 months lectures; 20 week research project MSc in Molecular Medicine: 5 months lectures/seminars; 7 months research project Research Masters lead to an MRes MRes in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences: 3 x 13 week projects. MRes in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Research: Lectures, seminars, 2 x 18 week projects. Masters courses last one full year (Oct - Sept) In the UK these can be Taught or Research degrees. Is Masters useful for you?

- Good for changing fields (e.g. from Biology/Biochemistry to Environmental Health) - Good for in-depth study of your favourite subject (e.g. Immunology or Virology) - sometimes 2.2 degree sufficient, but more often 2.1 needed. Do not always qualify as a “Masters” for a 4 year Masters/PhD course Grants are not generally available from UK Local Education Authorities Why a Taught MSc? Imperial College Fees ( ): LIFE SCIENCES MSc Courses: £9,000 (home/EU); £18,400- £25,500 (o/s). MRes Courses: £9,000 (home/EU); £25,500 (o/s). MEDCINE MSc £9,300 (home/EU); min.£28,000 (o/s) MRes £12,000 (home/EU); min £28,00 (o/s) Not all courses have same fees, even within a University- Medicine higher!

- more in depth introduction to scientific research - Entry – usually minimum of a 2.1 They might constitute the Masters year in a “1+3” 4 year Masters/PhD course (see later) Grants are not generally available from UK Local Education Authorities Fees are similar to MSc course fees (and are variable) Why an MRes? Highly recommended web site – open days, deadlines etc

Applying for a PhD -1 In the UK, a PhD takes a minimum of 3 years Funding - usually for 3 or 4 years Entrance requirement or 1 st class degree “TRADITIONAL ROUTE” BSc 3 (or 4) years PhD 3 years (3 years funding)

Applying for a PhD -2 NEW ROUTE 2 (1+ 3 PhD) “1+3” degrees “Graduate Programmes” or “Doctoral Training Programmes” BSc 3 (or 4) years MRes year 1 PhD years 2 – 4 (4 years funding) NEW ROUTE 1 (4 year PhD Direct Entry) BSc 3 (or 4) years PhD 4 years funding

Examples at Imperial College Wellcome Trust “Molecular & Cellular Basis of Infection” - 4 year programme MRC PhD studentships - 4 year programme BBSRC– PhD project/supervisor selected at outset – 4 year programme Funded by charities or research councils. Grants are awarded to Universities (can be in association with a company) Universities advertise, interview and offer places. 4 years funding for student (MRes and PhD) (including fees) Highly competitive. Adverts appear soon – November onwards: start researching and preparing now! NEW ROUTE PhD DEGREES

Applying for a PhD -3 Where are adverts? University web sites When to apply? Some open soon- but new opportunities throughout the year. How to apply? Follow instructions - read carefully. Arrange referees – inform them in advance of your intentions Personal statement? – its about you, not the Institution you are applying to. “I want to study at Imperial because it has really good facilities and is full of internationally recognised researchers like Prof xxx who has published in Nature and Science and who has ….” “During my BSc degree I learned of the amazing diversity in the strategies used by bacterial pathogens to interact with the immune system. I would like to the opportunity to explore the mechanisms used by bacteria to survive such interactions. Having both immunology and bacteriology research groups within the same graduate school appeals to me, as it will allow me to….”

Choosing a PhD 1.Where to Study? 2.Which Project? 3.Which Supervisor/lab? *

Funding a PhD Find out if funding available. Many PhD projects are advertised without funding being definitely available findaphd.com states whether or not the project is funded and, if not, explicitly states that only self-funded students need apply Graduate programmes (e.g. BBSRC; MRC; EPRSC, Wellcome) are funded, and the number of studentships is normally stated. e.g. MRC-Asthma UK Centre in Allergic Mechanisms of Asthma 5 x PhD studentships (4-year) to start in October 20xx Often the numbers of projects available is far greater than the number of funded students. However you are not guaranteed to get your first choice. Advice – do not apply unless several projects appeal to you.

Other PhD positions Supervisors are constantly looking for ways of funding studentships, e.g. from charities, companies, Trusts etc Always read the small print! Industrial CASE (collaborative awards in science and engineering, supervisor applies) studentships - funded by a UK research council - in collaboration with a (UK) company - students spends some time at the company Occasionally adverts will appear from individuals with funding from specific charities, etc. These are rare but worth following up. (Traditional Route)

How much do you get paid? PhD students obtain a tax-free monthly stipend (salary) for a fixed duration ( 3 or 4 years). Fees are paid by Funding body. Examples of some 2013/14 rates (annual stipend; tax free) BBSRC/ MRC/NERC- £16,000-£17,500 (London) Wellcome Trust about £22,000 (London) Masters and PhD students are exempt form UK Council Tax Demonstrating You might get an opportunity to demonstrate to, or tutor, UG students for more money – you might have to do this as part of your contract - good experience, but ensure your supervisor does not take advantage of you!

NATIONALITY ISSUES Nationality issues Funding is often conditional on nationality. Research this carefully, especially if you are not a UK national and are applying for research council funded studentship. EU You have been resident in UK for 3 years continuously beforehand i.e. during BSc – ELIGIBLE NON-EU NOT ELIGIBLE for most schemes SOME, specific studentships (very few) Home government is best source Self funding?

Application process Start early Be persistent- look widely and apply for several studentships Keep copies of your applications, CVs etc. What if you get an offer? Normally have a fixed period in which to decide: 24 h - week or two. Make sure its what you want. Consult - personal tutor/other academics. Re-visit institution/ lab and meet key people again. Once you accept an offer, you must tell other places you have applied to that you are withdrawing your application NO UCAS equivalent to co-ordinate applications: so

Advice What / where should I study? Personal tutor / Final year course convener CV/ covering letter Personal tutor Careers Advisory Service Drop-in Q and A sessions on postgraduate study. November – TBA,

Good luck! Questions?