1. 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)

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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!

7. Any questions? Email: AXW440@bham.ac.ukAXW440@bham.ac.uk Thesis title: Exile in Francophone Women’s Autobiographical Writing Supervised by Dr Louise Hardwick and Dr Nicki Hitchcott (University of Nottingham) Funded by M3C