How to get onto a PhD
Dr John Rule
Research Development Manager
Academic Development Directorate
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
What are PhDs?
•Degrees awarded for the conduct and writing
up of research into a specific topic.
•Last 3-4 years full-time or 5-7 part-time.
•Must demonstrate detailed subject
knowledge, critical ability and originality.
•PhDs add to the global knowledge base of
the subject (though normally in a very narrow
area) and often form the basis for published
books or articles.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
What kinds of research degrees are there?
Choice varies between different countries and universities. Most
UK universities (including YSJU) offer the following research
degrees:
•MA or MSc by Research – 1 year full-time (2 P/T), thesis up to
30,000 words. Not an easy option – tight time management vital think of racing in a competitive 100 meter sprint.
•MPhil - 2 years full-time (4 P/T), thesis up to 60,000 words – the
middle distance option.
•PhD – 3-4 years full-time (5-7 P/T), thesis up to 100,000 words.
Requires tenacity and endurance – like a marathon.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Before you start:
Questions to ask yourself and things to do
• Why do you want to do a PhD?
• Do you know what you want to do afterwards?
• Is your degree relevant and good enough? (2:1
typical minimum)
• Might other postgraduate degrees (e.g. a taught
masters) be better for my needs?
• Where will you study?
• How will you fund it?
• How stiff is the competition for places and funding
in your chosen field?
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
In pairs (or threes)
discuss why you
might want to do a
PhD.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Why do a PhD?
• To put off making a career decision.
• To continue being a student.
• To avoid the job market.
• To improve your earning potential.
• To improve your academic record.
• Because a tutor has suggested it.
• Because you are passionate and committed to
your subject and want to learn more about it.
• To facilitate your future career plans.
• Ambition to become an academic.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
What is different about PhDs from taught courses?
•Emphasis is on creating new knowledge not acquiring
existing knowledge (though this is also important).
•Very different from taught degrees – normally no classes
or exams (except a final oral exam – the ‘viva’).
•Often lack peer support and can be isolating.
•Candidates need to be (or be willing to quickly become)
independent researchers.
•Require a high degree of self-motivation, an ability to focus
and tenacity to stay focussed on the topic.
• Are supported by a supervisor. The choice of supervisor
and the relationship with them is vital for success.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
When and how could I study a PhD?
• Straight after your first degree?
• After taking time out?
• After gaining experience (required for some
PG courses – can be voluntary)?
• After getting a Masters degree?
• After working in a full-time role?
• Whilst working?
• Part-time, full-time or distance learning?
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Where could I study a PhD (1)
To find out where you can study:
• Search databases of PhD courses e.g.
http://www.findaphd.com/
• Look at the information provided by
professional bodies e.g. www.bps.org.uk
• Talk to lecturers in your department.
• Contact University departments directly.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Where could I study a PhD (2)
•Identify HEIs that can supervise your planned topic.
•Identify and decide on the best potential supervisor
for your topic (not necessarily the world authority…).
•Make sure you have a potential supervisor who you
can work with, who wants to work with you and who
can and will take the time to support your
development.
•Balance the advantages and disadvantages of
different types of HEI.
•Talk to students who are doing research degrees –
here and elsewhere.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Funding
More difficult that admission. Possible sources:
• Research Councils/British Academy
• Institution scholarships, bursaries, studentships,
assistantships
• Trusts and Charities
• Bank Loan
• Career Development Loan
• Employer sponsorship
• Personal/family finance
• Professional Loans Schemes
• NHS Bursaries
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Funding information and cost.
•www.jobs.ac.uk
•www.findaphd.com
•www.prospects.ac.uk
•The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding
•Likely cost of a PhD full-time at YSJU - £50,600 (if
you submit in 3 years) made up from £10,500 fees,
£43,200 living costs, £200 binding of thesis. But also
think of the loss of earnings, pension, career
progression etc. of taking three years or more out of
your life. This may easily be much greater than £50K.
And some HEIs much more expensive than YSJU.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
The importance of supervisors
• Vital for success.
• Must have a main supervisor and a least one cosupervisor in the UK.
• Relationship compared to marriage by some and
evolves over time.
• Can make or break you academic career prospects.
• Close mesh between your research interests and
theirs valuable, but you can also benefit from
differences (e.g. alternative methodologies).
• Can support you in getting published and in gaining
teaching experience as well as in doing your research.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
In pairs (or threes):
What you might
look for in a
supervisor?
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
What do supervisors look for in applicants?
• Intelligence (but only up to a point…)
• Appropriate subject background knowledge/skills.
• Tenacity/endurance/staying power and realism.
• Passion/commitment.
• A viable research proposal with potential.
• Research skills – lit. searching, referencing etc.
• Inquiring/challenging mind.
• But also, willingness to learn/take advice.
• Potential to quickly become independent.
• Potential to become a valued colleague who will help
progress their discipline and enhance their reputation.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Research proposals
Requirements vary. At YSJU expected to include:
•Background
•Objectives/Research Question
•Methodology
•Resources required
•Expected contribution to body of knowledge
•Dissemination
•How will the resulting knowledge be applied?
Tailor for each application, generic don’t work well.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Do I take this forward?
•If you really enjoyed working by yourself on your undergraduate
dissertation and did well in it, a research degree may be right for you.
•If you didn’t really enjoy the undergraduate research or were not very
good at it, the chances are you would be better off on a taught masters.
• If you want to take it forward, discuss it first with your personal tutor or
dissertation supervisor.
•You will need a topic, a supervisor, a university and (probably) funding.
• If you wish to study for a research degree at YSJ contact your Faculty’s
Head of Research.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
YSJU Heads of Research
• To enquire about a YSJU research degrees or to try and identify
a potential supervisor at YSJU talk to your Personal Tutor or
Faculty Head of Research:
Arts
Business
L&L
E&T
H&LS
Prof. Gary Peters
Prof. Steve Watson
Dr. Chris Hall
Prof. Sebastian Kim
Prof. Howard Hall
g.peters@yorksj.ac.uk
s.watson@yorksj.ac.uk
c.hall@yorksj.ac.uk
s.kim@yorksj.ac.uk
h.hall@yorksj.ac.uk
• To apply for a research degree at York St John University go to:
http://www.yorksj.ac.uk/research/research-degrees.aspx
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Your application
• Personal background details.
• Education and qualifications.
• One or two academic referees.
• A research proposal.
• Equal opportunities and marketing
information are usually collected, but are
not seen by those making selections.
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Finding completed theses
•Dissertations and Theses: UK & Ireland, available
though http://www.yorksj.ac.uk/information-learningservices/information-learning-services/faqs-for-staff-students/where-can-i-find-databases.aspx
•Still available on site through www.theses.com
•YSJU completed theses available on ground floor of
Fountains LC.
•Knowledge of previously completed thesis vital to
ensure originality, but also as sources and to help you
develop and awareness of the standards required for
a doctorate (but beware of some older ones!)
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Useful links
• www.prospects.ac.uk
• www.FindaAPhD.com
• www.qaa.ac.uk
• www.hefce.ac.uk/research/assessment/default.htm
• www.educationguardian.co.uk/universityguide
• www.hero.ac.uk
• www.jobs.ac.uk
• www.rcuk.ac.uk
• www.theses.com
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Reference
Estelle Phillips and Derek Pugh, How to get a PhD,
fifth edition, (Maidenhead, 2010)
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk
Finding out more
9th YSJU Postgraduate Research
Methodologies Conference, Monday 10th
November, 9.30 to 4.20
Bookings via:
http://www.yorksj.ac.uk/add/add/studentengagement/pg-research-c.aspx
York St John University | www.yorksj.ac.uk