PhD in the UK?

Question

I am a British citizen who has never really lived in the UK, having grown up and lived in Asia most of my life. I am in my late twenties now and wondering if I am better suited to an academic career.

I have an undergraduate business degree from an American university and a (taught) Master's in the social sciences. I am interested in Asia-focused economics, political economy and area studies programmes.

I've met people who are PhD students in the UK, but somehow manage to live here in Hong Kong and even work full time. This is very appealing to me, as I have numerous contacts and a steady girlfriend here. Are UK PhD programmes largely based on coursework that can be completed anywhere?

Can anyone explain just how much time I would actually be required to spend at the university itself? Also, how difficult is it to obtain financial assistance?

Answer 1

First off, even if you're British, it's much easier to get flexibility and funding from a US university at that level than a British one. The Undergrad and Masters are easier and cheaper from Britain, but you've already gone through that.

PhDs in the UK have different financial assistance depending on which field you're going into. You may have to have been a resident for at least three years to get it... depends on your subject.

Check out jobs.ac.uk, they have some studentships and a lot of British universities advertise their PhD funding there. Also ahrb (arts and humanities research board), hero.ac.uk or whichever board is related to your funding. An inferior but more conprehesive website is prospects.ac.uk (inferior because it's often out of date... but there is a search you can do for all the distance learning postgraduate courses... some universities are up to date, some aren't).

Open University of course is the most famous.

You'll have to ask the University how much time. I would prefer the American ones though, they give you loads of funding (more like a full salary. American PhDs often say that if the University doesn't pay for all their living expenses, they count it as a rejection.) while the British ones you're lucky if you don't have to pay your own fees (especially for distance learning).

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Answer 2

the real question is, do you have the money to pay your expenditures or are you attempting to get a scholarship to pay for the PhD? The undegraduate degree isn't probable considerable any further once you get a Masters so the two:a million ought to not exchange something. additionally, very few people get a "massive distinction" with their Masters so which you do not ought to have an extreme mark to be conscious for a PhD once you get a Masters, fifty 5% is nice and you may notice. So, in case you have the money for expenditures, notice. yet once you're in seek of an entire scholarship to conceal each and everything, you may discover which you have greater interviews than somebody else previously being general. inspite of the undeniable fact that, do submit to in techniques that for the time of the united kingdom universities do study in the fields they choose to do study in; even the final of scholars could be refused admission if there is not any one to oversee the study they choose to do. So the fifty 5% could make no distinction in any respect; in case you locate a software with a qualified professor to oversee your sesearch, you will be general besides.