Applying to just write a thesis?
November 14, 2015 3:23 PM Subscribe
Can you tell me the most useful, direct approaches to applying to schools to only write up my PhD thesis?
A few years ago I was offered a one-year writing up year to complete a PhD. I didn't feel ready at the time on the subject matter, wanting to change from a quantitative to a qualitative approach in the same general research area. I have since managed to develop research and a bibliography based on three years of work and would like to apply for a writing-up year at a university near my home. So many ads for PhD studentships are aimed at people who will give three years of their life to a comprehensive mix of research and teaching. I live in the UK and can't afford to pay or even take time off to do a three year PhD. Ideally I would like to meet an advisor a couple times, do the viva and move to writing.
A few years ago I was offered a one-year writing up year to complete a PhD. I didn't feel ready at the time on the subject matter, wanting to change from a quantitative to a qualitative approach in the same general research area. I have since managed to develop research and a bibliography based on three years of work and would like to apply for a writing-up year at a university near my home. So many ads for PhD studentships are aimed at people who will give three years of their life to a comprehensive mix of research and teaching. I live in the UK and can't afford to pay or even take time off to do a three year PhD. Ideally I would like to meet an advisor a couple times, do the viva and move to writing.
Response by poster: I meant the other way round. Apologies.
posted by parmanparman at 4:24 PM on November 14, 2015
posted by parmanparman at 4:24 PM on November 14, 2015
Assuming you're aiming to do the PhD by submitting an original thesis rather than by a publication portfolio:
Your main hurdles to cross will be convincing the university that a) the work you've already got is PhD standard, and b) that you actually can produce a full thesis in a year. (I don't know your field but in most, the idea of a 'writing up year' in which you go from zero to thesis is not the way things work now - most students have been working on their thesis since year 1.) The university is going to be worried that you will underestimate the standard and amount of work required, and they won't want to register you if you are unlikely to pass.
So I think your best bet is to frame this in terms of the work you already did at your previous institution. When you say you were offered a one-year writing up year to complete a PhD, was that when you were already registered for a PhD at the time? Or you were doing a Masters and they felt it could be PhD-standard with another year of work? Ditto the research and bibliography you've done since: how much of that was produced as part of your work as a student? The more you can present it to your prospective new university as "I did X under the supervision of Dr Y at the University of Z", the more likely they are to believe it's a high enough standard. (And it's not that work you produce on your own can't be, it's just that they get some students every year who don't understand what standard of work is required and who don't pass or even submit as a result.)
They will also want to know why you're applying to that institution, and why you are not applying to the place that already offered you a studentship(?) in the past. Here you are going to want to identify why you want a particular academic to supervise you, because of how well their work fits with yours. "You're the nearest university to where I live" isn't going to be the answer they're looking for. On the other hand, if you do think there's an academic at a nearby department who would be a really good fit for you, lots of them will be happy to chat briefly with you about that during the process of you applying.
posted by Catseye at 5:41 PM on November 14, 2015
Your main hurdles to cross will be convincing the university that a) the work you've already got is PhD standard, and b) that you actually can produce a full thesis in a year. (I don't know your field but in most, the idea of a 'writing up year' in which you go from zero to thesis is not the way things work now - most students have been working on their thesis since year 1.) The university is going to be worried that you will underestimate the standard and amount of work required, and they won't want to register you if you are unlikely to pass.
So I think your best bet is to frame this in terms of the work you already did at your previous institution. When you say you were offered a one-year writing up year to complete a PhD, was that when you were already registered for a PhD at the time? Or you were doing a Masters and they felt it could be PhD-standard with another year of work? Ditto the research and bibliography you've done since: how much of that was produced as part of your work as a student? The more you can present it to your prospective new university as "I did X under the supervision of Dr Y at the University of Z", the more likely they are to believe it's a high enough standard. (And it's not that work you produce on your own can't be, it's just that they get some students every year who don't understand what standard of work is required and who don't pass or even submit as a result.)
They will also want to know why you're applying to that institution, and why you are not applying to the place that already offered you a studentship(?) in the past. Here you are going to want to identify why you want a particular academic to supervise you, because of how well their work fits with yours. "You're the nearest university to where I live" isn't going to be the answer they're looking for. On the other hand, if you do think there's an academic at a nearby department who would be a really good fit for you, lots of them will be happy to chat briefly with you about that during the process of you applying.
posted by Catseye at 5:41 PM on November 14, 2015
Response by poster: I did my masters at one school and was offered a writing up year at a completely different university. I don't necessarily want to get a PhD from nearest place. The field is social entrepreneurship if it makes a difference.
posted by parmanparman at 3:50 AM on November 15, 2015
posted by parmanparman at 3:50 AM on November 15, 2015
Are you still in contact with anyone at the University that previously offered you the one year writing up scholarship? Because that might be your best bet, and if it's writing up only (no teaching duties etc) you may not need to relocate.
posted by emd3737 at 12:58 PM on November 15, 2015
posted by emd3737 at 12:58 PM on November 15, 2015
I also think convincing a uni to let you have a year to write up will be the hurdle. Most UK places require a minimum period as a PhD student, typically 2.75 years, but this can be reduced to 2.25 years if you have an MSc (which I see you do). that would bring it more in line with their expectations. This only applies for FT study though I think, are you planning on being FT or PT? I would guess FT is going to cost more money (maybe £3.5k fees pa) for fees unless you can get classified as in 'continuation', which might get it down to £1000-1500.
It is possible a specific supervisor might consider you if you approached them, and I would suggest doing that first. If you can persuade someone to take you on then it may go through the admissions side a lot more easily. I would expect any institution/supervisor that was considering you to get in touch with your previous supervisor to ask about any issues.
posted by biffa at 9:25 AM on November 17, 2015
It is possible a specific supervisor might consider you if you approached them, and I would suggest doing that first. If you can persuade someone to take you on then it may go through the admissions side a lot more easily. I would expect any institution/supervisor that was considering you to get in touch with your previous supervisor to ask about any issues.
posted by biffa at 9:25 AM on November 17, 2015
This thread is closed to new comments.
You're not going to get anything without some minimum payment, you will have to register as a student and that means fees. They might not be utterly ridiculous* but will be down to the institution in question.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'do the viva and move to writing', the viva is what you do when you have finished the writing,or is that just taking about what comes after?
I suggest calling postgraduate admissions at your local university.
*ymmv
posted by biffa at 3:51 PM on November 14, 2015