21st October 2005, 02:39 PM
Personally I would try and miss out the Masters stage, its not really worth a hell of a lot and the fees are the same as a PhD. Depends where you see yourself going eventually but it is still possible to bargain years of field experience in lieu of a masters. Have you condsidered funded Phd's via tryuing to get a dept to do an add-on to an existing project? That way you stand a decent chance of sidestepping all the depts shining star, career academic wannabees. If you choose a university with a field unit you may be able get some fees reduced or waived in lieu for teaching. I may be talking absolute knackers here but the AHRB competition route is really set up for people already at university and wanting to continue with the support of the dept. This may all be true for the Masters as well, anyway I would say go for it though Troll,speak to a dept. make em interested and they will make it possible.