Studentships pros/cons

[Tumilnaughts]

Hi All! New to this topic so please let me know if this has already been discussed at length.

I've just been asked if I would be interested in applying for a PhD studentship. My initial response was absolutely but I'm a generally negative person and have now neg'd myself out about the whole idea.

Could you share with me any stories you have of your own experiences in terms of the practical sides of a studentship? For example were you just skint for 3-6 years?

I was an RA when I did my PhD so different. I have a student working on a studentship now though and another about to start. I think they are doing okay moneywise but do supplement with some teaching/marking other dept admin (there are small jobs that help).

Good luck!

Thanks for responding. I'm happy to do dept. Admin for extra cash I just didn't know if I should expect to have a part time job as well. 😬

Not all studentships are the same. Some, from funding bodies like the ESRC, are really quite generous. Others are as little as a fee waiver traded against teaching. You need to consider the particulars of your offered scholarship against your outgoings. Most PhD students including myself a few years ago work during their PhDs, all the much better if it is on relevant work (RA, dep't admin, demonstrating, leading seminars) if you'd like to stay in academia.

The more important question IMO is do you want to follow this career path? PhDs do not necessarily even lead into academia nowadays as there are many more students finishing with one than permanent lectureships. That said, for many students, it works as a stepping stone to related work so in my field for policy, research stuff like that.

I would work out if you a) need to do one b) want to do one and c) can afford to do one. The fact you've been offered the chance indicates you are talented and someone would like to work further with you- this is a great starting point.

Thanks.
It's an ESRC studentship so their generosity is good news.
I'm currently already working in my field and have found that progression is not likely without a PhD so the prospect of not getting a full time lectureship doesn't worry me too much.