On this page three ex-postgrads offer advice and a few answers to frequently asked questions.
Dr Stephen Cooper, PhD 2002; ‘Revolt and Orthodoxy in the Work of Philip Larkin.’
“Be passionate about your chosen subject, though at the same time you must be pragmatic in ensuring that there is enough unprocessed material to support a PhD. Read as much on the topic as possible before discussing your field and angle of study with your supervisor. I produced a ‘preliminary appraisal’ of the literature to clear the ground and to clarify my own thinking. This provides a discussion document from which student and supervisor can plan a fresh and informed path through existing scholarship.”
Dr Ruth Herman, PhD 2001; ‘The Business of a Woman: the Political Writings and Journalism of Delarivier Manley.’
“As well as a degree in English with Historical Studies I had a background in journalism and public relations, so doing a PhD on a woman who was a journalist and writer seemed to fit my interests and experiences very aptly. My advice to other postgraduates would be to find a subject you can immerse yourself in.”
Dr Don Milligan, PhD 2003; ‘The Aesthetic of Emancipation: A Study of the relation between Raymond Williams’s socialism and his literary criticism, cultural analysis and theoretical writings.’
“I think the most important element was working on something that I had a very deep interest in, an interest that sustained my reading, even when my position as a part-time post-grad student seemed to be at its most tenuous.”
Ruth:
“I was offered one of their competitive full-time studentships. This meant that I received Arts Faculty finding throughout the three years of my PhD. In terms of other support, the IT people were really helpful and the library was fantastic. They worked incredibly hard and came up trumps with my (often outrageously difficult) requests every time.”
Don:
“I signed on as a part-time student. From registration to viva it took me seven years, and I enjoyed it immensely. I was awarded several small OU grants to help me visit the British Library. Presenting papers to the OU Literature seminar every year or so helped me to maintain focus, and the criticism and support of my tutors was invaluable. I know from talking to many other students registered at conventional universities that I got as much, if not more, help from my OU tutor than I would have got anywhere else, and at a fraction of the price!”
Stephen:
“The OU library at Milton Keynes offers a first rate seminar on electronic searches – well worth going to. They can provide you with lists and access codes for numerous academic search engines, data bases and online resources, which saved me lots of time and helped me to track down some fairly obscure articles.”
Stephen:
“You must feel comfortable with your supervisor; this is absolutely critical. Like a good marriage, it should involve give and take and both sides need to work at the relationship. You should set regular meetings (one every three months or so in my case) and arrive fully prepared with questions/queries prepared well in advance. Meetings between a supervisor and a geographically distant part-time student may be fewer than in a more conventional institution so it is important to communicate effectively when you are ‘face to face. My supervisor set up a mock viva a couple of weeks prior to the real thing and this was extremely helpful as a way of rehearsing the arguing/debating/listening skills that are required.”
Don:
“In the final eighteen months I was doing intensive writing and revising and pulling the whole thing together. It was then that the relationship with my OU supervisor became decisive. He read everything I produced with great care and wherever he was in the world he was always available online.”
Ruth:
“My supervisor was extremely helpful. Even at my least brilliant moments he had a genuine interest in the subject and in ensuring that I met his extremely high standards. It was not easy, but I can honestly say that his enthusiasm for the good bits and his honesty over the not so good bits was of huge benefit.”
Stephen:
Find out early on where the bulk of your primary research will take place. Block out your work timetables and impose deadlines – obviously you’ll not always meet them, but it’s best to have some structure to aim for. Intersperse periods of researching raw material with the writing of ‘draft’ chapters, also making time for general background reading of books/articles. You must be constantly prepared to adapt – if something doesn’t fit the argument then either admit it or discard it – you must be flexible enough to re-shape your work as new (and sometimes unexpected) material presents itself. And it will! Above all, it is critically important that you keep WRITING.”
Don:
There were months on end when I could do very little concentrated writing or research, but even in those times I carefully planned the reading that I could manage to do, with an eye to how I’d be able to make use of it later on. This strategy of planned reading also kept the idea that I was doing a PhD firmly fixed in my mind when in fact I was spending more or less all of my time earning a living, doing domestic chores, or recovering from the working week.”
Ruth:
Set yourself real goals and deadlines and stick to them. Listen to your supervisor – it’s their job to get you through. And find yourself someone to moan to. A PhD isn’t an easy thing and everyone needs a sympathetic listener, preferably someone who has been through the process and knows when you’re being unreasonable and when you have a real gripe.”
Ruth:
Having a PhD has been vital for me. My thesis was accepted for publication as a book by the University of Delaware Press, and was published in 2003. I am now a senior lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire with a full-time permanent contract.”
Stephen:
If the thesis is a good one it will almost certainly get published. I was offered a book contract less than a year after I’d submitted though I did have several rejection slips first. (Dr Cooper’s book Philip Larkin: Subversive Writer was published by Sussex Academic Press in 2004). If, like me, you are aiming for a career in teaching, the thing to do is try to get some experience. This could be a GCSE or similar taster course at your local adult education college or it could be with the OU if you have a suitable educational background. A Literature-based course would be ideal but a level one interdisciplinary course is a great way into OU teaching with its broad range of subjects.
Don:
Now, a year after completion, I’m combining my teaching at City College Manchester with teaching a second year politics course at Manchester Metropolitan University and writing a book, Raymond Williams: Hope and Defeat in the Struggle for Socialism.”