Funding for possible history PHD

Denerick

Its been my ambition since entering college to persue history for the rest of my life, in some fashion or other. I've always had part time jobs and even worked in an office but that line of work drove me nuts. I read as much as you would expect from a history geek. I've a couple of years left in college but just out of interest I would like to know the normal channels for people who do PHDS in history. My problem would be lack of personal money - I couldn't ask me folks to help me out, they do enough as it is and its a little over the pale to ask them for more. Do most people actually actually get funding or do most work their PHD part time (As in, 6 years long?)

TJJP

Denerick wrote: »

Its been my ambition since entering college to persue history for the rest of my life, in some fashion or other. I've always had part time jobs and even worked in an office but that line of work drove me nuts. I read as much as you would expect from a history geek. I've a couple of years left in college but just out of interest I would like to know the normal channels for people who do PHDS in history. My problem would be lack of personal money - I couldn't ask me folks to help me out, they do enough as it is and its a little over the pale to ask them for more. Do most people actually actually get funding or do most work their PHD part time (As in, 6 years long?)

Apart from the dichotomy of a lifelong ambition to pursue history; there's something interesting in that idea; go for it.

The country isn't awash with money right now, nor will it be for the next few years, so if you want to do a PhD and get (financial) support get your ideas straight first.

A PhD should take three to five years, four is average. In setting out be clear what you want to do; what is the pressing -research- question you want to pursue? In any institution (of higher education) they need bright students, access isn't an issue anymore, more likely it is finding a supervisor who understands and appreciates your idea and is willing to support you, academically, for those four years.

For institution, it isn’t important if you want to ‘do’ history but if you want modern then UCD, local then NUIM, Anglo-Irish then TCD (by no means a complete or5 accurate representation) and so on – find what suits you then talk to people there. The money will follow.

The biggest misnomer in education, and higher education in particular, is that you can’t approach people, or that they are wiser or better than you – this is nonsense. As it says in the book of Kells, seek and you shall find. If you want to do a PhD in History, do it.

brianthebard

check out the IRCHSS and also talk to your tutors about funding within your university.

El Siglo

If you're in UCD, and if your results are top notch (i.e. 1st's are commonplace, and your transcript is full of A's) then you might be able to secure an Ad Astra Scholarship (i.e. it covers your fees and stipend). Also have a look at the UK, there's a good few funding opportunities over there. The main thing though is to narrow down what you're interested in e.g. Anglo-Irish diplomacy, then keep focusing: Anglo-Irish Diplomacy during the Inter-War Period, again keep focusing: De Valera and Anglo-Irish diplomacy etc... really, really narrow down to as much as you can (you're still going to be interested in a lot of stuff, so don't totally diregard that stuff either), then go out read around the stuff you're into, what names crop up constantly and make a note of them, then look up the lecturer, what are they interested in, email them and tell him/her what you'd like to do, if your grades are good enough, you're enthusiastic, if you've a relevant research question (i.e. you found your niche) then the funding should "with all things being equal" follow.

Denerick

Thanks, good advice all of this. I have a good idea of what I'll hopefully specialise in, though its a couple of years before I really need to think about putting an apllication in.

That UCD scheme sounds fantastic, I'm in TCD and at the minimum am expecting a 2:1, I'm obviously working for a first, but of course a lot of that falls down to how you perform on exam day. Can anyone apply for that UCD funding scheme or must you be a UCD undergraduate?

I've considered either doing it in TCD, UCD, Queens or University of Stirling. I know most universities have a funding scheme but usually that really is for the 'elite', especially in the humanities where competition for funding is scarce.

Another question - Is it possible to have funding lined up before you undertake a PHD? My problem is that I wouldn't be able to commit to doing a PHD before I was guaranteed some kind of funding. I suppose I'll probably have to work for a few years beforehand, but in these times thats very unlikely. I'd rather scrape through with some kind of funding in these times rather than pick up the job seekers allowance like every other arts degree graduate out there:(

convert

As far as I know, anybody can apply for the Ad Astra scholarship. However, if you do apply for it, bear in mind that you will be expected to do a certain number of teaching hours per week for which you do not get any payment. I think it can be anything up to about 6 hours a week, so just factor that into your decision. Your topic also has to tie in with a certain theme, so have a look at the UCD website to see the conditions, etc. before you get too fixed on applying for it. It's a nice stiped, but there are a lot of things you need to take into consideration when applying.

Another option you have is to take a year out before you start your PhD. That way you could have a think about what area you'd like to work in, in addition to having more time to spend on a scholarship application. Plus you'll know whether or not you have funding before you start.

Have a look at IRCHSS and Government of Ireland application forms, requirements, etc.

Are you thinking of applying to do a masters before your PhD?

Denerick

Are you thinking of applying to do a masters before your PhD?

Yes, I was considering it but it depends on my degree results. If I don't do as well as I might like, I'll consider doing a one years masters or MPhil in TCD or UCD. My big drawback is of course money; If I could find a way of being funded for these years on a modest income (Very modest income) I would be in dreamland. Even a student loan, if possible, which I could pay back when finished.

In history there is a very limited amount of places you can move into, though I'm hearing good things about UCD for a Masters or PHD. I'm familiar with the work of some of their scholars and it mightn't be a bad idea (Also would like the chance to spend some time out of Trinity and in a different institution)

Thanks again.

brianthebard

A MPhil is I think two years?I'm not sure. You could also apply for an MLitt, which is not quite as prestigious as a Phd but is a two year research course that ends up with you writing a large thesis. You can apply for an IRCHSS grant for any of these things. If you want to apply for an IRCHSS grant before applying for a course you would have to wait until January. In the meantime talk to supervisors/tutors/lecturers about going down that path and ask them how you can make your application as attractive as possible. Look for ways of getting puiblished if possible, awards available in the uni (of any sort-its padding, but it can be the difference). Assuming you are in final year look at what you are doing for a thesis/dissertation and see if its something you want to extend into a proper research piece. From there start to build up a bibliography and also try to figure out what will be different about your research to everyone else's thus far. It doesn't have to be entirely original, a small slant on an old topic can open avenues and would be perfectly fine. TCD will almost certainly have grant/fellowship programmes like the one mentioned in UCD, again talk to your lecturers. Also imo you are in a very good institution and have an edge on anyone outside of Trinity that wants to study there, use that to your advantage. Its pretty common for universities to look after their own, so it may be easier for you to get a place in TCD than another university. Besides Trinity has the sources and you are close to national library, archives, etc. Unless you are planning on working on something connected to a different region it would be kind of silly to look outside Dublin. Hope that helps.

Denerick

Unless you are planning on working on something connected to a different region it would be kind of silly to look outside Dublin.

I mentioned Stirling as I admire Michael Hopkinson, who teaches there, and its likely we would share the same topics of interest - thus would most like to work under him if possible I'm in 3rd year TCD, and I know, it is class Has a great library and our history staff is fantastic, some great historians like Geoghegan (A young man, but prolific writer) Fitzpatrick, Brady, Robinson, Kramer, Horne, Dolan etc. the list goes on.

This is all great advice and food for thought. Of course the obvious answer for me is to approach the relevant people early next year, but was just looking for tips and advice, which I've got in abundance here. Thanks again.