Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

structured phd

  • 17-07-2010 6:01pm
    #1
    telepylus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 71 ✭✭


    hey, I have applied for the structured phd in the forthcoming year and was just wondering has anybody started it and what they make of it? what subjects etc they have done/is it more beneficial than the regular solely research phd? any advice/feedback would be appreciated


Comments

  • #2
    brianthebard
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,165 ✭✭✭✭brianthebard


    I opted out. If you haven't seen the list of options available to you its like doing a BA again but with other ways of making credits (eg, going to two international conferences, 5 points. running a conference, 5 points, etc). I don't believe there's any real advantage to the structured programme and no one I've talked to who is following the structured programme aren't very happy with it. One girl had to do 4 essays for one module, plus the dept wanted her to do an extra essay because she's a phd student. If you have to make up 90 credits from structured stuff you can see that it will take up a lot of your time.


  • #3
    telepylus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 71 ✭✭telepylus


    When you opted out, did you just go into the standard phd then? Yeh I seen a lot of the modules and a lot of them seemed appealing, but then when I asked the departments etc about them a lot of them weren't even running, i.e. classes on M.A. modules that said they could be picked. Most people arent happy with the structured phd you say? 4 essays in one module? Feck, that sounds awful. Yeh that was an issue I was concerned about, the fact that there would be a lot of essays, and very time-consuming. Worried it might distract me away from my research etc. Do you mind me asking what department you were doing it in/modules that you would discourage doing/recommend? Thanks


  • #4
    brianthebard
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,165 ✭✭✭✭brianthebard


    I'm in the English department, yeah when I opted out I just took the traditional phd. There are definitely some interesting modules, but since you have to make up 90 credits you will end up having to do at least some filler. Plus, the end goal of your phd should be the thesis, not the modules that distract from it. If you get the funding from the college to do the structured programme or whatever then its worth it, but otherwise I wouldn't bother.


  • #5
    telepylus
    Closed Accounts Posts: 71 ✭✭telepylus


    no I haven't got funding, will just be doing it the grant/struggling route. hmm, yeh will take all that into consideration, it is good to know that I can opt out during it anyway. Yeh I was thinking along those lines too, that my concentration should be on the phd itself, but sorta like the thought of having classes to ease me into the phd itself. Thanks for your insights


Advertisement