Postgraduate Funding (PhD Art History)

FCSchalke

PS My day job does relate to my field of study - very directly, in fact. It's just that I have to consolidate this with a PhD to get further with what I'm doing. So, my mind wouldn't be on a totally different subject during my 'day job'; my work would reinforce my lines of enquiry for studies. So, no, I don't think I'd be unlikely to achieve my goal - not if, by some miracle, I could fund myself.

Voyager2002

FCSchalke wrote: »

Is there any way, do you think, that I could use that money anyway, by putting it in a high interest account and releasing it gradually for my four years of study? Is there any way the bank / gvt would find out? What paperwork is required for this funding? Do you think this could be worked somehow to my advantage?

Sadly, university bureaucrats are unlikely to agree to this. Most university regulations specify that a minimum period of registration (and paying fees!) is required before a PhD can be awarded. It is, of course, worth asking the question.

dizzyrascal

Start writing to the Charities, especially those that already fund the Arts and galleries. You will need to keep doing this over the years, but stress that you are able to fund your keep etc, you just need help with the fees. See if there are any universities offering studentships. Most of the deadlines will be March/April this year.
Using a CDL won't work as they expect you to pay your fees with it and you have to start paying it back before you have completed your qualification.
I would be asking your employer for study leave if they can't fund the study itself. I don't think that is unreasonable, worth a try anyway. You can argue that it will benefit your work and the gallery, (as it most probably will)
Don't worry too much about the timescale for gaining the qualification. 4 years part time would be amazing. Most full time PhD's take at least 4 years to complete. It's much tougher than most people think and the drop-out rate is very high, even when fully-funded.

Aryndeneth

What are your limits in terms of which institutions you could undertake your PhD at? Might be some ideas for you here http://www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk/subject/6/pgr (watch the closing dates though, some of the options on here are no longer current and/or not yet updated for 2013/14 or later)

hnswst

FCSchalke wrote: »

My other thoughts are to write the thesis over the next few years, sans supervision, and then - once I have the saved money - apply to a university department, then submit the thesis after two years of fee-paying. That way I need not part with too much cash. Have you heard of such situations before?

My area is very different from art history, but I would not be prepared to supervise a PhD student on that basis.

dizzyrascal

hnswst wrote: »

My area is very different from art history, but I would not be prepared to supervise a PhD student on that basis.

There are quite specific rules that come with awarding PhD's so I think the OP would struggle to get any institutions to accept those conditions.

Fire_Fox

If there was any way you could live and work in the north of the UK you'd be able to live on far less money than in London. IMO you may need to choose between the pension and the PhD and the current job, you are setting too many restrictions for a situation that is so difficult.

The only other thing I can think is to completely change the way you live in London, literally review every last penny you spend and every bill however essential it may seem, really think outside the box. House/ pet sitting for free accommodation, if you have outdoor space or an allotment grow your own veg, read books like this one, cycle or walk instead of even public transport.

Go crazy on competitions and freebies via Moneysavingexpert forums, get into matched betting (system NOT gambling see the relevant board), buy stuff from charity shops and sell on eBay - none of which are employment as such so hopefully not an issue with your contract.

FCSchalke

Thanks for your advice.

Fire Fox - I have indeed thought about moving 'up north' and even applied for work there. It is all work-permitting - and, again, competitive. I feel I wouldn't want to move unless it's a step up from what I'm doing (as it is a big undertaking, moving to the north, on your own, when you're a southerner). And I have looked carefully at spending - tightening up on bill payments by getting the best offers; carefully doing the annual 'credit card shift' to reduce those debts, while paying as much debt off as I can (to the tune of around £250 per month); and even bartering with my landlord to get a good deal on my rent by proposing to stay for "at least three years" (which, thankfully, have now passed, leaving free to look around). But I appreciate your mention of the pension situation - it's something I've wondered about; afterall, I expect it will be slashed soon anyway, so I should perhaps think about not contributing for a few years and then joining the 'not so good' scheme when I return! That _is_ one realistic option, but it's a shame to be thinking along those lines. I know several people in their late forties with no pension and student debt, and I didn't want to be in that position myself. But I realise I can't have my proverbial cake.

Fire_Fox

FCSchalke wrote: »

Thanks for your advice.

Fire Fox - I have indeed thought about moving 'up north' and even applied for work there. It is all work-permitting - and, again, competitive. I feel I wouldn't want to move unless it's a step up from what I'm doing (as it is a big undertaking, moving to the north, on your own, when you're a southerner). And I have looked carefully at spending - tightening up on bill payments by getting the best offers; carefully doing the annual 'credit card shift' to reduce those debts, while paying as much debt off as I can (to the tune of around £250 per month); and even bartering with my landlord to get a good deal on my rent by proposing to stay for "at least three years" (which, thankfully, have now passed, leaving free to look around). But I appreciate your mention of the pension situation - it's something I've wondered about; afterall, I expect it will be slashed soon anyway, so I should perhaps think about not contributing for a few years and then joining the 'not so good' scheme when I return! That _is_ one realistic option, but it's a shame to be thinking along those lines. I know several people in their late forties with no pension and student debt, and I didn't want to be in that position myself. But I realise I can't have my proverbial cake.

I don't know that you do realise you can't have your cake and eat it, in a recession without the qualifications you need. Why do you need to make a step up to relocate north? Means to an end. You don't mention any dependants and you are only in your thirties yet you sound like an old man you are so cautious, practical, risk averse, negative. You won't need a pension for thirty five to forty years yet!!!!

People relocate to a different part of the country all the time, students do it when they go away to university, new graduates for their first job, families to be closer to younger or elder relatives and so on. I last moved city (south to north) in 2006, best thing I ever did. Much friendlier people up here as well as massively cheaper to live. :beer:

You are still talking about cutting bills in the standard way which will only get you so far. I am talking about really thinking outside the box, changing the way you live and the blinkered way you think to follow your dream. If you have debts on credit cards it would be nuts IMO to be taking on more debt to study - if you find yourself unable to work (redundancy, illness, injury) you will be stuffed, there is no way you can pay debts on benefits.

IMO take the words 'cannot' and 'but' out of your vocabulary. Be more childlike in your approach, they think anything is possible, that they will grow up to become a princess or compete in the Olympics despite being a commoner or having a disability. A few hold onto those dreams and MAKE them come true. Cheesy? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciYk-UwqFKA

Devon_Sailor

There are lots of Chritable Trusts out there, ranging from the very large (£13million + per annum made in grants) down to just a few hundred pounds. Many provide funding in the education/philanthropic/arts areas.

A good place to start would be here (as it provides money for EXACTLY what you are looking for albeit for a limited amount!!):

http://www.windlecharitabletrust.org.uk/

There is a 'hub' of 300 or so charitable trusts located here:
http://www.acf.org.uk/seekingfunding/index.aspx?id=70

Also try here:
http://www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk/subject/6/pgr


Or, just Google "Arts charitable Trust" or Education...there are plenty of hits. Having worked in the charitable sector in the past, these can be an absolute godsend for funding and are often overlooked. The trick is to make a very good case and sell yourself/the project well. They are designed to give money away dont forget - so they are automatically more "on side" than banks; you just have to win them over as to why they should give to YOU.

All the best with your search,

D_S