Grad school in the UK, PhD possibilities (X-Posted on uni_overseas)

[whitiglil]

Hello!  I got my BA in Psychology from the University of South Florida and will be doing my MSc in Social Psychology in the UK starting September 2007.  After that, I would like to get a PhD in Social Psychology (I'm not really sure where yet, could be US, the UK, or somewhere else altogether but the first two choices seem more likely

Comments

[thebohomama]

I don't really know to much about your specific programs (although I did spend my last year with USF, before that UF), just wanted to point out if its anything like Anthropology, be careful, because the UK methods and theories could differ greatly from what you have learned in your undergrad and what you want to accomplish with your PhD. I wish I could afford to do my graduate school over here (Ireland), but even with the Euro the international student fee is quite steep... with the UK pounds, ouch. Just a reminder, although I'm sure you have already thought about the money. I don't know if this helped out at all, but as someone whose considered graduate school overseas, these are just a few of the things I've run into.

[whitiglil]

Thank you for letting me know about that. So as a Floridian (or someone who has spent time here at least), what are you impressions? How are the people, how is the weather, the culture differences, etc.? Have you been to the UK as well (I'm not sure about how vast the difference is between the Irish and the English, and I don't want to assume one way or another)? So what would you recommend about having to catch up with the UK methods and theories, since I would assume that Anthropology should at least have SOME similarities to Social Psych? Thank you for mentioning that bit, as I didn't even think about it. I figured the main differences would be with the teaching and class structure as well as language differences.

[thebohomama]

If you haven't already been to the UK, I would definitely go for a visit. Weather can be dreadfully depressing, as much as you tell yourself you will like the cold, or like the rain... as a person who has spent a better part of their life in Florida, it WILL depress you. It doesn't rain like it rains in Florida, it kind of constantly mists, and when its cold and cloudy, it gets old, fast. I haven't noticed a significant difference between Ireland and the UK when it comes to weather or culture. It gets colder in some parts of the UK than Ireland and they can get snow

[whitiglil]

Definitely helpful, thanks! The schools I'm considering are in Southeast England (but not large cities like London, most smaller towns like Canterbury and Surrey or rather Guilford I think they labeled it...), so I would assume it would be warmer, though I'm also guess the rain and cold sticks no matter what. Thanks for that warning, I guess it's not really something you can just like. The accents change kinda like they do in the US, then, huh?

The coursework thing sounds like a good idea since there is an obvious difference with that. Thanks for the tip!

I really appreciate your help!

[whisperedsighs]

I've spent a lot of time in Kent and in Canterbury -- Kent is a gorgeous county and Canterbury is my very favorite city. It's so rich in history, the buildings are beautiful and it's quite lively. There's good places to go shopping, nice places to eat and I love it more every time I visit.

[whitiglil]

Thank you:-) So it really is just as great as it looks in the pictures and brochures, then? I don't think I've heard a single negative thing about it yet, so I thought I'd check here.

[milram]

As far as schools that start later - universities on the quarter system often only start in mid to late September - the University of Chicago and Northwestern are both examples.

[whitiglil]

What exactly is the quarter system? Do you mean the ones that have like fall, winter, spring, and summer semesters? We definitely don't have that down in FL, as we start in mid to end August. Thanks for the tip, if they have my program, it just might work!

[crayolaab]

Does your programme really go through to the end of September? I only looked at grad school (didn't go) but a lot of them the final component was a paper or final project which was due, but you did not need to be physically present for the last chunk of time. You might be able to work it out to be back in the US earlier to start a PhD program.

[whitiglil]

You are right, the last part is a research paper project thing (dissertation), but I have no idea about when I can leave and all that. According to their dates for the program, it runs until Sept. 17th, but yeah, no idea. I also don't know how the graduation part will work out, either, as I would think it would be nice to be able to do one over there... I guess that's another thing to look into?

[whitiglil]

Thanks for the advice, I would assume it should be similar enough with that. Planning will definitely be the key to it all. I appreciate your help!