Comments | brits_americans: job prospects after post-grad study

throwafit in brits_americans

job prospects after post-grad study

Feb 16, 2008 14:42

Hello,

I'm a(n) stupid american looking to study in a taught MA program in the UK in the fall. I am wondering if anyone can share their experiences about trying to get a job in the UK as an american after completing postgrad study. My ultimate career goal is to teach at the uni level, and I plan to continue with PhD studies after my MA, but I am ( Read more... )

visas, studying in the uk, employment

Comments 43

lostinarden February 16 2008, 22:52:03 UTC

I haven't personally but I know a couple of people who have so it is doable.

(The comment has been removed)

tronochick February 16 2008, 23:06:48 UTC

hahaha.. i *love* when people say what i'm already thinking.

snark-alert!

throwafit February 16 2008, 23:10:23 UTC

I am only kidding when I call myself "stupid", because I am assuming many brits roll their eyes when they read posts such as mine...I'm sure I would.

Constructive responses are appreciated. I don't really know who we should be calling stupid when people make responses only to make personal attacks.

tronochick February 16 2008, 23:16:05 UTC

you see, and i was going to put a p.s. to my original comment by saying "you can't be that stupid if you want to go for a Ph.D." but now i don't think it's worth it.
my feelings are hurt.

::sniff, sniff::

Thread 25

dativesingular February 16 2008, 23:43:20 UTC

I did a taught MA, but didn't do the PhD thing. I would imagine that landing an academic position in the UK is just as difficult (if not more so) than doing so in the us. You may find http://www.jobs.ac.uk/ helpful, or academics_uk.

friede February 16 2008, 23:44:32 UTC

Well, depends on a lot of things, really, so I'm just going to talk about the very little I know (UK MA, which I got when I already had US PhD acceptances in hand, all in English Lit). First, at my taught MA, the taught MAs got looked down upon a little by the research MA/PhD candidates. (Your mileage may vary). Also, the application for PhD studies post-MA is kind of insane -- I don't remember the details, but it was hugely stressful for my friends who were trying to make the timing work so they could keep visas, etc.

IMHO, the biggest hurdle is really surviving the PhD over there, financially and mentally -- you can theoretically get Stafford loans from the US, but the system of financial aid is very different (and less generous) than the US system ( ... )

dativesingular February 16 2008, 23:47:47 UTC

Yeah, the finances were a huge, huge part of why I chose not to stay on for my PhD. Considering I'm already owing Uncle Stafford money until I'm fifty, a PhD would have had him coming for me from beyond the grave. :(

throwafit February 17 2008, 00:07:24 UTC

Yes, financial aid for US students looking to study in the UK is not so great...I'm pretty concerned about it.

hats off to you... throwafit February 17 2008, 00:06:35 UTC

For the first helpful response to my post, this is great info. :)

The reason I am opting for the taught program is because I am still not 100% on the ultimate direction of my research, and I would like to get a bit more experience before I dive into a research based program. Interesting about the politics between taught v. research.

I know that it is going to be quite a challenge to successfully complete my studies and then to try and find employment, so I appreciate the objective honesty. And to be honest (and possibly unrealistic), I am hoping that I can be done with the US if I take my studies very seriously in the UK and do everything possible to get a job and stay there...but if I don't like it, then perhaps I will be screwed and have to return to the US...

Thanks again!

Thread 5

a_d_medievalist February 17 2008, 01:27:11 UTC

It depends on the field. You pretty much aren't going to get a permanent position at any university in the US or UK or Ireland anymore with an MA. There are too many good PhDs on the market. Even Community Colleges in the US are taking PhDs, because they can get them. I think your idea of a taught MA as a way to narrow fields is a good one, but unless you are also a rich American, it is probably not the wisest idea. In my field, History, it would just be a bad idea if you were hoping for anything more than a wonderful educational experience. You might want to look at MA programs in the US that require a substantial thesis in addition to coursework, then go on and do a research PhD or DPhil ( ... )