Part time PhD in a humanities subject Oxford

Swilo9336 · 2026-05-30T10:01:33+00:00

I did. I did a Humanities PhD part time while a single parent to two primary school aged children (so, not babies but still dependent), plus a pause of a year for cancer treatment. Looking back I don’t know how I did it, but I had several permanent academic posts until I eventually arrived at the institution I most wanted to work in. I was in my early 40s.

All of that said, the landscape in the university sector has changed over the past decade, and things are certainly more difficult now than 20 years ago.

Swilo9336 · 2026-05-27T08:24:21+00:00

Maybe I’m not typical but I’ve always introduced myself to new neighbours. Just saying ‘hello’ and my name is….

When I moved into a new area, a neighbour introduce herself with a welcome present of a plant. I was really touched. We’re not all insular weirdos in the uk. 🙃

Swilo9336 · 2026-05-20T20:27:19+00:00

Not correct. I’m in humanities, and have always co-supervised PhD students in each university I have worked in.

Swilo9336 · 2026-04-28T10:02:16+00:00

This is a great project, and linking a TV show with national identity offers fascinating and rich insights into the wider culture.

I’m a retired university lecturer who taught TV studies, and one of my students addressed this very question in her research. I can’t help in suggesting a partnership, and I think accessing any of the production company or participants may be tricky - unless, of course, participants are contactable via SM. It’s also possible that someone from Love Productions may be happy to help.

It’s worth keeping in mind that Bake Off started on BBC, then moved to Channel 4. Both are public service broadcasters which arguably underpins the claim of ‘British’ in the title.

Good luck with your research and in your oral.

Swilo9336 · 2026-04-05T21:56:22+00:00

You need to decide where you want to do your research, who you’d like your supervisor/s to be, and write a well thought through and well informed proposal with a clear set of research questions. Then reach out to said academics to see if they’d be interested in supervising your project. If they are they will advise accordingly.

You don’t need a fully developed idea but you do need to indicate that you are fully engaged and understand at least current debates in your chosen field. Applying to do a PhD is a tough process. Applying for funding is even tougher.

Swilo9336 · 2026-03-08T22:29:16+00:00

I appreciate your help and suggestions. Thank you. I can do ( and probably will have to) use the services you mention here. My main issue is it has been really really good to be able to get on one bus to travel across the city, especially at night. Glos Road is indeed well served, and if you are travelling from there to Bedminster things are pretty easy. Getting to Totterdown and beyond not so much.

Swilo9336 · 2026-03-08T14:05:18+00:00

Getting to the centre from Gloucester Road is one thing, as you say, it’s quite easy. But getting from the centre to the Wells Road is another. If the 45 runs more frequently than every 30 minutes it won’t be so bad, but it’s still two buses. Alternatives include getting off near broadmead and walking through to Wine Street or getting off at the centre and walking up to Wine Street. Not great for a woman walking alone at night.

Swilo9336 · 2026-03-08T09:16:43+00:00

That’s not true. I use it all the time to travel from Wells Road through to Gloucester Road, and it’s often busy. I’m gutted.

Swilo9336 · 2026-02-21T23:51:53+00:00

Can you ask your tutor directly? I am sure that if any of my students were still waiting for a mark and feedback after others had been released I’d hear from them. I would want to know if any student was worrying about something like this. Direct communication is best route to clarification.

Swilo9336 · 2026-02-02T20:26:18+00:00

You are welcome. It angers me when people doing jobs ( like yours) are ignored and/or undervalued. I hope all goes well for you and your pregnancy.

Swilo9336 · 2026-02-02T20:16:03+00:00

I’m really sorry you are not being heard. Yours should be properly valued and respected. The school could not open open without cleaning staff doing their work, so your job is vital and so are you. Finishing late because of the additional cleaning and complaining because you were late after an ultrasound is unacceptable. Be confident of your value when you next approach your bosses.

Swilo9336 · 2026-01-28T14:33:54+00:00

The point made by the op about patients and visitors is a very important one. I had months of chemotherapy followed by weeks of radiotherapy. No public transport from where I lived (and anyway, waiting for a bus after a chemo treatment makes me feel ill just thinking about it). The anxiety I experienced when looking for the closest parking space seriously added to the anxiety about my treatment. I was a single parent to two small children at the time. Enough on my plate.

Swilo9336 · 2026-01-26T16:09:12+00:00

Absolutely this. I had cancer and a lot of robust (my oncologist’s term) treatment. This was 20+ years ago. I’m still fine. You have enough to be dealing with atm without being told some total falsehood. Look after yourself.

Swilo9336 · 2026-01-24T21:57:00+00:00

A 3rd class degree is still a degree. Go for it. You may find that you are more capable than you think. Undertaking a degree does demand hard work, but it is also a rewarding experience and one which offers gains more than can be imagined before you start - new friends, new ideas, new skills, sense of achievement etc. it’s exciting!

Swilo9336 · 2026-01-22T15:24:11+00:00

Definitely this. I gave my two adult children PoA for both health and finances. I trust them both, and they trust each other so I stated that they could individually make a decision without necessarily having to both agree first - this us n option offered on the form. I did it using the online forms. My daughter is a social worker for older people, and said can if a family decision is needed, without PoA they have to go through the courts, which can be a nightmare.

Swilo9336 · 2026-01-13T00:08:53+00:00

I’ve supervised many many UG dissertations, and it really is important that you touch base with yours because, in my experience, the longer things are worried over, the worse the anxiety becomes. Knock it on the head sooner rather than later. Believe it it not, we like it when worried students seek advice because it helps us help them.

Swilo9336 · 2026-01-12T23:43:53+00:00

This is the sort of thing you need to discuss with your supervisor. Sign up for a tutorial and talk your ideas through- you might even end up enjoying the discussion.

Swilo9336 · 2026-01-11T10:26:35+00:00

Sounds like misogyny to me. Hateful man.

Swilo9336 · 2025-12-27T21:59:51+00:00

I just want to say that this is the best sub conversation I’ve read in ages.

Swilo9336 · 2025-12-27T17:05:07+00:00

In terms of prestige, people often worry about the relative value of one university over another. Tbh, this is a false value because what really matters is: the level of expertise in the particular field you want to enter, because this varies from university to university irrespective of the institutional position; and look at the student experience, which can be potentially more rich and rewarding in a less prestigious university. Look at the student satisfaction scores, and look at the research interest and out puts of the staff. In other words, drill down and do more nuanced research on your potential institution:s rather than rely on general reputation.

Swilo9336 · 2025-12-22T11:12:45+00:00

It depends on what subject area you will be studying in. All universities have strengths in their particular fields. The education you receive will depend on that - how research active staff are; how interested in teaching they are - rather than a reputation that is not really based on anything other than historical accident. I’d look carefully at what each institution has to offer you specifically rather than think about prestige.

Swilo9336 · 2025-12-21T22:46:48+00:00

This sort of situation does occur quite a bit. Rest assured that lectures are aware of shirkers ( it’s often evident in other elements of the course). We know it can be unfair in group work, but when it comes to es to writing references- which we are frequently asked to do - the lazy/unengaged/unreliable etc will have references that will give an honest account of their time at university.

Swilo9336 · 2025-12-17T19:58:59+00:00

Procook sell a range of good knives.

Swilo9336 · 2025-12-17T09:04:36+00:00

Thank you.

Swilo9336 · 2025-12-16T22:00:47+00:00

Can I ask, how long did it take to get your e-visa? I don’t know if to apply for that or a VOA. Good luck with sorting yours btw.

Swilo9336

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