h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I knew there was a reason I shouldn't have jumped ship from literature to history! The ConVivial looks wonderfully amusing and damned it all, fun. I get go to conferences that involve tedious people talking about tedious things, and god forbid anyone have fun and be academic at the same time.

But historians are like that...although there are a few of us out there who are bound and determined to become boozy oafs and still dazzle the masses with our brilliant minds (or, failing that, baffle them with b.s.)

But I digress from my reason to visit your lovely page. If you would be so kind, and so inclined, could you please explain the process of obtaining a doctorate in your part of the world, since I am thinking I have had quite enough of the American "read til you're blind and regurgitate every thought some dead guy said about your period a hundred years ago" way of doing things, and was wondering if perhaps there are other models out there that might suit me better.

And naturally, I thought of you.

Well, off to look imposing and suitably adult for my little students!

Hmmm, the PhD, UK stylee. Hmmm.
Obviously I did a science doctorate which works differently to an Arts degree. However, here is what I know.
UK PhDs do not go on for ever. There is three years of study, plus approximately one extra year to finish off and that is that. You used to get three years of study and then as long as you want to write up, but they have got a lot tighter on making people actually finish these days. I blame Brian May from Queen myself. Should have finished his Astronomy Thesis. Gave us all a bad name so he did.
The biggest difference to the USA degree would be money. For a science degree the Professor is awarded a number of grants by the various research councils. These will cover three years of student living, tax free, and if his students he gives them to all graduate then he will get more. So it is also in his interest to get you through and graduated quickly. Of course, as the student has a grant there is no pressing need to work for cash. Thus you can spend all your time in research, working hard to produce your results.
I believe that in arts subjects the students themselves apply for the grant direct from the funding councils, with help from their supervisor. So not quite so nice. However they still get a grant. The greatest advantage I can see to this style of degree is that the student can concentrate solely on their work, without having to teach or attend random supplementary classes. And there are no quals. The downside is that you have a lot less time to do the work, will really struggle if you change your mind on the direction of your work half way and probably leave the degree as a less well rounded person.
Its all swings and roundabouts, but I doubt I could have finished an American style course, what with hating teaching and really only being good at the nitty gritty techy work.

A bit of a ramble, but I hope it answeres your question.

It does, and quite well. The funding system is much the same here, but perhaps the biggest difference is the lack of having to plow through all of the classes I'm required to take. Do I really care about the French Revolution? Absolutely not. I care about things like the English Rising of 1381, and the Inquisition.

And the fact that there are no quals makes me green with envy. I have both written and oral quals, and watching my friends go through them is like watching them have heart attacks on a daily basis. It's rough.

Hmmm, I wonder if there are any schools over there that will take me...

I do know of an American who was over here doing her PhD in Scottish History. She had been over for part of her undergraduate life though, so knew who to hassle for the place. Oh, and it is all wet and cold too.

I spent a year at Exeter back about 14 years ago, so I know the British system a bit...Lampeter in Wales has a master's in Celtic Christianity.....

I went to a conference in Exeter once, a lovely cathedral, but I don't remember much else. Haven't a clue about Lampeter. Wales is not to bad though but can get a bit parochial so I am told.