i'm the same desparate postgrad, trying to decide whether to apply for hsmp before 1st of April's fee increase or not. Some of you have been very helpful with advice, so thanks a lot for that.
so my problem is: I am doing phd in the uk university. Can I claim 3years of research as work experience? Obviosly the condition of employing me and paying me the scholarship was that I should have a Master's degree (I have a 1st class honours and a Masters recognised by the Uk university when they were taking me upon). I can have a reference where my research duties are outlined. I do not consider myself a student because I was rather carrying out project oriented tasks than attending seminars etc.. But will it work for claiming work experience
. So I want to claim at least 30 points for that. What I see as relevant is that I am applying for a post of a Research officer where my research skills that i currently use for my phd project are needed, and I want to attach the invitation for this post's interview to my hsmp application...but, as was pointed out to me previously, my earnings are too small.. so no way I could claim points for that, and that makes me dubious whether I should apply at all.. But I still could have at least 65 with masters and 4 years full time research experience
please help anyone. Your thoughts on the situation would be helpful