NOT helpful or responsive

[winterbadger]

So, I sent off a request for advice to the email address listed for the professor in charge of postgraduate history studies (whom one is advised to approach directly) at Very Old and Famous University ...

This is the question I asked:

Greetings,

I'm a mature student considering a postgraduate degree in history, and I'm seeking some advice about the best place to embark.

My first degree (in 1985) was in History (honours) and Political Science/International Relations. I recently (2010) completed an MA in strategic intelligence (essentially further international relations, with some historical elements) by distance learning.

I would like to study early modern history, especially British history. I'm particularly interested in the contrast between the effective centralisation of power in England under the Tudors and the difficulty encountered by the Stewart monarchy in Scotland in accomplishing the same task, though finally overcome by James VI. One
example of this would be his conflict with the inhabitants of the former Lordship of the Isles (and with the Gàidhealtachd in general). I see some work in the VOFU research repository that prefigures this (xxxxxx'x 1995 work on crown-magnate relations, for example, and yyyyyyy's 2004 work on the Image of Britain), but nothing that addresses the particular period or comparisons that I'm interested in.

My initial question, however, is a more basic one. What would be the best route of entry for me? Should I do a taught postgraduate degree in history first, and if so at what level--an MLitt or an MPhil?

I will be grateful for any advice you can give me!

Here is the reply I received, six days later.

Dear Mr Spoor

Thank you for your enquiry regarding postgraduate study in the School of History.  All the relevant information can be found on our home page at [link to front page of history department at VOFU] and follow the links from there.

An application form can now be completed on-line and accessed at [admissions page at VOFU] where details of the admission procedure can also be found.

Booking forms for visits are available from our [visiting link at VOFU] webpages.
                                               
If, however, you have any problems or additional queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely
Someone Who Is Definitely Not The Professor In Charge Of Postgraduate History Studies

Really? Really? Do you think if all the relevant information was to be found on your website that I would have written to you (or, rather, to your boss, who is apparently too busy to do the job the university has asked him to do, and so has delegated it to someone)?

Comments

[pisica.livejournal.com]

The reason C. ended up at his university for his masters (and then PhD) is because he contacted 4-5 departments, and this was the only one who wrote back to him. :/

You could drop a polite word to this university's admissions and/or international office and point out that if they want to attract foreign students' money, they need to shape up a bit....