So further to my IRCSET application, I was turned down. Which was pretty crushing at the time, given how much effort I had poured into it. I'm still waiting to get feedback on my application, so that should be pretty interesting. When that arrives, the IRCSET chapter should be closed (until I need to look for more funding in the future).
In the meantime I had applied for the BioAT programme. It's a multi-disciplinary programme that combines research with addtional relevant taught modules. The idea is to give the student a better range of skills and exposure to more than one research lab.
Happilly I was granted an interview, just before Easter. At the time I wasn't sure how well it went (I waffled on quite a bit about science). I think my enthusiasm didn't put the panel off however, as I was offered a place on the tenth of May. Naturally I am over the moon! Taking up the place means I can stop hunting for funding and that I have a rough plan for my next four years. While I don't have an exact project, it will hopefully be in diagnostics or a closely allied field.