It does depend on discipline. I'm humanities and I include literature review and methodology in the introduction, even though each chapter is stand-alone and has their own introduction too. Basically my first chapter is the overview of my research. The individual chapters cover different aspects of it.

I just came up with a list too and emailed it to my supervisors: a list of each chapter's number, summary purpose, and when I'd aim to finish it. I allowed generous time because I'm seriously ill + part-time so can't go at this too intensively. In the end I've ended up writing 2 chapters simultaneously (1&2, then 3&6, now 4&5, and 7 and bibliography to do at the very end), so the plan altered a bit, but generally I've stuck to the deadlines as agreed. I started that half way through the PhD, having completed almost all the research, but keen to write up to see what I had, identify gaps, and hopefully allow time for a bit more research in addition to revising chapters. It helped when I started writing that I already had a literature survey (written 3 months into my part-time PhD) which formed the basis of chapter 1, and a published journal paper and drafts of another 2 papers (all sole authored) that I could adapt to the thesis chapters.

If it's a taught Masters with a dissertation it may just be equivalent to MA elsewhere. At some Scottish universities MPhil degrees are offered like this, since the title MA is already used for first degrees. You do need to find out more about this MPhil and what it is. If it's a research degree it's a lot more modest than a doctorate, involving far fewer words for the final thesis (how long is "your" MPhil dissertation going to be for example? 15,000 words or 40,000?) and far fewer years.

The rules do vary by university. At my university the maximum time allowed for part-timers is 6 years too; less for full-timers.

Sorry to hear that your supervisor won't give detailed feedback yet. Bit of a bummer really, and means you don't get the encouragement that you're on the right track. Maybe your other supervisor will be more helpful? In the meantime though pick yourself up (I know it's hard!) and carry on expanding the thesis and plugging the gaps. If you're aiming to submit this improved draft by the start of August then that's not too many more weeks of writing. Good luck with meeting your new deadline.

I've had funding twice from 2 different research councils: EPSRC over a decade ago for full-time science PhD, AHRC now for part-time arts PhD. So it is possible. I even mentioned my prior funding and why I'd had to leave (incurable serious illness) on my second funding application. But if you had to apply to the same funding council again I think you'd be very lucky, and even if they granted something they may reduce the number of years funded.

OU part-time PhD fees used to be really low compared to other universities - fair given the distance-learning aspect - but they've shot up to be comparable in recent years. The online prospectus at http://www.open.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/index.php gives the 2008/9 fees for part-timers as 1620 pounds.

If you're in Germany eligibility rules kick in for AHRC funding. I've just checked and think you'd be covered for fees as an EU-based student, but probably wouldn't receive a stipend. So the incentive to apply isn't so great. Checking out local funding options might definitely be worthwhile, and shani has given you lots of good advice on that. The OU is well regarded in the UK. I converted from a Science graduate to an Arts student via them, and my OU degree helped me gain PhD AHRC funding. Some OU PhD students are full-time on campus but many other ones are external distance-learning students, so it's definitely doable. Good luck!

It's no problem to miss a conference due to ill health. Even if you were presenting it would be fine. And you don't want to spread your infection around among the conference delegates! Look after yourself, rest and recuperate. There will be plenty of other conferences you can attend.

Another option might be to self-fund at the start, and apply for funding afterwards. That's what I did, and as a humanities student I came under AHRC's remit. I started without funding, but applied to them in my first year and got it for the rest of my PhD. As a part-time student it covers fees and - since last October - a stipend as well. So well worth applying for, and shouldn't be ruled out automatically.

I'm still loving it, 4 years down the line, half-time, so in for the long haul! My only regret is that I'm long-term seriously ill and can't throw myself at the PhD as much as I'd like. But as far as I'm able to I adore it. Even during the tough patches.

And St Andrews will have useful GRADskills training that you can tap into later as you need it, including advice on writing your thesis, coping with the viva etc. See the courses link from http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/GRADskills/pg_info.php
But that doesn't make the induction irrelevant, just different.

The type of advice they give you on a PG induction day is useful from the word go, especially for students new to the university, but very little use in a year's time. I'd recommend going if I was you. All the university freshers events will also be on at that time, so if you can be there then it would be beneficial.

Good luck jojo! Sounds like you're doing the right thing: focusing on what needs to be done to get through this stage, and not getting too downhearted for too long. Can understand the numbness though. Try to keep outside interests, and breaking out of the house can certainly help!

Sorry to hear that jojo. I took a huge knock in confidence when I first wrote up a sequence of chapters: very severe feedback, and I didn't feel like I was making any progress at all. So I know where you're coming from. At least your supervisor is meeting you (mine is 500 miles away!) so view the meeting as a chance to see if/how things can be turned around as need be. Encourage him to give you as many detailed constructive suggestions as possible. Good luck!