Smilodon, I've put that to them but they will not answer. I'm angry and upset that they seem reluctant to clarify things or to offer an explanation but obviously they must have their reasons...

However, I'm moving on and will let them know...in my own good time.

Thanks. I asked some time back and was told that all the offers of funding had been accepted and a reserve list wasn't being drawn up. I think it's a pretty poor show that people are being left clueless for so long. I only know the score because I asked the research funding office and they let it slip, in my opinion, and the departmental secretary confirmed things but seemed a bit embarrassed that I knew, again, in my opinion.

No, the decisions about funding have already been made and those who gained funding were told in early May. The people that didn't gain funding have yet to be told and I can't see why it is taking so long to let them know.

The funding came from departmental studentships.

I applied for a PhD, was accepted and given a supervisor. Decisions were made at the start of May about funding but those who have not been successful in securing a studentship have still to be told (hopefully they will be told very soon). Nearly 3 months on and no word... Why? I can't think of a good reason. I would go so far as to say it has been unhelpful as had people been told much earlier they could have forward planned but this now limits their time. It doesn't seem right to me.

I can see both sides. A PhD should be judged as that alone but the reality is people, including me, look at RAE outcomes, the University studied at and things such as Russell group, supervisors etc. A PhD is not judged on its own but by a host of factors.

How much relevance is placed on going to a Russell Group University? Do people think it has a significant outcome in terms of career prospects?

I feel for you, it sounds terrible but I wouldn't post him the lyrics! Is there anyone you can run it past?

I don't understand these people. Why agree to supervise and not show a commitment? It surely doesn't reflect well on them and it's not fair on you. Surely these people want to pull the best that they can out of their students and then take pride and credit in seeing them do so well?

Hope it all works out.

Thanks. I've contacted both departments and the research office informing them of the situation. I'm sure they're used to this sort of thing and I just hope the outcome, whatever that will be, is helpful to everyone.

When you are in the position I'm in it's a very good reason and, to be fair, you don't know my circumstances. The PhD itself would actually be interesting (not the most interesting) but things associated with it are not.

No, they've been very vague and to this end not helpful. I'll contact them again and clearly state my position and that an answer would be helpful. I really do not want taken off the other list (you've voiced my concern) but don't want to be left with nothing.

I've no income at present and so I'll not refuse anything but the goal posts have changed somewhat as regards this offer (I won't go into detail on a public forum) and it just doesn't really appeal but I need an income.

"accept" not "except" - sorry - but I lost concentration!

Thanks for responding.

I contacted the department a while back about a different matter and although they were very friendly they indicated that everything is dealt with through the research office. The research office have also indicated that they deal with everything and they seem to discourage contact between individuals and departments. I am on a reserve list for funding (not a place which I assume I have if I want) but am not sure how high up the list I am and the research office are 'vague' when asked about this.

There is a considerable difference in how I feel about both PhD's but funding is vital to any decisions I make.

I feel the research office should be able to give me a simple answer as to whether I can except this in the interim but they don't seem able to.

I have applied for a number of PhD's but the offers with funding are coming in reverse order! That is, the least preferred are coming in first.

An offer has just came in and I am expected to accept or decline within a short time limit. The problem is I am on the reserve list for funding for another PhD with the same University but with a different department (and for a number of reasons I would MUCH prefer it) and they are both with the same funding body. I did indicate on the application form to the University the order of choice.

I did send an email to the research office at the University indicating I thought I should accept this in the interim but hoped to be offered the other PhD with funding in due course. Unfortunately, I didn't receive a response.

Any suggestions for how I should approach this? I can't risk being left without anything to do come September and so something is better than nothing.