You shouldn't find it too difficult to change to a related discipline. A PhD is a training in how to carry out research, not necessarily in the specific research area.

See our Funding and PhDs Explained sections for links and information.

Sorry to interupt, but here comes our standard answer - yes you can get a PhD with a 2(ii) plus an MSc. See our Funding and PhDs Explained sections for links and information.

Your situation is not the usual in science but does happen (it would be much more common if you were researching in the arts & humanities). The important thing to do is find an academic (or other expert) who you can consult with about your data. They don't have to take over as your supervisor, just be willing to have the odd meeting with you.

See our Funding and PhDs Explained sections for links and information.

Apply as soon as posible, particularly if you want to apply for and ORS award to reduce the costs of tuition fees.

Find research groups or individuals who have published work similar or related to that you wish to carry out. Write to them and ask if they would be interested in taking you on.

DJW - how long have you been using this forum without noticing how it works?

Get in touch with the people you turned down and see how the land lies. As far as your referees go as long as you have good reason to quit, and they are aware of that they should be favourable to you. However it is only human nature for any future supervisor/employer to look on your leaving your PhD with some suspiscion. The earlier you leave, the less effect it will have on both your current supervisor and your prospects of starting again somewhere else.

The standard of the successful applicants is very high, but a First from a good UK university is a very good start. Deadlines for different universities vary, but you'll need to get yourself accepted by a supervisor and submit your application in the next few weeks. Before you accept an offer of a PhD place make sure you haven't missed this years ORS deadline for that institution.

Generally if you are a UK student receiving a full UK research council studentship then your fees (tuition & lab) will be paid. This money does not come out of your maintenance grant. Depending on your funding body you will probably be paid either once every three months or monthly.

See our Funding and PhDs Explained sections for links and information. If you would like further details, please let us know which country you are from, where you wish to study and in what subject area. The reason that the answer to your question is hard to find is because there is no general answer, it depends on your personal situation and the best people to ask will be academics in your area of interest.

The German Academic Exchange Service (cairo.daad.de) will have any information you need. The link provided is to their arabic web site.

You can list them by 'most recent reply' by clicking on the "Latest Message" link under the 'Order By' column.

For the purposes of course fees a home student is a student from the EU (incl UK). International students pay higher fees.

For the purpose of most studentships a home student is a UK student and receives a living expenses grant and has course fees paid. Other EU students have course fees paid, but receive no living expenses grant.

Don't worry about the reputation of the university you go to - look at the reputation of the supervisor and the department. A younger supervisor may not have built up a great reputation in his or her field, but will usually be able to offer you more time and enthusiasm as a supervisor.

Look at the RAE rating of your potential new department, look at which techniques you'll be using throughout your research, when you're interviewed talk to other lab members about their attitude towards the lab and the supervision.

It's generally considered better to change location for your PhD (but it's not uncommon for people to do a PhD in the department they first graduated from). Pick a place you're happy to live - it's no good being in a place that gets you down - the pressures of a PhD are hard enough to deal with.