I self-funded for my first year, and applied for AHRC funding during it. I got that, and it's paid for the rest of my PhD.

So that aspect of your query is certain possible, and I wish you luck with your application :-x

Good luck too if you end up going elsewhere.

If you're that close to finishing your funding I'd normally recommend sticking it out and completing the PhD at your current uni. Switching unis can be quite a bureaucratic hassle, and not all funding councils would support a switch.

Also where you get a job afterwards should normally have little bearing on where you finish your PhD. You could move afterwards.

Basically think very carefully about moving at this stage, especially if you're doubtful about Sup B supporting you. Of course it depends on how far practically you are through the PhD. Are you near completion? If not how much longer do you think you'll need?

I have a different perspective on this because I'm long-term ill with a progressive incurable neurological disease, and won't be able to work after the PhD, even part-time. I'll be glad to be just alive to be honest, albeit not very functional. So my goals and aspirations are somewhat different from most people going through the PhD process.

But I have recently started to think that: (1) maybe I will get through the PhD after all (up until recently I've been much less opptimistic); and (2) there are some other things I'd like to do when I'm not doing the PhD any more.

One thing I've been drawing up are lists of OU courses which appeal, though studying these now would be somewhat difficult due to all the brain damage. But maybe ...

And then perhaps I could be a bit of an independent researcher (again a challenge with the health problems), producing journal papers which appeal to me. That would be nice.

Nice to be optimistic though.

Yes that's what it is. The secretary in my department asked me if I'd like to do this, even though I'm a student with disabilities myself and would have had trouble doing it as a result - had I been sitting an exam I might have needed just this help! But I gather it's a good way of supplementing your income, and is providing valuable support to other students.

I'm part-time (humanities), not due to working alongisde, but due to severe disabling neurological disease which wipes me out and leaves typically just 5 good hours a week for the PhD now I'm nearing the end. It's been a struggle continuing the PhD throughout the 6 year period. I often wish I could study full-time, but it's not an option, even though I have research council funding and could have switched. But the health problems rule that out. But nearly there.

Congratulations! I'm expecting my viva will be next summer (I have to submit by the end of March), so it's getting closer, and it's always incredibly encouraging to hear from someone who got through successfully.

I agree with the advice to search for current jobs in your area (subject and possible geographical). My husband was a post-doc research assistant for many years, and the salary initially was quite low, especially since it was our only source of income, but then it grew over the years with annual increases which was nice. Now he's a Research Fellow so gets even more (stepped up onto a higher level on the university's pay scale), but there are limits, and it does depend on a number of factors.

Can't offer any advice more than what's already been said. But wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow.

Nice to hear from you Teek. Have you had that firm talk with your supervisor yet about when you'll get onto just writing? Good idea to have a goal for the word count written by Christmas.

As for me making progress, yes, it's in very small portions now, but it's progress! I couldn't have managed my main writing up phase like this though: that needed more good hours in the week, and luckily I was stronger then. But now I'm nearing the end (doing final polishing and rewriting) I can get by on a ridiculously small number of hours a week.

I'm another person who withdrew from a PhD a decade or so ago. In my case I was full-time, funded, and the reason for withdrawing was becoming seriously ill long-term (turned out to be a progressive incurable disease, though I didn't know that then), and my funding council refusing to support a switch to part-time study which I couldn't afford to self-fund.

Leaving was the hardest decision I have ever had to make. But once I made it I was 100% convinced that it was right. I went through quite a painful grieving process for my PhD, particularly because my husband was going on to complete his PhD in the same department (not that I didn't want him to, but it complicated things). But I never doubted my decision.

Good luck!

Welcome aboard! Also good luck with the second PhD. I'm on my second try too, having had to abandon a full-time science PhD 13 years ago due to becoming seriously ill. I've nearly finished a part-time humanities PhD, so it can be done.

I felt like this in August. I'm a part-time student (very part-time - typically 5 productive hours a week) and am due to submit by March. I had a huge panic in August. My supervisor reassured me, and I'm feeling more positive.

Basically my attitude now is I've done the best I can, and will have to see what happens. Fingers crossed!