That's actually quite a complex question as it really depends how you are qualifying "better" and I'm assuming you're talking about reputation.

A PhD viewed from within the academic world will be a mixture of how well the supervisor is viewed, how well the department as a whole is viewed, usually fairly independent of the University itself although not completely. But it's less about specific university.

A PhD viewed from outside, sadly to say, is often viewed by name alone - people will recognise the name of the university, and probably little more (unless they're clued up, which they mostly aren't).

So that's a general answer.

It doesn't matter whether you've lived in this country since birth or for five minutes ; bullying is bullying. Don't let your being a foreign student here but an excuse - this is how bullies get away with it, thinking they're above things.

Maybe she hasn't realised how it has made you feel? Although bullies often know exactly what they're doing.

Turn around next time she does it, tell her it's inappropriate and unacceptable, and next time you'll take further action. Also might be worth telling her boss what you intend to do, just in case she goes running to them claiming some sort of harrassment - a classic bully's tactic.

But don't just suffer in silence.

Was same at my uni, no fees for fourth year writing up stage, but around 500 quid a year after that. You really need to check with your uni, as it looks like there are wildly differing amounts.

Great that it's helping, Ev, it's just going to take time and . Don't forget the superb work of the Samaritans if you ever just want to let things out and talk - you don't have to be suicidal to call. Or you can even email them now. Sometimes it can just take the edge off.

That sounds utterly ridiculous. Yes you are right to be angry but she needs to put her foot down - yes, some weeks, that may be normal but it should be the exception rather than the rule.

Sounds like the professors have seen her as a quick and easy way to get their own things done. On the flipside, it's nice to show willingness and eagerness, but there has to come a point where it doesn't cross into being taken advantage of.

Can we still give sarcastic replies to the really really obvious spammers?

:-x

You're as young as the man you're feeling.

How much do you read wider around your subject/discipline? And a question for those who have finished PhDs - do you still do so?

There is a reason why I ask (it's not just another one of my random thoughts!). When I was doing my PhD I used to read not only journal papers specifically related to my research, but also every week (or whenever they came out) I would read wider around my area. So my area was in statistics with an application to biology. I used to read Nature, Science, BMJ, Lancet, Bioinformatics and then various Stats journals (RSS journals, Biometrika etc). So whilst these weren't necessarily directly related to my research, it provided a way to keep abreast of what was going on more generally in science/statistics/biology.

The more intriguing part is that, without fail, I still read these journals on a weekly(or however often) basis despite graduating last summer and working in an area completely unrelated - I do a lot of statistical work but it's not research based so don't really used up to date techniques (as much as I would love to!).

So do you just concentrate on your own area or are you eager to know what's going on in the wider world?

I have just consulted my crystal ball and it told me that good fortune shall come your way.

I confirmed it by reading the tea leaves AND holding a crystal pendant over this webpage.

A very Merry Christmas to you Satchi! (mince)

I have finally found some Christmas cheer!

(turkey)

Have a great day everyone :)

William Gates, c/o Microsoft Corporation, Seattle, Washington, UNITED STATES

Stigmas are often like stereotypes - accurate.

I'm not at all. Haven't been back to see my family for ages due to awful weather so haven't put up any decorations and there aren't any really much here where I'm staying. Am at work until Christmas eve and it's really busy so no time for any fun. Snow is getting everywhere at the moment. Someone coughed on my head on the bus on the way home.

And to top it all I've just got home to find we have no water!!!

On the plus side, I am going to make mince pies tomorrow so that'll cheer me up immensely (gift)