I would say really go into detail on your application about your research experience - give concrete examples that demonstrate that you are an excellent candidate - this can make up for not having got a first.

Will you be asking someone else for a reference (other than your current supervisor)? Avoid asking him, as I've known people who have got a bad reference because of the conflict of interest (if it is the case that he wants you to be his student/stay at that institution). Hope this helps.

Hi lizziejamescaroon!

I applied for two sets of 1+3 funding both at Russell Groups and was offered one outright and was a reserve for the other... I waited on the reserve and was successful.

It just depends on 1) whether a person who has been offered funding has an offer elsewhere that was their first choice, so they will reject their offer and 2) what number you are on the reserve list. I'd just say be optimistic but have a Plan B in place.

If you are offered one of your second choices, usually there is a date by which you must accept it by - so that should give time to see if you are offered your first choice. Also you can contact the funding team who have put you on the reserve list and ask by when you should know if you have been offered it - they will have a deadline for when the people who have been given offers must accept by. Finally, you can find out what number you are on the reserve list. Obviously if you are first on the list your chances are better. Hope this helps!

Oh and one more thing... if it doesn't work out this time - DON'T GIVE UP!

It is impossible to know without directly asking the admissions team! And then they'd just give a standard response...
A good reference probably helped. But you have to remember you wouldn't be the only one with a fantastic reference and from a well regarded referee. They would have taken all the information you provided into account, and the fact that you're already doing research would be a massive factor.
Does it affect your choice of project?!

Hi all,
What happens if you aren't getting the data you need for your planned project? In my case, I am struggling to recruit participants and am limited in how I can access them. What happens to the thesis and more importantly the degree if you don't get any/enough analysable data?! D:
Thanks

Congratulations on nearly finishing your Masters! Echoing what others have said, don't let yourself become distracted by this! Definitely talk to someone else - perhaps a trusted lecturer or academic adviser. Is the Vietnamese teacher also your supervisor for your dissertation? Why did you choose to talk to her? Don't be put off by one person's opinion - they may have other motivations. I would suggest that your supervisor is the best person to talk to. They obviously think your work and ideas are valid if they are supervising your dissertation and you feel confident that you will get a distinction for your work.

A new area means a bit more than a research gap. There can be gaps in areas that have a lot of research done around them already - that is why they are GAPS (missing bits) in the existing research. A new area on the other hand is what it sounds like - something largely unexplored - maybe something that has become relevant because of current events or related research, or maybe just something that no one seems to have thought about for whatever reason! Hope that helps.

Hi Savanne

I've sent you a private message.

Cheers.

Hmm, me again... I have to say that a lot of people experience motivational problems from time to time. It could be a case of just keep pressing on and getting through it. Be careful about making decisions - don't want to make any that you regret. I don't know enough about the situation - but if it is purely motivational (i.e., transient but going on a bit too long and you want to overcome it, you still think you have the same long term goals), then I really encourage you to work through it - keep on going!!!! It often goes in cycles and you will feel motivated again with time :)
I think by way of advice, if I were to put myself in your shoes I would want to do my best to keep going through the motions, see if things improve, and review the situation perhaps after another 3 months or at the end of the year. You may have a different outlook then and not regret not doing anything too hasty! Hope this is helpful.

This is really tricky. Can you think of possible things to do, and then the possible best and worst case scenario for each? I think that is what I would do. Then choose the one with the least bad possible outcome (if that makes sense). Because you don't want to make yourself feel worse by becoming embroiled in the situation. Is it something that you could ignore, do you think? Or do you think that maybe things will get better - like the gossip will run out?

Thank you everybody. I will mention it to the supervisor next time we meet, just so that there is nothing to hide and no cause for any surprise later. Lots of deep breaths and cups of teas later - I can do this! :D Cheers.

I know lots of people who have experienced this. What motivated you to do a PhD? Can you remind yourself of those things, maybe write them down? And maybe as the previous poster has said think about what barriers are causing you to feel demotivated?

Completed proposal and submitting ethics for approval before I can carry out my research study. In thinking about my literature review/background, I realised I should have talked about a key paper that had conflicting findings to the rest of them. It was a mistake to have not talked about this paper, as it should have been discussed as it is definitely very relevant. Thankfully, it does not change the proposed research questions or hypotheses - this all remains the same - it does change the line of argument very slightly though. I will definitely need to include this paper in the dissertation background / literature review. My question is - do I need to inform my supervisor about this mistake or shall I just ignore it and change my literature review for the dissertation to incorporate that paper and its findings?
On one hand I think I may be blowing this out of proportion (I was awake all night last night). But on the other hand, I don't want supervisor to be surprised that this wasn't included originally when it clearly is relevant (and it will be noticeable as it is an under-studied area).
Many thanks for advices!

Check what your terms and conditions say... I received a whole booklet when I got my funding offer - it lays things out. Far as I can tell I do not need to repay if I leave but obviously payment will stop when I leave.

Have you met the supervisors? Which did you get along with best? The second one is what I feel I'd go for - but I can't say why, which isn't very helpful! What have you decided?

Try to get a peek of your references before you submit them. This is allowed. If you don't think it is strong then you could ask someone else.

I can't give advice on what you should do, but just for the morale support, I know a little of how you feel. I made a major mistake in the Summer (well, it was major to my mind, and made me cringe for months afterwards). No one else really cares after a while. And after a given time, neither will you. Also, seeing the positive side helps. My mistake helped me to be more diligent in terms of double checking things. It is awful when you're lying in bed thinking, "oh no, what if I did that wrong too... I can't be 100% sure...". It also helps build your resilience (if you are bothered about what people may think of you - which I sure was). I hope you make a decision you're happy with and also that you stop being eaten up by the mistake. Best of luck with everything.