You don't have to pay fees in Germany.

How come you started so early I haven't even got to UK from my country I start on the 3rd after a week od orientation from the 27 th this mont I get my first allowence on the 1st of October

Universities in Netherlands also do not take fees, instead you are employed by the university.

I am sure thata there is a law that says it should accomodate you. Buildings should have lifts etc...i would find out properlu what ur rights are.

if u have only seen your supervisor for 2 hours in a whole year -then it is really ur responsibility to have done something before hand...in terms of supervision.

Mac’s comments: I understand that PhDs start at varying times. Alex stated his PhD begun last week, indicating I was correct in assuming he started at the same time as the academic year. Also I am sure that the research council is the first point of call, when asking about maintenance grants. I would agree about obligations, though when would you suggest a supervisor goes on holiday? –during term time or maybe during undergraduate exam marking in July, or during Masters Exams in august, but I guess the supervisor thought a PhD student could be independent for 3 weeks.

Hi all...I'am looking for a PhD in the mechanical engineering field. I have already a good experience in applied researchs. I am looking for a subject with fundings. Can any one help?

Stu, jobs.ac.uk don't offer a forum for students to interact or information on PhD e.g "PhD Explain" so I still think findaphd.com is a good site. They may not have as many advertisement for PhD post but at least for international persons it does provide useful information about UK PhDs and how to apply, expectations etc. Still give them a plus.

I believe having some kind of written contract would be of huge benefit as many of the problems here seem to be created by a gap in the expectations of students and supervisors.

Even a relatively informal contract could cover all the key areas and make it easier for the student (or supervisor) to complain. Does anyone have such a thing already?

Its important not just to read the paper, but critically assess its relevence to your work. The more papers in your field you read, the better you get.

It is also hugely benificial to use a program like Endnote or Reference manager to keep a searchable record of papers you have read, with your own notes. Save time and do this as you go along, not after you've read stacks of papers like me! :-)

I have been given a load of papers by my new PhD supervisor to read before I start. Any tips on how to go about obtaining the most useful information from them?

re Joan's comments:

Depending on your university and funding arrangements, PhDs do not have to start at the same time as the academic year. In any case, Alex should have been told when the grant was due to be paid.

I also disagree that the supervisor isn't accountable to their student. There are obligations on both sides. I'd regard going on holiday for 3 weeks, leaving your new student with no idea when their funding is to be paid and without access to a project account as rather poor.

I still think that jobs.ac.uk is a better website for finding PhD posts.

To be honest Alex, the academic year does not technically begin until the last week of sept -so you don't have much ground to complain. Your money will arrive the first week of oct -as it will everyone else. As for your supervisor going on holiday -you had better get used to that, he/she isn't accountable to you -you are to them.

Yeh I have asked SO MANY people for advice - even for things like where to find distilled water..but no one seems to know anything, and I keep getting conflicting info. sometimes. The funding issue is a big thing - I can't even buy anything for my research because an account hasn't been set up yet!! And my supervisor is away on holiday to Greece for 3 weeks just as I started. Other PhD people are wandering around all confused too. It's not good.