Careful Shari. Shari in Swahili means TROUBLE...

Rob are you for real? I have a friend who has just completed his Msc and guess how old he is... 50 (five zero). C'mon. Where I come from a PhD is VERY young. In fact I don't think they would employ (at our universities) anyone below that age claiming to hold a Phd.

PS: Don't ask me where I am from!

Lol! Maybe they will see the sunny side of it and laugh like I did...

September did you say? Courage dear, it is way too early. Besides, supervisors everywhere are a strange breed, always busy when you need them, I should know, I have FOUR of them and they never seem to agree on the simplest of things like how many chapters I should write. Try e-mail, it works for me, they just can't ignore it. Plus writing gives you control over what exactly you want from them. Just bullet out what you want to tell them and indicate where you need each one's input. Hope it helps. Ta!

Mmh, why indeed, why do we do PhDs. It is not always about the money. As for me, it is probably an ego trip, trying to prove to myself that I can do it. Something about Maslow's heirachy of needs...

My advice? Bite the bullet, finish the PhD (2 years of your time is a MAJOR investment), then look for a post-doc of your liking.

I sympathise with you. I am in a similar predicament; two years down the line I have no idea what the heck I am doing. I just do as I am told. My advice to you: don't fret, you are not alone, I suppose it happens to all of us at some stage.

Is there anywhere to find out extra information regarding part-time PhD’s? Does anyone/employers look differently at those who complete a PhD part-time? Is it really possible to work Mon-Fri 9-5 and complete a PhD in six years (part-time)?

Thanks All!

Just to prove my point. 5K is roughly £415 a month. Based on my actual budget, it would go something like this. Rent = £250; Bills = £30-40; Gym = £45 (ok you could not have this, but then you would be fat). That leaves £92 for four weeks of food, travel, socialisng, clothes, records etc.

5K as a PhD student - NO CHANCE!!!!!!!!

If you wanna have a life that is. I admit that a large majority of PhD students do tend to be boring sods, but it doesnt have to be that way. In my opinion, £5,000 is no way near enough. Think about rent, bills, food, gym, socialising etc and that wont last 5 minutes.

I live 9 months of the year in Bristol on ~ £3800 (ie standard student loan) and didn't finish either of my 1st 2 years with an overdraft. That would make just over £5000 a year which is a lot less than the standard advice. Bear in mind (a) I had cheap rent (which accounted for about half what I spent) (b) I was already used to living on a budget in England and (c) I don't drink alcohol, which makes a difference when you're out every night of the week :)

I am having similar problems but my supervisor has since said it will be like that for my first year til he knows whats what with my work and then we can decide on a definite focus. It is annoying tho cos i signed up for a specific project and now that is a bit up in the air.

Just say no sorry and as quickly as possible to let others have a chance

Is it possible to study for a PhD while working overseas if the subject is all theory (like mathematics)?

I am being offered a PhD studentship in the field I am interested but the precise topic of research is different from my interests.
The project in question is industry specific. I prefer to work on a project thats different but requires same techniques and theory (ie its aimed at another industrial product). If I refuse now, I might have to wait a year or two.
Should I take it? Will it make any difference, if, later I look for a post-doc (in the same field) but a different topic.