Hi J,
If I was in your shoes I would apply for JSA for the time being and housing benefit if I needed it, that's what it's there for.

I know of a funded PhD.student who had the 3-year stipend but was advised (by other students) to make the money last for at least four years. They claimed JSA, so it's not uncommon.

Hi J,

Have you done a search on the Alternative Guide to postgraduate funding? https://www.postgraduate-funding.com/

Charity and foundation funding. You would need to register to do a search, but as you are already connected to a university this shouldn't be a problem to do.

You might be able to claim Carer's Allowance for looking after your mother.

You might be able to claim JSA, when doing the corrections. As long as you are job hunting, which you have been by what you mentioned.

If your status with the university is no longer a full-time student you might be able to claim council tax benefit due to low income (or no income) and no savings. But this depends on your situation and who else you live with.

Good luck.

My supervisor was a bully and at my last meeting with them made me feel inadequate and said three hurtful comments about me, it was really horrible.
I am writing a formal complaint but feel if a form like this was in place as standard it may have helped me report this sooner.

I noticed that Reading Uni ask postgraduate research students to complete a form called 'Research student evaluation of supervisory arrangements', covering student satisfaction and contact time.

Do other universities do something like this as standard? Mine didn't do.

Hi,
The University of Ibadan operates a Financial Aids Office, as a section of the
Student Affairs Division, where students may receive advice and assistance about scholarships, loans, and other financial matters.

Perhaps contact them if you haven't already.

I know there are Commonwealth scholarships but this would be to study in the UK.

Good luck.

No, I don't think you need to pay for it, and certainly not from so-called 'professional writers' trying to advertise this service and make money!

Hello,
Generally, there is a time span of six weeks between the submission of an MRes thesis and the viva.
Is there a reason why it is normally six weeks and not less time?

I submitted mine and the time between submission and viva was two weeks. To fit my viva on the same day as some other students having their viva (the university chose to do this).

thanks

Thanks for the reply, good idea and I will keep the feedback anonymous and seperate from my complaint.

Hello, I have been asked to give feedback to my uni on my masters course, particularly the substantial research module. I have written out the form and I have unfortunately ticked 'poor' for various responses due to problems with the course.
I am seeking a reference for what I hope to do next (different uni) and feel this is tricky as I want to give my honest opinion and feedback but feel this might backfire on me. I am also very close to making a formal complaint about the course, I am due to see the students union in the next week or so.

What do you think? Keep quiet and move on or give this feedback so the uni can improve things.
many thanks in advance.

Hi N

It would work out 4k a year, £25k over six years and it's for research. Part-time uni PhD fees are £2k a year (may-be more), so that's 50% of the loan gone on uni fees. Your research might benefit someone or something in the future. I think that's very different to being on the dole.

You might be able to pick up some charity funding during the PhD and then you might not need the full £25k loan.

Hi,

I think the PhD loans are ok, it doesn't really bother me to think the loan might not be fully paid back. Research needs to continue in the UK.

Yes, I would take a loan, if the situation was I could get a RC fully funded PhD in a subject I wasn't inspired about or go to a better university and do the PhD only with a loan, in a subject I was fascinated in I would choose the loan option.

I think of all those graduates who did their undergraduate degree for free years ago and some got a maintenance grant, all funded by the government and taxpayer. Times have changed.

I'm sure I read it's when the PhD graduate is earning over £25k (students starting in 2018) the loan begins to be repaid, the interest is added from day one of the PhD course.

Some universities suggest a PhD can be completed in five years part-time (minimum registration). Starting with the PhD and not the MPhil PhD route.

This is quite interesting for self-funders who could save on fees this way.

Hi, thanks for the replies.

There is funding in my current school for a PhD, however, my masters is cross-discipline and I would prefer to be part of the school of the other subject area.

I've had to think long and hard about this, I could go for the PhD in my current school but I crave for knowledge in the other subject area. I am also unfortunately disappointed with my current school.

I have a passion for the other subject area and feel this passion will help me complete the PhD.

Thanks, there is the opportunity to apply for RC funding in year two of the PhD.

So one other option could be to start the PhD self-funded, part-time and apply for funding for year two, early when the applications open. Self-funded is around two thousand pounds a year for part-time and I could work on the PhD nearly fulltime hours. With the PhD loan, savings and apply to charities for funding.

Yes, an EdD could be a good option for you and are part-time. It involves a research plan and a 50,000-word thesis.