I have no understanding of why someone would spend almost 10 years of their life to do 2 phds. But I agree that the workload would make it impossible to do at the same time

Not always. Depends on the funding. My university hold the award funds for 12 months if they can't fill the position the project funding returns to the RC

Crazy. And when the individual is unable to pay back on these loans? What happens then, does the taxpayer foot the bill. How will that benefit the UK economy? The pressure on the student would be awful.

Start the PhD, it's crazy to be out of work/study while you wait for the next chance to sit the bar exam. Work it so you can take a time off to study for the exam and depending on results then decide what to do next.

Well done!!
All that hard work involved in a phd, I'm sure seems worth it now. Best of luck for the future.

Are they not free? I think employers in the US may taken them more seriously than in the UK. If it's a subject you can't learn any other way then I say go for it.

But if you also have six extra months of experiments to do wouldn't that use up any left over funds on consumables and instrument time?

Is it that you don't have the time for the second data set or that you think it's too much effort to add without it improving your thesis. I'm not sure I understand the problem properly, how long until you submit?

I agree with Eds in that a second sample set to prove your argument is always better than a single sample. If the time constraints are days rather than weeks for the analysis then could you submit a little late?

Given the current climate and job prospects for successful phd students in the sciences personally I'd do everything I could to pass the masters and then look for a well paid (read any) job going. Good luck!

Not sure how you would prove that or that anyone would take your case. I suggest you submit what you can and move on with your life if it's that bad.

My experience is the same in that my project is exactly as advertised to the letter. I guess the main reason for that being it was the proposal that was awarded funding by the research council.

Yes. Accept the phd here and say you can't start for a month or so, then go to the US and interview. Cross your fingers that you get an outcome quickly from them and then go from there. Good luck.

Not if it doesn't directly relate to the thesis topic, in which case it should already be covered in a chapter.

Congratulations on the job! However low paid and minimal hours it's a step in the right direction.

As for telling your boss the real reason for leaving? I doubt that they'll care, you'll be replaced quickly.