Yes, I've heard this about transference of names too - that you stay a Dr in your maiden name if you got it at that time. I got married beforehand, so I am Dr. Married Name, but for me it was an easy decision to drop my maiden name as I hadn't published anything with it - I hated it abd couldn't wait to drop it anyway!

What happens though if you are getting married a 2nd time? A friend of mine who was married when she began her PhD and is Dr. MArried name, but tragically her husband died of leukaemia shortly after she graduated. She has continued in her married name, but what would happen if she got married again? Surely in those circs you'd be allowed to change it? And I doubt any 2nd husband would be too whetever..

One of my good friends did, earlier on this year. He said it worked really well. His examiner was from New Zealand (we're in the UK) and the uni wouldn't fund for her to come over. So the video link was set up.

It had to start around 7pm to facilitate the time difference, and there as a slight delay in conversations, but otherwise it worked really well for him and he passed.

I used one from another paper in my thesis and just referenced it to the original document. I think there's absolutely no problem if you state clearly where it's from.

That's great news, Shani, really pleased for you!

Halifax were also going to accept mine, so they're worth a shot.

Word of warning though, their customer service is dreadful. By the time they'd got round to dealing with all the paperwork, my stipend had run out and I'd got a new job, so the whole thing was re-assessed. We do have a good fixed rate though.

Just wanted to say congrats to those successful and comiserations to everyone who hasn't received funding. Please don't get too downhearted, it is likely to be no reflection of your abilities, it's just down to the fact that it is so fiercely competititve. I just had a researh grant application rejected from ESRC so I know how difficult it is.

If you want it badly enough, you WILL get there!

Hey, that's great news - very well done - the AHRC is so competitive!
Enjoy the rest of your PhD

BHC, good so see you back, glad you have found somewhere to live.

I was talking to a lecturer today who saidthat the current lack of jobs is mainly down to the upcoming RAE. Therefore many departments are going into "lockdown" to maximise their output. Hiring new staff at this stage won't benefit them in RAE terms as people usually have to serve 3 months notice and won't get to a new job in time to count towards RAE stats. I've heard stoies about some people having difficulty leaving if they've been offered new posts as their employers are being obstructive. However once RAE is over there'll be more movement again.

RogueAc, I'm sure I read that BHC's ex did a a professional doctorate for a particular role, not a proper PhD. (Sorry to answer for you BHC, correct me if I'm wrong

Hi Sourapple - my PhD was esxactly like this, a pre-formed project for which they were recruiting the right person. I didn't have to do a proposal or anything.

Matthew and Golfpro are right, the best policy is to treat it as if you are applying for a job and work up the skills you have. Independent working is indeed one of the prerequisites, and the key thing is to demonstrate that you have the academic capability and sufficient interest in the subject in question. Although you say that your undergrad was not directly related, think about modules you took that may map on to the PhD, talk about ones you excelled in and build on these strengths. Do you also have any work experience that may assist you?

as I am graduating :-) Hooray!

Several of my friends who were also doing PhDs are going to be at the ceremony - really looking forward to it!

Just a question...as someone who did a PhD before the MPhil upgrade thing was adhered to as thoroughly as it is now - I wondered..

If someone passes their first year upgrade viva, is it a simple matter of being awarded an MPhil if one chooses not to continue with a PhD? I would be most surprised if it is. Of the few people I know who have done MPhils, it seemed that there was not much less work than a PhD in terms of the length of thesis and the rigour with which it was examined. And they certainly took more than one year.

I think this is something that needs clarifying for the benefit of first years who are not sure about their futire. It would be awful to work to the assumption "Oh well, I've done a year, I'll still get something" if in reality this was not the case.

Hi UK-Student - a masters is certainly not essential overall to do a PhD, but if you are in a competitive subject area it would probably be a distinct advantage.

Where you see a studentship advertised that says 1+3 funding it is usually from the ESRC (Economic& social research council) They fund studentships that run for a total of 4 years, so 1 year masters (usually am MRes) then 3 years PhD. I am sure people on this forum are in receipt of such funding so can explain better, but I think that 1 year masters is compulsory irrespective of whether you've got a previous MA/MSc. I actually think this is a good idea - you're funded to get 2 qualifications, and get a good grounding in all kinds of research methods.
Only thing I am not sure of is if people still have to have an upgrade to PhD status: IE- if they do the masters part, then the first year of the 3 years (so the 2nd year in total) but then have to be upgraded from the 1styr(2nd total) to the 2nd yearPhd (3rd total)

Just a thought, but is there any way your uni would let you be registered part time for a PhD in the current work that you're doing? It'd not uncommon for Research Assistants/Assocs to do this. You may be paid as an RA for the first couple of years, then finish off on a studentship (Obviously depends if money is available, but it would certainly mean that you would save time by not having to wait until you've finished your job before you start a PhD, as the work you're current doing would count towards it).

Totally agree with Rick. While I wouldn't have said it was the sole reason for doing the darn thing, it's a pretty good incentive to complete. I think also the fact that someone has completed a PhD says a lot about them as a person, rather than just their academic achievements. Aa well as intellect it requires persistence and determination, which are extremely valuable qualities in all walks of life. We go through tough times with a PhD, and I think the Dr. title serves as a reminder that triumph. And that certainly doesn't make someone a snob.

Scot or not - it's irrelevant - but given the style of the reply after my advice, I suspect this person is a troll; best not to feed them.