doesn't make sense and is probably not realistic. If you like it so much, why don't you move over here to complete a PhD? And why do you like it so much in the first place? In my opinion it is to early to make a statement about it if you haven't started yet.

I agree - it wouldn't be fair to just walk away.

"As part of the terms and conditions of their studentship they must remain at their University for three years after completion should a suitable position be available."

That's wishful thinking on behalf of the university. Quite frankly, it's ridiculous. Nobody can force you to stay for three years and universities try to create their own laws here. But the legal situation is clearly not in favour of these university policies.

Just for info: if your studies are in the UK, the university contract is not legally binding. In other words, even if you leave earlier they can not force you to re-pay any funding, fees etc.

They could possibly ask you too but as stated above - no legal obligation.

Speaking in the tradition of Golfpro: your chances are unfortunately extremely slim as an International student.

You are 24 already, you'll also be an old, wise man very soon.

Yes, you can apply to as many as you wish. Nevertheless, doing a PhD basically means to dedicate yourself to any topic for a minimum number of three years during which the topic is likely to change. thing is, we all went there with high hopes and realised after a couple of years that our PhD won't change the world and will not be our most brilliant work. It's a simple research exercise, all you have to prove is that you are tough enough to stick with it, EVEN if it is boring.

-Words from an old, wise man-

Yes, but I wouldn't recommend it. Chances are - you don't really want to do a PhD and every topic will bore you after a while.

I don't really understand why my post has been removed. Is it now against the forum rules to state an opinion which does not contain any swear words?

nobody can follow it. In my experience. I was hoping for them to award me a Master of Procrastination (MPc) but unfortunately they didn't

Don't procrastinate EVER - may save you a couple of years

"o.stoll - except if you are going into an area which is stronly related to academia, the reputation of your supervisor will in many cases hardly mean anything to prospective employers. "

I agree with that statement, sorry, seems to be a misunderstanding.

I also disagree with the statement that the reputation of the university counts for non-academic careers - this might apply to masters but not to PhDs.

With regard to Shani's post, maybe I should add that my supervisor was a so-called "nobody", but without this individual I wouldn't have received a PhD and that is what counts. There is no point in having the greates reference from a research god if you don't manage to get the doctorate. Does that make sense?

Listen, I repeat myself - it is NOT primarily the reputation of your supervisor that counts. More difficult than finding a job post PhD completion is completing the PhD in the first place. For this reason, choosing a supervisor who believes in your project and sincerely helps you is more important than the number of his/her publications or the ability to act as an outstanding job reference. There is a certain degree of illogicality in some of the previous statements - completing the PhD should the first priority and quite often those famous professors display very little time or interest in their students and are thus less likely to make the task any easier. Remember, the choice of your supervisor will affect your life for the next three or four years, and a wrong choice could possibly make your life miserable, regardless of the reputation of institution, department or supervisor and regardless of the quality of publications. That is what counts NOW, not a job after you have your PhD.