Hi, I think you should talk to your supervisor really, really soon! It might be hard but he should be aware of it anyway as he should exspect to have something to read by now. I am not sure whether there is a difference between the universities but mine states in its postgraduate handbook that you have to finish within four years otherwise it is a fail. Exceptions are only if you have been ill for a longer period of time or on parental leave etc. however, it says as well that you have to request the extention at this time as it cannot be considered at the end.

Thanks for agreeing made me feel better. I was actually paid quite well as a research assistant (€1000/month) which is more then enough thinking that my flat was only €350 inclusive - rather than having a cuboard in a shared flat for £500 here... but I agree it is nice to know that you have to finish within 4 years rather than working for 8 years not knowing whether you are ever going to finish.

what about learning German? Three years seem to be a good time to pick up the basics and to be honest don't start critising German universities as the research stations are very good (and (I know I won't win any friends with this) I think working on a project as a research assistant leaves you with more knowledge then some of the English systems where I have to learn how to use Power Point - anybody any questions how to colour a box??? )

Unfortunatelly it is nearly impossible to get full funding for Cambridge. I was accepted and for a year my potential supervisor and I tried to get funding but being EU not UK the maximum you get is fees-only bursaries and £2000/year from the trust - I got it but it is impossible to life on it. By the way: you are not allowed to work doing a full-time PhD in Cambridge!

is there any logic in it? it is certainly addictive but who is this guy you shall colour???????????? Don't get it...

Hi cc, I have jused Ooo for my MSc and to get the references in I had them marked as "references" in the text and then created a bibliography - insert /index&tables / index&tables / bibliography. You can update this by right clicking into the document.
If you haven't marked them in the text it looks rather bad as I never managed to import from endnote into the Ooo bibliography. It might be easiest at this stage to export to word and copy and paste it into Ooo. The advantage will be that you just get it in a pdf and send it for printing whereas changing to word completly will mean - new formating. Good luck!

yeah, I wondered how much it was worse to still have my head as there seems to be nothing in it... not that it was any different before the pregnancy but then I was at least awake enough to pretend I am waiting for the blooming state and just smile at everybody - perhaps it works

Puh, I have done it! And I still have my head between my shoulders
I was really worreid but actually it wasn't as bad as I thought. Thank you for all your good wishes!

thank you everyone! i cannot get the smile of my face

Write an extensive literature review? I haven't spoken with the health and savety person yet but there are some ansty chemichals and tehy are not exactly healthy in the best of circumstances.
Good to hear that other people managed it gives me hope
Cheers

I am four month in my PhD and now I am pregnant and I really don't know what to do!!!!!!!!! My supervisors are both male and to tell them that I will not be allowed to do any of the lab work anymore won't be appreciated. I am so scared - can they sack me? Any advise?

Most jobs will be bar work etc and without sufficient knowledge you won't get it. Did you ask your potential supervisor for a job as a research assistant? I think this is your best bet. (and yes, they always say you will be finished in 3 yrs but I know only one person who actually did and she had a full scholarship, lived with her parents and did nothing but her PhD AND no publications, conferences etc)
Good luck

Hi, I assume that with private funding bodies you mean something like Schering-Stiftung, Shani?
Himbeere, I checked the details for some private funding bodies for medzine and they all have their age limit at 27/28. As Shani said, the MSc does not help as this is a minimum requirement for doing a PhD. The problem with working of course will be that you might no know enough German do get a job.

continued...
As the funding situation is rearly bad you normally work while doing your PhD. The most common situation is that you get a position as a research assistant in your department or bars, restaurants, everything what brings money. your problem might be that you won't have a working permission and I would check on this. The side effect of course is that a PhD in Germany takes much longer 5 years seem to be normal. I cannot think of anything else but congratulations anyway Good luck

Hallo Himbeere,
unfortunatelly I don't see much of a chance for you to get funding in Germany. Have you tried to get some funding in your home country?
I am not sure whether you speak German but all the information is in German but this is a link for general scholarships http://www.doktoranden-netz.de/Finanzierung/finanzierung.html#Promotionsstipendien
Depending on your area there might be others; however, the general age is under 28. Not a fair rule necessarily (especially as it is nearly impossible in Germany to be finished with your first degree by then)