Congratulations!

Yes, sorry. It's 16 hours for an undergraduate 60 pointer and 8 for a 30 pointer. I can't find the time commitment recommendations for postgrad.

They recommend 16 hours a week study time.

Are you doing your PhD part-time and have you studied with the OU before? Are you going straight from undergraduate to PhD and what is your subject? I think all these things are relevant.
If you are studying for your PhD full time then you won't have time to do an MA module.
I've studied and teach with the OU and it is not an easy option. A masters degree takes three years, but you could do one module in a year. Surely your literature review process is part of your PhD study and it would be better to use your time to do this rather than a separate course. Also have you considered the cost. A masters module is currently £1,500 and this will go up next year.
Obviously you have to make your own choices but I would say the workload would be too much. If you haven't got a masters, could you defer your PhD for a year and do a full-time masters first?

I'm so sorry to hear your sad news.
My mum was diagnosed with terminal cancer a month into my PhD and she passed away two months later. I use my work as a way of keeping going and having something to occupy me, but I do now wish that I had taken proper time off after she died.

Everybody's experience of situations like this is different so although I can suggest advice, you will have to decide what is best for you. Because your step-father may have 18 months left, I would say don't take a complete break from your PhD. Horrible as it is to think about the future, I think you are more likely to need to take a full break to deal with both emotional and practical stuff later.
If you live near your family, then you will be close by to help with things like hospital visits etc,so you could carry on with your work as well. So maybe going part-time would be an option.
Also, if it is possible talk to your step-father about what you are thinking of doing. It might be a positive thing for him if he knows that you are carrying on with your work. I'm sure he is very proud of you and might not want you to give it up, although temporarily, for his sake.
I hope some of this helps, and if you ever need to talk about this, having been through it, you can PM me as well.

I've actually been doing some Phd work today but suddenly realised that as I bought a new laptop recently it doesn't have my endnote stuff on it.
Has anyone transferred Endnote to another computer. Is it easy. I'm not sure I know where my disk is which will be a problem!

Again, I don't think I can offer any advice but just to let you know you aren't the only one going through this. I started in January 2007 and have had a series of 'life events' which have impacted throughout. I've had periods of doing no work and periods of doing some work and have got to the stage now where I am aiming for a draft by Xmas, but like you it will be a first draft of the whole thesis and I know it will take ages to get it up to standard.
I was worried about money from about this time last year and although I had time to work on the Phd got very depressed. I managed to find a job in June this year and have also just started teaching with the OU but although my money worries are over I just don't seem to have any time to work now as I'm tired all the time. My PhD won't help me in my career and I just want to get rid of the millstone round my neck. But I suppose the advice, if it is advice, would be that we have both come too far to give up and there is light at the end of the tunnel. Maybe short term living back with parents will help you push on and get the damned thing finished!

I think it's quite ironic for someone doing a PhD to talk about high achievers as if you weren't one of them! Remember that Sparkles! Try not to compare yourself to others. These 'high achievers' may have no life beyond work and may be trying to fill their time instead of having to deal with the real world.

Job market? What job market!!

I would say that it doesn't matter about the institution. I've studied at Manchester for the past six years but in the arts which it does have a good reputation for. I have no idea what the reputation is for the Built Environment and have never met anyone studying that or even know where the department is based. That is not to say I'm blinkered as I do know where most of the other departments are - I think what I'm saying is that if Salford is recognised as being highly regarded for that then maybe that should be your first choice.
Salford uni is within walking distance of Manchester so as regards location it doesn't really make that much difference. The whole area is great with lots going on so I'd say either would be a great choice. But you have to go where the best option is, where the best supervisor is and where you feel that you will get the most out of your research time.

What is your subject?

Hi Cindrella, I'm aiming to finish by the end of this year too. It's gone on far too long now and I just want to move on. it will be five years if I do get it done by then as I started full time then went part time. Like you (and probably everybody else) it's been a roller coaster with pretty much all the major life experiences going on over that time - bereavement, divorce, moving house, illness, depression, pregnancy (my teenage step daughter not me!). I've got pretty much most of the thesis done to some extent and I'm now going through the methodology and tidying up my analysis so it's presentable. It is doable in 5 months but only if I actually 'do' it! I work part-time so I do have the time but often not the motivation. It's good to know there are others aiming for the same thing.

Has anyone been studying for other qualifications while doing their PhD. I'm writing up and hope to submit by the end of this year and I am also working part-time (two days a week) in visitor services which is not too taxing and I can switch off when i get home.
I'm planning my career ready for next year when I hope to be able to look for a full time job in the heritage industry. The competition is immense and although I have experience I don't have a heritage qualification. I'm looking at doing a Heritage Management certificate or diploma as well so that I have an industry qualification.
I don't want to over commit myself but I am also aware that this is the last year that fees will be manageable and I won't be able to afford it next year. Any advice?

Congratulations!

After I finished my masters my supervisor offered me the chance to do a funded PhD so I took it. With hindsight, I should have looked more into what this would entail and how I would not have any life for the next four/five years!