I'm also in the final 6 months to submission! I keep trying to think of my self as being in the 'home straight' and other such clichés, but that's not quite enough to spur me on to get those words written!

I'm not sure it's so easy as just being forgiven for the falsification of data, that's a serious matter. I would think long and hard before going to your tutors, perhaps speak to the student union first?

It is not yet the end of the week, so the status updates might just be internal markers which do not necessarily reflect where you are in the system. Just relax and focus on your PhD applications.

What is with all the !!s? You asked if anyone has experience: I do. I suggested that statuses can change randomly, should have added 'don't worry about it'. The editor promised the review by the end of the week..

I think you shouldn't really take too much notice of the status, as it can change (as you now know) for random reasons. But 3 months does seem a while, email and ask.

Someone didn't like my honest answers, Mr/s 2:2. And I don't know why I can only write two line answers that's all this site will let me do, bugs me too.

Should also say if you get a really good MA from Oxford cum laude or something, that could help to boost your 2:2 and stand you out in the jobs market, but you'd still struggle to get on a PhD I think.

That's not to say you shouldn't do it, if you have an interest and want to do it. But don't count on it getting you a job.

Unless you want to be a historian then I don't think an MA in history will help you much. And unfortunately with a 2:2 you have very little chance of getting onto a PhD course after the MA.

Honestly - most masters are of limited value to the jobs market, unless you're going to go into academia. There are exceptions of course, where some professions require a masters (such as psychology) ...

You've got it made whatever you do, so don't stress it and get looking for some PhD opportunities.

For something a bit more theoretical / interesting give M Hammersley 'Methodology: Who Needs it?' (Sage 2011) a read.

PS, IMO opinion going part time is the last thing you want to be doing, as it'll take upwards of 6 years to complete.

I agree with chickpea. You sound slightly unstable, which isn't a good place to begin a PhD which can cause mental strain. A PhD isn't a magic bullet to financial security, and I wouldn't start a PhD without funding.

Are you enrolled on a PhD somewhere?