fairly unusual, but I assume they had covered some background in their data chapters? Some unis have no real structures to their theses.

You have to try to ask again, but that's all you can do...

When people say they have finished, I think they generally mean when they submitted. That's what the 4 year deadline is for anyway. I know people that took 5 months before they had a viva and then another 6 months for corrections, so way past the 4 year limit.

Everyone in my lab just joins scientific societies for about £20 quid a year and then claims conference assistance. We can fund a conference a year like this - so far people have got between £1000 - £2000 (£300-800 from each society) for each conference

Yes but I'm now 3 years and 7 months in so I better be talking about finishing chapters! Don't worry, you will be fine. I hadn't written anything when I was at your stage.

I'm also at uni, working. Took 2 days off though, so that was good. Hope to finish another chapter by Wednesday. Just have to polish it really and add a few more references.

I hope so as I also plan to negotiate the salary if I get an interview for the postdoc I have applied for...

Yes that is basic proofreading. It can also include changing sentence and paragraph structure but that is a more expensive service.

what field are you in? Mine is molecular biology. Like glowworm said, my supervisors will only see my chapters once and will then look at the whole thesis once. More than this is not needed for me to be honest.

I don't think it will make any difference. Plant science is strong in UK and US. People won't care where you got your PhD from as long it's from a good university with strong plant science research.

Also, I think a PhD is more enjoyable when you can immerse yourself in academic life, so personally I wouldn't want to do it part-time.

It's not really a formal job title and there are no set hours, I just pick up things as I can. This is in the UK so it's not like applying to be a TA in the US etc. It's about 8 hours work a week. There are many other students that do the same work but most probably work for only 1-2 hours a week because they just do it for the educational value rather than the money like me. It's not competitive but obviously if you the job well and get on with people you are likely to be offered more work than other people.

It's not illegal - I am paid through the university payroll.

You will need to check within your department about what is available.

Also check the exams office as I also help out with invigilating for exams and that's external to my department.

Pay ranges from £8 per hour for invigilating to £18 per hour for helping students that need additional support.

You might also find the university offers students other paid work like in the careers office or in university admin offices or call centres.

I've earned about £400 per month from this type of work for the last 8 months so it's pretty good, but it will depend on what's available in your department. Also from leading tutorials, seminars and practical classes.