Well I'd say the connections and opportunities in Salford are excellent in this field with major broadcasters based at media city Salford and Greater Manchester really being a creatuve hub.

What is your discipline? Salford is not so bad. As a city you are 5 mins by train from Manchester City centre. There's lots of exciting things going on at Salford

Could you 'sound her out'. Email or speak in person with something like 'I see you're including my work in conference x? I'm very flattered that you found it useful enough to include. As my work is fresh in your mind could I ask your advice? I am applying for positions but don't seem to be getting anywhere. I have you as a reference so wanted to ask your opinion on what I could do to improve my chances?'. Let's them know you're aware of the conference and that they should be supporting your applications. Might make them think twice on badmouthing or even make them 'out themselves as to what they've been saying in their reference? Good luck.

Personally I wouldn't live 7 hours from my partner of 5 years either. There's more to life than study/work. If it's a serious relationship I couldn't live separately and be happy. But that's just me.

I think it could work very well for you. I studied and worked full time in a very demanding job and had two children very close together. With anything a lot will depend on how the particular uni/employer view pregnancy and motherhood! I think children focus the mind. They'll ultimately be more important than the PhD and that can give some much needed perspective when it comes to the pitfalls of becoming a perfectionist, be more pragmatic, brush off critique/overly harsh supervisors and your time management-multitasking becomes second to none! You'll be knackered but you'd be knackered in a job anyway! There's also nothing stopping you doing some PhD work during mat leave. As previous posters childcare will be the issue. You'll struggle to find places that take under 6 months so planat leave accordingly. Childminders are usually more flexible and cheaper than nurseries.

Is this a research proposal to apply for the PhD or a first year report proposal setting out the actual study you expect to do? There are differences. :-)

Well done. You've come so far and sounds like you've managed to plan your time well despite challenges. I can't believe I'm second year! Also qualitative humanities. I start recruiting now. Scared and excited. Other than the proposal and pilot report words written on actual PhD = 0! I start PhD writing tomorrow :-) My plan is methodology, theoretical framework and lit review done end of year 2.

Yes Ian you are right. I was trying to make the point Kelpie does that alcoholics are always alcoholic because they should abstain. At the minute he's far from being a recovering alcoholic. Whoever mentioned alanon for advice I'd follow that up as they can give you support too.

Only you know if you can live with this. Even if he sorts himself out he will always be an alcoholic. Can you marry and have children with him? If you can't picture that future then there's no point delaying the inevitable. You're so close to the finish line now with your PhD so well done.

I'd put myself up for that Ian but I'm already an expert in the field of chocolate ;-p

See it as an opportunity. It's easier for you that they left than the probable having to complain and change supervisor that surely would have occurred
You have a first draft chapter and a plan f what ypu wabt to do so in many ways ate ahead of the game. No data end of yr1 is normal I'd say. Now it's your opportunity to hunt down a better match for your PhD. :-)

Peppa. I'm sorry for your loss. I hope your drs are able to help you look into why this happened again :(. Things do have a way of working themselves out so maybe on the job front not being so busy will give you more time for Viva prep (looking to the bright side). Good luck. X

Usually results for modules are 'weighting' with year 3 results being key to your overall grade with year 1 results often discounted or only your 60 best credits counting when it comes to what the overall degree classification is. It's quite complex and not as straightforward as an overall percentage and as your 3rd year results weren't as good that probably influenced the 2:1 decision. It's up to you if you want to look into grounds for appeal but I'd say that's more for those consistently getting 68/69% in each module.

In short no as your husbands wage is too high. If your funding has ended and I guess then you are post 3 yes and in 'write up' and therefore not technically a full time student anymore and you are looking for work (albeit academic related) you could try applying for job seekers allowance. I'd suggest this anyway as claiming it contributes to your state pension national insurance stamp.

Ian's given you some great advice. I'd also suggest Open University and working at the same time either to look at credit transfering part of your degree credits into a new degree to try get a better grade or do masters Units. Only thing to be aware of with OU is they have a much higher grade threshold i.e. 80%+ for a first! They say the markers are used to this but I'd say that's not strictly the case. Beauty of OU is paying for credits as you go monthly on an OUSB account.