Doesn't sound like not having a car would be much of an issue so I guess the question is can you deal with heir dis-organisation? If so then go :D

Why the car? Is the post an 'essential car user post'? If they're saying you need a car to do the job but you can't get a car then you need to get to the bottom of this. Yes all you mentioned would ring alarm bells as to what the organisation is actually like to work for.

Is there anyone who knows about employment law on here? I'm not 100% sure they can legally dismiss you for not doing a PhD if the qualification wasn't required when they made your employment contract. I think if they want to change the terms of contracts to say all staff need PhD they have to consult with the Union as they'll effectively be terminating the original contract to state the new terms and conditions of the post?

Noctu...I was you at 28! Married 3 years and happily child free. Then at 32 I had 2 children close together :)

I'm not child free but did start late..... in mid thirties. With hindsight I wish I'd done it earlier. Children are hilarious and great company (most of the time), even if they do constantly bicker and wake before dawn! Ha ha.

I'm sorry but I strongly disagree. Yes find others to talk through your issues on a confidential basis, people you trust.... but when acting in the capacity as a member of staff (supervising students) you do not ctitisice or engage in the students criticism of a staff colleague, no matter if you agree. It is highly unprofessional. From lengthy experience students love to find out staff gossip and which staff don't get on and will batently ask you but you never reply, you change subject.

I love your response Ian. You might have a point about titles (unless your a medical Dr!). Working class here also.

You have 4 options from least to most work.

1. Contact the offer institutions and convince them to accept you.
2. Appeal your award with your University - from my understanding, if you are 2% or less from the boundary you can appeal the decision to see if they award the higher banding. Check you University guidelines on this.
3. Credit transfer to a new degree. Only a certain amount of credits from tour existing degree will count. Of course your credits have to fit in with that degree and you have to make sure the remaining credits you can study don't actually cover the same material you already have in the transferred credits.
4. Do an MA and try and get a Merit grade but preferably a Distinction.

Good luck.

Yes Charlie, it's eternal student syndrome :D.

Marasp I'm big bang but more Penny than the rest ha ha ha. I think with me it's that imposter thing where I take those "oh's" as "oh so you think you're clever?" or "oh you must be really clever, we can no longer have normal conversations as you can't be normal!". I feel self conscious about it, that saying I'm doing a PhD is bragging, like wow look at brainy me, when actually, I'm Penny.

Getting asked what you do....
I'm doing a degree in.... " Oh wow amazing, are you, tell me more". Smiles and looks vaguely interested.
I'm doing a masters in..."oh what's that then, what will it ht you? Smiles
I'm doing a PhD..."oh" gives you a weird look.

I'm starting to think when people ask what I do I'll stop being specific and say student as it's just embarrassing! What do you say when asked what you do?

lol. Even more congrats :D

Many congrats :D Of course invite them, it's your wedding you invite the guests you want. Glad the write up is also going well.

I wish :D Well done on securing a post doc.

I've had to be really flexible with attendance in the first year to go to training modules and get to as many other events as possible that were research specific to my project. It's a 3 hr round trip so I actually get less done on days I'm physically in uni. I make this up by working extra at home like some evenings and weekends. I'm hoping next year I won't need to be so flexible so I can plan more when I'm going to be in as I'd like to keep to a set 2 days. It's a nightmare atm planning the childcare I will need next year :( I didn't know that about student railcard! great tip :D Also what the trains don't tell you.....If I get a Virgin trains only ticket off-peak (after 9:30 from my station) It's £3.50 a day cheaper! Plus use the web booking service 'Redspottedhanky' to book through them to collect credits that you can use as money off travel later in the year.

Wow Kim great post. You are right. Success can be measured in so many different ways other than career goals. Family and friends being one. The success of a PhD and family and friends can be more rewarding because career success can be fickle when it becomes about who networks better, who's in with the boss rather than your actual skills and abilities. Your PhD and personal life you can sort of have more influence over. Well in my experience anyway. It doesn't matter now why you did your PhD, you achieved it and that's an enormous undertaking to be proud of :)))