Hsiani- Sent you a PM as not sure what can be said on open forum?

Hi Hsiani, My PhD starts on the 1st Oct too and I am also conducting mine at the WSP. I haven't had any details of enrolment or my studentship. You?

Hi, just wanted to post... I am a younger PhD student (straight from UG studies), just about to start in Cardiff too. My home city is Bath, will be moving to Cardiff in a few weeks. I have had similar issues with dates. My official start date is 1st Oct but like you have been told that there is enrolment and registration to do the week of 22nd Sept. I contacted academic registry and was told this information would either be posted or e-mailed to me within 3 weeks of starting. I don't know whether this is three weeks before Oct 1st or the registration dates. Because I don't move to Cardiff until the begging of Oct think I am going to miss many of the welcome events too.

Hi,
I am in a similar position to yourself. My funding is coming via external sources but awarded to the University to then be allocated to a studentship. I have been sent similar information but nothing about the details of the stipend. I do know however know that my stipend will be just over the minimum which is £12,940 for 08/09. This is the minimum you should get from a research council funded studentship, +£2000 if you are based in London. The guides you have been given with regards to cost of living etc are just that I think... a guide, you should expect £12,940. I was sent details of what they expect my living expenses might be, but it is only an estimate. As for tuition fees, the registry at my University sent me details about tuition fees but I know mine are being covered by another part of the studentship. My Supervisor said that it was just standard procedure to send those details. I would guess that being funded by EPSRC that your tuition fees will be covered too. The advert for the PhD normally has those details if you still have it. Hope this helps?!

I don't mean necessarily from a financial point of view. I was under the impression that research councils maybe keen for you to attend/get involved in graduate training stuff that maybe the Uni itself can't/doesn't offer even if you need to fund it yourself? I think what I am saying is, will there be more training opportunities for a research council funded student over someone in my position?

Jayney... I am being funded by a Studenship that is coming directly from the Uni, The money has been given to my Sup to then fund several PhD's over the next few years. I think my stipend just follows that of the minimum that the research councils can offer. Do I need to push harder to access graduate training stuff if i'm not being funded by a research council?

Thanks Bobby. I'm glad to hear that. I was offered another PhD position in London where I did my UG degree, not only wanted to move away but the PhD wasn't exactly what I wanted... Smart move i think.

Thanks for that, Maybe £150 is too high for food, I assumed Cardiff would be similarly priced to London, doesn't appear to be the case. The apartment I have found includes water rates and there is no gas, all electric under floor heating? My supervisor has said that any conferences that I will need to go or that would be useful will be covered by "his funds"? I'm correct in thinking that I am exempt from Council Tax aren't I?

Thanks. That is good to hear. I thought it would be ok, just didn't want to ignore any nasty hidden costs I hadn't thought about!

When I say comfortably, i think I mean compared to being an undergraduate in London?

Just looking at property I can see the difference. A typical student room where I was in London was £500 p/m. I am going to Cardiff, another capital city but very different... A luxury apartment for two people works out at about £350 p/m. Rooms are smallish though, will I need a desk at home?

Hi,
I have just been awarded a studentship to start in October. I am being funded by the University directly and the stipend is for approx 13k. I have done some sums based on £350 p/m for accommodation, £150 for food and £80 for bills. I know that the rent is realistic but with regards to other outgoings am I being realistic. My sums suggest I should be able to live comfortably? I have come straight from my undergraduate degree in London so moving away from London to do my PhD things seem much less expensive (esp. accommodation!). Can anyone help?

Hi,
I have just been awarded a studentship to start in October. I am being funded by the University directly and the stipend is for approx 13k. I have done some sums based on £350 p/m for accommodation, £150 for food and £80 for bills. I know that the rent is realistic but with regards to other outgoings am I being realistic. My sums suggest I should be able to live comfortably? I have come straight from my undergraduate degree in London so moving away from London to do my PhD things seem much less expensive (esp. accommodation!). Can anyone help?