After starting out ok, my PhD has descended into a huge mess.

My supervisor has proved to be utterly useless; he okayed my work, reports, presentations and told me everything was going fine, then the transfer committee failed me. I was genuinely shocked as I had no idea things weren't up to scratch. When I got over the confusion I put in a tentative, informal complaint about him and he immediately set about covering his own arse, claiming not to have seen pieces of work that I know for a fact I showed him, etc. I requested a second supervisor but nothing came of it. I've been busted down to MPhil and really don't know what to do from here. (I complained, got advice, and tried to fix things but the second review went down the same way - again, he claimed not to have seen work).

Looking back there were some red flags from the start so a lot of this is on me, I know, but after I complained again he has ignored me ever since. I just don't think I can carry on where I am and I wanted to do a PhD, not an MPhil.

Just how bad would it look if I tried to apply for a new PhD elsewhere without finishing anything here? How would I explain my situation in a way that's fair but doesn't seem like I'm doing nothing but bitching about my previous institution? For the record, the higher ups I complained to have been of very little help. Should I try and stay and finish an MPhil? Is it a waste of time if I feel I have zero support?

Thanks for reading and sorry for the huge whinge.

Hi NooBear,

Sorry you've had such a horrible time. I'm not sure what's best to advise. Can your student union help? It's shocking that your supervisor is claiming not to have seen your work. Do you have any evidence that he did see it - copies of emails with attachments that you sent, notes from your meetings with him, any email feedback from him? Your university should have a complaints procedure which you could go through and if it doesn't resolve the matter, there is the Office of the Independent Adjudicator which deals with students' complaints about their universities. It might be very stressful to go through the whole process though. On the other hand, if the university sees that you are serious about pursuing a complaint they might try to come to some arrangement with you to resolve your situation.

If you could finish an MPhil it might make it easier to apply for a PhD elsewhere.

Good luck.

Thanks so much for your reply. I have evidence and I'm planning on putting together a complaint with the help of the student union.

As it stands I think I would like to push on with the MPhil but I'll see how it goes with the procedures. Thanks again :)

Research students should also join UCU (no subs), possibly more useful than NUS as it is the supervisor's own TU.

hi there,
I was wondering if you are willing to tell us what is your research about ? what's your research field? how many hours do you study a day? do you use any software for study? thanks