I am new to this forum and would like to introduce myself as a trainee solicitor who is considering studying a Ph.D whilst working full time. I really just want to know if anyone else has done this and whether or not it is possible. Obviously the job itself is pretty hard going but I have a love for the subject and really want to get to the level of Ph.D.

Any advice would be great.

The problem I have found with trainee solicitors is that they tend in their job to mix with the absolute dregs of society and it has a tendency to rub off on them. Put aside there coming into contact with qualified solicitors they also have some objectionable clients to deal with too.

eh...dregs of society? Are you talking about criminals? Not all solicitors are criminal lawyers?

Thanks anyway.

Does anyone else have any general advice about working full time and doing a Ph.D?

No Keith I actually meant your colleagues. Worried me a bit Keith that you didn't 'get' that exceedingly unsubtle attempt at humour. Can't say I'd want you representing me that being the case.

I agree Dan it was very unconstructive but then again having been divorced twice I do have some experience of the profession as a whole and have some right to be unconstructive.

Thanks for the advice DanB.

My reasons for doing a Ph.D are not solely a love for the subject, although that is obviously a large part. I hope to become a lecturer eventually and would almost certainly need a Ph.D. I had considered doing it full time or even working part time and doing the Ph.D part time. Money, however, is not the biggest issue. Before becoming an academic I want get qualified. Obviously I could take a three year gap after working as a solicitor but I don't really like the idea of spending three years not earning.

Has anybody else worked full time whilst doing the ph.D?

Hi Keith, I currently work full time as a lecturer whilst doing my PhD. There have been a few threads on this forum already where I have moaned on about how hard it is! For me the worst part is never having free time, going home tired after a full days work and thinking 'I really should start the PhD now'. I was a full time PhD students for 2 years first and I'm not sure I would have made it without that period to collect my data etc. But there are obvious advantages such as money = nicer place to live, the contact with people a job brings which can help alleviate some of the PhD isolation.

Putting aside my obvious disdain for the profession I would imagine what Keith is actually suggesting is extremely difficult if not impossible. Indeed I can envisage most Universities not taking Keith on if he were working F/t as a solicitor [have you asked any Keith? It might be an idea]. Also what does being a trainee solicitor involve [examinations?]. Indeed Keith if you did get a Uni that will take you on [I did say 'most' as my old Uni would probably take Bobo the chimp from the local zoo on to do research into eating banana’s and its impact on primate intelligence] would you just end up doing both things very poorly. It would arguably be a better idea to become a [trained] solicitor and then consider you options.

Thanks for all the advice

Hi Keith, did you register for the ptime PhD? I am PhDing while working Full time and it is really not easy - considering my options to be honest.
be great to hear how your getting on

Keith, i think your proposition is perfectly possible. In my experience as a law phd student, i have never come across in the application process, a uni wanting to know what you do with the rest of your time. All they care about is that you are interested in a phd and you want to do it part-time, and that you are qualified to do one. So i wouldn't worry about being a solicitor at the same time. As a matter of fact I think the exposure to practice will greatly help your work as at the moment am doing my phd and having to contact solicitors along the way a lot and trying to relate to some issues without having done the LPC is quite a task. However, since you're saying you're passionate, if you think you can sustain that passion for five years, then go for it.

Just so you know what that means - it means that most evenings and weekends are spend indoors after work doing your PhD - at least 30 hours a week. I have found working and studying a bit difficult, but am fulltime and was working part-time. I find that to make progress you have to devote sufficient time to your PhD - as though it were a full time job. Are you prepared for that Keith?

I had forgotten about this forum (it was a year ago that I last visited it) and by sheer coincidence I was thinking about it today and it just happened that this thread has come back.

I would like to thank everyone who answered for their words of advice. I decided not to go for the f/t job and p/t PhD option. I realised that although it would have been, in principle, possible, it would have been totally unrealistic. I have a PhD lined up to start later this year (by which time I will have qualified as a solicitor). I have decided to ditch the professional career in favour of academia. The Uni that I will be at have also hinted that there may be an opening to tutor UGs whilst studying. I will find out in the near future whether or not the tutoring job will go ahead.

I noticed that there is another recent thread on this forum about f/t jobs and p/t PhDs. I will be honest and say that when I was considering that option I was being completely unrealistic.

Although I was not on this forum when you were posting before, welcome back Keith!

Glad to hear you have made the right decision for yourself. Just wanted to let you know I have a friend who worked for 5 years as a solicitor after finishing uni, but disliked it so much she quit and worked in a sunglasses shop of all places. A little over two years ago she went back to uni to do a full time PhD in law and has loved it.

Now she is approaching the end of her PhD and has just accepted a lecturing job at a uni in a different city and has decided to start that while finishing her PhD "after hours". She is confident she can cope with both - she only has 8 months to go and has already made good progress with her thesis. I guess if you are organised and dedicated, it is possible to combine a PhD in law and work at least for some of the time. Good luck.

Hi keith, i am in full time employment and am in the first year of my phd. i dont work in law, but my area of work is related to policy. the advice i would give you is to choose an area very close to the area you work in, eg if u r in commercial law then a study within that field rather than e.g family law etc. be prepared 2 reduce your social life :) as it definately borders non-existent (maybe not as bad as that but..) and it depends on the university but part-time = a longer period to do it i.e. virtually impossible under 4 years. i am sure u have considered most of this, i would say if u got the interest go4it!