Becasue i have no funding - ive been put in for a part time phd and be employed by the university at the same time - but i dont want to take more than 3 years to do a phd - can it be done?

You'll have to discuss this with your supervisor and the head of department. It might be possible but this will depend on how good you are.

1) can you get the work done in 3 years? 2) if you sign for a PT PhD you will be registered for a period of 6(?) years. If you finish in 3 years, you will have to apply to your Uni for an exemption to reduce your period of registration, convincing them that you have done all you need to in half the time. I have heard (this is only hearsay mind) that it can be quite difficult. I'd check your uni regulations for submitting early, and maybe ask the admin people what their view is.

Its very rare to be allowed to complete a part-time phD in less than 5 years. Primarily because your supervisors will want to be paid and if you complete in 3 yrs then they will get paid 2 yrs fewer fees payment (something that will make them less than happy!). The earliest time in which you can submit is 4 years 6mths for a PT PhD.

thanks for the advice - its jst that i first registered full time and all of a sudden i was told that i was put part-time - due to personal circumstances it wud be difficult to do more than 3 years for a phd and may work out more expensive. I am in the best uni with the best supervisors in my field and it seems difficult to give this up - but if its 3 + years i may not have any other options.

I'm about to apply for a PhD P/T and a lot depends on the university - as ali points out they get significantly less fees for the same amount of work on their part if you complete early. There is often a compulsory time limit that you have to commit to, usually between 4 and 6 years.

I have been a part time student for 34 months and have arranged, with my supervisor's and DofS agreement my defence for either March or April 2006. First draft waiting comments. It really depends how well your research goes and how much work you are prepared to do at the weekends and in the evenings. There is usually a 'get out' clause in the regs about research going exceptionallly well and early submission. One of my friends completed theirs in 39 months. Good luck, and keep at it.