I have been discussing a PhD with my local university for 18 months. They keep saying they are enthusiastic, they have awarded me Visiting Fellowship status (to get access to the library) and they have included my research project on their website. BUT, in order to devote the necessary time, I need the funding. All this time the department head says she is about to apply to funders, she'll be doing it shortly, "tomorrow" I'll have a copy of her proposal, etc, etc. This is dragging on interminably. It seems that funding applications have to come from the university - but what to do if the university departmnt will not pull its finger out?! They seem to want the project, but they just seem unable/unwilling to get deal with the funding. Also, I don't have a first degree but DO have an MBA. Again, I get mixed messages: sometimes it's not an issue, sometimes it could be a stumbling block. Any advice, please?