======= Date Modified 15 01 2010 01:01:08 =======
I am thinking of starting a PhD in January, I already have a supervisor and a topic. Initially I was thinking in applying for a ESRC CASE studentship but recently I got to the conclusion that it is not going to happen due to the cuts in funding and lack of information in future calls. Because I don't want to postpone more the start of the PhD I was thinking of doing it part time while working and perhaps keep trying to get funding once I have started. This option seemed feasible and realistic until I heard the last news about the forthcoming lift of the cap in university fees to 9000£ per year, which changes the situation drastically. The idea of investing around 27k in the fees of a PhD is quite daunting and makes me wonder what would I do if, for example, I loose my job half way through withoug having found any funding. Would I have to give it all up?
I am wondering if we can expect a progressive increase or if they will literally treble in a couple of years.
Also I would imagine there is no guarantee of keeping the fees the same if you do it part time.
I am quite worried as it all seems pretty uncertain and I am not sure where I stand, while, on the other hand I want to start asap before I'm too old
What do you think?

If you start before Sept 2012, my understanding is the fees will be around what they are now (apart from inflationary increase) and will not change during the course of your studies. So just start in January and you'll be fine...

Luloli79 check the fees at the university as my experience, doing a part time, self funding PHd is that fees are much lower than for undergraduate or MSc courses. I guess we take up less of their resources being largely self directed in our endeavours.

I'm pretty sure the 9k cap is for undergraduate courses and not relevant to PhDs, in fact I haven't heard any announcement at all about research postgraduate fees and funding relating to the cuts!

Yes, I checked with my Uni and it seems that there is no intention to increase the fees for postgraduates other than the usual annual increase.
Thanks a lot to those who replied!