Hi guys,

Thanks for your responses so far.

I'm not actually looking for reassurances around the feasibility of my suggestion in terms of timings, effect on sanity, etc. I'm wondering if it is actually possible to get away with this, or whether you'd be automatically caught. A few people on this forum allude to others being pulled up for doing this but I'm wondering how this happens, is it automatically detected from your tax code or does somebody need to dob you in?

I'm really looking for people who have pulled this off and not be caught, or those that have tried it and been penalised. Failing that, people who have first hand experience of others trying to do this. I've already had 2 great responses off this thread so thanks to those two.

This is forbidden under AHRC terms and conditions. Has anybody ever done it, for any length of time?

PM me if you don't want to post - I could understand, as there are quite a few people on here flaming anyone who asks this kind of question. It seems to irritate people without funding that those with it aren't overjoyed at the prospect of living on that alone (or capable of completing a thesis to a high standard whilst also working). (up)