in some uni's minors are anything up to 3 months. majors 6 - 12. It will say in you uni regs

thanks for the replies - sometimes is just nice to know that you're not the only one. 9 months is still too long to review a paper - you can have a whole baby in that time!

first: I think its standard to have a taught aspect to your PhD in the first year - I don't know anyone who didn't. Second, even though you are not receiving great supervision PhD research has to be somewhat self directed and certainly you will do all the work. It seems that you are pretty motivated as you have done loads already. Keep going and build relationships which may help you get what you want. Third - your viva will not be with someone who is not expert in YOUR field, you may have some input into this - Good luck :-)

keep going but don't be intimidated into doing anything that doesn't suit you. This is your research and its very personal, I changed my aims half way through mainly because I found a more interesting and focused route. Sometimes its in the way you sell it - telling a seasoned academic researcher that you wish to change aims because you want things to be easier or more convenient will raise their hackles. Be enthused about the new aims you have identified and sell them as a more relevant and interesting focus for your research. Don't give up now - Good luck

This is a rant and I want to know if anyone else has experienced the same as me - I sent a paper to be reviewed for publication - 9 months later it was sent back with some suggestions for revision, which I have now done and re-submitted - what if its another 9 months - my career prospects are measured on this - it seems so unfair. 18 months and maybe more revisions who knows! and all this before even a hope of publication, why does it take 9 months to review a paper? then another 9 months to check revisions?

This has happened to me twice in a row - I am waiting for a third rejection at the moment! To say my confidence is torn apart would be an understatement. I know how you feel - can I share some of your sympathy?

'The only problem I have with self funding is that it creates a two tiered educational system which I do not agree with. I feel like education should be available to all, not just those who can afford it.'


I do not agree, someone has to pay for education, even if it is a faceless taxpayer, someone has to pay the academics salaries etc. I would never have got funding as I did my undergraduate degree in a low rated institution and I was a mother of three children wanting to research in an unpopular area. If I didn't have the optioin of self funding I would never have got a PhD. It was hard and I will be paying for a long time, but I was passionate and it was worth it

I self funded my entire PhD, I had kids and it was hard. I would never have got funding and didn't even try, I was the wrong type with the wrong subject area. I got my PhD and I now have a lectureship. I was incredibly motivated and went in expecting this to cost me, it was an investment in myself.

it would be nice to think that project was more important than reputation but it just isn't so in reality. Liverpool is good uni anyway. I was told by a very eminent academic to always choose institution over every other consideration. In career enhancing terms, despite the injustice, this advice was spot on. It also depends on your own priorities, if you aren't aggressively ambitious go with project.

I agree, no need to force the info on people! It is really sad that you have had such negative exeriences, however I still believe that you should not be intimidated into pretending that you are someone else to appease the petty jealousies of a minority. To be fair most people will be impressed, amazed (in my case!), disinterested or interested. Walk tall

I have read some posts here from people who consider using the title Dr in the 'real world' as somehow wrong. This confuses me for two reasons, first why use it at all, there is no need to use it professionally either, just use the letters PhD after your name on your CV when necessary; this would be a truly principled stand. Secondly why assume that people without the title Dr are intimidated, I can assure you they largely are not, it would be arrogant to assume so. It seems that not using it in 'real life' is more about insecurity and being worried about what other people might think - after all you may be getting above yourself!!

unfortunately sleepyhead it happened - there was a marriage break up - there was publicity and there were people with memories - sorry

Thanks for that, of course I know you are right, its just so demoralising. Sometimes you just need to know that you are not the only one suffering all this rejection! Cheers

you will foerever be known as the one who got their PhD because they were sleeping with their supervisor/ a supervisor/someone in power. Also believe me in future job interviews unless you marry this person you will be looked on with suspicion. Be very careful its a small community - good luck

Every paper I submit is rejected. What is it that I don't get?? I feel like I must be in the wrong profession, everyone around me seems to know exactly what is going on, full of institutional savvy and a total knowledge of their subject. Does this mean I am a fraud and I got my PhD by accident? HELP