Hello! I had my first PhD interview about 2 and a half weeks ago, and I came out thinking it had gone well but was aware that there were probably loads of other people who would probably have good interviews also, the girl who was going in after me had previously had successful interviews (2 of them- although was unable to get funding because she needed to have lived in the UK for 3 years for those studentships) and she had completed her masters, whereas I'm still in my final year of my degree (although, technically not now with my last exam being yesterday! yay!)

Anyway, they said they would get in touch at the end of last week so I was waiting patiently and thought if I hadn't heard anything by today I would send an e-mail to find out what was going on. Anyway, I got a reply saying they were sorry to tell me I had been unsuccessful and that I was a very strong candidate, that they were very impressed and the decision was hard etc. Which I imagine is general feedback from an unsuccessful PhD interview. The e-mail also said that there was potential funding to be coming up in the next 2-3 weeks and they would like to offer it to me, should it come up, without further interview.

Now, I realise that this is perhaps me thinking too much into it and should just take it at face value, but wanted to know the general feelings about this. I would LOVE there to be extra funding and me get a place, and the fact that they've taken a week longer than they had originally said to get back to me suggests there was at least some deliberation? But I don't want to get my hopes up. I have absolutely no idea what the chances of extra funding are, and whether that's something that's said to a number of unsuccessful candidates.

I want to e-mail back to ask why I had been successful in the first instance if they say they could offer me a place if more funding comes up. But I don't know whether it would be better to just send an e-mail saying thank you and that I would be very interested should anything come available?

I'm just rather confused! Any advice would be really helpful!!

Thank you :)

Congratulations! This sounds really positive - I doubt very much that they'd say this unless they really did want to find you the funding, so while it's not an outright acceptance it's not too far off!

Something similar happened when I applied for my PhD - I had an interview for a particular project, but wasn't successful for that one (someone with more expertise in the exact topic of the project got that place) but then they said they would put me forward for a separate bit of funding provided by the department. I got that separate funding and now am happily doing my PhD there (and am pretty relieved I didn't get the original project anyway, as mine is way more interesting to me!)

I'd just send an email saying thank you and that you're really interested in taking up the extra funding if it becomes available. I'd save any questions about feedback for if this funding falls through and you need to look elsewhere - but fingers crossed, if the funding comes through you'll never need to ask!