I'm 6 months into my non-funded PhD. I chose it because my supervisor led me to believe I wouldn't have to pay all my tuition fees, it sounded like a great project and I heard good things about his group. Now it seems that he might not be able to help me out with the fees and I will have to find the money myself. I can't afford it and I'm close to quitting. The project is moving too slowly and I think the supervision I’m getting is awful……….

........Speaking to the other funded PhD students they say the same things. Many of them have had to fend for themselves and they feel that their supervisors don’t even care about their projects let alone provide any support. I just don’t know what to do. I’ve been applying for other jobs and PhDs but so far there hasn’t been any projects that really grabbed me like this one did. If I quit I worry that I will be making a big mistake.

If I was you I would try to find another PhD that is funded. It will be hard enough fending for yourself while being expected to work 50 h a week without even having your tutition fees to worry about. Your supervisor is being reckless- how should you cope with such costs in such an expensive country without rich parents??

If you are getting bad supervision on top of that all I can understand you are fed up. Your supervisor might have misjudged the tuition fees situation- but then not even supervising you properly is almost criminal! If he/she knows you are on a very tight budget and have to hurry up he/she should at least give you all the help you need to get done with your PhD.