I started a PhD last year but have just found out that I've not passed the 1st year and so cannot progress onto the 2nd year. It's a total shock as I thought I was doing OK but the supervision has been absolutely appalling with little feedback from my supervisor. In addition supervisor has been quite elusive recently and she's due to go on mat leave next month, don't really know what is going on but I'm really worried financially. My stipend will run out end of September.

I can write up what I've got as an MPhil, except there's no money for that, my other supervisor has offered to help out and supervise the writing up for that although he doesn't really have any money. I've asked if they can look into if the funding council will fund this (unlikely) and also asked if he has any jobs, due to meet with him in a couple of weeks when he's back from hols.

My partner works more or less full-time, she's obviously really stressed out. We have a 5 year old and I have a daughter with my ex-wife who stays over regularly under a shared care arrangement.

I'm panicking an applying for jobs left right and centre.

I have worked in the past but wonder if anyone knows the situation regarding benefits to apply for??? We have bills to pay, mortgage etc. Really really stressed out.

Is there no way to save the phd? You can't talk to your supervisor and work something out?

I'm close to doing my end of year report and from what I've been told by phd'ers in the second year and onwards is that no one has failed this because it looks bad for the university, both in terms of departments and funding bodies.

Good luck!

No I don't think it's salvageable, the examiners report was pretty harsh. There aren't any real grounds for appeal in my opinion (you need 'evidence' for your appeal), we had weekly meetings - so that is enough! I feel like I've not had that much support really and just left to drift. In hindsight maybe I'm not as bright as I thought I was, the supervision was quite light and the project itself I don't think really 'fits' with me. There's been a few personal life things in the background that have contributed too - maybe I took on too much at the time. With a couple of kids and an ex missus who pulled some crazy stuff a year and a bit ago have meant I've just not been able to get totally into it?

I've got a good core skill of laboratory skills gained from years of working anyway, this direction was to develop my career in a bit of a sideways direction. Hopefully I'll still be able to do that. I've gained some invaluable experience this year, some good hands-on experience and I can only build on that.

All is not lost, but I just feel quite panicky and stressed. I'm job hunting like crazy and doing the best I can... :-(

I really feel for you :( I have a feeling I may not pass either (dreadful year...ended up in hospital). It's such a shame you weren't given better supervision, and this is a failling of the university who has to take at least 50% of the blame for you not passing.

I used to work as a benefits advisor and there are many you can get! Get yourself down to your local citizens advice bureau asap or ring your local councils benefit advice line. Don't wait either as it can take a while for some benefits to start being paid.

Hope this helps. Please keep us updated on how you are.

Thanks, yes a combination of things really, not great supervision, left to drift, project not really fitting with me and maybe I'm not suited for PhD life (maybe not as bright as I thought I was?)... anyway onwards and upwards.

I've done the directgov benefits check, the problem is that my partner works full time and her salary is high enough to mean that we won't get much really. Absolutely stinks it does. I've been working 10+ years, my partner the same and just at a time when I need a bit of help you get clobbered like this.

Will keep you updated. Thanks for the post.

... meeting supervisor haha that should be fun!

No I don't think there's any way of salvaging and to be honest I'm glad to walk away from it, with the poor supervision (even before this news with my main supervisor about to go on mat leave there had been no attempt at finding another supervisor, my other supervisor is affiliated to this field but not that experienced in it), I've just been left to drift. Also I'm not 'that' into my project if I take a dispassionate logical view of it. It's not 'that' great a fit to me. The way that people finish after their 1st year means the university doesn't get any 'bad press' e.g. these don't show up on 'failure' figures, so it protects the uni. Anyway I feel that I'm more suited personality-wise to applications of methods and working rather than PhD life.

Face it, higher education is one giant ponzi scheme!

Anyway in further good news I've just found out that I've been given 3 months money to complete writing up, so that has take a HUGE amount of pressure and stress off me, mainly financial - otherwise I wouldn't have got it done. I suppose it's better for the uni that I write up properly and make a good job of it rather than a half dashed one. I'm still intensively job hunting of course and at least it won't have gone all to waste, I have had good exposure to practical skills and I enjoyed it more importantly.

Onwards and upwards

Im sorry as i dont have much advice to give you, I am in a bad boat myself.

but i would like to say, Good luck and i hope it all works out for you :)

Your Mphil may lead you to the best job of your career and you and your family will be realy happy :) (up)

Hi, really sorry to hear this. If you sincerely feel that you have not received adequate supervision then why not complain? Take it to the head of school or the student union and see if you can get a re-sit or something. I think it's really rare that they'd fail someone in their first year so I'd be suspicious. Can you get a report of your review panel or whatever? Really hope you can get something sorted, what an awful position to be in.