I'm in my last year of undergrad & thinking about doing a combined Masters and PhD (5 years). I've been dating my girlfriend for 3 years & want to marry her some day. She's 3.5 years older than me though & wants to marry before she's 30 (ie just as I'm starting PhD). She's worried I'll be obsessed with the job & also that we'll be "poor students" forever (even though she's an engineer). I'm try to convince her that I wouldn't be like that. Is it common to marry while a PhD student? Is it possible?

Dont worry it wil be fine. you will probably get paid while doing a phd anyway - i do. she just has to understand that there will be times when your work becomes top priority but it wont last forever. doing a phd is like working in a job anyway. good luck.

My husband and I are both doing PhDs at the moment! We are both full time with funded studentships.... so it is possible! Don't put your life on hold for a PhD - it is possible to have both. Good luck!

Hi,

I have the same desire too. But as I am an Asian student I am little bit confuse about getting funding. Both of us want to do phd under one supervisor. Is it possible?

It was difficult to be a married and a Biochem MSc student. Depending on what you study you will have to dedicate your life to your studies. I don't know of any supervisor who treated gradstudents as regular employees. You will never finish a graduate degree if they do. You will be expected to work on weekends + at night and you will want to work extra to finish. Speak with your supervisor, make sure you are both clear about how much time you are expected to work every week in order to complete the program in 5 years.

People get married at an older age these days, don't rush. Your children will be happier to have a PhD dad who'll have a lot to teach them.