Hi I'm a final year student studing biochemistry and genetics and am quite interested in doing a PHD. I want to take some time out rather than start a PHD in the next academic year, however i'm not sure if i want to wait until next october either. Does anyone know whether it is possible to start PHD's mid year?
Thanks

It is possible, but unusual. There's no fixed date for starting any PhD programme, but the money usually becomes available at the end of September and so that's when people start. You could try applying for places that start this October and asking for a deferred start date. This might lessen your chances of getting accepted though.