Hi All,

I just explain problem in simple and short

My Friend completed 3.2 years Ph.D. program. Unfortunately, he unable to complete program since he is NOT concentrating on studies due to a severe headache every time (Health issues and Family Constraints). From 1 year, He met doctors and they suggested him to don't take the pressure. Moreover, he has been suffering from headache since he stared the program and he is not able to study the papers and research things and he is getting severe pain if he is stared doing research and moreover, Ph.D. is not his goal too and he just entered into this, to try if he could able to complete/succeed.

Finally, he came to conclusion to quit the program without any issues. Finally, he is expecting college to give other course completion certificate for completing of 3.2 years program.

Could you please advise us, how to approach guide/HOD and explain the things to move smooth without issues. What are the consequences that he has to face if quit the program now.

Appreciated for your quick response.

He isn't going to get a certificate for staying on the PhD for 3.2 years. He needs to submit some type of thesis for that.

Options are:
1. quit and leave with nothing
2.Suspend, seek help and come back later when able to do so
3. ask if he can submit a masters thesis instead (shorter, he might have enough results for it)
4. Persevere somehow and submit a PhD thesis, assuming he has enough results.

He needs to discuss this with someone ie HOD of someone in the admin team, as you mentioned.

Consequences? Depends if had a loan etc to repay if doesn't succeed. If paid by UK research council or university then this doesn't need to be repaid. He might struggle to get onto another PhD if he decides he wants to in the future. He might struggle to explain "gap" in his CV for future jobs.

Hi Buddy

Thanks for prompt response..

He doesn't have plan to suspend the program and continue ever.. he decided to quit.

If I would understand correct, instead of getting PhD, he can submit masters ( Example:MS-Master of Science) if then, will he get certificate for MS for 3 years....? If yes, what is the procedure to do immediately.. will Guide/HOD approve this.......?

Is there an certain approvals required to do so.. I don't have clear idea to advise him better so..

Please advise on this area..

He needs to talk to student services at the university or the director of research in his department, because 'who to contact' is not something we can really advise on. I think the Master's downgrade still requires a 'pass' of submitting written work. (around 50-60,000 words for some programs).

Yes, as Nad75 said, he will still have to go through the whole master's submission process, even if the department allows this. He needs to talk to his supervisor and HOD or similar.

Generally Universities will have information about transitioning from a PhD into a Masters on their website, and there will be specific forms and processes to go through. I agree with the others that he needs to discuss this with his supervisors and/or the department head or research administrative staff. However, there would be a range of forms and guidelines to these sorts of processes available to your friend right now which should give you an idea of what he would have to do. Best wishes, P.

Thanks. 1) If he completed only 20% of research work for all years, will his HOD/guide allow him to masters by any chance…. ? If this is the case, how to convince HOD to help him out ? will he still have to go through the whole master's submission process ? if yes, how many days will it take approx.….? 2) Is he needs to re-pay the stipend amount which he got earlier ..? Could you clarify on this.

Hi Anil, I am afraid this is the part where your friend and/or you have to do some homework and find out from your friend's institution exactly what the requirements are.

These conditions vary depending on your institution and the degree and I think it would be hard for people to provide you with accurate answers unless they attended the same course and university as your friend.

I don't think that 20% of a PhD is equivalent to a Masters. A Masters would need to be around or over 50% I would think but I am not sure, so it is still worth checking.

I know it is hard and you and your friend may be very anxious about his options. However, you need to make inquiries from the administrative department of your institution or read the guidelines for this degree. These are usually available on the website. If they are difficult to access or understand, usually there will be an administrative advisor who will help guide you through the process.

Another option could be to go for PhD award by paper publications but to be honest if your friend has only completed 20% of the research work in 3.2 years then it sounds like they will be leaving with nothing. I cant see how enoug work has been done to even justify a Masters degree here because 20% is less than 8 months and I assume that this will be both a highly fragmented and innefficient 8 months,

Thanks for your advise