Hi all,

I've submitted a few applications for an MPhil course at different universities. Assuming I receive an offer of a place from more than one of them, do I need to accept the offer in order to be considered for any studentship that is part of my application? You will normally receive an offer of a place earlier than when studentships are awarded.

Is it acceptable practice to accept an offer from more than one university and then depending on receipt of a studentship withdraw from the course where you didn't secure funding?

I think it depends on the university.

I remember when I applied, I was offered various things at various stages. I was offered a place and living stipend by one school, followed by a tuition scholarship that was through the faculty later that day.

For a different university, I was offered a place but no scholarship, and then when second round came, I was offered a full scholarship even though I hadn't accepted the offer (by that point I had accepted the other school).

So I guess it'll depend? I don't know about multiple acceptances...I've never done it.

There may be a date on an letter which you should accept the offer by. If not you can call the admin office and find out by when you need to confirm that you are accepting the offer. You can explain you're waiting on hearing about funding etc - they should understand/be familiar enough with this. This happened to me with a Masters and PhD and I didn't accept either offer until I'd heard about funding. Good luck.

I was given three months to accept my offers, but because I applied at the start of the academic year, I was still without funding so I emailed admissions asking their advice.I accepted on the basis that I needed funding to take my up place as I didn't want to lose the offer.
Congratulations on your offers!

This is a similar question so I'm not starting a new thread but I applied for three different PhD programmes at three different universities. I have withdrawn from one application and was successful at another. I have an interview for the 3rd but not until later this month. I have to tell the university that has offered me a place within the next week wherever I am accepting or not but I am holding out for the final interview in a few weeks.

Is it bad practice to accept an offer and then withdraw if a better offer comes along? Part of me thinks I should do what is best for me and I'm sure people withdraw offers all the time. I might not be successful at this final interview so don't want to throw my offer that I do have away.

Hope this makes sense and keen to hear your thoughts!

A

Do what's best for you, yes. People accept and then decline offers all the time.