Hi,

I know that I really want to do a PhD. However, some questions are coming up at the moment with respect to funding.
Basically, my topic would be in the life sciences (evolution of biodiversity). As the situation stands now, I have found potential supervisors. Now I'm having to find the funding!

Obviously, the ideal situation would be to find a studentship to last the full PhD (eg NERC etc...). However, that failing, I was considering self-funding in my first year (that is the maximum amount I can afford!) and then finding smaller awards and studentships to complement. I was wondering if there is anyone out there who has done something like that? Is it actually realistic? Or is it wiser to wait until finding a full studentship?

Thanks for any advice!

Yikes, only do this if you're willing to invest a whole year, and then have to walk away due to the absence of funding for subsequent years. If you're comfortable with that scenario, then go for it. If not, then weigh up the risk very carefully.