Thanks Stressed and Tester your comments have been very helpful.

I have spoken to the admissions tutor in my faculty as my sup is not around at the moment and I was strongly advised to study full time and that I could work as well provided that I manage my time correctly. I now feel that if I study part time the faculty staff may not be impressed and I don't want to start on a bad footing!

There has been no mention of teaching yet so it may be that I am not expected to teach in the first year. I guess I will have to see how it goes and try to balance everything as well as I can!

I appreciate all your comments!!:-)

Thank you so much Fm and Phdee for the valuable insight.

I am very lucky in that I have a flexible job which allows me to choose my hours and my boss is very supportive of the PhD. When I asked one of the academics in my faculty about the number of hours expected he said that it was up to each individual. At the moment the uni is not very forthcoming about the timetable and what demands will be placed on me in my 1st year. I know that at the end of the 1st year there is a mini viva and a thesis has to be submitted to progress from MPhil to PhD but it would be nice to know if I am expected to teach or publish papers. Any info would be helpful!!!

I think that I have decided to do the first year full time and then if necessary have the part time option as a backup plan.

I have to say that I am very excited about starting the degree and relieved that I have found this website for advice.

Jj

Thanks again guys!

Hello

I was hoping that someone could help.

I will be starting a PhD in law in September this year and would like to know if I can work for 2-3 days per week while undertaking the course full-time. I would like to know if anyone has managed to do this and if so how they are coping.

Also, if anyone is doing a part-time PhD please can you let me know how you manage the workload and what to expect in the first year.

Any replies will help me decide on whether to enrol on a full-time or part-time basis.

Thanks

Hi

I am in the same position as ResearchGeek.

I am due to start my PhD this September but want to work full time. I have been advised that there is a high drop-out rate for part time PhD students and supervisors and the university in general prefer full-time students.

I was thinking of enrolling full-time but working for maybe 3 days a week. Some advice from someone doing a part-time PhD would be helpful.

Thanks