I think my chances of finishing are non-existence if I go the p/t route - but it is worth investigating.

Ta

Sorry to barge in..........

Can you claim 'child tax credits' if you are on a studentship and have young children?

Many thanks for all your replies.

Interesting question with regards to the extent to which those above me have Phds.

In the specific organisation I am in now, no, very few (if any?) have it. More emphasis/credibility is given to 'technical' qualifications.

However, looking across a number of similar organisations in my field, any of which I would be keen to work in, then yes, most of the senior people have doctorates.

Anyway, I'm assuming I could find a funded place/supervisor to take me even if I am prepared to walk away from 60k + benefits?

I have 15 years experience in research/policy and am now in a well paid non-academic (public sector) job. I have no desire to move into academia, but I am passionate about my topic of interest, and would love to immerse myself fully in it by doing a phd.

In your experience/knowledge/from what you have seen - will the extra qualification be an advantage, helping me get a job as good or better then the one I already hold? Or will employers see taking 3/4 years out of work as a 'problem' and only offer me much more junior positions than I currently hold as a result?

Am I completely mad to be thinking about doing this in my 40s?