Thing is, most other people in my department have been upgraded so even though people keep telling me it's common, it doesn't feel that way!

Hello,

I had my PhD upgrade (or transfer or whatever, we call it an upgrade) on Monday and have been deferred. I am really, really down about it. I thought I would have some warning it might happen, but my supervisors didn't express any concern about my work, so it was a bit of a shock. I was wondering if there are others in the same boat, or who have been in the same boat, and if anyone can offer any advice? I have to prepare a 4000 word document, it doesn't seem so bad but I'm TERRIFIED that it won't be good enough...

No advice, just wanted you to know that I am TERRIFIED of starting mine in October, and I'm sure others are in the same boat!

I'm also finding it hard to concentrate/motivate myself at work now that I know I'm leaving soon!

I was told on Thursday following a moaney email to my department and now have my official letter and everything (which for some reason I am carrying around in my bag...). Congratulations - have you celebrated yet?!

I've found out about mine (good news) so I imagine you'll find out about yours soon! Good luck!

Congratulations on getting this far! I am in a similar situation, and as far as I understood it nominations are only made for the amount of funded places available (ie in my department, 4 nominations were made as they had 4 funded places available); however I am none-the-wiser as to whether being nominated means you're almost guaranteed funding or not (I wish someone would tell me that!) Have you contacted the school to ask them to clarify? Are you in the same position as me, ie waiting for a confirmation letter?

No interview! Just the nasty application form! Argh, I guess I'll just have to relax (if I can!)

I've applied to Leeds. My undergrad mark is ok (2.1) and I have a good MA mark so I guess we're in a similar position! What I keep worrying about is that Leeds had more ESRC studentships for Sociology than the other unis (4) and I keep thinking it's a mistake and then only should have got 2 and then I'll be bumped off the list! Also whenever I go home I get a massive surge of disappointment when I don't have a letter on the doorstep!

No, I emailed my department and they didn't know anything, I guess it's out of their hands now! I kind of celebrated the nomination but I think I'm going to apply for other departmental funding too just in case! I'm glad I'm not the only one in this position though. I wonder if there's anyone about who went through the same process last year? I almost wish I'd not been told about the nomination, and would just be told when it's definite!

@psycheresearcher - Thanks - it's weird isn't it? I've seen different wording on different uni websites too, relating to how much say the AQC have! Like, the email I got from the university said things like 'we look forward to you joining our school'. I thought maybe it was like the quota places, whereby the decision is really made by the uni and then rubber stamped, but what you've posted sounds like the AQC have more say than that....ARGH!

@m_heneghan - Which uni have you applied to? I wonder what kind of major objections they might have?! Have you been given a firmer date than early-mid April? It's driving me nuts!!

Hello! I have been compelled to post here to stop myself going completely mad. I received an email in February to confirm that I have been nominated for an ESRC studentship, and that the nomination has to be approved by the Academic quality committee for the white rose doctoral training centre. I was just wondering if anyone is in the same position, or has been in the same position. Is the approval just a formality? I am definitely not in open competition, I have been told that I am one of four nominees for four studentships.I'm going nuts waiting for a letter that should have arrived in early April!