Hi shani,

Thanks very much for your reply, I'm going to have a look into some of the areas you suggested, thanks for the pointers. I'm not too bothered about having to re-apply yearly since at the end of the day every little helps! A lot of this has stemmed from the fact that until the upcoming academic year, the university I'll be at has always had a fees plus living expense award, and it only changed literally in the last few weeks throwing me a bit of a curve ball from what I'd already calculated.

Hi aliby,

Thanks again! I'll definitely ask about the marking and other areas of the work that may have income as it's something I simply hadn't thought of. I know that the teaching is at a pro-rata rate of £24 per hour. There may be an opportunity to do some additional over and above the six guaranteed hours, but it would be on an 'as and when required' basis.

My previous work was in finance, and I'm still chartered with the CII I believe, so there may be a possibility of some freelance, my main concern is just that obviously I want to keep the focus on the research and not let the amount of paid work damage that... :-/

o.stoll, I'm not getting into this - my reply was NOT immature, it was appropriate given that your initial reply was inappropriate, presumptious and, as stated before, pompous. Plus you say I should accept criticism however yours was unfounded, incorrect, and based on nothing! Your second reply didn't offer a (what WOULD've been appropriate) apology, but a backhanded retraction. You should've swallowed your pride and actually apologised. Neither you nor anybody else has the authority or ability to decide what I am or am not aware of, nor what I am or am not prepared for given that you know nothing about me or anything I have done in my life until now. I am not a 'wet behind the ears' graduate without experience - my law degree was my second qualification and for years I combined an extremely high pressure job plus education. I don't presume to know everything about a PhD, hence the reason I have joined this forum.I'll respectfully request that you do not reply to my posting again.

Hi aliby, thanks for your reply! I've not discussed with them yet, already had a few meetings regarding the subject area and focusing the research in the right direction. Think I will have to find a way to discuss the issue with them however, but the last thing I want to do is rock the boat so early in proceedings. I'm well aware of how lucky I am to have my fees paid, and also being given the opportunity to teach (given that I'm hoping to move into full time lecturing eventually), and I don't want to appear unappreciative! It may be that the clause about not working anywhere else is one of those 'ok to ignore' clauses, but as I already mentioned I'm well aware how difficult if not impossible it would be to take any more onboard anyway, so was trying to avoid that. But then again, if it comes down to making a mortgage payment or not.... well, I have to make it don't I...

I've just graduated with a first, 26 years old and a UK national (well - Scottish! :) ) and have accepted a PhD studentship.

Money will be very tight, more than through undergraduate, as I could work 30 hours per week in addition to SLC living cost loan of £2,500.

The terms of the studentship, rather than fees and living costs, are fees and guaranteed teaching (6 hours per week term time). However in the terms I'm not permitted to work elsewhere, and even if I was it'd clearly be very difficult to take PhD research, teaching AND another part-time position, but it means that I am going to be without income for half the year! (there being 24 teaching weeks out of 52).

I have a mortgage, utilities etc. I've searched without success on every PhD resource I can find if it is possible to apply for an additional award even though I'll be in a studentship position, or if that would render my application void.

I'm aware of most funding options (Leverhulme etc.) but can't seem to find anything.

My research is a combination of Scottish Criminal & Civil Law and also European Law.

Any advice greatly appreciated!