ahaha oops! 3 questions! was initially meant to be 2 ...doh

With a PhD, it doesn't really matter if your data 'works' or not - what's important is that in your thesis, you are able to discuss exactly what you did (review), what you learnt (results) and what you would do different next time (discussion). It's a learning process, we're not expected to know everything and be perfect. Research is all about exploration.

Morning
Two questions:

1. Why are universities increasing the number of PhD students?
2. How are universities making money out of PhD students?
3. How are universities benefiting from PhD students?

Thank you

anyone have any information on the job market for phd graduates?
i know it's impossible to predict the future, but, how many teaching positions are there and how difficult are these to get? are there more phd students then ever before, meaning it will become increasingly difficult to obtain a permanent teaching post? i'm searching google, but just wondering if someone had already done similar research regarding the job market. would be good to hear from you. thanks, have a good day.

nah they won't make you pay it back. have a look in your contract, it should be written there if you have to pay it back. if you don't have a contract, look in your acceptance letter.
good luck with your job search.

I am on the verge of quitting my PhD as I have discovered it's a money making scam. It might sound cynical, but when you start to think of university as a money making machine it all makes sense.

Universities take on much more PhD students than they need. I am told that I have to work as a teaching assistant as part of my PhD, it rounds up to around 20 hours of work per week, which includes 2 hours contact time, 1 hour discussion with module organizer, associated marking and preparation. I get zero pay for the extra 20 hours I give per week and I can't even complain, there are no set hours or job descriptions. Basically, they can do what they want to you and you'll take it because you want the job don't you? Everyone wants that secure, lectureship/research job. You'll never get a secure job in research as you'll need to prove your worth by winning research bids. Maybe lectureships but do your professors look like they want to retire? My supervisor is 70, he's recently retired from the university but has come back as he enjoys it to much and let's face it, people don't die at 70 anymore.

Going back to my original point of universities taking on too many PhD students. It makes sense - free labor for the university.

We shouldn't mix education and business. It is either education or business. If it's a business, be honest about it (I'm talking to my university here). Don't pretend that we NEED the experience. We can get this experience elsewhere and get properly compensated for it.

I used to think I was spoiled and unappreciative of my valuable education (people in third world countries would die to be in my position right now, wouldn't they?).

I'm doing a PhD in behavioural psychology but it's not my ideal topic of interest. I'm interested in neuroscience and I would like to pursue a PhD in this field.

I'm 6 months into my PhD, it's fully funded and to be honest, it's not that bad.
With the economy like it is at the moment, should I complete the PhD and move into neuroscience later?

Opinions are welcome, thanks in advance.

Hi everyone,

I just want some general advice regarding leaving my current PhD (started in October) and applying for funding elsewhere.

I want to switch to completely different fields. I basically took the PhD that was offered to me (straight from my masters degree) and I'm not happy. I think a PhD should be an enjoyable process as well as a means to an end.

Do you think it will hinder my applications for alternative PhDs? Should I put it on my CV?

Many thanks in advance for your replies. This forum is pretty useful!
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