Hi everyone. I've just had my first-year upgrade viva today. I've passed, and I'm delighted. But my viva submission material was torn to bits - the examiners just didn't like it and didn't see how it would fit into a doctoral project. However, the ensuing discussion was really productive and will help me structure the terms of my project and the framework for it. So I do feel more confident in that respect

But it does basically mean re-thinking the entire structure of the PhD, and I can't help but wonder if I've just wasted a whole year. I've only got funding for three years and I'm now beginning to freak out about having to more or less change the structure of my thesis. I've got to provide a list of themes and sources for the end of September, which will mean that whilst my thesis will have a 'plan', I won't actually have written anything. My only consolation is that I have passed, so the examiners must have thought I am on track to complete on time.

Has anyone else been in this position, where they more or less have to go back to square 1 with the thesis, 1 year in? Has it affected your overall timeline for completion?

Thank you in advance.

Hello I've found myself in the extremely fortunate - but also slightly awkward! - position of having been offered PhD funding at several institutions in the UK.

I've accepted it at one, and emailed the potential supervisor, because I didn't think I was successful in obtaining funding elsewhere - but today, I was made offers of funding by two other institutions. One of these institutions is particularly appealing because of the project and the stipend, and so I think I will take it.

But now, I'm wondering how to tell the supervisor of the university whose offer of funding I accepted! I'm sure he'll be understanding, but he also helped me craft an application for funding and I feel quite bad for now wasting his time.

Any tips on how to politely and graciously tell him?

C