Thanks for your info, I think I'm leaning towards full time after your advice. I completed an MSc (by research) whilst working full time in a year and so I think if I set my mind to it I can do it. The field will be within sport & exercise science and will have testing dates probably every 6 weeks or so and so will not have constant contact with testing.

I think at my uni you can switch from PT to FT or vice versa and so will see what they can do.

Thanks again guys, you've been most helpful

Hi guys, thanks for the info so far.

I'm teaching in FE at the moment however that does entail some HE hours at Foundation degree level at the college where I work. I just feel I'd prefer to do this full time if I can and complete in 3-4 years and so I'm willing to take the hit financially as far as possible by working as minimal hours as possible to pay the bills and keep afloat.

However on the otherhand I don't want to enrol on a full time basis and find that three days a week isn't enough, however the big advantage I have is the holidays I will get also.

Hi guys,

I have recently had a part time PhD accepted and due to start in April. However recently I have been thinking of whether I can do it full time and want to know how many hours a week would you say defines 'full time' study.

I am lecturing full time at college at the moment and am considering significantly reducing my hours to two days a week next year. This will leave me at least three week days a week to focus and study on my PhD.

My question is: 'Would three days a week focussed on my PhD be enough to enrol and study on a full time basis and look to finish in a 3-4 year time frame'? Or would you advise 3 days a week to study on a part time basis? Maybe someone who has been through this or is going through this can help?

Many thanks for your advice