Wow, that sweeping statement was pretty...err...sweeping.

Probably best to focus on the 'best' supervisor and their interests (and how they fit with yours), support network and facilities. This isn't always obvious when looking from the outside though. If you are looking to do a PhD, perhaps look at how many research council studentships they receive each year etc, or what scholarships they have for masters and PhD study. It doesn't hurt to look beyond the MRes.

Have you talked to the department about funding/scholarship opportunities? They might have some research council grants, scholarship or hardship funds once you get there that you haven't seen advertised. You're right that a lot of the advertised scholarships at first sight seem to be aimed at particular groups or overseas students. You can also apply for a Learning Development loan or something? I can't remember if its a Government or a bank loan, but there's been loads of discussion on this forum about them - perhaps someone can remember?!

The cost is one reason why I did a PhD without a Masters, but I wish I had - the training in research, writing, and the general increase in outlook and maturity is well worth it, and will stand you in good stead for a PhD or future work. I hope that helps.

Your schedule will differ depending on the stage of your PhD - i.e, the first few months might be reading, with no real schedule, then by the time you write up you're getting up super early etc. For the last three years I've tried to stick to 9/10-5/6, at the moment I'm working through lunches but I try and keep the evenings free, or else I'd go mad.

I heard a quote from an examiner that they look at the relative lengths of each data chapter (in the sciences) - if one is particularly short then that highlights something...

Chapter length (and number) is really a project-specific thing - my limit is 60 000 words but I have 9 chapters. My office mate only has 6.

To be honest, I start writing the next chapter. If you have a few problems with one, you might answer them by writing something slightly different, but you're still mulling it over in the back of your mind. Take a break too though!

My post-doc was a phone interview, which with time differences etc, involved a very early start for me! But it was the best interview I'd ever done! I'm pretty confident with interviews (though normally unsuccessful!) but I had time to prepare myself, had some bullet points of things I wanted to mention or include in my answers etc. The most important thing is to sound confident and enthusiastic, as they can't use body language to tell this. Smile while you talk! :-)

Yep I agree with most posts - in your first/second year, your presentation will mostly be 'I will do this, I will do that, this bit is interesting' or you'll have some work which you'll invariably change, because you'll discvoer something in your third year that shifts your view a bit. I presented at a couple of national/postgrad conferences in my first and third years, and presented at international conferences at the start of my second and fourth years, and got a lot more out of the latter ones. You're more confident to talk about your research over dinner, and people ask more interesting questions of completed work, not what you plan to do. Conferences later on are better for networking too, because they know you'll be unemployed soon!

Thanks! Errr...yes that is a bit of an issue :$ a few weeks away from submitting hopefully...

Slap them with a wet fish.

A loon? Lets just hope she's not on this forum too...can you put seals on some of your apparatus?

I've just been offered a post-doc position, and its a bit of a different field, but I think its because I sounded positive and linked their project with my interests, why I thought the work was important, and if I couldn't do something I said I'd be willing to learn those skills. They want somebody who is going to be really proactive!

Also, they might ask you how a PhD fits in with your career plans. And that might be a bit different from everyone elses' answer because you'll be based in a research institute rather than a traditional academic department.

Nice one! Any tips, funny stories you can share with us?! Your best pre-viva tip?

You're right that it should be a concern, but one that is outweighed by the project and Supervisor. Don't underestimate the power of your Supervisor's name...I've been to two job interviews this week, and both of them mentioned at the end "oh, and say hi to Dr. X for me"...

The College fee will be covered no worries, of course that doesn't cover charges that Colleges will give you e.g. accomodation, kitchen fixed charge etc. Then you'll just get paid a standard outside of London rate, unless you have a CASE studentship etc.

25000 words is pretty good for this stage, stop worrying! You should start worrying in your 5th year...;-)