Hi

I put in an application for a one-year MRes course and have been offered funding (which I wouldn't be able to do the course without) - the catch is that I have to reply with a decision by tomorrow.

However, if I'm honest my main reason for doing a Masters was to increase my chances of getting funded for a PhD - and since applying to the MRes I've been verbally offered a fully funded PhD studentship elsewhere. (This is still dependent on them receiving my references, after which I've been told they'll send me a formal offer letter)

My initial logic then is to decline the MRes funding and go for the PhD (after all, I would prefer to be doing the PhD!). After speaking to my dad about this though, I now have concerns about whether something could go wrong with the PhD offer and I could end up with no offers and no funding...

Any thoughts/advice?

Your PhD offer will most likely be fine. It's just a formality at this stage, as long as there is nothing bad in your references. I'm pretty certain they didn't even check my references.

If I was in your position, I would accept the MSc offer just in case, and then decline it saying that you have got a funded PhD elsewhere when you get your offer letter. They will understand. I know this isn't entirely ethical, but sometimes you have to put yourself first.