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Is it necessary to publish papers
T

This is a very old post but I'll still reply.

It does make a difference in your viva. If you have a paper published, it shows you're punishable, so they find it hard to justify failing you in a viva, even if they want to based on your performance or thesis.

PhD Government Loan
T

Quote From chaotic1328:


Well, that really depends, doesn't it? If the PhD proves useful to my future career, then it'd be a pleasure to pay it back, with interest. If, however, it does little to help my gaining useful employment in academia (what else is a PhD in the social sciences good for?), which is the far more likely scenario according to people wiser than I, then it's unlikely I would have to pay back any of the loan at my age. Therefore, the loan is essential a 'free gift' for all intents and purposes.

This may beg the further question as to why I would want to 'waste' 3-4 years studying for a PhD if it is unlikely to help me in a late change of career direction, the answer is really quite simple. It is a quest for knowledge in an attempt to satisfy intellectual curiosity. After all, isn't that what education in general, and research in particular, are suppose to be about?


In that case, sounds like a good option!

PhD topic and future career
T

It is possible to switch topics if the techniques used are similar. Getting a postdoc is usually about what skills you have that they need.

PhD Government Loan
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Quote From chaotic1328:
Quote From TreeofLife:
Chaotic is correct - you're not eligible if you already have RC funding, not sure about other funding. But if you're fully funded you wouldn't need it anyway, so not sure why you would want to take it?


Having been in business for over 20 years, I guess I am just used to having those little luxuries in life...so why not take the money if it's on offer?


I dunno, cuz it's a loan not a gift and you gotta pay it back with interest at some point?

PhD Government Loan
T

Chaotic is correct - you're not eligible if you already have RC funding, not sure about other funding. But if you're fully funded you wouldn't need it anyway, so not sure why you would want to take it?

'Off' Days
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Off days? I tend to have off weeks...

Award date fod PhD
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Your award date is the date the exam board awards your PhD... so you haven't been awarded it yet. Just put that on your application - it'll be fine to say you'll get it on the 9th.

After horrible 5.5 years completely failed PhD (not even any degree awarded)
T

I would echo what tru has said as well. This is not over yet if you don't want it to be. They have to give you lab access if they are asking for more results. Cutting your access to things doesn't seem fair - you should check if this happens to all students in your department - if doesn't, you have a massive case for mistreatment because they have been setting you up to fail. Who has signed off on this decision? Examiners? Head of postgrads? Head of School? Faculty Dean? Take up to a higher level if needed.

Don't cry about this, get angry instead. Channel that anger into getting the access and then the results you need to get this PhD.

After horrible 5.5 years completely failed PhD (not even any degree awarded)
T

You are supposed to get more results, or they have failed you outright? Has this been through the board of examiners?

There are still steps you can take to rectify this is you want to. You can appeal the decision, if you have grounds do so, e.g. if there was "material irregularity in the decision making process", such as they didn't follow the procedures properly, or there were errors made, if your performance was affected by something you haven't disclosed or they failed to take account of it properly (maybe the latter in your case?). Seek advice from the Students' Union

If you just want to forget it about it, then I suggest getting a change of scene, go on holiday, or go and stay with friends/family somewhere. Time and distance will give you some perspective. Failing that, try some counselling.

It does sound like you have had a raw deal here and this should be a lesson to anyone that is thinking about registering a complaint about supervisors - it generally does not have a good outcome and is best left until your certificate is safely in your hand.

Try for PhD or a Second MS
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Lol @chaotic, and I got told I was being harsh and too judgemental! Glad I was not the only one that found this thread odd!

Advice about University disciplinary
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I agree with the above two posters, but I'd also flag this conversation with the relevant people at your uni. Senior tutor, or head of admin, or head of year. Mostly likely will be aware of the case already and they need to be aware of her side as well. Be aware it make may no difference though. Departments often close ranks on this sort of thing, depending what they want the outcome to be.

Try for PhD or a Second MS
T

Quote From chaotic1328:
The OP say that he passed these 2 modules of 20 credits each. Even if they were re-sits/re-submissions, they would still be capped at 50%, and not 0%. I really cannot see a situation where 40 credits out of 180 is treated as 0% as a matter of course, yet that 0% is still counted towards an average based on 180 credits.

I'd like to know which uni this is, and I can go and check on their rules, purely to satisfy my personal curiosity.


You're right, there's obviously an error somewhere. No university would have a policy of a unit is pass/fail but is included in the overall 180 credits at 0% either way.

What if your PhD major corrections are not accepted?
T

Your corrections will be signed off. It's extremely rare (like >0.001 I bet) for them not to be. Worse case scenario you won't make graduation, so you graduate with the next cohort.

Try for PhD or a Second MS
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If you can't work basic things like this out for yourself, I struggle to see how you would do a PhD tbh.

phd or sofware
T

A PhD isn't a career. It's a qualification. What are your career goals?