The type of questions you get are as varied as the choice of PhDs.
But I can advise to act cheerful and smile. Be friendly to everyone because you never know if the scruffy guy in the corner is a good friend of the interviewer.

You will always get a question where your mind goes blank, so just smile and say "oh dear mind gone blank'.
Be enthusiastic about the subject.

What I did wrong but still got a place:
Didn't stop talking so I had to be told to shut up.
Manically clung onto the chalk because I HAD to show I had suddenly just remembered how to answer the question ten minutes before.
(Chalk was taken off me!)
Forgot some basic A-level maths (with my physics and maths degree this was shameful).

So don't worry - be yourself and try and enjoy the experience of meeting new people.

Can you state the history in your review in terms of the two papers. That is you are citing the other papers in terms of what your two authors have said rather than your own views. Then bring your own views in later on the uniques results your two key papers state. This covers you not reading the other papers but still is putting the two main works in a wider context.

E.g. "Both Smith (1) and Jones (2) state previous work has discovered that mice like cheese (3). However, Jones has further expanded upon other important results that show rabbits and rats also like cheese (4,5). For this reason Smith has researched an extensive range of cheeses with mice, whereas Jones has researched a smaller range of cheeses but with more than one rodent species."

My university has a universal guideline of 150 hours per month on PhD work to be able to produce enough work at a PhD standard.
That works at around 40 hours per week allowing for holidays.
Even if you don't allow yourself any days off for holiday or illness (your own or your children's) you are still looking at needing to put in a 35 hour week.
(Or 40 weeks at 26 hours and 12 weeks at 63 hours!)

I would suggest keep looking for a part time option.
I have done the family&job°ree route and it is not easy. It was a necessity to get where I am now but not enjoyable at the time.
The fourth year isn't there to spread the workload for the earlier 3 years so please don't think you can get away with working less early on because you have this 'back-up year'. Look for an official longer time to do the PhD with the extra year at the end on top (so 6 years plus extra year).

Hi,

It is hard to advise you because the type of telephone conversation will vary depending on the academic.

However, treat it as a formal interview and although they can not see you remember to do thing like smile. This will influence your tone of voice and also can relax you.

Why do you want to do this PhD? Why are you keen? They will want to know this. So think how you can summarize this into a sentence or two in case they ask (and of course on the phone they can't see you reading off any notes you may have prepared).

Do you already have experience directly related to computation and fluid dynamics. Talk about it positively what you have enjoyed.
Have you done other modeling that has taught you problem solving skills? You don't already have to be an expert!

Things that have gone wrong in the past are "challenges you have overcome". Things that have gone well in the past are "things you worked at to make a success".

You probably will get a question you haven't thought of because all interviews are like that: so just be honest and try and keep cheerful.

Hope it goes well for you.

I think this highlights the fact that before you say yes to a PhD post, to get a feel for the working environment and what the supervisor expects. My supervisor expects a big daily commitment - however, that is reflected in my group with a large paper publication record and lots of support within the group. I chose this group because I knew I would be worked hard, I am the sort who otherwise leaves everything til tomorrow.

Some supervisors let people come and go at will - this can mean you don't make the progress you need to in the first year.
Some people work well at home and need a supervisor who will respect that, and would hate to have hours dictated to them.

Talk to current students of any potential supervisors and get an understanding of the support provided and how office dynamics work too. If these things are suited to you, you are more likely to be successful in your PhD at the times things are a struggle.

Hi there,

I get £14000 as the Doctoral Training Centre is funded by the EPSRC.
Applicants are told after interview if they would get one of the 10 allocated places of fees paid and a stipend.

I do not have time to work on top of the PhD because...
...in my department we are expected to spend 10 hours per week day on our work.
we are expected to be in the office or lab for nine hours per week day.

I see my supervisor one to one once per week with a 30 minute time slot.
Group meeting is 1-2 hours per week for more general issues in the whole group and presentations.
I have a post-doc on hand for day to day queries, however my supervisor regularly has pointed out I can see her more if needed at times.

I try and join in time to time with uni out of work things but have a family so this limits me, however, others without partners or children join in loads of things.

Having seen how hard the academics work I am not sure if I want a career progression that is more hours per day than I am doing currently. No idea what I will do post PhD. Lots of opportunity to network, so if I do go post-doc route will have knowledge of other groups and suitable references.

On the whole I enjoy my PhD. The times I don't enjoy it are when things don't work and I wonder what on earth will go in the thesis at the end. I also find the work load a struggle - the last thing I want to do after 10 hours in the lab is an hour or two reading the latest papers at home.

I worked for many years before PhD. Going from a seven hour work day to a ten hour day was not easy. Gradually getting used to it now.

I see no reason why I shouldn't finish on time (or within 3 months of end). My supervisor is already following my work to ensure I will have suitable results to present in the thesis. I am already thinking about my thesis and how I will write up methods used so far, literature review in introduction (very rough drafts) etc. One reason people need extra time is because they leave the writing too late. Writing bits early gives practice and takes away some of the writers block (or having to remember what you did 18 months previous).

My university has changed rules recently, and any code written as part of work for the university belongs to the university.

Get advice from student services. Dependent on university rules he may have total right to your code.
However, as my academic intake year have found, we escaped the new rules and have more right to our own work.

Don't hand over anything until you have got advice on who has right to the work.
Will you make any financial gain from the 'user-friendly application'? That could change things totally in the university's eyes.

Hi Ken,

I did my first degree distance learning and working full time. This was possible.

Now gone full time student for PhD.
I have found the work load is about 4 times that of the degree distance learning (although this was degree over the equivalent of 6 years not 3).
So anticipate to double your study hours for the same progress.

I also waited until my daughter was in secondary school before post grad study. By this point she has her own social life and does not want to spend 'quality' time with me every day. If you have a young family you will miss out on time with them so think carefully about when to do further study. I managed a BSc with a child in primary school but PhD study in the sciences can take longer hours per day because of the lab time (or in your case telescope / computer analysis time).

I am sure part-time lecturing / part-time PhD is manageable but make sure your wife is on board with this because I would expect more of the home responsibilities will fall on her shoulders.
I try and not do too much study at the weekends because this is me-time and family-time - however, for this my weekdays are either study, eating or sleeping. If the whole family will give you peace to work, and you also ensure you make time for them it can be done.

I believe that lab books belong to the university as do any samples.
This may vary with university and how important your work is. They may not want to keep them and let you have them.

Some of my fellow PhDs are industry sponsored and I expect that the company owns the lab book because it contains confidential research. At the end of the PhD they probably get handed over to the company. (Shall have to ask about this one!)

I would think that a student can appeal to the university if they are not getting the materials to do their research that would normally be provided (i.e they would have in the original lab).
However, to access these materials the student may be expected to go between current lab and previous lab if they are a shared resource. The supervisor may feel that there is good reason why material is not in new lab (this may not be a good reason for the student but the student isn't the boss!).
I would imagine it would take a while trying to sort this through official channels and so the problems might best be sorted at supervisor level. The supervisor may believe they have the final say, and there is a possibility the university will back them up if a student complains.

The workload will depend on the supervisor. However, if you wish to go into academia, it is not a bad idea to go for one who will push you hard. If you are doing it for the chance to do a PhD for yourself then just go for what empassions you most.

My university suggests 150 hours per month on the PhD, you can get away with less dependent on subject and your knowledge already of your subject (e.g. if you have a masters very closely related to PhD choice).
My supervisor expects 10 hours per day not including breaks. This is very, very hard to achieve but some in my lab do manage that. (Hopefully supervisor not going to read this (!) but I physically cannot manage that so ensure I do the university 150 hours)

First year: I have had a 3 month review, report)(lit review, aim of PhD work, current progress, targets) and meeting with advisors. I will have another at the end of the year (review of year, targets, review of PhD direction) and meet again with advisors. I am expected to produce a poster and present it at a conference (many departments will have a faculty symposium so you can present your poster if you haven't gone to anything countrywide or international). In the sciences I have found (unless you are industry sponsored) everything you do is geared towards publishing results. Also attend undergrad lectures in areas where my knowledge is lacking to improve my backgound knowledge.
Group meetings: you can expect to present your work to the rest of the group on a regular basis.
Second year: I will have a mini viva at the end. Practice for the big one at end of year 3. Another poster to faculty. Presentation to students in similar department in another university we have links with.
Third year: Will have the big viva at the end but the year will be geared to ensuring I have publishable data as well as a thesis. Another poster at a major conference if not done already. Presentation to faculty as well.

Otherwise PhD will progress dependent on where your research takes you. I have friends doing modelling who are already submitting work to journals v I have managed to prepare my sample ready for use using work the post-doc has done.

Oh yes I know the experience where the brain runs out the door screaming and you are sat in front of a supervisor opening and shutting your mouth like a goldfish.

Every week I have a word document named 'next meeting with X'. I add to this things I think on my progress, questions to ask supervisor X, graphs that show or disprove something, data showing failures (and most importantly a thought why it failed - shows I am thinking). Closer to meeting supervisor this doc gets tarted up into a mini report so she can go away after with a paper record of how I am doing. Then the doc will be renamed with the meeting date saved on my computer. (I also have something - even a mess - to take if I get a surprise summoning!)

Why do this, or any agenda as others suggest?
1. You have thought about it and so are better able to say what you think and are prepared for questions.
2. You get to talk about what YOU want, your supervisor will otherwise only talk about what they think if they don't know what you need.
3. Talking about your topics fills the time and you are in control of more of the meeting = more confidence and less idiot moments.

Once you have got your courses done: hit the library for 'presentation books', 'speaking with confidence' that sort of thing. This is my current bedtime reading as I too have the whole 'I know nothing' thing occuring. It can be overcome and on the bright side, as you have already done the "I am an idiot" thing and haven't been thrown out, the only way from here is up: the world doesn't end if you act a twit but now your supervisors will notice you improve and you can take your time showing your ability.

Going on what Delta has said.
I have a friend having major problems with their supervisor: Make sure you get the relationship you want with your supervisor sorted in the first year.

Hi Lullaby,

I am with a Doctoral Training Centre (sciences) and we are expected to submit at the end of the 3 years or be very close to it (I think we have 3 months grace to organise viva etc).
A years extension in my DTC is not the norm and probably means something went wrong causing the needed extension.
The university I am with recently changed to an automatic allowance of an unfunded 4th year to write up, which must have been due to the numbers of past students needing longer.

Aim for three years - that way you can be in a career targeted post soon after. Otherwise you will have to find an income while you write up which I imagine can be hard juggling part/full time job and writing.

Hi Nevergiveup,

You are not the only one feeling rough about your PhD. I think this is the time the initial excitement has gone and the reality sinks in.

I feel as if I will never know my subject, that I am not making progress and that I am the most obviously dopey of my group.
If a great well paid job showed up tomorrow I would consider it with the way I feel now.

However, I too am fully funded and it pays the mortgage and keeps child clothed!
From what I have read on this forum and other people's experiences elsewhere: feeling rubbish moments are natural.
It feels that everyone else is enthusiastic and motivated but in reality they may not be, but just slogging on making the best of it.

Certainly talk to someone about it. Not just supervisors/academics but several PhD students in their second or third year. They may be able to offer tips how to get through this knowing the dynamics of your own department.

Have you had much in the way of holidays? Make sure you book a few days off every other month and then do something not stay at home - even just a 4 day weekend away will help you feel you still have a life.

She obviously feels you have all the capability required to do well in a PhD, and supervisors like to take on people they know will shine because it reflects well on their department.

However, as it is not a career position move, the only question is "Do you want to do a PhD?".
If your heart is not in it, you won't feel the drive to keep slogging on when it gets difficult.

I am doing a PhD because it has been a dream for 20 years. I am probably not good enough to be an academic and the job market is lousy; I do it knowing I may not improve my career chances but because I love the work.

Where do you want to go in the future? Could you go and do something else and then return to education later on?
You could even take a year out, keep in contact with your supervisor explaining you need a break after the MSc but are still interested, and then go back after you have had enough time to properly consider what you want to do.