Thanks for the replies, both universities provide fundings, what im scared about is reputation and legal issues

I agree with you, but nevertheless my ambition is to move to new york. Now the question is what is the best thing I can do in order to get some experience in Salford while waiting next september

So.. I have a funded PhD position in Salford, UK which is not bad but not my dream place... Due to some surgery I needed to do, I obtained to start in January.

In the meantime I found the existence of a PhD in NYU and I have already contacted the professors, seems like its perfect place for me really good project and also better city,

However.. It starts in september 2015, no way to make it start earlier, and despite I have already applied, I wont know anything until May.

Now what I thought might be good for me is to join Salford until September, then switch to NYU for a new PhD in case of a positive answer.

I am not sure if this is a good strategy so I have few questions for you guys....

1- Being there only from January till august, would I be able to obtain some certificate out of salford? (e.g. Mphil ?)

2- Would I have to repay the funding given to me up to that point?

3- Would I be implied in administration issues? (e.g. nyu not accepting me as I started a phd elsewhere)

4- Would my reputation suffer in leaving a university for another?

If anyone has been in a similar situation I would like to know your experience,

Thanks,
Andrea