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2nd supervisor

Hi,
I have been rejected again (long story) from my chosen PhD due to "lack of supervisory capacity within the department".
But I have a 1st supervisor who told me he will be available either this year or next - I'm willing to wait years if I have to - and he is interested in supervising my research.
We were looking for a 2nd Supervisor but now the uni has emailed the same regection for the same reason again. But I was talking to a friend about this who said second supervisors can come from a different university- does any one know about this or what it's called? I want to reply with firm evidence that they cannot regect me on that basis if I find someone from another uni whose willing to be my 2nd supervisor...rather than just staying friend told me lol
I would be really greatfull for any help/advice.
I really feel like my dream is slipping away...

Hi, sorry about the delay. Yes you can have supervisors from other universities. At my uni, you have to have 2 internal supervisors and no more than 5 with no other limits on external supervisors. I know someone who has 2 external supervisors (5 total) as part of a large collaboration with another uni. Though your second supervisor does not need to be an expert in your exact topic but could be in the same field or even just help you with a specific methodology.

Hey, thanks for the reply. They do not have another internal supervisor so I guess that's my seven year plan down the drain. I found the word I was looking for "cotutelle" but I don't hold out much hope for that either. I really have no plan B. The idea of having to rewrite my proposal to suit several other courses and professors fills me with dread (I'm an art student looking to do a practice-based PhD words are not my forte).

You don't need to rewrite your proposal to fit a new supervisor. Just find a supervisor who is somewhat interested in your work and ask them to be a supervisor. The second supervisor could be a supervisor in name only, so that you can fill the requirements.

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