Hi all,
Today is a black day for me as I was told that I had failed my 1st year viva. They also told me that I cannot qualify for an MPhil as I haven't generated a lot of data.

I am an international student and after investing time + money + effort in PhD, I am being asked to leave with nothing!

I don't understand why my supervisor didn't give me a clue! I am so depressed and shocked. I was wondering if it's possible to ask my super about doing an MPhil for another 2 years to generate enough data to defend an MPhil thesis? Any suggestions will be welcome guys! I need that. Please advise.
Thanks!

Hi,

Sorry to hear about that. Whats your research field and which uni are you at?

I would speak to the Postgraduate Research Tutor in your department, or, if your university has one, speak to someone at the Academic Advisary Service and tell them the whole story. How often did you have meeings with your supervisor? Does your supervisor or internal examiner have any knowledge about the area your researching?

Lots of people have very little or no data at the end of the first year. I had only six graphs but had provided a discussion about previous work and some detailed calculations. When it came to the review I didn't know the answer to all of the questions asked and said "I don't know". I was waved through to the second year, have used an incorrect theory, my supervisor has gone abroad again and I have EPSRC funding, which at the moment I'm treating like glorified jobseekers allowance(which makes a mockery of those who say it is hard to obtain). 8-)

Tell me how it was for you the first year and what did you do and what do you think was expected from you?

I'd agree with Gingersnaps about speaking to a Postgrad Research tutor or someone similar. I think you need more feedback on why you failed your viva, whether it was the project or you. If it was the project that was the problem in not allowing you to generate enough data, then surely they should have picked up on its potential weaknesses at the point of enrolment? Specialist academics should read PhD applications from prospective students before you enrol, in order to decide whether there is enough scope for a research project, whether PhD or MPhil. It's fair enough if the scope for a proposal isn't as great as they'd thought early on in the project, as that's the way research goes sometimes, but I'm surprised they don't even think there would be enough mileage for an MPhil.

If they think the problem is you, then you need to find out exactly why. Is it a lack of research skills, or something that could have been addressed by your university with appropriate guidance, supervision or training? They did take you on to do a PhD, so you must have proved you had enough experience or knowledge to reach a certain level of competence when you applied, otherwise why didn't they reject you at the application stage?

It sounds a horrible situation to be in, so good luck with finding out what the problems are. Maybe there will be a way out of this for you.

Make a lot of noise and start complaining! You are paying an awful lot of money for your education so make sure the university is fulfilling its end of the bargain!