In the UK neither an MPhil or a PhD requires any publications in order to pass. Also in the UK it is common practice to be registered for an MPhil immediately and then be transferred/upgraded to PhD registration after 12-18months if the supervisory team is happy with the student's progress.

I don't know anyone who has dropped out and got an MPhil, anyone who was thinking about it was told how much work an MPhil is and they decided to stick it out.

If you are a full-time PhD student then are you able to take 10 weeks away from uni?
Most research councils stipulate that if you are a full-time, fully funded student then you are allowed to do paid work for 6 hours a week. (this will all be in your contract or on the website for your research council) Realistically they probably won't find out and if it's related to your PhD topic then they would probably turn a blind eye anyway.

However... when working at a company doing research you are often required to sign a declaration about intellectual property - ie anything you discover/find out is owned by the company and not by you. This means they may not allow you to use this for your PhD. Of course, I don't know what discipline your PhD is in, I am in science and it may be different for other subjects.

Having a rubbish day, make that week actually. The days seem to keep passing me by and I'm not getting anything done, not really sure what I'm meant to be getting done! 18 months in, no results, no experiments planned for the near future...not really sure how to make this better. All the experiments I propose are too expensive or not convienient...back to the drawing board. Just fancied having a bit of a rant, I feel better now :)

None, my supervisor doesn't seem to read the work I give to him.

I am sceptical of medicines, weird coming from a pharmacologist, but a big believer in the placebo effect so I'm sure it worked wonders for your cold.

I'm a bit sadistic in that I prefer to suffer through a cold, a chesty cough is great in making your supervisor think you will come in to uni even when you're at death's door and as such must be a great hard working student.

I constantly feel like I'm a rubbish PhD student and am too lazy. Seem to have lost all the motivation that was once there. I'm giving up until January when I *will* have renewed enthusiasm and will be ultra-efficient and brilliant academic all round. I'm sure a similar thing will happen to you, it's a rollercoaster.

Yeah, I think it's great, it's not 100% removal but it gets rid of the darkest hairs almost immediately, and it doesn't hurt at all. I went for some electrolysis but it was far too painful.

Yeah, on some hairs near my belly button which appeared randomly. It took 6 sessions, with 6-8 weeks inbetween sessions.

Laser hair removal, pricey but it doesn't hurt, is permanent, and a lot quicker than electrolysis. It works best if you have dark hair and fairish skin.

Sorry, you asked which institution, it's number 9, look it up.

RogueAcademic, number 9 in the world

I know of quite a few relationships with Professors and PhD students. Some of which they were the first supervisor, others where they were just peripherally involved. No one turned a blind eye really, just some interesting gossip. They all got their PhDs, one couple got married had a baby and then the PI had an affair with another student.

Lots of workplaces say you can't have office relationships and yet it happens and everything works out fine. And of course sometimes the shit hits the fan, such is life.

Hey, I'm having problems with my supervisor too. i gave him my first year report to look at two weeks ago and yesterday my feedback session was a joke and it was obvious he hasn't read it and he didn't offer any advice or even say it was ok.

I've come to the conclusion that some supervisors are going to be great and very supportive and helpful, others not so. And if your supervisor isn't so great then you have to make the best of it by "managing" them well and also by being very independent.

In the short-term, make him arrange a meeting where you can get info/material you need. Try not to feel down about it, be active in looking elsewhere for help ie post-docs, other students. It will get better and whats more you will be a very good independent worker and self-motivator at the end of it!

Has anyone had problems with not receiving their stipend on time? I am a CASE student and have not received the portion from my industrial partner yet, although they have given it to the uni. Does anyone know if there is a legal way to resolve this, surely as I have a contract with GSK saying I'm entitled to this money and my uni are witholding it it is wrong somehow? Any advice appreciated as my uni admin is really not up to much!

Sylvester, I do know I have to accept him, sometimes it's hard but I'm sure I'll get there.

Another related question, my supervisor is talking about moving to another university (currently at University College London, talking about moving to Imperial) if this move does occur would I be able to say I want to stay at UCL so maybe get another supervisor that way or would I have to go with him?