Hello..

I've started my PhD (econ) a year ago and decided that it's not for me. Since academia is not my thing (wanting to work in Management and the public sector), I am now considering opting for an MPhil which in my case requires one extra year worth of hard work. The tricky thing is, I am not even 100% sure the use and point of spending another year to attain an MPhil, other than 'not to feel like a failure' (that is , providing that I will successfully complete my MPhil studies at the end of the year), and the fact that having an MPhil may open up more career opportunities - which is still uncertain as I'm craving regular contacts with people and I'm not too keen on applying to research based jobs.

Any advice will be appreciated - at the moment, I would prefer finish up whatever I've started but the idea of spending another year on something i'm not sure of is daunting..somebody convince me!

Currently studying in the UK as a research student and feel that I have been treated unfairly by the school - am under pressure now from them to terminate my studies, which I'm not prepared to do as I've done nothing wrong. After my first year, I took a year out. Then upon my returning last November, I was advised by the school to 're-apply' to a different department and start with a new supervision team. It doesn't take a genius to know what that means!

Long story short, the real reason is my supervisor who just isn't willing to supervise me anymore. There hasn't been any row but things just don't flow between me and him for some reason. Now of course they can't force me to leave, so they are coming up with excuses that are easily solvable. (eg. ' there is no successful prospect to completing a PhD', although I had later said that I would be happy to settle for an MPhil.) With the money and time I've invested (self-financed), I am not prepared to walk away that easily. What other options do I have as I want take this issue further externally, when necessary? All advice appreciated.