Thank you both for those helpful replies. I thought I'd try to get by on only part-time work, and only work more if I'm struggling to make ends meet. Do you/did find it difficult finding the motivation and coping with the constant switch between 'work' and 'study work'? I suppose it depends on how demanding the job is. I just worry that on days off from the job I'll be tempted to treat them as days for lying in and watching tv! Perhaps this is something that requires routine to make work. It surprises me that you didn't feel that you were playing catch up to people doing their PhDs full time, and that reassures me. I feel that keeping a 'regular' job might help to maintain some sense of normality through this too - even if just via enforced regular social contact! (I don't think a hamster counts as social contact, much as Cheeks would like to think so).

Hello! I have followed this post with interest for a good year or so as I've geared up to do my own PhD. I can't manage to secure funding since my thesis is interpretational and theoretical and so not very 'sexy'. So I'm starting Part Time as of September, and would really just like any and all thoughts on the advantages and disadvantages of this mode of study. I'd never wanted to go part-time (hence why I'm only now accepting this as the only route) mostly because of the length of time it would take. But if I can go into this with as realistic expectations as possible, it will probably really help me in taking this leap. Thanks!