The equipment issues will affect me and one other person most, so maybe they'll do something about it for us. In the meantime, we got notified about a studentship award that I'm eligible for which would give me a little extra cash that I can save to prepare for potential funding loss, and I'll save as much as possible myself. We have lab demonstrating opportunities and tutoring and things I can do as well, but competition is hot for them.

Thanks for the advice everyone, I needed some reassurance that this isn't the end of the world!

Our main issue is that we've had equipment issues that have put a halt to experiments - I started my PhD in September of last year but it was February before I was able to do any experimental work. We're getting new equipment in the next few months to replace the old temperamental stuff but the damage is already done in that regard. So while we had planned out what I was to be doing in the PhD, the issue is I wasn't able to do it right away.

My program is four years but the first year is like a taught Masters, so I only get three years to complete the entire PhD - it's a Centre for Doctoral Training if you've heard of those, we're the first year of this particular program so we've had to deal with a lot of growing pains, so I'm not surprised this is an issue as well.

I am going to try and save more to offset some of the problem, but as I'm sure you know saving a lot while on a PhD salary is not the easiest thing in the world...

My supervisor is the director of research for the department and has advised the board of directors of my program that it is likely all of us will overrun, as it's very common on three year PhD's - in fact, other students of his who are funded by the same body (EPSRC) get 3.5 years of funding for the PhD, and while we get 4 technically only 3 of that is for the PhD itself, including write-up.

So I'm a year in to my PhD in materials science in the UK, but through various equipment problems I was only really able to start my experiments five months in to the first year. Consequently, my supervisor has told me that he expects me to overrun on the PhD (I have another two years worth of funding), by as much as six months! Obviously I will do everything I can to work my ass off and cut that time down, but I am very worried about what will happen if I still overrun - like everyone else I have bills to pay, and while he assures me my fees would still be paid I wouldn't have a salary for the extra time!

Has anyone else been in a similar position? I know it's common to overrun for thesis writing, but I have heard of many people getting thesis-only funding - my issue is that it's possible I will need extra lab time as well, plus living expenses for however long the whole process takes.

Any advice to put my mind at ease would be greatly appreciated!