Hi,

thank you very much for your reply.
Your example of what is critical gives me a better understanding of what is needed.
Such a simple answer...it is pity that my supervisors didn't see that problem.
I am very motivated to get a PhD, because MPhil is not recognizable award in the most of the continental Europe, am I right?
The other issue is that my background is in science (I have MSc), and I am doing PhD in Arts now, which is completely different approach to research. I took me a few years to understand a difference, and my old DoS take it for granted that I won't be able to write critically....can I do this?
Regards,
Carl

Hi,

I am a PhD student and I also have a sole-trader where I pay NI contributions.
I know that I need 30 years to get the basic pension, but what happens if I pay for 5 years only.
Will I get 1/6 of the basic pension from the UK in the future, when I move to my country of origin?
How it works?
Carl

Hi Mackem and Dafydd,

Thank you very much for your help.
I really appreciate it.
I have already the university that I don't want to risk another unsuccessful examination.
I am not keen to work with a person who awarded PhD a few weeks ago.
I know that this person might be better than my previous DoS (without PhD and also knowledge and practice in my research), but I am still not sure why the university has chosen this person as DoS, not 2nd supervisor.

However, Mackem you might be right that they know what critical thinking mean and they will help me to do this.
My new supervisors are from different disciplines (architecture and critical theory). My subject is interactive cinema/films.

What do you think about such a combination of different disciplines?

What is more, my examination had a presentation of a practical part and as far I know, the examiners were happy with the presentation.
Do I have to do this presentation again for the new viva for the same examiners? I have to say that it is very unlikely that I can do this, because of huge costs involved.

I need to work on my thesis: add critical evaluation, write proper literature review....and other issues that were mentioned by Mackem.

Coming back to my viva, one examiner was happy with the thesis (minor correction) and the other (very unhappy with my writing - not possible to pass), and they decided to offer me MPhil only. There was no chair during the examination. Is that correct? I agree with examiners feedback, but it is pity that I learn about it from them, not from supervisors.

I am waiting for your comments.
Carl

I am an international student who used to study in England and in Wales. I am writing to ask about the unclean library at my current university in Wales. All computers have not been cleaned since the purchase. Keyboards are very dirty. Students are allowed to consume food in front of the computers. Desks are not cleaned too. Only rubbish is taken away regularly. Do you have similar experience with your libraries at universities?

Are there any financial cuts in Wales that prevents from cleaning libraries and also other places for postgraduate students? I used to study at university libraries in England, and every desk, every window was polished twice a day.

Do you have the same feelings?
CC

Hi Dafydd,

I have a one page feedback from the examiners where they only mention the lack of cricital part in my thesis. This is not a detailed list of mistakes to correct, only a general list of possible corrections (1 page).
Should I meet DoS, knowing that he is not experienced well? I don't want to risk another year. I will have another viva after the submission of a revised thesis.

Should I agree to the supervisory team appointed by the university? As I mentioned before, a new DoS was awarded his PhD a few weeks before and has no experience in working with PhD students.

What do you recommend?

Carl

Hi,

I requested the change of supervisors at my university after the unsuccessful examination.
I have 3 peer-reviewed publications and 3 conference papers (Hong Kong, Montreal) and a number of awards (Best Student Paper Award, Postgraduate Student of the Year, etc.).
I had my viva in Sept 2010 and I was offered MPhil after the viva, because of the lack of critical evaluation of my projects.
The 1st supervisor was asked just after my examination whether I have a chance to submit revised thesis within a year and he explained examiners that this is not possible. He hasn't informed me about ANY problems during 3 years period of my PhD studies. DoS does not have PhD award and I was his first PhD student. I am not sure whether the second supervisor was in a supervision team in the past (however 2nd supervisor has a PhD award).

I appealed against the procedure of the examination and after 4 months, the university informed me that I have one year to submit a revised thesis (Jan 2012). I then requested the change of both supervisors.

Last week, they notified me about new team. The university choice was a DoS (that was awarded PhD a few weeks earlier) and 2nd supervisor (Professor). They are both from completely different discipline than mine. I cannot accept the DoS without previous successful complettions. I am still waiting for the university's reply to my e-mails.

What are my rights now?

I have 9 months left for resubmitting of my PhD thesis and I need very good supervisors for my difficult case.

What will you do in my case now?
Please help.
Carl