I've decided to leave the PhD that I'm currently doing due to a lack of support and experience on my isolated project.

I really want to do a PhD and have been applying for studentships but have only had one interview so far. I don't know if the fact that I have decided not to continue with my current PhD is reflecting badly on me or if it's because I have a 2ii and an MSc. Surely the 15 months experience of postgraduate research is an advantage.

I'm grateful for any advice.

Helen,i too experienced isolation when i did my MSc in Biopharmacy project at Kings College London and although i passed the MSc i decided not to pursue furthur with a PhD for this reason.I felt nobody was interested in what i was doing and there was no way that i could face another 3 years if isolation!!

Helen, you are not alone. Some so-called supervisors haven't got a clue about up-to-date research. How they get the funding in the first place is open to question, especially as there are others who could do so much more with it. Have you considered getting legal advice? Lack of support (for 15 months!) and experience are problems that the department/university should have dealt with at an early stage. Sounds like some form of professional negligence.

Helen, while doing my Masters at Imperial College (I had a 2i but no-one wanted to know when I applied for PhDs then) I had next to no advice about getting a PhD. I've now been looking for 2 years on my own steam and still haven't found anything but apparetly it's my fault! My advice, don't give up.

I remember then rector of imperial intorduced in three lines the meaning of a PhD in year 1981.First year the supervisor giudes you.Second year you are equal to the supervisor in knowledge in that field.Third year you teach a thing or two to the supervisor.Now you get your phd.

Yeah, if the supervisor doesn't 'guide you' in the 1st yr your stuffed, is what you're saying VJ!

Hi Helen

When I graduate many years ago, I got a 2ii. My then supervisor suggested me to get a job if I could not afford a MSc. Then I was working in a clinical laboratory for eight years. I earned enough money and experience to carry on a PhD. Although it was not easy because of my age, I am doing my final year now at the age of 37.