This book is very good: The Unwritten Rules of PhD Research by Marian Petre & Gordon Rugg, Open University Press, 2010

Also this: How to Write a Thesis by Rowena Murray

I'm not sure about cost of living in Prague, but to compare this with UK amounts, average annual salaries in the UK are £25,000 but PhD stipends are only £14,000 (although non-taxable), so it's normal to have stipends much lower than salaries.

You should find out more about the cost of living in Prague, average rent etc and whether the amount you will receive is taxable.

Check out this blog: http://www.postgraduateforum.com/mipel-blog/comments-224704

search for genetics or molecular biology biomedical PhDs on findaphd.com. It will take about 4 years and you should find funded places for EU students.

entertainment business... specifically politics! yes, that sounds plausible!

Well, postgrad students aren't always registered as an MPhil student first, that depends on the university and the department I believe, but it is rather common.

In that case, then if it was me I would definitely want a separate quiet place to study if I had the choice.

I think it depends on the person. If you don't mind moving from room to room to study (eg if you're in the bedroom and the wife wants to go to sleep, you move to the living room and vice versa) then you only need a 2 bed. If you want a permanent place with all your stuff around, then you might need a separate study.

Also depends on the project. If it's lab-based and you have spend time waiting around for things to work, then you will probably do your written work in between this and won't be doing much at home.

I think this depends on the person. I haven't noticed a difference between UK and US email response times. I normally get responses from either country in 1 - 2 days. If they don't reply and I need a response, I send another email or go to their office.

If I did this, my supervisors would go crazy. I can understand that reaction. It's their names on the papers too and therefore their reputations on the line.

Once again, it comes down to better communication. If the supervisors can't communicate properly, then the students should. There really should be no reason things should get so bad that this happens.

Just my opinion; I don't have any advice except that it wasn't the best strategy to take.

I think it's normal. Lots of people on here are struggling to find jobs. It's good that you're getting the interviews - you must be doing something right so keep at it, you'll get there I'm sure!

Yeah in that you are better off just talking to them. If they really want you they will be happy to wait anyway.

I've got no experience with it, but if I was in that situation, I would tell Birmingham I will accept it and then tell them sorry I can't take it if the other one came through. I have done this before when I genuinely changed my mind about accepting a job offer.

Alternatively, you could be honest and explain to Birmingham that you are waiting to hear back from elsewhere and ask if you can tell them the decision in another few weeks.

If you tell them you are expecting a first, how are they going to know whether you will actually get a first? Anyone can expect to get something without realistically be going to get it.

Anyway, it's probably because they want someone with at least a very good 2.1. Like you said, if they like you I doubt it will make much difference if you actually get a 1st in the end.

I didn't realise my supervisors would contact my referees before I had had the PhD interview so I didn't contact them beforehand... I seriously doubt they even got references from them to be honest, because I doubt one of them would even remember who I was. Plus I had changed my name anyway so...