PhD studentship/funding - can I work?

wrenlegs

OK. I have decided to go for a full time PhD. Initially, I was just going to a part time PhD since I needed to work. Ive been doing an cursery browse and now realise it would be better for me to get a studentship/funding. I am working at a university and have just started doing some teaching there and really dont want to give this up. Would I be able to work (very part time - av 1 day per week) AND have a studentship/funding for my PhD? Also, would I be eligible for a student bank account? Many thanks for any advice!:beer:

melancholly

if you get a full stipend, you shouldn't need to work and it will also cover your fees. a PhD is definitely something you want to work full-time on to get it completed in time. however, most depts offer teaching work to PhD students and this is important to have as experience on your CV later. a few hours a week is ok - a full day may be a little much after your first year. some offer teaching assistant posts which is half time teaching, half time PhD.

a lot of funded PhDs for a Sept start will already have been advertised with interviews soon - so look around quickly. funding is difficult to get, so be prepared to move to a different uni if needed.

PhD students are still students - so student bank account and council tax exemptions still apply.

scottishblondie

As above but I would add - my funding explicitly forbade me from working outside of the university, or for more than 6 hours a week within the university. So working 1 day at the uni might be ok, but it really depends on the funding body and their conditions.

wrenlegs

And what happens with tax? Is my studentship taxed? Would my teaching hours be taxed too? Is council tax exemption basically that I dont pay any CT or a portion? Will I still be eligible for Tax cerdits? Arrgh! Sorry for all the Qs. Im in a muddle as I have just found out that my work ends in April so I need a long term plan. Been umming and ahhhing about the PhD but financial implications have put me off. Now I think it would be ideal and my uni has already said they want me to apply. So its just the finances to sort. I need money and I barely know where to start to look for a studentship Thanks for all of your advice :beer:

scottishblondie

Ok lets see -

- Studentship is exempt from tax
- Any earnings from working at the uni are taxable
- You are exempt from council tax, so if you are living alone you pay nothing, with a partner they will receive a 25% discount.
- AFAIK you will no longer be eligible for tax credits.

Which area do you want to do a PhD in? This will give a clue as to where to start looking for funding.

wrenlegs

scottishblondie wrote: »

Ok lets see -

- Studentship is exempt from tax
- Any earnings from working at the uni are taxable
- You are exempt from council tax, so if you are living alone you pay nothing, with a partner they will receive a 25% discount.
- AFAIK you will no longer be eligible for tax credits.

Which area do you want to do a PhD in? This will give a clue as to where to start looking for funding.

Its in the field of Education/Psychology (will be an overlap in subject here) Specifically it will deal with teacher attitudes and pupil ethnicity (Ive kept it short to prevent boring you ) I was hoping that because it concerns diversity and ethnicity issues, I would attract funding (that's not the reason Im studying this topic btw, I am interested in it!:o)

I am married so I would get a 25% discount in CTax. And is it ANY earnings from uni or do I still get my tax free allowance? Thank you so much for your help - Im not feeling golden today, have work tomorrow and Wed and then on Thur have my driving test. I kinda cant function properly at the mo but know I have to get my !!!! into gear. Need to write up my research proposal too. Do I need to do that before I apply for funding? - I guess so. Do I need to get a confirmed place at college aswell before I apply for funding?

Pigget

melancholly wrote: »

PhD students are still students - so student bank account and council tax exemptions still apply.

Read the small print about student bank accounts.

I'm a postgraduate student (studying a taught MA) and I was ineligible for a student bank account because I had completed my undergraduate degree more than 3 years before I started my postgraduate degree.

melancholly

Pigget wrote: »

Read the small print about student bank accounts.

I'm a postgraduate student (studying a taught MA) and I was ineligible for a student bank account because I had completed my undergraduate degree more than 3 years before I started my postgraduate degree.

which bank are you with? i just went in and showed a student card and all was good with natwest (for the full 4 years my PhD took!). they just converted my graduate account back to student.

melancholly

you will still get your tax free allowance. if you're in psychology/education, you should look at the ESRC, which will probably mean a 1+3 scheme doing a taught masters first.

the ESRC may already fund a number of studentships in the department you want to go to (http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/guidance/postgraduates/doctoral-training-centres.aspx) and the department will have a competition of potential students for them. you need to speak to your potential supervisor. also look at specified PhDs - it is very rare for someone who isn't self-funding to put together a proposal themselves. good websites are https://www.jobs.ac.uk or https://www.findaphd.com or https://www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk

i can't emphasise enough speaking to the member of staff you want to supervise you. they need to be prepared to take you on as a student and also will have to be involved in the application. it's completely different to an undergrad degree - getting a place will be relatively easy compared to getting funding!

wrenlegs

melancholly wrote: »

you will still get your tax free allowance. if you're in psychology/education, you should look at the ESRC, which will probably mean a 1+3 scheme doing a taught masters first.

the ESRC may already fund a number of studentships in the department you want to go to (http://www.esrc.ac.uk/funding-and-guidance/guidance/postgraduates/doctoral-training-centres.aspx) and the department will have a competition of potential students for them. you need to speak to your potential supervisor. also look at specified PhDs - it is very rare for someone who isn't self-funding to put together a proposal themselves. good websites are www.jobs.ac.uk or www.findaphd.com or www.postgraduatestudentships.co.uk

i can't emphasise enough speaking to the member of staff you want to supervise you. they need to be prepared to take you on as a student and also will have to be involved in the application. it's completely different to an undergrad degree - getting a place will be relatively easy compared to getting funding!

Ooh I see. Ok - well, I have already completed my MSc (part time with a different Uni) so I just need the 3 yrs. So, I get my place first with my supervisor and then apply for the funding with their support. If I cant get funding then Ill have to do it part time. This looks like Im heading for a Jan 2012 start then (I was hoping to start in Sept but reckon Ill be late getting funding at this rate - unless I pull my finger out and get my proposal done pronto. Bah! Im going to have to ring uni next week :cool: I feel a 'to do' list coming my way. Thank you so much for your help xx

GothicStirling

Have you considered writing for academic journals to top you up? It would boost your CV too.