Academic common room
Part time PhD and work
Pluginwall · 14/04/2019 14:15
Is it possible to work full time (term time only) and do a part time PhD? It would be self-funded and related to my job, but of no benefit career wise as I am in my mid 50s. I am passionate about the subject, so it is only for my own interest. I am single and children are now self sufficient, so I only have myself to consider.
historyrocks · 14/04/2019 14:31
It might be possible, although I think that some disciplines would be easier than others. It would certainly be very challenging.
ommmward · 14/04/2019 14:44
The part timers I've known have never worked full time around a PhD. Remember that your supervisor may not want to concentrate supervisions outside term time At All. I wouldn't want to take someone on with that set up.
DuesToTheDirt · 14/04/2019 14:46
I did it but I worked at the uni where I did my PhD.
PhDs are a lot of work though, I wouldn't do one of it wasn't helpful for my career. There are more fun ways to spend your time.
ASheepCalledPeppaPig · 14/04/2019 14:52
I did it. PhD was in same area as my work (research scientist). Was sometimes challenging - you'd look for a paper on PhD area and come up with one on work work etc. In final stages was hard as go home from day job to do more of same in evening... I took 8 years. There was a year or two completely off during that, but also some time of doing it at work. I worked for NERC who paid 80% of my fees. I'm glad I did it though.
Pluginwall · 14/04/2019 14:54
Thanks I will ponder on what to do - I miss studying in a structured way, but it would probably be more sensible to wait til I am retired.
MeltingWax · 14/04/2019 14:58
I did a part-time PhD and worked full-time. My paid job was not related to the doctorate. My children were young. My supervisor was supportive - as was DP.
cordeliavorkosigan · 14/04/2019 15:06
Really depends on your supervisor I think. Will they be willing to have meetings when it works for you? Will they want to take on a student who will take longer, maybe not be able to go to conferences or help with the research group and teaching? In any PhD, a supportive supervisor that you get along with is probably the most important thing .
Is there a taught component to the degree, and when are the classes? Are there seminars you need to attend, and could you?
PhD work is also often very unstructured and individual with little positive feedback (or any feedback or interaction!) so it can be a struggle to find the discipline and make the time.
DuesToTheDirt · 14/04/2019 15:24
In my experience PhDs are it really "studying in a structured way". The topic, the work schedule, the reading, are all very open-ended, and for me this is why it was so tough.
Pluginwall · 14/04/2019 19:30
@Duestothedirt. I think I meant studying/reading for a purpose - an end result; however, I am a bit of a procrastinator . I could do another MA, I suppose.
DuesToTheDirt · 14/04/2019 20:11
I see what you mean, but PhDs are so long it can be hard to keep focused both on what you need to do short term, and on the end goal.
If you go for it, good luck. 
bibliomania · 15/04/2019 09:55
I did it - whether it was a good idea to do it is a whole other question and the jury is still out. It helped that my supervisors were happy to meet using Skype, and my work was flexible enough that I could have those Skype meetings during the working day.
MedSchoolRat · 15/04/2019 20:42
Friend did this... her PhD is in education while she was FT deputy teacher of a primary school. Helps that she didn't have kids or husband to look after. She claims it was mostly done on the train, 45 minutes each way.
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