PhD Part Time? Doable while working 28hr week?

[toddlertoenail]

As per thread title. Would it be doable to undertake a PhD while working a 28hr week, looking after a toddler and not being totally burnt out? A really interesting topic has come up and I’m keen to pursue the opportunity however I don’t want to fail miserably!! Wise MN share your hints / tips / advice and thoughts!

Is it funded? If so, the funder will have restrictions on how many hours a week you can work.

How about a masters ? Most PhDs take 3-4 years full time so part time night take a long time . It took me a lot longer than 4 years but I was getting 'paid' and it was science research so had to get a certain number of papers published in academic journals which took time.
Are the university willing to accept/fund you doing it part-time? If it's not fast moving field & things won't have changed between the start and end of your PhD maybe consider it.
Finding a supportive supervisor is important.....
And it does get quite intense in the final write up stage...

This.

It’s funded and offered as FT or PT. I already work in the field in a client facing role

With a toddler I’d say no. I did a post grad diploma level 7 (masters level without the final dissertation - due to funding) and that was tough but I had teenagers and an absolutely amazing dh. I felt a lot of guilt missing weekend time with them; with a toddler I think that guilt would have been far worse. But doing a PhD is amazing (I’d love to and won’t rule it out - might be 70 by the time I do it). Only you know if it can work for you.

My friend’s daughter has just completed a PhD whilst working full time with a daughter of 18 months. She also moved house.

@TeenLifeMum I’ve got a pg dip too so would be doing the MSc leading onto PhD it’s the juggle and mum guilt thats not making me jump on it with 2 feet. If I was to do it I would be late 40’s by the time I achieve it so still meeting a personal goal of having undertaken a PhD by the time I’m 50 💖

@Parrlorwarriorhow did she find it? My fear is starting it and crashing out 🥴

You're ideally supposed to submit within 7 years for part time. And realistically, most put in more than part time hours, and sometimes it's harder to keep motivated. I think working 28 hours would be too much as well, but if you could trim that back a bit it might work, you'd need to be open with a potential supervisor. But good luck.

It is possible for some people. Are you a fairly efficient reader and writer? Are you good at organizing your time? Most PhD students do at least some part time work anyway. I think you should take the opportunity if at all possible.

In that case, I’d complete the msc then go from there. I’m sad in a way I can’t complete my msc but I changed management and new boss was angry I was doing the pgdip so I know there’s no chance she’d agree to msc (I’m basically more qualified on paper than her - but she has more senior experience so ridiculous of her to hold my development back imo).