Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?
Taking the next step in your studies? Here's where to talk about postgraduate study and courses.
-
- Reputation:
- Thread Starter
- New Member
- Posts: 1
Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?Hi all,
Quick question, hoping someone has the answer.
I am looking for a job having just completed my master in chemistry however like many, I am finding it difficult. I was contemplating doing a PhD however am unsure if it is really what I want to do (3 years is a long time...).
If I were to start doing a PhD and then found a job that I would prefer to do and decided to drop out of my PhD, would I have to return any funding I had received?
Cheers -
- Reputation:
- Benevolent Member
- Location: Essex
- Posts: 815
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?Hmm, that's a difficult one. It all depends who's giving the funding (charity, research body, uni, etc.) and what their rules and regulations might be.
I have a friend who did 4 months of his PhD, but due to personal reasons had to withdraw (in agreement with his supervisor and the head of the school) and he was not required to pay back any of the studentship allowances he received for that period. I think he was quite lucky in that respect, as he only did a few months and their rules didn't "require" repayment. But, I suspect that in most cases you'll be required to repay if you drop out.
I would advise against starting a funded PhD if you not sure that's what you want to do and also if you'll be looking for working in the interim.
Hope this helps. -
- Reputation:
- Benevolent Member
- Location: Essex
- Posts: 815
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?It depends if its a scholarship or a studentship, doesn't it? I always thought a scholarship doesn't have to be repaid, but if you get a 3 or 4 year PhD studentship as funding (and then drop out prematurely), the rules may be different? Not sure though...(Original post by *Corinna*)
I don't know about all scholarships etc but by reading the rules of the one I got from RHUL you don't return anything. -
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
- Posts: 923
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?No you won't. I have never known a sponsor seek the return of money and there is no reason why they should.(Original post by PaulJ)
Hi all,
Quick question, hoping someone has the answer.
I am looking for a job having just completed my master in chemistry however like many, I am finding it difficult. I was contemplating doing a PhD however am unsure if it is really what I want to do (3 years is a long time...).
If I were to start doing a PhD and then found a job that I would prefer to do and decided to drop out of my PhD, would I have to return any funding I had received?
Cheers
However, you do need to examine your motivation for doing a PhD because I am not detecting passion for your subject. It is tough to do a PhD and unless you are committed, you may very well not finish. So be very sure you want to do one, and don't take it on just so you can be Dr PaulJ -
- Reputation:
- TSR Demigod
- Location: Cambridge
- Posts: 5,107
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?what's the difference between a studentship and a scholarship?(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
It depends if its a scholarship or a studentship, doesn't it? I always thought a scholarship doesn't have to be repaid, but if you get a 3 or 4 year PhD studentship as funding (and then drop out prematurely), the rules may be different? Not sure though...
-
- Reputation:
- Section Moderator
- PS Helper
- I care for nobody, no not I
- Location: my room
- Posts: 28,690
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?A friend of mine dropped out after the first year of a PhD that was funded partially by a research council and partially by a private sponsor and didn't have to pay anything back (in fact, she used some of that funding to pay back the CDL for her MSc). I think they reckoned that even though she didn't complete the project, she still produced some results.(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
It depends if its a scholarship or a studentship, doesn't it? I always thought a scholarship doesn't have to be repaid, but if you get a 3 or 4 year PhD studentship as funding (and then drop out prematurely), the rules may be different? Not sure though...
-
- Reputation:
- Benevolent Member
- Location: Essex
- Posts: 815
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?
...I think its essentially the same. Most UK funded PhD's (as advertised on places like findaphd.com), refers to such funding as studentships and not scholarships and uni's like Oxbridge and others offers scholarships.
So, with a studentship you get your tuition fees covered and a monthly stipend allowance as payment for doing your research, which covers the 3-4 yrs and goes up every year (marginally) to account for inflation. There may also be money available for conferences, training, etc. How does a scholarship get "paid" (and what is covered ) to the individual...I'm not sure. Maybe you know more since you've been successful in securing one
Just different words meaning the same thing???Last edited by VENIVIDIVICI; 20-06-2012 at 09:34. -
- Reputation:
- Benevolent Member
- Location: Essex
- Posts: 815
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?Hmm, that's quite interesting. My friend showed me his "contract" he signed with the uni at which he started his PhD, and it stipulates that in the event of dropping out or leaving before completing, he may be liable (in principle) for repayment of the stipend amounts paid to him.(Original post by hobnob)
A friend of mine dropped out after the first year of a PhD that was funded partially by a research council and partially by a private sponsor and didn't have to pay anything back (in fact, she used some of that funding to pay back the CDL for her MSc). I think they reckoned that even though she didn't complete the project, she still produced some results.
I don't think there's a hard and fast rule. Each individual has to be sure they know what the "deal" is with the funding they getting when they sign on the dotted line.
Or could be totally wrong on this, so please, this is just my opinion and experiences.
Last edited by VENIVIDIVICI; 20-06-2012 at 09:31. -
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
- Posts: 923
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?I'm amazed at that! Research students are not employees (hence they don't pay tax) so I don't see how they can have a contract. If your friend is a research assistant registered for a PhD, which is possible, then they will be on payroll and will have a contract of employment, but they would then receive a salary (on which they'd pay tax) and not a stipend. However, an employer doesn't ask for salary back if you leave a job.(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
Hmm, that's quite interesting. My friend showed me his "contract" he signed with the uni at which he started his PhD, and it stipulates that in the event of dropping out or leaving before completing, he may be liable (in principle) for repayment of the stipend amounts paid to him.
I don't think there's a hard and fast rule. Each individual has to be sure they know what the "deal" is with the funding they getting when they sign on the dotted line.
Or could be totally wrong on this, so please, this is just my opinion and experiences.
If it is something unusual, for example industry funding, then I suppose they might insist on it, but I have never seen that condition imposed from a range of industry sources or Govt bodies, and research councils certainly don't require it. -
- Reputation:
- TSR Demigod
- Posts: 5,176
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?It would be extremely rare that anyone would ask for money back if you dropped out. I have never even heard of private sector funders doing this.
People drop out of undergrads all of the time and don't have to pay their grants back - it is pretty much the same thing if you are on Research council funding - a stipend is just like a grant for undergrad living expenses except you get a more liveable on amount. -
- Reputation:
- Junior Member
- Posts: 28
Hello my friend(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
...I think its essentially the same. Most UK funded PhD's (as advertised on places like findaphd.com), refers to such funding as studentships and not scholarships and uni's like Oxbridge and others offers scholarships.
So, with a studentship you get your tuition fees covered and a monthly stipend allowance as payment for doing your research, which covers the 3-4 yrs and goes up every year (marginally) to account for inflation. There may also be money available for conferences, training, etc. How does a scholarship get "paid" (and what is covered ) to the individual...I'm not sure. Maybe you know more since you've been successful in securing one
Just different words meaning the same thing???
Can i asked you something? I am gonna apply for a phd the year after and it would be very helpful if i have a scholarship! Basically i want to ask about the process of apply for fund! Do i have to choose only the funded programs from findphd.com or choose my favorites unis and phd and then apply for these programs and after see if there is any fund? I don't know is really hard! Thanx
This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App -
- Reputation:
- Section Moderator
- PS Helper
- Bluestocking Mod
- Location: The Isle of Ely
- Posts: 45,157
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?OP: I would advise against this strategy. Whether or not you were required to pay back the studentship, it would look much worse on your CV to have started a PhD and dropped out than to not have begun one at all. That would not exactly inspire confidence about your commitment and stamina to future employers. True, in theory you'd be moving to a job straight away. But it might affect future applications.
I have a contract(Original post by Cora Lindsay)
I'm amazed at that! Research students are not employees (hence they don't pay tax) so I don't see how they can have a contract. If your friend is a research assistant registered for a PhD, which is possible, then they will be on payroll and will have a contract of employment, but they would then receive a salary (on which they'd pay tax) and not a stipend. However, an employer doesn't ask for salary back if you leave a job.
If it is something unusual, for example industry funding, then I suppose they might insist on it, but I have never seen that condition imposed from a range of industry sources or Govt bodies, and research councils certainly don't require it.
-
- Reputation:
- Section Moderator
- PS Helper
- I care for nobody, no not I
- Location: my room
- Posts: 28,690
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?But it wouldn't show up on the CV as an unfinished PhD, would it? It would most likely show up as an MPhil (provided the OP writes a short thesis on whatever research he has done up to that point). Obviously that's less than a PhD, but it isn't necessarily going to lead everybody who sees the CV conclude that he's a quitter.(Original post by Craghyrax)
OP: I would advise against this strategy. Whether or not you were required to pay back the studentship, it would look much worse on your CV to have started a PhD and dropped out than to not have begun one at all. That would not exactly inspire confidence about your commitment and stamina to future employers. True, in theory you'd be moving to a job straight away. But it might affect future applications.
(I agree that it's a bad idea to start a PhD that you don't intend to finish, though). -
- Reputation:
- Exalted and Worshipped Member
- Posts: 1,174
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?I would say a contract is a contract. As long as there don't are unlawful because of their content, you can make contracts with other persons. Hence I see no reason, why a PHD student can't have a contract, unless it would violate the current law.
-
- Reputation:
- Benevolent Member
- Location: Cambridge
- Posts: 722
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?This is why you don't mention your failures on a CV. You took a year-long trip around the world instead or fake some employment at a now bankrupt company.(Original post by Craghyrax)
I would advise against this strategy. Whether or not you were required to pay back the studentship, it would look much worse on your CV to have started a PhD and dropped out than to not have begun one at all. -
- Reputation:
- TSR Idol
- Location: London
- Posts: 8,087
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?I know it shouldn't be the case, but I know several professors and PIs who claim that they'd be hesitant to employ someone with an MPhil because they think it is (and I quote) 'basically a failed attempt at a PhD'. :/(Original post by hobnob)
But it wouldn't show up on the CV as an unfinished PhD, would it? It would most likely show up as an MPhil (provided the OP writes a short thesis on whatever research he has done up to that point). Obviously that's less than a PhD, but it isn't necessarily going to lead everybody who sees the CV conclude that he's a quitter.
(I agree that it's a bad idea to start a PhD that you don't intend to finish, though). -
- Reputation:
- PS Helper
- TSR Legend
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?Of course in academia - but in most cases in academia you need a PhD so it's a bit of a moot point. I doubt most employers outside of academia would think of an MPhil in quite the same terms, though.(Original post by Revd. Mike)
I know it shouldn't be the case, but I know several professors and PIs who claim that they'd be hesitant to employ someone with an MPhil because they think it is (and I quote) 'basically a failed attempt at a PhD'. :/ -
- Reputation:
- TSR Demigod
- Posts: 6,400
Re: Do you have to return PhD funding if you dropout?Yup; exactly.(Original post by VENIVIDIVICI)
Hmm, that's quite interesting. My friend showed me his "contract" he signed with the uni at which he started his PhD, and it stipulates that in the event of dropping out or leaving before completing, he may be liable (in principle) for repayment of the stipend amounts paid to him.
I don't think there's a hard and fast rule. Each individual has to be sure they know what the "deal" is with the funding they getting when they sign on the dotted line.
Or could be totally wrong on this, so please, this is just my opinion and experiences.
And for your 2nd paragraph, sometimes these potential supervisors tend to 'trick' these prospective PhD students with money or flying them to foreign places to entice them to do research with them but failing to specify that a contract will be bonded on the students and if they fail the PhD or dropped out... well, you know the drill.
Academics can be cunning ass really :/
