Bench fees and Stipend

First off, congrats!

I have an offer to do a PhD at Barts and the London starting in September 2011 so we're in the same boat!

My letter clearly said that the stipend would be a minimum of 15590. The minimum stipend rates are set by the research councils every year and all funding in the UK has to at least meet that minimum rate. Stipends rates do go up every year, usually by 300 pounds but I'm not sure of that figure. The stipend rates for 2011/2012 have not been set yet.

As far as bench fees are concerned, since my letter at least does not mention it, I'm assuming it will be covered by the studentship. Bench fees basically cover the costs of getting you a computer and a desk, maybe some software and it's quite likely that all that's already set up and there are no bench fees.

Reply 3

OP

Thanks guys, sometimes I just need some reassurance.

And congrats to you Alleycat. What are you going to be researching? (I am a bit nosey).

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Original post by Bevanarama

Thanks guys, sometimes I just need some reassurance.

And congrats to you Alleycat. What are you going to be researching? (I am a bit nosey).

I'm going to be doing clinical research in lung epithelial cells-molecular and cellular biology with some immunology. You? Do you already live in London or are you also gonna be looking for accommodation for when you move there?

Reply 5

OP

Original post by alleycat393

I'm going to be doing clinical research in lung epithelial cells-molecular and cellular biology with some immunology. You? Do you already live in London or are you also gonna be looking for accommodation for when you move there?

I am going to be looking at "The functional role of pre-synaptic calcium channels in the entorhinal cortex during epileptogenesis", so neuropharmacology.

No I don't live in London at the moment, will be looking for a place over the summer. You?

Reply 6

Original post by Bevanarama

I am going to be looking at "The functional role of pre-synaptic calcium channels in the entorhinal cortex during epileptogenesis", so neuropharmacology.

No I don't live in London at the moment, will be looking for a place over the summer. You?

I'm in York at the moment coz that's where I'm doing my undergrad. I'm going home to India over the summer so trying to see if I can sort something out either before I leave or when I come back in September. A bit nerve racking really. I'm assuming you're planning to live in private accommodation?

Reply 7

OP

Yeah most probably. I was looking at living in Walthamstow (its cheap) and commuting in by bike everyday (14mile round trip).

I've been lucky that a few of my friends are moving to London at about the same time, so could possibly live with them.

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Original post by Bevanarama

Yeah most probably. I was looking at living in Walthamstow (its cheap) and commuting in by bike everyday (14mile round trip).

I've been lucky that a few of my friends are moving to London at about the same time, so could possibly live with them.

Yeah that is lucky...I know a lot of people who already live in London but no one who's moving there in September....I hope something works out soon...am so used to having things sorted out well in advance and really don't like this 'you have to wait till at least June/July or even later to sort out accommodation in London'!

Reply 9

OP

I normally get accommodation and things sorted out quite early, but this year I am so much more chilled out about sorting it out than in previous years (I attribute it to having a very stressful last few months and every stressor feels like nothing in comparison, now that I have my dream PhD).

Will probably leave it until August / Early September to sort it out

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