Say my supervisor moves to a new University and is keen to take me with him, how easy is this in practice? I'm about to start final year in Oct, and move might not take place until Dec/Jan.
I have worked closely with and published with this supervisor whilst second sup has been away for about half the process. no-one else in my department is capable of supervising my work (dealing with some quite complex theory no-one in dept is familiar with, there aren't many research active staff in my area in the department and of those that are none have supervised a PhD before). I worry that I would lose contact with my sup and I might lose my way at a crucial moment (I'm still analysing data and will be beginning to write up after Xmas). Furthermore, since the new institution is better all round (think 40 places higher in league tables, Russell Group, more research active) I am also aware that from a practical perspective a PhD from this institution would improve my career prospects. I have published and won awards for my research, and feel I would be reasonably attractive PhD candidate for new Uni, and my sup is keen to continue supervising me and ideally take me with him. However my funding is a 3 year bursary from from my current institution. I am required in T&Cs of bursary to give 1 months notice if I plan to withdraw, but there is no mention of transferring to another Uni. I can imagine they wouldn't be happy since they've funded me for 2 years, but can they do anything? Destination Uni accepts transfers with supervisors, requires students to be at institution for at least a year before submitting thesis (may involve submitting 2-3 months later than intended) but makes no mention of funding for students transferring in. Funding-wise I could get by with a lower bursary, (maybe even no bursary at a stretch, if I thought it was worth it) for a year so long as the fees are waived. My current outgoings are only £250/month and I do have some savings from the last couple of years of my PhD & from teaching. But obviously things would be much, much easier with funding. Is it common or even possible to transfer at a later stage in PhD? How would funding work? Could my sup ask them to fund me for my final year as a condition of him moving? Or at least waive fees? If so would my PhD be from the new Uni or old one?
P.S. Both are UK Universities