Apply for a PhD to another Uni...

[Transfer studies]

I need your advice, please. I am currently a second-year part-time MPhil/PhD student at a University. Last year I applied to it with my proposal. This proposal has been amended during the 2014-2015 year and now it has been fully approved from the University. So, I have not started my research yet; I am at an initial level of the literature review.. I am self-funded and I have not found any kind of scholarship or bursary yet.. I have searched everywhere.. Actually, when applied at the University last year, there were not any scholarships available then. So, this year I am thinking of applying to the same faculty of another University, with my amended research proposal and apply also to their scholarships in order to be fully funded.. Up to now, I have not so much money to support my studies. What do you think about it? Thank you everyone in advance. Regards

[fuzzylogician]

I think self-funding a PhD is a terrible idea and should not be done. I think it makes a lot of sense to reapply and attend a school that will offer you support. My main concern for you is that this year's application season is basically over, so you would be applying in roughly January 2017 to begin a new program in September 2017, so that's another year and a half you'd be spending in your current program. Once you're that far into the program, it might actually make it a lot more difficult to start over, both in terms of the investment you will have already made in your current program and because I know at least some programs that don't want to take students who are already far along in a PhD program at another school and would rather instead take someone who is untrained but shows potential and work with them. 

[Transfer studies]

Thank you so much for this post, fuzzylogician.

Yes, self-funding a PhD is terrible..

Well, I found some departments to another Universities that accept applications until late April 2016. I think this is good!

Also, you are right that maybe some universities won't take students from other schools..I don't know much about this. But, one of my supervisors agreed to give me a recommendation letter to apply to another university. Last year, I was more untrained and I was not accepted from that school. I do not know if this year I am lucky but the issue that you arise is really important. If the schools take students from other schools.. I don't know. What else do you think?

Thank you in advance for your support..

[fuzzylogician]

I think it's worth a try, especially if you can get your current department's support. I think seeking funding is a completely legitimate reason to reapply, and if you explain it that way, you may get favorable results. Applying while you're already in school might raise a red flag that you're having difficulties adjusting or producing work at your current institution. If you can explain that this is about finances and you get your advisor to back you up on that and confirm that there is no problem academically, you'll be in a good position. You should be able to write a strong SOP, given the time you've spent developing your ideas in your current program, and that should be an important goal. Of course no one can predict anything, but I don't think you have anything to lose by trying.

[Transfer studies]

Thank you so much for the reply. I was anxious about how to arise such an issue to the application

Yes, my supervisor supports me and you are right, it is worth trying. There is no problem academically, it's about finances as you said.

Many thanks again!