Throughout the long process of doing a PhD, especially if you are a part time student, it is impossible to avoid problems completely. Although universities are tightening their rules about terms of candidature, most universities are realistic about the need for extensions. However, you need reasonable grounds on which to ask for an extension and often you will need to provide some evidence, for example, medical evidence, or the background of having alerted your supervisor or others to the problems when they arose. You may also be asked to commit yourself to an absolute completion date. If this is not feasible, you could explore the option of whether your institution would allow a deferment in your candidature. Remember that the university's rules and the sponsor's rules are not the same. If you hold a scholarship you would also have to look at the conditions and see whether they allow for an extension. In any case, you need to consider the financial implications of any extension.

	I've spent months trying to get my experiments to work or to get the data I need but time is running out. What can I do?
	Formal procedures.
	Consortium Universities Assistance.