what is the purpose of a phd degree

What to Expect When Pursuing a Doctorate: A Comprehensive Guide

Doctoral students participating in a hackathon

By Alexa Kaminski, Ph.D. Student in Sustainability

Completing a Ph.D. is a challenging and rewarding experience unlike any other degree or job that you will embark on. It is important to understand what to expect after you decide that a Ph.D. is right for you.

A Long-Term Commitment: Pursuing a Doctorate is a long-term commitment that requires perseverance. You should have a clear understanding of your motivations and goals upon embarking on the journey, even though they may change throughout the process. Expect to invest several years of focused effort, throughout which you will experience both celebratory moments and challenges that will test your resolve. Typically RIT students complete their degree in 4-5 years.

Importance of the Right Project: Choosing the right project is crucial. Some projects have well-defined, long-term goals that provide the student a clear picture of what they will be working on for the next few years. However, other projects may be earlier in development or have more broad goals that can be met in a variety of ways. Each situation has its own benefits and drawbacks, so you should discuss your personal goals with your advisor early on to ensure it’s a good fit.

Importance of the Right Supervisor: Your supervisor or advisor is one of the most influential people in your doctorate journey. It’s important to develop a strong working relationship and a style of communication that works well for both of you. They will provide the support and guidance you will need throughout your time here.

Structured Yet Independent Work Environment: Doing a Ph.D. resembles a full-time job in terms of commitment and responsibility. Depending on your project and relationship with your advisor and collaborators, you will likely have a flexible schedule and long-term deadlines that you must maintain adequate progress towards. You’ll need to manage your schedule, set your deadlines, and maintain a disciplined approach to your work with minimal oversight.

Necessity of Organization: Being organized is essential. Expect to juggle multiple tasks, including experiments, writing, and meetings. Regularly setting goals and prioritizing tasks will be critical in managing your workload effectively.

Adaptability and Resilience: Doing a Ph.D. is a learning experience, and setbacks are part of the process. Expect experiments to fail, papers to be revised, and plans to change. Flexibility and resilience will be crucial in overcoming obstacles and finding alternative approaches when things don’t go as expected.

Practical Challenges: Expect practical challenges, such as managing and backing up large amounts of data, scheduling meetings, and seeking help when needed. These day-to-day tasks are integral to your Doctorate journey and require consistent attention.

Building a Professional Network: Expect to interact with a diverse group of people, including technicians, fellow doctorate students, postdocs, and established researchers. RIT’s Doctoral Student Association (DSA) is a great resource to meet other Ph.D. students and learn from others going through the same experience. There will also be opportunities to interact with alumni and other professionals at presentations, job talks, and the career fair. Networking will be a significant part of your doctorate experience, offering opportunities for collaboration, support, and career advancement.

Exploring Career Paths: A doctorate opens various career opportunities that are not limited to academic positions. Many students go on to work in industry roles, science communication, or entrepreneurship. Developing an idea of your ideal career path early in your Ph.D. journey is important, so that you have time to prioritize developing the skills that will be most helpful for the career you want. Utilizing your professional network or alumni from your department can help you learn about different career options.

Balancing Work and Life: Maintaining a work-life balance will be essential. You will experience differing waves of workloads as your projects progress, and it’s important to make time for yourself even during busy periods. Rochester has much to offer in terms of events, parks, restaurants, shops, and social groups. Make time to engage with peers and focus on social activities, hobbies, and relaxation. RIT’s DSA and Women in Graduate School (WIGS) organizations both put on professional and social events throughout the year that can help you take a break from your work. Maintaining a social group will help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, stay motivated, and avoid burnout.

Personal and Professional Growth: Despite the challenges, expect significant personal and professional growth. By the end of your doctorate, you will have developed expertise in your field, gained valuable skills, and achieved a sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a demanding and rewarding journey.

Pursuing a Ph.D. is a demanding yet fulfilling endeavor. By understanding what to expect and preparing for the journey ahead, you can navigate the challenges successfully and make the most of your experience.

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Doctorate Degree: What Is a Doctoral Degree?

Doctor having a conversation about what Is a Doctorate or Doctoral Degree

Maybe you recently completed a master’s degree program and want to take your education — and your earning potential — to a higher level. Maybe you’re a high school senior who’s planning on a future career that requires you to hold a doctorate degree, such as becoming a psychiatrist or surgeon. Or, maybe you’re currently working toward your master’s or bachelor’s degree, and you want to know more about whether continuing your education is worthwhile.

Whichever stage you’ve reached in your academic or professional career, this guide will help answer the crucial question: What is a doctorate or doctoral degree, and is earning one the right choice for you? It covers all of your FAQs about doctorate degree programs, including answers to questions like:

Is a doctorate degree the same as a PhD?
What are the different types of doctoral programs?
What are the stages of earning your doctoral degree?
How much does a doctorate degree increase your earning potential?

If you’ve ever wondered about the answers to any of these questions, read on to discover the basics about doctoral degrees and PhD programs.

What is a Doctorate Degree?

A doctorate degree — also called a doctoral degree — is the most rigorous and advanced type of degree that a student can earn in any field of study. Regardless of which academic area is being studied, successful completion of a doctorate program demands years of intensive research — and the ability to contribute meaningful new data, solutions, theories, or analyses to the field. Professionals who obtain doctorate degrees have extensive experience and are regarded as authorities in their specialty areas. They are frequently sought after for consulting, management, or research positions in a variety of industries. By earning a doctorate degree, you can greatly enhance the power of your resume — and with it, your earning potential.

For more details on that subject, skip ahead to the section about average salaries for students who obtain doctorate degrees. Or, continue reading for the answer to one of our most frequently asked questions: is a doctorate degree the same as a PhD?

Doctorate vs. PhD Degrees

What’s the difference between a doctoral degree and a PhD? Put simply, a PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is a doctorate degree — but only one of several varieties. Read on to learn more about the major categories of doctoral degrees and some important ways in which they differ from one another.

Types of Doctoral Degrees

You already know that there are different types of graduate and undergraduate degrees, such as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) versus a Bachelor of Science (BS), or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) versus a Master of Public Administration (MPA). A similar idea applies to doctoral degrees, which are also divided into several categories. Namely, there are two different types of doctorate degrees that students should be aware of:

Applied Practitioner-Based Doctoral Programs

Theoretically based doctoral programs.

The sections below will compare and contrast the important differences between these two-degree types.

Applied practitioner-based doctoral programs are also referred to as terminal or applied doctoral degrees. In contrast to PhD degrees, which the following section discusses in further detail, applied practitioner-based degrees place more of an emphasis on real-world problem-solving and the practical application of knowledge, as opposed to exploring new advancements or ideas in research and analysis.

These degrees are essential for those who wish to pursue certain career paths. For example, in addition to meeting other academic and professional criteria like passing the bar exam, you will need to obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) degree if your goal is to become an attorney. In addition to the JD for lawyers, here are four additional examples of professional or applied doctorate degrees:

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
Doctor of Education (EDD)

This category includes the Doctor of Philosophy, also known as a PhD degree, which is applicable to various fields, such as holding a PhD in economics or psychology. However, it also includes various degrees whose titles and abbreviations may sound less familiar. For instance, did you know that a Doctor of Arts is actually a type of PhD, despite being called a DA? Here are four other examples of PhD degrees:

Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration (PhD-BA)
Doctor in Organizational Innovation (EdD)
Doctor of Theology (ThD)
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (PhD-PSY)

In contrast to a professional degree, such as a JD or EDD degree, a PhD is intensely research-oriented with a strong focus on presenting new knowledge or theories via the student’s dissertation. This is also the reason why PhD programs which have nothing to do with “philosophy” in the conventional sense are described using this term.

woman studying on her computer to to obtain a doctorate

Steps To Obtain a Doctorate

Depending on factors like the format and pace of the program, it may require anywhere from three to eight years to obtain a doctorate degree, depending on your program and commitment to your dissertation, as the section below discusses in further detail. So, what will you be doing as a student throughout that time?

To make your academic journey manageable and help ensure you remain focused on your goals, it’s important to have a clear road map to success. When comparing programs, it’s helpful to have an understanding of the four basic stages to earning your doctorate degree:

Complete undergraduate and graduate degree programs to gain the prerequisite knowledge, training, skills, and qualifications you will need to enter your chosen doctoral program.
Research and compare different options in detail, then apply to a doctorate program that’s aligned with your professional goals.
Complete all of your coursework requirements.
Complete an original dissertation on your chosen topic of research.

Read on to learn more about these key steps to earning a doctorate degree — and what will be required of you at each checkpoint. Or, if you’re ready to apply now, get in touch with our friendly team of enrollment counselors to learn more about the coursework and criteria for your program.

Step 1: Complete Your Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree

Doctorate programs, which are growing more sought-after by students and employers alike, have rigorous and competitive application requirements. In addition to meeting other criteria which vary by institution and major, students will also generally need to possess a graduate or undergraduate degree, such as a bachelor’s degree, from an accredited college or university.

If you’re at the beginning of your academic journey and are applying to undergraduate programs, you should strongly consider selecting a program that is directly relevant to the master’s and/or doctorate program you intend to eventually enroll in — for example, mapping out a career in healthcare that begins with your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and culminates with a doctorate, like your Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD). However, it’s also possible to change careers if you’ve already completed your undergraduate degree.

With online classes and accelerated coursework, plus the option to transfer credits, National University provides the framework for you to launch or advance a rewarding career — no matter which stage of your journey you’ve reached. Explore our accredited master’s degree programs and bachelor’s degree programs for graduate and undergraduate students.

Step 2: Apply to Doctorate Programs

A doctorate program is a major investment in terms of the time, effort, and dedication required to reach your goals. It’s important to select a program that is not only reputable and accredited, but also, one that provides the support and flexibility you need in terms of scholarships and financial aid options ; is designed to help you complete your degree at an accelerated pace; features resources for U.S. military service members and Veterans, which you can learn more about here; and offers the option to complete portions of your doctorate coursework online.

National University offers three WASC-accredited doctoral programs in the fields of healthcare, psychology, and education, which you can read more about below. For additional information, contact our admissions office online or explore the following program pages.

Doctor of Clinical Psychology Program (PsyD) — Students in our PsyD program complete a total of 180 program units covering coursework like Group Dynamics, Informed Treatment Planning, and Psychopharmacology. The PsyD program at National University is comprised of Ethnographic Placement, Beginning Practicum, Advanced Practicum, and Predoctoral Internship components culminating in a dissertation, and is designed to prepare students for roles as consultants, clinicians, evaluators, program administrators, and more.
Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) — The Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, or DNAP degree, is a fast-paced, three-year hybrid program that integrates online coursework with a 15-month didactic residency at NU’s Fresno campus. The DNAP degree program at National University prepares students for challenging roles in anesthesia care delivery via coursework like Anesthesia Pharmacology, Principles of Anesthesia, and Anesthesia Physiology, along with clinical rotations and a capstone project.
Ed.D. in Organizational Innovation — Organizational innovation is an exciting academic field that looks at how to design and implement visionary solutions to a variety of challenges facing businesses, government entities, and other organizations. Coursework includes Innovation Theories and Application, Knowledge Management for Innovation, and Emerging Issues and Trends, concluding with a culminating project.

Step 3: Complete Program Coursework

In a doctoral degree program, students will typically complete a blend of core or required courses, seminars, practicums, labs, and electives, ultimately culminating in a dissertation or capstone project. Of course, as with any bachelor’s or master’s degree program, the specific nature and focus of your coursework is dependent on your area of study. For example, students in the Ed.D. program at National University complete mandatory courses in innovation theory and methods of inquiry, whereas students in our PsyD program are required to complete courses in subjects such as psychopathology, clinical theory, and multicultural awareness.

Whether it consists primarily of online or in-person study, you can expect your doctorate coursework to be rigorous. By this stage of your academic career, you’ll have completed your basic education and training and moved onto more challenging and scholarly areas of research, tackling complex real-world problems and presenting innovative, potentially even experimental solutions.

Step 4: Complete Your Dissertation

Most doctorate programs culminate in a major research project known as a dissertation, in which the student contributes to the scholarly body of work in their field by presenting their own original theories, research, or data analysis, or by building meaningfully upon the work of previous scholars and researchers. A dissertation usually takes the form of a written paper ranging anywhere in length from 100 to 300 pages, depending on the volume of data and complexity of the subject matter.

How Long Does it Take to Earn a Doctorate?

The time it takes to finish a doctorate program and earn your degree varies. However, most doctorate programs require anywhere from three to eight years to complete. The exact length of time depends on factors like the structure of your degree program; whether or not you decide to work and/or take time off between any of your courses; whether you attend your program on a full-time or part-time basis; the amount of time it takes you to finish researching, writing, and editing your dissertation; and, of course, which degree you’re pursuing.

At National University, our flexibly scheduled yet aggressively paced programs enable students to complete their education sooner — and advance along their chosen career paths faster. For example, our PsyD program may be completed in five years, while our Ed.D. and DNAP programs may be completed in as little as just three years, including options to complete portions of the program online while also integrating hands-on experience like the residency component of our accredited DNAP degree.

Demand for Doctoral Degrees

The demand for doctoral degrees continues to grow as industries seek highly specialized knowledge and advanced research skills. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in doctoral and professional-level occupations is projected to grow by about 13% from 2016 to 2026, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. This increasing demand is particularly evident in fields such as healthcare, education, and technology, where the expertise and innovation brought by doctoral graduates are highly valued.

salary expectations with the face of a one hundred dollar bill.

Salary Expectations for a Doctorate Degree

Pursuing a doctorate degree will expose you to new challenges and place you on the cutting edge of exciting new research in your field — and from a financial perspective, your degree will also help you to qualify for higher paid, more specialized positions. A doctorate degree or other advanced degree can also help you stand out favorably from other job applicants. So just how much can you expect to earn with a doctoral degree, depending on your chosen field and career?

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), holding a doctoral degree is correlated with increased earnings, as you can see in the following table . For example, the BLS reports that holders of doctorate degrees earned median weekly pay of approximately $1,900, compared to that of master’s degree holders (about $1,570) or the holders of bachelor’s and associate’s degrees (about $1,330 and $960, respectively). While pursuing a doctorate degree requires an investment in your education, it also offers a worthwhile return in the form of enhanced lifelong earning power — especially if you are able to qualify for scholarships and/or financial aid.

Who Is a Good Fit for a Doctoral Program?

Doctoral programs are ideal for individuals with a passion for deep research and a commitment to advancing knowledge in their field. “At NU, our Doctoral programs are specifically designed to accommodate non-traditional working students with many different competing responsibilities, from individuals being employed full-time and raising children to military service members serving across the globe… thus, our flexible online approach to learning combined with individualized mentoring from our faculty truly supports these busy and demanding schedules, assisting our students to realize their dream of earning a doctorate, and going on to do great things for themselves, their families, and for others in their communities,” says Andy Riggle, Associate Vice President, O ffice of Graduate Studies .

Ready to Take the Next Step in Your Career?

A doctorate degree enhances your marketability when applying for a wide range of jobs, qualifying you for complex managerial and leadership roles in fields ranging from medicine to psychology to engineering to law. Challenge yourself and elevate your career by taking the first steps toward a doctoral degree today. Contact our admissions office to learn more about the doctorate programs we offer and how they are accredited, or apply online today.

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Why Do a PhD?

Written by Ben Taylor

One of the key reasons why you might want to do a PhD is to research a niche subject area that you are passionate about and to make a meaningful contribution to your field. The PhD journey will help you to develop many transferable skills that can be applied in your project and help you achieve your future career , whether it is in or outside of academia.

This page will walk you through a selection of the most common reasons for pursuing a doctorate, along with some of the main PhD benefits.

1. Passion for research

This is perhaps the most personal motivation for doing a PhD: the enjoyment and sense of fulfilment that you get from researching a subject that you love. And it’s certainly not a bad reason, although you should generally make sure that you have a clear idea of what you’d like to do once you’ve finished your PhD .

If you’re looking for a new challenge to help your individual development, a PhD is a pretty unique prospect. There aren’t many other experiences in education that involve such a high degree of commitment – and reward!

At this point, it’s also important to be completely honest with yourself about why you want to do a PhD, asking yourself “Do I need to study a PhD?” and “ Why do I want to do a PhD?” You need to make sure that you’re not being motivated by the wrong factors.

For example, you shouldn’t let yourself feel pressured by what your peers and family expect of you (or what you think they expect of you). Just because you know plenty of people with PhDs doesn’t necessarily mean a doctorate is the right path for you.

Similarly, wanting a ‘break’ from a job you don’t enjoy can be another bad reason to do a PhD . A PhD involves a lot of hard work and dedication, as well as funding, and is not a commitment to be taken lightly. This means it’s unsuitable for being treated as a stopgap measure for your job dissatisfaction (unless, of course, you have plans for what you want to do with the knowledge and experience you gained during your PhD once you’ve finished).

And it goes without saying that the desire to have ‘Doctor’ on your bank cards and driving licence shouldn’t be the primary reason for doing a PhD (although it can be seen as a nice perk once you’ve finished!).

2. Gaining transferrable skills

There’s a lot more to doing a PhD than simply writing a dissertation and completing your viva . We've looked at why doing a PhD can help equip you with transferrable skills such as:

Presentation and public speaking skills – you might have the opportunity to present your work at academic conferences or at public engagement events, which can be a useful experience whatever your future career plans
Teaching – most PhDs allow research students to teach at an undergraduate level
Time management – successfully juggling the various responsibilities of a PhD is a genuinely impressive achievement that will be recognised by future employers
Networking – over the course of your PhD, you’re likely to meet plenty of experts and professionals, giving you the chance to forge new relationships that could prove useful in the future

These kinds of skills will be valuable and sought-after by employers once you’ve finished your PhD, whether or not you decide to stay in the world in academia.

3. Accomplishing your career goals

A common reason to do a PhD is to improve your employment prospects. You may wonder why doing a PhD will help? As the highest academic qualification, a PhD degree can unlock career opportunities that wouldn’t necessarily be available to candidates with only a Bachelors or Masters.

This is particularly true for jobs that require expertise and experience in research techniques. There are few better ways to prepare for a career in research than with the dedication and knowledge needed to complete a PhD thesis .

If you want to work in academia as a lecturer or university researcher, a PhD is usually one of the main requirements. The degree shows that you have the necessary expertise to thrive in a university department.

Of course, there are plenty of directions outside of academia that a PhD could lead you. PhD holders can be found across all business sectors.

4. Making an original contribution to your subject

One of the most obvious reasons to do a PhD is the desire to make an original contribution to your subject. After all, this is a defining quality of a PhD that sets it apart from other university qualifications. The goal is create something new and significant that will stand alongside the work of previous scholars in your field.

The effect of this contribution could be to open up new avenues of research or to shed light on previously underappreciated topics. Chances are you’ll end up working on a substantial project that may end up becoming a reference point for future academics and students, which is why doing a PhD is worth it!

"Should I do a PhD?"

Ultimately, deciding whether to do a PhD is an incredibly personal decision, and one that can only made by one person – you! Don’t let yourself be swayed by peer pressure (or simply the fact that plenty of your friends have doctorates).

There are a few questions worth asking yourself when considering why you want to do a PhD.

Does a PhD align with your long-term goals?
Are you willing to take on the financial demand of a PhD if your funding applications are unsuccessful?
Are you able to commit the time it takes to complete a PhD?

Are you ready to take on the responsibilities needed to make your PhD a success? Our guide to the PhD journey should shed a light on the kind of challenges you’re likely to face while completing a doctoral degree.

Doing a PhD

Want to find out more about what it's like to do a PhD? Check out our comprehensive guide to the stages of your PhD journey . Or, if you're still searching, head over to our course listings for the latest PhD opportunities .

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Ben worked in the FindAPhD content team from 2017 to 2022, starting as an Assistant Content Writer and leaving as Student Content Manager. He focused on producing well-researched advice across a range of topics related to postgraduate study. Ben has a Bachelors degree in English Literature from the University of Sheffield and a Masters from the University of Amsterdam. Having also spent a semester at the University of Helsinki through the Erasmus programme, he’s no stranger to study abroad (or cold weather!).

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What is a PhD? Advice for PhD students

How long does it take to get a doctorate degree how do you get into grad school are you qualified to do a phd answers to these questions and more.

What is a PhD?

A PhD, which stands for “doctor of philosophy”, is the most advanced academic degree. It’s earned through extensive research on a specific topic, demonstrating expertise and contributing new knowledge to the field.

What does “PhD” mean?

The term “PhD” is often used as a synonym for any doctoral-level qualification. Doctorate degrees can often be split into two categories: MPhil and PhD.

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An MPhil is similar to a PhD as it includes a research element (which is usually shorter and less in-depth than a PhD thesis, and often more akin to a dissertation undertaken at undergraduate or master’s level).

MPhil students focus more on interpreting existing knowledge and theory and critically evaluating other people’s work rather than producing their own research. The precise nature and definition of an MPhil can vary among institutions and countries.

A PhD, meanwhile, follows a more widely known and traditional route and requires students, often referred to as “candidates”, to produce their own work and research on a new area or topic to a high academic standard.

PhD requirements vary significantly among countries and institutions. The PhD, once completed, grants the successful candidate the title of “doctor of philosophy”, also called PhD or DPhil.

What is a professional doctorate?

A professional doctorate is a kind of degree that helps people become experts in their fields. Instead of focusing mainly on theory and research like a regular PhD, a professional doctorate is all about practical skills and knowledge.

This kind of doctorate is great for students who want to get better at their jobs in areas like teaching, healthcare, business, law or psychology. The courses and projects in these programmes are designed to tackle real problems you might face at work.

For example, you might have heard of the doctor of education (EdD), doctor of business administration (DBA), doctor of psychology (PsyD) or doctor of nursing practice (DNP). These programmes combine learning, hands-on projects and sometimes a thesis paper or essay to show you’re skilled at solving on-the-job challenges.

How long does it take to study a PhD?

The time required to complete a PhD can vary significantly based on several factors. Generally, a full-time PhD programme takes around three to six years to finish. However, it’s important to take into account individual circumstances and the nature of the research involved.

1. Full-time vs. part-time: If you’re studying full-time, dedicating most of your time to your studies, it usually takes about three to four years to complete a PhD. However, studying part-time while managing other commitments might extend the duration. Part-time PhDs can take around six to eight years, and sometimes even longer.

2. Nature of research: The complexity of your research proposal can influence the time required. Certain research questions may involve intricate experiments, extensive data collection or in-depth analysis, potentially leading to a longer completion timeline.

3. Field of study: The subject area you’re researching can also affect the necessary time. Some fields, such as sciences or engineering, might involve more hands-on work, while theoretical subjects might require more time for literature review and analysis.

4. Supervision and support: The guidance and availability of your academic supervisor can affect the pace of your research progress. Regular meetings and effective communication can help keep your studies on track.

5. Thesis writing: While the research phase is crucial, the stage of writing your thesis is equally significant. Organising and presenting your research findings in a clear and cohesive manner can take several months.

6. External commitments: Personal commitments, such as work, family or health-related factors, can influence your study time. Some students need to balance these alongside their PhD studies, potentially extending the duration.

7. External Funding: The availability of funding can also affect your study duration. Some funding might be linked to specific project timelines or research objectives.

So, although a PhD usually takes between three and six years of full-time study, with potential variations based on research complexity, enrolment as part-time or full-time, field of study and personal circumstances. It’s vital to have a realistic understanding of these factors when planning your PhD journey.

How long is a PhD in the UK?

In the UK, the length of a PhD programme typically ranges from three to four years of full-time study. As explained above, there are many factors to consider.

How long is a PhD in the US?

Similarly to the UK, in the United States, the duration of a PhD programme can vary widely depending on the field of study, research topic and individual circumstances. On average, a full-time PhD programme in the US typically takes between five and six years to complete.

Why does it take longer to study a PhD in the US?

PhD programmes generally take longer to complete in the US than in the UK due to various factors in the education systems and programme structures of each country:

1. Programme structure: UK PhD programmes often emphasise early, focused research from the first year, leading to shorter completion times. In contrast, US programmes commonly include more initial coursework in your first and second year and broader foundational training, which can extend the overall duration.

2. Course work requirements: Many US PhD programmes require a lot of course work, which can lengthen the time needed to finish. UK programmes tend to have fewer or no course work demands, allowing students to concentrate primarily on research skills.

3. Research funding: In the UK, PhD funding is often awarded with specific timeframes in mind, motivating completion of the research degree in the agreed duration. In the US, funding approaches can vary, requiring students to secure funding from multiple sources, potentially affecting their progress and completion time.

4. Teaching responsibilities: Some US PhD students take on teaching roles as part of their funding, dividing their time and potentially prolonging their studies.

5. Research approach: Differences in research methodologies and project scopes can affect the time needed for data collection, experimentation and analysis.

6. Academic culture: The US education system values a well-rounded education, including coursework and comprehensive exams. This can extend the time before full-time research begins. UK PhD programmes often prioritise independent research early on.

7. Part-time and work commitments: US PhD candidates might have more flexibility for part-time work or other commitments, which can affect research progress.

8. Dissertation requirements: US PhD programmes generally include a longer and more comprehensive dissertation, involving more chapters and a broader exploration of the research topic.

These variations in programme structures, funding models and academic cultures contribute to the differing completion times between the two countries.

What qualifications do you need for a PhD?

To be eligible for a PhD programme, certain educational qualifications are generally expected by universities. These qualifications serve as indicators of your readiness to engage in advanced research and contribute to the academic community.

First, an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is typically the most common requirement. This degree provides you with a foundational understanding of the subject and introduces you to basic research methodologies. It serves as a starting point for your academic journey.

Do you need a master’s degree to get into a PhD programme?

In addition to an undergraduate degree, many PhD programmes also require candidates to hold postgraduate or master’s degrees, often in fields related to the intended PhD research. A master’s degree offers a deeper exploration of the subject matter and enhances your research skills. Possessing a master’s degree signifies a higher level of expertise and specialisation.

The combination of both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees demonstrates a solid academic background. This background is crucial before you engage in doctoral study because pursuing a PhD involves more than just knowledge; it requires advanced research abilities, critical thinking and the capacity to provide an original contribution and new insights into the chosen field of study.

While these qualifications are usually requested, there are exceptions. Some institutions offer direct-entry programmes that encompass bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees in a streamlined structure. This approach is often seen in scientific and engineering disciplines rather than humanities.

In exceptional cases, outstanding performance during undergraduate studies, coupled with a well-defined research proposal, might lead to direct entry into a PhD programme without requiring a master’s degree.

Admission requirements can vary between universities and programmes. Some institutions might have more flexible prerequisites, while others could have more stringent criteria. Make sure that you thoroughly research all admission requirements of the PhD programmes you’re interested in to ensure you provide the right information.

Are PhD entry requirements similar in other countries?

PhD entry requirements in Canada and Australia can be somewhat similar to those in the UK and the US, but there are also some differences. Just like in the UK and the US, having a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree is a common way to qualify for a PhD in Canada and Australia. However, the exact rules can vary, such as how much research experience you need or the grades you should have.

In Canada and Australia, as in the UK and the US, international students usually need to show their English language skills through tests like IELTS or TOEFL. And, like in other places, you might need to give a research proposal to explain what you want to study for your PhD.

But remember, even though there are some similarities, each country has its own rules.

PhD diary: Preparing for a PhD Nine things to know before doing a PhD Women in STEM: undertaking PhD research in cancer Studying for a part-time PhD: the challenges and the benefits Is it possible to do a three-year PhD as an international student? Looking for PhD tips? Why not check Twitter PhD diary: Where do I begin? How to do a PhD on a budget

How much does it cost to study a PhD?

The cost of pursuing a PhD can vary significantly between international and home (domestic) students, and it depends on the country, university and programme you choose.

United Kingdom (UK)

Home students in the UK often pay lower tuition fees compared with international students. Home students might also have access to government funding or subsidised tuition rates.

International students typically pay higher tuition fees, which can vary widely depending on the university and programme. Fees can range from around £10,000 to £25,000 or more per year.

United States (US)

PhD programme costs in the US can be quite high, especially for international students. Public universities often have lower tuition rates for in-state residents compared with out-of-state residents and international students.

Private universities in the US generally have higher tuition fees, and international students might be charged higher rates than domestic students.

Canadian universities often charge higher tuition fees for international students compared with domestic students.

Some universities offer funding packages that include tuition waivers and stipends for both domestic and international doctoral students.

In Australia, domestic students (Australian citizens and permanent residents) usually pay lower tuition fees than international students.

International students in Australia might have higher tuition fees, and costs can vary based on the university and programme.

Apart from tuition fees, other aspects play a role in the overall financial consideration:

PhD studentship: Many universities offer PhD studentships that provide financial support to research students, covering both tuition fees and a stipend for living expenses.

Stipend and housing: Stipends are designed to cover living expenses. Stipend amounts can vary depending on the university and location. If you’re studying in London in the UK, stipends might be higher to account for the higher living costs in the city. Some universities also offer subsidised or affordable housing options for doctoral students.

Tuition and stipend packages: Some PhD programmes provide funding packages that include both tuition waivers and stipends. These packages are to help relieve the financial burden on students during their doctoral studies.

Research the financial support options provided by the universities you’re interested in to make an informed decision about the cost of your PhD journey.

What funding options are available for PhD candidates?

PhD candidates have various funding options available to support their studies and research journeys. Some of these options include:

PhD scholarships: Scholarships are a common form of financial aid for PhD candidates. They are awarded based on academic merit, research potential or other specific criteria. Scholarships can cover tuition fees and provide a stipend for living expenses.

Bursaries: Bursaries are another form of financial assistance offered to students, including PhD candidates, based on financial need. They can help cover tuition fees or provide additional financial support.

In the UK, specific funding options are available:

Regional consortium: Some regions have research consortiums that offer funding opportunities for doctoral candidates. These collaborations can provide financial support for research projects aligned with specific regional needs.

UK research institute: Research councils in the UK often offer stipends to PhD candidates. These stipends cover living expenses and support research work.

University-based studentship: Many UK universities offer studentships. You can read more about these above.

In the USA, there are also funding options available:

Research assistantships (RAs): Many universities offer research assistantships where PhD candidates work on research projects under the guidance of faculty members. In exchange, they receive stipends and often have their tuition waived.

Teaching assistantships (TA): Teaching assistantships involve assisting professors in teaching undergraduate courses. In return, PhD candidates receive stipends and sometimes tuition remission.

Fellowships: Fellowships are competitive awards that provide financial support for PhD candidates. They can come from universities, government agencies, private foundations and other institutions. Fellowships can cover tuition, provide stipends and offer research or travel funds.

Graduate assistantships: Graduate assistantships include a range of roles, from research and teaching to administrative support. These positions often come with stipends and sometimes include tuition benefits.

External grants and fellowships: PhD candidates can apply for grants and fellowships from external organisations and foundations that support research careers in specific fields. Examples include the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Fulbright Programme.

Employer sponsorship: In some cases, employers might sponsor employees to pursue PhDs, especially if the research aligns with the company’s interests.

You can read about the current available scholarships for international students of all education levels on our website .

What does a PhD Involve?

How does a PhD work?

A PhD includes thorough academic research and significant contributions to your chosen field of study. The timeline for completing a PhD can significantly vary based on the country, college or university you attend and the specific subject you study.

The duration of a PhD programme can vary based on factors such as the institution’s requirements and the academic discipline you’re pursuing. For instance, the timeline for a PhD in a science-related field might differ from that of a humanities discipline.

UK PhD timeline example

Looking at a typical PhD degree in a London higher education institution, we can consider this example timeline.

In the initial year of your PhD, you’ll collaborate closely with your designated academic supervisor. This collaboration involves refining and solidifying your research proposal, which lays the foundation for your entire doctoral journey.

This is also the time to establish a comprehensive plan, complete with well-defined milestones and deadlines. A crucial aspect of this year is conducting an extensive literature review, immersing yourself in existing academic works to understand the landscape of your chosen research area. It’s important to make sure that your research idea is original and distinct from prior studies.

As you begin the second year, you’ll actively collect data and gather information related to your research topic. Simultaneously, you’ll initiate the process of crafting your thesis. This involves combining your research findings and analysis into sections of your thesis document.

This is also the phase where you might have opportunities to share your research insights at academic meetings, conferences or workshops. Depending on the programme, you might even engage in teaching activities. Some PhD candidates also begin contributing to academic journals or books, showcasing their findings to a broader audience.

The third year of a PhD programme often marks the final stage of your research efforts. This is when you dedicate substantial time to writing and finalising your complete thesis. Once your thesis is completed to the highest standard, you’ll submit it for thorough evaluation.

A significant milestone in the third year is the viva voce, an oral examination where you’ll defend your thesis before a panel of experts in your field. The viva voce is an opportunity to showcase your deep understanding of your research and defend your findings.

Why should you do a PhD?

For many people, acquiring a doctorate degree is the pinnacle of academic achievement, the culmination of years of commitment to higher education.

However, the act of pursuing a PhD can be a complex, frustrating, expensive and time-consuming exercise. But with the right preparation, some sound advice and a thorough understanding of the task at hand, your years as a doctoral student can be some of the most rewarding of your life.

People choose to work towards a doctorate for many reasons. If you are looking to pursue an academic position, such as university lecturer or researcher, then a PhD is usually required.

Many people obtain a PhD as part of a partnership with an employer, particularly in scientific fields such as engineering, where their research can prove useful for companies.

In some cases, however, PhDs are simply down to an individual’s love of a subject and their desire to learn more about their field.

What are some benefits of studying a PhD?

Pursuing a PhD can have many benefits that extend beyond academic achievement, encompassing personal growth, professional advancement and meaningful contributions to knowledge.

One of the most notable benefits of a PhD is the potential for tenure in academia. Attaining tenure provides a level of job security that allows you to delve into long-term research projects and make enduring contributions to your field. It signifies a stage where you can explore innovative ideas and pursue in-depth research, fostering your academic legacy.

While not obligatory, the opportunity to collaborate on research projects with your supervisor is another valuable aspect of a PhD pursuit. These collaborations might even come with financial compensation, offering real-world experience, skill development and practical applications of your research. Engaging in such collaborations can enrich your research portfolio and refine your research methodologies.

A pivotal aspect of a PhD journey is the chance to publish your original research findings. By disseminating your work in academic journals or presenting it at conferences, you contribute to the expansion of knowledge within your field. These publications establish your expertise and reputation among peers and researchers worldwide, leaving a lasting impact.

The pursuit of a PhD can provide a unique platform to build a diverse network of colleagues, mentors and collaborators. Engaging with fellow researchers, attending conferences and participating in academic events offer opportunities to make valuable connections. This network can lead to collaborations, expose you to a spectrum of perspectives and pave the way for future research endeavours.

What is a PhD thesis? And what is a PhD viva?

A PhD thesis will be produced with help from an academic supervisor, usually one with expertise in your particular field of study. This thesis is the backbone of a PhD, and is the candidate’s opportunity to communicate their original research to others in their field (and a wider audience). PhD students also have to explain their research project and defend their thesis in front of a panel of academics. This part of the process is often the most challenging, since writing a thesis is a major part of many undergraduate or master’s degrees, but having to defend it from criticism in real time is arguably more daunting. This questioning is known as a “viva”, and examiners will pay particular attention to a PhD’s weaknesses either in terms of methodology or findings. Candidates will be expected to have a strong understanding of their subject areas and be able to justify specific elements of their research quickly and succinctly.

In rare cases, students going for a PhD may instead be awarded an MPhil if the academic standard of their work is not considered fully up to par but still strong enough to be deserving of a qualification.

Can you do a PhD part time?

Many PhD and MPhil candidates choose to pursue their qualification part time, in order to allow time to work and earn while studying. This is especially true of older students, who might be returning to academia after working for a few years.

When applying, you should always speak to the admissions team at your university to ensure this is possible and then continue to work with your supervisor to balance all your commitments.

Can I do a PhD through distance learning?

This is something else that you will need to check with your university. Some institutions offer this option, depending on the nature of your research.

You will need to be clear how many times you will need to travel to your university to meet with your supervisor throughout your PhD.

Your PhD supervisor

Choosing the right PhD supervisor is essential if you want to get the most out of your PhD. Do your research into the faculty at the institution and ensure that you meet with your proposed supervisor (either virtually or in person) before fully committing.

You need to know that not only do they have the right expertise and understanding of your research but also that your personalities won’t clash throughout your PhD.

Remember, to complete your PhD, you will need a strong support network in place, and your supervisor is a key part of that network.

Coping with PhD stress

If you do decide to embark on a doctorate, you may well encounter stress and anxiety. The work involved is often carried out alone, the hours can be long and many students can suffer from the pressure they feel is on their shoulders.

Ensuring that you check in regularly with your emotions and your workload is crucial to avoid burnout. If you have other commitments, such as a job or a family, then learning to balance these can feel overwhelming at times.

Give yourself regular breaks, speak to your supervisor and ensure that you know what university resources and support systems are available to you in case you need to access them.

Post-doctorate: what happens after you finish your PhD?

Many PhD graduates pursue a career in academia, while others will work in industry. Some might take time out, if they can afford to, to recover from the efforts of PhD study.

Whatever you choose to do, undertaking a PhD is a huge task that can open up a range of doors professionally. Just remember to take some time out to celebrate your achievement.

How does a PhD affect salary and earning potential?

How much does a professor with a PhD make a year?

Professors with PhDs can earn different amounts depending on where they work and their experience. In the UK, a professor might make around £50,000 to £100,000 or more each year. In the US, it's between about $60,000 and $200,000 or even higher. The exact salary depends on things like the place they work, if they have tenure, and what they teach.

How much does a PhD add to salary?

Having a PhD can make your salary higher than if you had a lower degree. But exactly how much more you earn can change. On average, people with PhDs earn more than those with bachelor’s or master’s degrees. The increase in salary is influenced by many things, such as the job you do, where you work and what field you’re in.

In fields such as research, healthcare, technology and finance, your knowledge and skills from your PhD can potentially help you secure a higher salary position.

In the end, having a PhD can boost your earning potential and open doors to well-paying jobs, including professorships and special roles in different areas. But the exact effect on your salary is influenced by many things, so ensure you weigh the cost against the benefit.

How to choose a PhD programme?

Choosing a PhD programme involves defining your research interest, researching supervisors and programme reputation, evaluating funding options, reviewing programme structure, considering available resources, assessing networking opportunities, factoring in location and career outcomes, visiting the campus if possible and trusting your instincts.

How can I find available PhD programmes?

You can find available PhD programmes by visiting university websites, using online directories such as “FindAPhD”, checking professional associations, networking with professors and students, following universities on social media, attending career fairs and conferences, contacting universities directly and exploring research institutes’ websites.

How to apply for a PhD programme?

To apply for a PhD programme:

Research and select universities aligned with your interests.

Contact potential supervisors, sharing your proposal, CV and references.

Prepare application materials: research proposal, CV, recommendation letters and a writing sample.

Ensure you meet academic and language-proficiency requirements.

Complete an online application through the university’s portal.

Pay any required application fees.

Write a statement of purpose explaining your motivations.

Provide official transcripts of your academic records.

Submit standardised test scores if needed.

Some programmes may require an interview.

The admissions committee reviews applications and decides.

Apply for scholarships or assistantships.

Upon acceptance, review and respond to the offer letter.

Plan travel, accommodation and logistics accordingly.

Remember to research and follow each university’s specific application guidelines and deadlines.

How to apply for a PhD as an international student?

Many stages of the PhD application process are the same for international students as domestic students. However, there are sometimes some additional steps:

International students should apply for a student visa.

Take language proficiency tests such as TOEFL or IELTS if required.

Provide certificates if needed to validate your previous degrees.

Show evidence of sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses.

Check if you need health insurance for your chosen destination.

Translate and authenticate academic transcripts if necessary.

Attend orientation sessions for cultural adaptation.

Apply for university housing or explore off-campus options.

Familiarise yourself with international student support services.

Ben Osborne, the postgraduate student recruitment manager at the University of Sussex explains in detail how to apply for a PhD in the UK .

Giulia Evolvi, a lecturer in media and communication at Erasmus University, Rotterdam explains how to apply for a PhD in the US .

Finally, Samiul Hossain explores the question Is it possible to do a three-year PhD as an international student?

Q. What is a PhD? A. A PhD is the highest level of academic degree awarded by universities, involving in-depth research and a substantial thesis.

Q. What does “PhD” mean? A. “PhD” stands for doctor of philosophy, recognising expertise in a field.

Q. What is a professional doctorate? A. A professional doctorate emphasises practical application in fields such as education or healthcare.

Q. How long does it take to study a PhD? A. It takes between three and six years to study a full-time PhD programme.

Q. How long is a PhD in the UK? A. It takes around three to four years to study a full-time UK PhD.

Q. How long is a PhD in the US? A. It takes approximately five to six years to complete a full-time US PhD.

Q. Why does it take longer to study a PhD in the US? A. US programmes often include more course work and broader training.

Q. What qualifications do you need for a PhD? A. You usually need an undergraduate degree as a minimum requirement, although a master’s might be preferred.

Q. Do you need a master’s degree to get into a PhD programme? A. Master’s degrees are preferred but not always required.

Q. Are PhD entry requirements similar in other countries? A. Entry requirements are similar in many countries, but there may be additional requirements. Make sure to check the university website for specific details.

Q. How much does it cost to study a PhD? A. The cost of PhD programmes vary by country and university.

Q. What funding options are available for PhD candidates? A. Scholarships, assistantships, fellowships, grants, stipends are all funding options for PhD candidates.

Q. What does a PhD involve? A. PhDs involve research, seminars, thesis, literature review, data analysis and a PhD viva.

Q. Why should you do a PhD? A. There are many reasons to study a PhD including personal growth, research skills, contributions to academia and professional development.

Q. What are some benefits of studying a PhD? A. Benefits of graduating with a PhD include achieving tenure, collaborations with colleagues, publication of your work, and networking opportunities.

Q. What is a PhD thesis? A. A PhD thesis is a comprehensive document that showcases the original research conducted by a PhD candidate.

Q. What is a PhD viva? A. A PhD viva, also known as a viva voce or oral examination, is the final evaluation of a PhD candidate’s research and thesis where the panel asks questions, engages in discussions and assesses the depth of the candidate’s understanding and expertise.

Q. Can you do a PhD part-time? A. Yes, part-time options are available for PhDs.

Q. Can I do a PhD through distance learning? A. Some universities offer online PhDs; you can find out more on their websites.

Q. How to choose a PhD programme? A. You can find PhD programmes through research, by contacting faculty, checking resources and considering location.

Q. How can I find available PhD programme? A. You can find available PhD programmes on university sites, through directories and by networking.

Q. How to apply for a PhD programme A. To apply for a PhD programme, research suitable universities and programmes, get in touch with potential supervisors, gather required documents like transcripts and reference letters, complete the online application, pay any necessary fees and submit a statement of purpose and research proposal. If needed, meet language-proficiency criteria and attend interviews. After acceptance, explore funding choices, confirm your spot and get ready for the programme’s start.

Q. How to apply for a PhD as an international student A. To apply for a PhD as an international student, follow similar steps to domestic students, but you need to include securing a student visa and passing language requirements.

Q. What is a PhD dropout rate? A. The dropout rate from PhDs varies but is approximately 30-40 per cent.

Q. How does a PhD affect salary and earning potential? A. A PhD can boost earning potential, especially in research, technology, healthcare and academia. Impact varies by job, industry and location. Experience, skills and demand also influence salary.

Q. How to address a person with a PhD? A. When addressing someone with a PhD, it’s respectful to use “Dr”, followed by their last name, whether they have a PhD in an academic field or a professional doctorate. For instance, “Dr. Smith”.

Q. Is there a difference between a PhD and a doctorate? A. The terms “PhD” and “doctorate” are often used interchangeably, though a PhD is a specific type of doctorate focused on original research. A doctorate can refer more broadly to any doctoral-level degree, including professional doctorates with practical applications.

Q. What is the difference between a PhD and an MD? A. A PhD is a doctor of philosophy, awarded for academic research, while an MD is a doctor of medicine, focusing on medical practice. They lead to different career paths and involve distinct areas of study.

Q. What is the difference between a PhD and a professional doctorate? A. A PhD is an academic research-focused degree, while a professional doctorate emphasises applying research to practical fields such as education or business. PhDs often involve original research, while professional doctorates focus on real-world application.

Q. What is the difference between UK and US PhDs? A. The difference between UK and US PhDs lies mainly in structure and duration. UK PhDs often have shorter durations and a stronger emphasis on independent research from an early stage. US PhDs typically include more initial coursework and broader foundational training before full-time research begins.

Q. What is the difference between a PhD student and a candidate? A. A PhD student is actively studying and researching in a doctoral programme, while a PhD candidate has completed programme requirements except for the dissertation and is close to completion.

Q. What’s the difference between a PhD and an EdD? A. A PhD and an EdD (doctor of education) differ in focus. A PhD emphasises research and academic contributions, while an EdD focuses on applying research to practical educational issues.

Q. What’s the difference between a PhD and a DBA? A. A PhD and a DBA (doctor of business administration) differ in purpose. A PhD emphasises theoretical research and academia, while a DBA is practice-oriented, aimed at solving real business problems.

Q. What’s the difference between a PhD and a PsyD? A. A PhD and a PsyD (doctor of psychology) differ in emphasis. A PhD focuses on research and academia, while a PsyD emphasises clinical practice and applying psychological knowledge.

Q. What’s the difference between a PhD and an LLD? A. A PhD and an LLD (doctor of laws or Legum doctor) are distinct. A PhD is awarded in various disciplines, while an LLD is usually an honorary degree for significant contributions to law.

Q. What’s the difference between a PhD and an MD-PhD? A. A PhD and an MD-PhD differ. An MD-PhD is a dual degree combining medical training (MD) with research training (PhD).

Q. What is the Cambridge PhD? A. A Cambridge PhD involves original research guided by a supervisor, resulting in a thesis. It’s offered at the University of Cambridge .

Q. What is the Oxford DPhil? A. An Oxford DPhil is equivalent to a PhD and involves independent research leading to a thesis. The term “DPhil” is unique to the University of Oxford .

Q. What is the PhD programme acceptance rate? A. PhD acceptance rates vary by university, field and competition. Prestigious universities and competitive fields often have lower acceptance rates.

Q. What is a PhD supervisor? A. A PhD supervisor guides and supports a student’s research journey, providing expertise and feedback.

Q. What is a PhD panel? A. A PhD panel evaluates a candidate’s research, thesis and oral defence. It consists of experts in the field.

Q. What is a PhD stipend? A. A PhD stipend is a regular payment supporting living expenses during research, often tied to teaching or research assistant roles.

Q. What is a PhD progression assessment? A. A PhD progression assessment evaluates a student’s progress, often confirming their continuation in the programme.

Q. What is a PhD defence? A. A PhD defence, or viva, is the final oral examination where a candidate presents and defends their research findings and thesis before experts.

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5 Reasons to Study a PhD

21 st February 2020

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A PhD is both financially draining and incredibly challenging. Lasting for 3 – 4 years (depending upon your subject matter) the percentage of students who start their qualification and either fail or drop out is significantly higher than any other postgraduate course.

However, there are plenty of reasons to study a PhD that outweigh those potential downsides. Here's five of them...

1) Make a Contribution Towards Your Chosen Field

Many students who pursue a PhD, do so because they are passionate about a specific subject, and want to use their research time to make important discoveries within that field.

One of the great things about your PhD is that you will be able to conduct your own research. If your thesis and your findings are strong and relevant, other experts within your chosen area of academia will reference your work and your discoveries when teaching future students.

2) Long-term Career Goals

Some students who pursue a PhD, do so in order to pursue their long-term degree goals. For those looking to pursue a career in academia, then a PhD is an essential qualification which will allow them to both continue their research, and to teach University students. Those wishing to pursue a career within this field should try and gain teaching practice throughout their PhD by giving lectures and seminars to first year undergraduates.

Many PhD graduates who are lucky enough to be sponsored to do their course go on to find employment with the companies that funded them. Similarly, the analytical and research skills learnt on a PhD course are highly transferable to other industries.

3) Improving and Challenging Knowledge

Some minds are just curious and for these people, studying for a PhD will feel like a natural next step. Unlike undergraduate and Master’s qualifications, the PhD program will be less structured and so students will be encouraged to research topics that are of specific interest to them.

4) Enjoyment of the Subject Matter

Again, many students study for a PhD simply because they are passionate about the subject and want to explore that passion.

Although contact hours are minimal, the PhD is a very intense course and you will be living and breathing your research and thesis for at least 3 years - so make sure you enjoy it before you commit.

5) Demonstration of Intellectual Potential

One thing a PhD course will do is separate the good academics from the fantastic ones. It not only demonstrates an individual’s ability to conduct independent research, but also showcases their in-depth knowledge in a specific subject area. Within the world of academia this is essential.

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Gre prep online guides and tips, what is graduate school why go master’s and phds.

If you’re nearing the end of college or you’ve completed college, you’ve probably heard the term “graduate school” thrown around by your peers and teachers. In fact, you’ve probably heard all kinds of graduate-school related terms, like “graduate degree,” “Masters,” “PhD,” and more.

But what is a graduate degree? What is a PhD? What is a doctoral degree? What’s a doctorate? We’ll demystify it all here. (Hint: those last three are all the same thing.)

In this article, we’ll discuss what graduate school is, what graduate degrees you can get, and the difference between graduate and professional school. Then we’ll move on to discussing the benefits and drawbacks of graduate school, funding graduate programs, and how to apply to grad school.

What Is Graduate School?

What is grad school? Well, it’s not so much a specific “school” as a catchall term for some types of academic programs. Graduate degree programs offer advanced training (beyond a bachelor’s degree) in a specific academic discipline. They very much focus on advancing your subject-specific academic knowledge as opposed to preparing you for a specific career or job. Graduate degree programs often include opportunities to complete original research in the field.

There are a few different types of graduate degrees. We’ll review them in the next section.

What Is a Graduate Degree? The 3 Main Types

There are, generally speaking, three kinds of graduate degrees offered by graduate schools: the Master of Arts, the Master of Science, and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The MA and MS offer additional schooling in a discipline beyond a bachelor’s degree. A PhD is the most advanced degree in a given academic field. (Note that this is not true of professional fields—we will discuss the difference in the next section.)

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Master of Arts (MA)

What is a Master’s Degree? The Master of Arts is the typical Master’s graduate program for humanities and social science disciplines. They can be fairly general—for example, an MA in Communication or Anthropology, or even Humanities. They can also be highly specialized, like an MA in Folklore or an MA in History of the Book (a real degree!).

Some MA degrees lead specifically to a PhD, while others stand on their own. There are graduate programs designed for those with no prior academic exposure to a field, while others provide further training to those who studied the discipline (or a closely related one) as undergraduates. Some offer original research opportunities, while others focus more on instruction.

Depending on the specific discipline and program, an MA degree generally lasts 1-2 years for a full-time student. Select fields or disciplines may offer a 3-year Master of Arts.

Master of Science (MS)

The Master of Science is the typical Master’s graduate program for scientific and quantitative disciplines. Like the MA, the MS can be fairly general in its focus, like an MS in Biology or Computer Science. They can also be incredibly specialized, like an MS in Predictive Analytics or Agricultural Economics.

Also like the MA, some are designed for those with bachelor’s degrees in the discipline. Others are designed for those trying to get exposure to a new field. Some more closely focus on the student completing original research, while others focus more on delivering in-depth instruction.

An MS degree also generally lasts 1-2 years for a full-time student. In some select fields/programs, it may take 3 years.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

What is a PhD? PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. The PhD is the most advanced degree in a given academic discipline. It’s also known as a doctorate or a doctoral degree.

As the most advanced degree in an academic field, it’s considered a terminal degree. The Doctor of Philosophy prepares students to do academic work in their discipline —research and teaching—and for positions at universities and research institutions.

PhD programs generally expect students to have some preexisting academic training in the discipline or a related field, usually from the student’s undergraduate degree. Most PhDs will not expect incoming students to have Master’s degrees, although some might. However, students with an MA or MS in the discipline might be able to complete the PhD more quickly because they may not need to complete as much coursework.

Furthermore, most PhD programs do expect applicants to have some form of previous research experience and preferably some academic publishing credits. They may not require the student to have the experience and publishing credits in the same discipline as the PhD, but almost all PhD programs will expect some amount of previous research and academic publication experience.

The structure of a PhD typically involves some amount of preliminary coursework, followed by a written and oral exam in the discipline. Then students will begin research and work on their PhD dissertation, an original research project. Throughout this time, students generally teach and/or work as research assistants to make money.

How many years is a doctorate degree? A PhD can take anywhere from three years (if you have a master’s degree and write extremely fast!) to eight years (if you have a lot of coursework to complete and a particularly obscure dissertation topic). But the time it usually takes to complete a PhD is in the 4-6 year range.

Graduate vs. Professional School

You may notice a huge number of degrees you could pursue after your undergraduate degree missing from the list of degrees above—like the MD, the MBA, the MPH, the MFA, the JD, the MEd, and many others.

This is because those degrees are professional degrees.

So what’s the difference between a graduate degree and a professional degree? A graduate degree provides advanced training in an academic discipline. A professional degree provides advanced training for a specific profession. For example, a JD trains you to become a lawyer. An MD trains you to become a doctor. So while a graduate degree focuses on an academic discipline or area of inquiry, a professional degree focuses on professional training.

We should be clear that these are not hard-and-fast distinctions. The line between what is a graduate program and what is a professional program is not always crystal-clear. Many institutions will refer to some (or all) of their advanced degrees as graduate degrees, without distinguishing between graduate and professional schools.

Additionally, professional degrees can lead to academia, and graduate degrees can lead to professional careers. For example, an MFA can prepare students both for academic teaching and inquiry and for professional careers as artists. While an MPH trains you to work as a public health professional, many MPHs go on to work for research institutions or receive PhDs and go into academia. Many professional schools offer MS or MA degrees (for example, a business school may offer an MS in Business Informatics). Additionally, some graduate schools offer MA or MS degrees that primarily focus on building professional skills and contacts.

Gray areas aside, the general distinction is that professional degrees focus on building career and professional skills, while graduate degrees focus on building your knowledge in a particular discipline and your skill in academic inquiry.

5 Top Benefits of Graduate School

Now that we’ve answered the question, “what is graduate school,” you may find yourself wondering: Is grad school worth it? Should I go to graduate school?

Here are five potential benefits to graduate school:

Preparation to Work in Academia

A major reason to go to graduate school—particularly to earn a PhD—is to position yourself to work in academia. If you want to be a professor at a university, you will need a PhD. For lecturer or researcher positions at small or community colleges, an MA or MS may be sufficient.

But in general, if you want to teach at a college level and work on research in a given discipline, a graduate degree of some kind is pretty much necessary.

Higher Earning Potential and Expanded Job Prospects (Sometimes)

A graduate degree will often increase your earning potential. More relevant training typically means more pay in that field. You’ll also be eligible for more jobs, like more senior research positions.

However, you shouldn’t assume that a graduate degree will always expand your job prospects and increase your pay. An MA in Middle English may not really lead to much of anything except increased debt, simply because there’s just not a high demand for people with MAs in Middle English. So, that training isn’t likely to be considered valuable enough for you to earn more or be a more attractive job applicant.

Be sure to do some research into the discipline you are interested in so that you have a realistic idea of how it will expand your job prospects and pay, if at all.

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Pivoting Your Skills

Say your undergraduate degree was in English Literature, but now you want to be a sociologist. Getting a master’s degree is a great way to get training in a new discipline you haven’t had much exposure to. Armed with your shiny new master’s degree and associated skills, you’ll be able to work in a field that was previously closed to you.

Get Published

If you need to develop research skills and publish some academic papers, getting an MA or MS can be a good move. This is particularly true if you want to pursue a PhD and need to beef up your research experience and publication credits. Getting a master’s in a discipline related to your prospective PhD can be a huge help here. It will also help you build contacts to serve as recommendations.

Strengthen an Application to Professional School

In a similar vein, you may want to get an MA or MS to strengthen an application to professional school. Any research and publication credits you amass there, as well as a strong GPA or good recommendations, will help you stand out.

For example, maybe your heart is set on being a doctor but your undergraduate grades aren’t quite at the level you’d like, or you simply want to stand out more. Really excelling in an MS program can boost your application.

2 Potential Drawbacks to Graduate School

We’ve listed the benefits—but don’t put in your application yet. There are also some potential drawbacks to graduate school to consider. We’ll list two of the most major drawbacks here.

Considerable Expenses

Graduate degrees are expensive! Tuition and fees can easily run past $20,000 a semester at a private university, not to mention living expenses. You may have to take out pretty massive loans to cover all of this, so it’s important that you carefully consider how graduate school will increase your earning potential or job prospects. In more esoteric fields, the expense may not ever pay off in realized earnings. This shouldn’t necessarily dissuade you from pursuing a graduate degree but it is something to be aware of.

However, some programs will cover all or most of your tuition. You’ll also most likely be able to work part-time while completing graduate work, which will help offset expenses. For most PhD candidates, and some masters students, part-time work as teaching staff or research assistants is built into the program.

If you’re completing a part-time master’s degree, you can also maintain a full-time job while you complete the coursework.

Finally, keep in mind that the expense of tuition isn’t the only cost—while you’re in graduate school, you could be making a full salary employed in the workforce. In some cases, your PhD might lead to a higher salary, but it’ll take multiple years for you to recover the full salaries that you lost out on while you were in school.

Poor Job Prospects

There are some graduate disciplines that simply don’t lead to many job opportunities. For example, there are far more philosophy PhD graduates than tenure-track positions in university philosophy departments. In fact, academia in general is hyper-competitive, so unless you are attending a top program, getting an academic job at the end may be almost ludicrously difficult.

Especially if you are paying for the graduate degree yourself, if there isn’t much in the way of job offers at the end, the degree may be a poor investment. This is something to research before committing to the course.

Funding: How to Pay for Graduate School

Finding graduate school funding can be difficult. There are, in general, a lot more people who want to go to school than there is money available to fund them. Funding in the forms of grants, fellowships, and scholarships for master’s programs in particular tends to be incredibly competitive. There are few fellowships and scholarships available at this level, though there is more funding available for students in high-demand STEM fields like engineering and computer science.

On the flip side, it’s more likely that you’ll receive partial or full funding for PhD work. But PhD programs are far, far more competitive for admission than master’s programs.

Sometimes you can be admitted to a PhD program without any funding. (This is called a self-funded PhD.) This is not likely to pay off in the long run unless you have some fairly sizable independent income or savings, as you will almost certainly rack up debt in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The return-on-investment in this case may not be very high, especially given how competitive it is to get a tenure-track position.

Funding for a given program is likely to be some combination of loans, grants and fellowships, and research or teaching positions. Even if you are a fully funded PhD student, you won’t receive a whole lot of money—generally just enough to cover expenses.

In general, people don’t go to graduate school to make the big bucks, but because they have a very intense passion for the discipline.

Applying to Graduate School: How to Get Into Grad School

If you’ve decided to apply to graduate school, what do you need to be a successful candidate? This will of course vary from program to program, but you’ll need a few general qualifications.

Good GRE Score

You’ll need a GRE score that’s reasonably competitive for the programs you’re interested in. (See more on what’s a good GRE score here ). This will usually involve a high score in the more relevant section of the GRE. So for a math or science graduate degree, you’ll need a high Quant score. For a humanities or social sciences degree, you’ll need a high Verbal score.

Relevant Experience and/or Publication Credits

You’ll need to have the requisite relevant experience for admission. For master’s programs, this can take the shape of some kind of work experience, undergraduate experience, research experience, and/or publication credits. However, for PhD programs, you’ll almost certainly need research experience and academic publication credits to be a competitive applicant. The experience and publications won’t necessarily have to be directly within the discipline you are applying in, but you will need them to show that you have academic chops.

Strong Undergraduate Record

A strong undergraduate record makes for a stronger application. Barring that, solid work or research experience and/or strong grades in another master’s or professional degree can also help you get admitted to the program(s) of your choice.

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Good Recommendations

Highly positive recommendations, especially from notable people within the field, can provide a real boost to your application. You want recommenders who can speak to your interest in the field as well as your suitability for academic work. If you’re an undergraduate at the time of application, professors you’ve worked with are the best option. If you’re a recent graduate, a combination of professional and academic recommendations will probably best capture your skills. And if you have been out of school for some time, your recommendations may be primarily professional, which is fine.

Clear Articulation of Your Interests and Goals

It’s also important that your application clearly communicates why you’re interested in further training in the discipline and what you plan to do with that training. If you can articulate a real passion for the field and clear goals, and you can connect those things to elements of the specific program you are applying to, your application will be much stronger.

Summary: What Is Graduate School?

“Graduate school” is a catchall term for academic programs that provide training in a specific academic discipline or field beyond the undergraduate level.

There are three primary kinds of graduate degrees:

Master of arts degrees typically provide further training in the humanities and social sciences.
Master of science degrees usually provide further training in the sciences and quantitative fields.
PhDs, or doctorates in philosophy, provide the most advanced training available in a given academic discipline. PhDs prepare you to work in academia.

Graduate school is different from professional school. Professional school describes academic programs beyond an undergraduate degree that train you to work in a specific professional field. For example, lawyers get JDs, and doctors get MDs. There are some gray areas between graduate and professional school, but the general distinction is that graduate school furthers your knowledge of an academic field and professional school trains you for a specific career or class of careers.

Here are some of the main benefits of graduate school:

Graduate degrees are necessary for work in academia.
Some fields may give you higher earning potential and expanded job prospects.
You can gain skills in a new area or discipline than your undergraduate degree.
Graduate school can help you get research experience and publication credits.
A graduate degree can help you strengthen your application to professional school.

Here are some of the main drawbacks to graduate school:

Graduate school is expensive!
Some graduate degrees won’t give you expanded job prospects or a better salary, making them a poor investment.

It can be difficult to get funding for graduate school. You are more likely to get funding for a PhD than a master’s degree, but PhDs are also more competitive. Overall, most people don’t go to graduate school specifically because they are looking for a very lucrative career.

If you want to go to graduate school, here’s how to make yourself a strong applicant:

Get a good GRE score
Have relevant experience and/or publication credits
Have a strong undergraduate record
Secure glowing recommendations
Clearly articulate your interests and goals in the discipline

That’s our overview of graduate school, folks!

What’s Next?

What GRE score do you need for graduate school? Check out our expert analysis of average GRE scores by school and average GRE scores by major . Or maybe you don’t need to take the GRE to get into grad school at all!

If you are taking the GRE, you want to maximize your chances of success. So consider when to take the GRE and how to make a GRE study plan .

Think you may need to retake the GRE ? Here’s a surefire way improve your GRE scores .

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

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What is a PhD and Why Should YOU do one?

male and female conducting experiments in lab

In the UK, a PhD stands for ‘Doctor of Philosophy’, sometimes referred to as a ‘doctorate’. It is the highest level of degree that a student can achieve. At some institutions, including Oxford University, a Doctor of Philosophy is known as a DPhil. It is distinct from professional doctorates such as an Engineering Doctorate (EngD).

Entry requirements

An undergraduate degree is a minimum requirement and many will also require a master’s degree (such as an MA, MSc or MRes). Some scholarships will be on a 1+3 basis, which is one year of a master’s plus three years of PhD funding.

How to apply for a PhD

Prospective students are usually expected to submit a research proposal to the department they wish to undertake their study in. Some departments will encourage students to discuss their ideas with an academic working in that field first. The proposal will outline what they intend their research to investigate, how it relates to other research in their field and what methods they intend to use to carry out their research. Some PhD’s however, particularly in the sciences, are advertised as studentships where the research aims are more prescriptive.

How long is the course?

A PhD usually lasts three years (four for a New Route PhD – see below), or rather, any available funding usually lasts for that time. Students may be able to take extra time in order to complete their thesis but this will usually be at their own expense. For part-time, self-funded students, it can take up to seven years.

What’s involved

A PhD usually culminates in a dissertation of around 80,000-100,000 words , based on research carried out over the course of their study. The research must be original and aim to create new knowledge or theories in their specialist area, or build on existing knowledge or theories. Many departments initially accept students on an MPhil basis and then upgrade them to PhD status after the first year or two, subject to satisfactory progress. Students who are not considered to be doing work appropriate for the level can instead submit a shorter thesis and gain an MPhil.

There is little taught element, students are expected to work independently, supported by their department and a supervisor. There may be seminars to attend and/or lab work to complete, depending on the subject. During their study, students will try and get academic papers published and present their work at conferences, which will allow them to get feedback on their ideas for their dissertation.

New Route PhD

Introduced in 2001, the New Route PhD is a four-year programme that combines taught elements, including professional and transferable skills, with the student’s research. There are now hundreds of doctoral students studying a variety of subjects at a consortium of universities across the UK.

Career prospects for PhD Students

PhD graduates who go on to work in academia usually start off by undertaking postdoctoral research and then a fellowship or lectureship. Other career options will depend on what the PhD was in – commercial research is an option for some, and many are able to use their specialist knowledge and research skills in areas of business and finance.

For a real insight into what it’s like to study at PhD level, see our vlog series , where we have invited students at various stages of their PhD and locations to film themselves over a month and share their videos with you.

Why do a PhD?

If you are considering doing one make sure that you do it with a purpose. Do one because you want to and know why you want to do it and have a clear idea of what it could lead to . How is doing a PhD going to help you achieve what you want to in your future?

Reasons to do a PhD.

It’ll be good for your career. No one expects you to have your whole career plan mapped out when you start a PhD, but having some ideas of where you want to get to can be useful. Be aware though that you may not get the career benefits of a PhD straight away.
You want to be an expert in a particular area of your subject. If you complete a PhD you will be. No-one, not your supervisor, not your external examiner at the end of your PhD, no-one, will know more about the subject you researched than you do.
You want to achieve something. You want to work hard and demonstrate a passion for your subject and show how much time and effort you put in and how motivated you are.
Showing your ability to motivate yourself is one of many skills you’ll be able to demonstrate to employers after doing a PhD, which is handy for entering a competitive job market .

Reasons not to do a PhD.

Don’t do it just because your degree research project supervisor asked you if you wanted to do one with them. If you wanted to do one and it’s in an area that interests you then great, go for it. If you hadn’t thought about doing one before they asked, and you’re not sure why you want to do one, make sure you work that out before saying yes to them.
Don’t do it because you don’t know what else to do. Many people do a PhD because they don’t know what else to do and think it will give them time to work that out. Doing a PhD is a huge commitment, at least 3-4 years of your life, and hard work, so before you take one on, make sure you understand why.
And do it because YOU want to, not because your family, or others expect it of you, or because your family or friends are doing one, or have done one. Make it your decision, not someone else’s.

Why Should YOU Do A PhD?

It is your decision to commit to a significant period of time and work and it needs to be something you approach positively and with enthusiasm but also with realism about the pros and cons of undertaking original research.

Who does a PhD?

The idea of the “perpetual student”, i.e. someone who stays on after an undergraduate and/or masters degree, to do a PhD, is perhaps a traditional view of PhDs. Some of you reading this will fall into the category of those who work through the tiers of higher education in this sequential fashion (it does not necessarily make you a “perpetual student” though!). The PhD population today is very diverse and not made up entirely of 21 to 25-year-olds who have stayed in educational settings for the majority of their lives. Others may be considering a return to education in order to change your career or as part of your professional development within an existing career. Some of you may be considering coming to study in the UK independently or with support from an organisation in your home country. Whatever your situation it is very important that you take time to recognise and understand why you are making this commitment and what it entails.

Let us move to the positives of why YOU should do a Ph.D. Broadly, the positive reasons can be classified into:

You WANT to or You NEED to

Some academic colleagues were asked to give reasons why someone should do a PhD and all came back with statements that had the word “passion” in them. This is having a real passion for your subject and an area of it that you want to investigate further. My colleagues also offered some interesting comments on the reality of making a decision to do a PhD even when you have this passion. Some commented on the need to consider doing the right PhD for you and not just any PhD, and I think it is important that you take this seriously as it can be dangerous to compromise too far and embark on research that you are not interested in just because it will lead to a PhD.

Academic colleagues also wanted you to look ahead and consider where your PhD may take you. Do you want to continue in an academic career or apply for jobs in industry or other organisations where a PhD is a requirement or will help you to work at a different level? Interestingly, research on the career intentions of students, undertaken by Vitae revealed that less than one-third had firm career ideas even in the latter stages of their Ph.D. This statistic is concerning as it may mean that PhD students miss opportunities to add to their range of experience. You don’t need to have an exact career plan in place at the start of your Ph.D., but doing research on where it may take you is valuable. For those already in a career and undertaking a PhD as part of their professional development, or those who are viewing a PhD as part of a career change into academia, they should also look ahead and ensure that plans for the future are realistic and achievable.

A decision to undertake a PhD involves the same steps as any other career decision, you need to find out as much as possible about what a Ph.D. really involves. Alongside considering where your passions lie and where they might lead to, you need to research such things as:

The working environment and how you will adapt to any differences with your current situation
Working with a supervisor
What funding is available and what it covers, i.e. fees only or fees and living costs?
Most importantly what behaviours, skills and experiences YOU have that will make you a successful and productive researcher

These points and others are covered in more detail in 7 Ph.D Application Tips .

Find your PhD here

For further PhD tips see:

What Can You Do With a PhD?

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Doctorate vs. PhD: Understanding the Key Differences [2024]

If you’re interested in pursuing a doctoral degree, you may wonder about the differences between a doctorate vs. PhD.

A doctorate and a PhD are both terminal degrees that allow you to develop specialized knowledge and skills in your chosen field. But these degrees typically have different areas of focus, requirements, and career outcomes.

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Understanding the difference between PhD and doctorate can help you pick the degree that most aligns with your career aspirations and interests.

What’s the Difference Between Doctorate vs. PhD Degrees?

A doctorate and a Ph.D. are the highest college degrees students can earn. Graduates of both types of programs receive the title of “doctor” and may qualify for specialized careers in their fields.

But, while doctorate programs focus on professional competencies and knowledge, PhD programs prioritize academic research.

What Is a Doctorate Degree?

A doctorate degree is a professional degree that enables students to become experts in a specific field or industry. This degree focuses on applying academic research and theories in the workplace to improve performance and solve problems.

Courses vary by field and program but typically emphasize professional skills like collaboration, leadership, and project management. Additionally, many doctorate programs require students to complete a capstone project that addresses real issues affecting their industry.

Graduates often qualify for advanced administrative, leadership, and managerial positions in their fields.

What Is a PhD Degree?

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is an opportunity to strengthen your academic research skills and generate original knowledge. This degree trains students to become independent scholars who conduct cutting-edge research in their areas of expertise.

PhD curriculums cover advanced concepts and theories in a discipline. They also teach students qualitative and quantitative methodologies to design studies and conduct research. Additionally, most PhD programs require students to produce a dissertation that contributes fresh knowledge to the field.

Current professionals with PhDs often work as academic researchers and professors. They may also secure government and industry jobs.

Key Differences Between a PhD vs. Doctorate Degree

What’s a PhD degree? What’s a doctorate degree? The main difference between a doctorate and a PhD is their area of focus. A doctorate prioritizes applied knowledge and professional skills, while a PhD emphasizes academic research. Let’s compare some more differences between a professional doctoral degree vs. PhD.

students taking PhD degree doing research works

A doctorate enables students to become expert practitioners in their discipline. Students study existing concepts and theories and learn how to apply these ideas in the workplace.

By contrast, a PhD prepares students to conduct innovative research and educate others.

Goals and Outcomes

Doctorate students working on their research task

Doctorate programs help prepare students for senior administrative and leadership positions in their industries. They also help students enhance their professional competencies and tackle industry-specific challenges.

Students who pursue PhDs aim to advance their disciplines by generating new knowledge. They may also publish peer-reviewed research and teach undergraduate courses.

Student Population

Doctorate degrees are designed for current or aspiring working professionals who want to become industry leaders. These programs also enable students to increase their knowledge and credibility.

PhD programs attract students who want to expand their knowledge of research methodologies and theories. These learners also frequently pursue academic careers.

Admissions Requirements

Man preparing requirements for PhD degree

Doctorate and PhD programs typically require students to have bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Additionally, prospective doctorate students may be asked to provide evidence of work experience, while PhD students might demonstrate their research abilities with a writing sample.

Program Length

Requirements vary by program, but full-time students typically complete a doctorate in 3 to 5 years. Programs that require a capstone project may take longer. For those considering quick degrees, a number of universities now offer accelerated doctoral programs online.

PhD programs often take 4 to 7 years to finish. The speed at which students research and write their dissertations can significantly impact the timeline.

Doctorate student doing online research works

The curriculum for doctorate programs typically centers on practical skills and contemporary issues in the field. Topics may include communication, ethics, and leadership.

PhD programs offer classes on research methods, theories, and disciplinary trends. Students also learn how to write journal articles and present at conferences.

Assessment and Completion Requirements

Doctorate and PhD students both complete 2 or more years of coursework. They also demonstrate their knowledge during comprehensive exams.

Doctorate students may produce a capstone project that applies their knowledge to real problems. By contrast, PhD students write dissertations based on original research.

If You Have a PhD, Are You a Doctor?

Is a PhD a doctor? While graduates who earn a PhD are referred to as doctors, a PhD is different from a Doctor of Medicine (MD).

Doctors with MDs are medical doctors who can legally prescribe medications, perform surgery, and treat patients. They typically apply existing medical knowledge instead of conducting research. Doctors with PhDs don’t have any of these abilities. Instead, they have specialized knowledge and perform academic research in a particular field.

PhD or Doctorate Degree – Which Is Right for You?

Understanding the difference between a doctorate and a PhD can help you select the right degree for you.

Professional doctorate degrees help students become leading practitioners and problem solvers. By contrast, PhD degrees enable students to hone their research skills and learn advanced concepts. Both degrees allow you to enrich your understanding of your chosen discipline or profession. They also help you boost your credentials and develop new skills.

After you decide between a doctorate degree vs. PhD, you can explore program options from accredited schools to find the best fit.

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Reasons to do a PhD or research degree

Is research right for you?

Discover the benefits of getting a PhD or research degree and how it can boost your career.

Do you love learning, want to keep researching or hit the heights of your field of expertise?

PhDs and research degrees help you start or continue your research in a field you're passionate about. You can decide what you work on, how you work on it and how you get there, with support and guidance from a supervisory team.

Make a world-first discovery, create innovation with lasting impact or shine a new light on important topics.

Whether you've just finished your postgraduate degree, in the workforce or returning to uni after a break, a research degree gives you a lot of options.

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Questions to ask yourself.

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1. Passion for research

If you simply love learning and have a passion for discovering new things then it's a good sign a research degree is for you.

You'll pick a topic you're interested in and have the freedom to dive deep into the heart of a problem.

Draw on the years of research in your field, forge your own findings or perspective and make your contribution to a body of exceptional research.

2. Become an expert in your field

Build on your knowledge from your Master's degree by engaging with complex topics in a more specialised field of your choice.

You'll be able to learn more about what you're passionate about and give you the tools to make meaningful contributions to specific research fields.

You'll dive into key areas and challenges in your field, developing your theoretical approach and applying it through your research.

Or you could look at conducting interdisciplinary research. Blend theories, approaches and expertise across fields and universities to create brand new, world-leading research.

3. Put your studies into practice

If you want to start applying what you learned in your studies then a research degree is a great way to do it.

You'll work independently in gathering resources and research. You'll develop sharp time management skills, share your findings with your peers and develop your work together.

You'll hone your communication skills so you can discuss complex topics both written and verbally to experts and everyday people alike.

You'll develop your interpersonal skills, working with professional staff, peers, academics and others. Become a master of taking on feedback as you refine your research.

Writing an extended report or essay takes time and skill. Identifying an objective, working in the lab or forging an argument and making your case with evidence takes talent. You'll end up a technical expert and writer no matter what field you're in.

4. Learn with engaged peers

During your research degree, you and your peers are all studying to get better at what you do. You'll learn with motivated researchers bringing their own perspectives and experiences to the same problems.

You'll build a solid study group to push and encourage each other to develop. You'll also gain new insights from your classmates that can help shape your learning.

5. Boost your career

A research degree is a great way to become a subject matter expert or researcher.

A research-based degree is the most direct pathway to an academic job at university. You'll get the skills you need to compete in the university sector. After you graduate you can look at becoming a tutor, researcher or lecturer. Most universities offer post-doctoral research fellowships where you can get paid to hone your skills, carry on researching and get your academic career rolling.

Some jobs require a Master's or PhD and generally pay very well in the private and public sector. You could:

work in the public or private sector in industrial research and development
advise on government policy to make an impact on your local region or country
become a communications expert for your field and share complex research in clear, everyday fashion

6. Networking opportunities

PhDs and research degrees are a great chance to expand your network and meet diverse people with similar interests, knowledge and passion.

You'll have the chance to attend conferences, seminars and workshops in different cities or countries. Gain new insights and build connections with other researchers and experts across borders.

Networking with coursemates, colleagues and other academics helps expand your knowledge base and balance the solitude that can often come with a research life. Having a network is also incredibly helpful in finding and applying for funding and looking for work in the future.

7. New city, new experiences

Studying for a PhD or research degree might mean moving cities or even countries. If you've been wanting a change of setting along with your career path it's a great opportunity to give both a try.

If you're an international student, studying in a different country gives you the chance to graduate with both fantastic life experiences and a great qualification.

Portsmouth is a welcoming, student-friendly city – one where you'll meet people from all around the world, and have the chance to make connections with people in a whole new environment.

See why Portsmouth is a great place to live

Robert in lab coat explaining something and gesturing to whiteboard

Since starting my PhD, I have been lucky enough to publish twice and visit three different conferences, one of which was held at Cornell University. These opportunities will prove invaluable in my career going forwards, in academia.

Robert Lawrence, PhD Molecular Microbiology

Just like any course, the benefits you'll get from a research degree depends on what you want to get out of it. When you're weighing up your options there are some important questions you should ask yourself to make sure it's right for you.

1. Is this subject something I'm passionate about?

Studying a research degree is a multi-year time commitment. If you're excited by the idea of spending a significant period of time dedicated to one subject, that's a good sign you're ready.

Research degrees often involve a lot of independent work, so if you're only partly interested in the subject, you might find yourself losing interest. That can make meeting your own expectations more difficult.

Is learning about and working in this field something that you can see yourself in for the next 5-10 years? And where do you want to be in that timeframe? It's important not to study just so you can put off bigger life decisions.

2. Do I need a research degree to follow my passion?

There are many different jobs or careers in every field. Not all of them require you to have a research Master's or PhD.

If you want to contribute to a specific industry or area, do you already have some skills and knowledge you can apply in it? If not, what skills or knowledge will a research degree give you?

3. Am I ready for more uni?

If you've finished your Bachelor's or Master's degree and are looking at your next options, a research degree is an option that keeps things familiar. For some students, if you've spent the last 3-4 years studying you might want to try something different.

It depends on who you are, what you care about and what you want to do with your life. If you finished your degree and you're mostly relieved it's over then jumping right back into study may not be the best fit for you.

Remember that you can always go to uni again later. Plenty of graduates spend a few years working before coming back to upskill, retrain or dive into their passion. In a lot of cases, what you've learned in your work experience will make you a better student when you go back to it.

4. Have I found the right supervisor?

Every research student has at least one supervisor. They're there to support and guide you as you develop your ideas and compile your research

Having the right supervisor can be the difference between making your research good, great or excellent. If they're running or part of a research centre or group you may have greater access to networks and resources

It's best you explore supervisors you can work with , which might mean checking out multiple universities and reaching out to them directly. Usually, their profile will say if they're taking on new students and they're happy to get back to you by email.

Beatrice Ashton-Lelliott - PhD in English Literature

As it is a PhD I have formed my course myself, but having a supervisor who is well-versed in my subject area is the most unique part of my work here, as no one else is approaching the subjects we look at in a similar way

Beatrice Ashton-Lelliott, PhD English Literature

5. Can I afford it?

Before you decide on a research degree it's important to think about the costs involved.

If you're a UK national applying for an MPhil or MRes course, you might be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan which you can use to fund your tuition fees, living costs and other costs for a Master's course.

If you're an international student you'll need to plan out how you can cover your costs and fund yourself while you're studying.

When considering a PhD there are funded and non-funded options:

If you've got an idea that aligns with an academic's field of expertise, you can contact them directly
Look to external funding from the government or an independent research body
Universities will offer funded PhD opportunities but these may be limited
Start a PhD without funding support

If you're currently working you may need to adjust your working hours or potentially look for part-time work. You might have less money to play with if you're studying full-time and working on the side.

If you're moving cities or countries there are other costs you'll need to consider. You'll need to factor in things like the initial cost of moving and your deposit if you're renting a place.

Find out more

Our research degrees subject areas.

Take your expertise further by studying for a PhD or other research degree at the University of Portsmouth. Explore the subject areas you can study & get started on your research journey.

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Funding your research degree

Find out how you can fund your postgraduate research project, with options including loans, bursaries, and scholarships.

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Master’s vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Master's vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Published on November 27, 2020 by Lauren Thomas . Revised on May 10, 2024.

The two most common types of graduate degrees are master’s and doctoral degrees:

A master’s is a 1–2 year degree that can prepare you for a multitude of careers.
A PhD, or doctoral degree, takes 3–7 years to complete (depending on the country) and prepares you for a career in academic research.

A master’s is also the necessary first step to a PhD. In the US, the master’s is built into PhD programs, while in most other countries, a separate master’s degree is required before applying for PhDs.

Master’s are far more common than PhDs. In the US, 24 million people have master’s or professional degrees, whereas only 4.5 million have doctorates.

Master’s vs phd at a glance, which is right for you, length of time required, career prospects, costs and salaries, application process, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about master's and phd degrees.

The table below shows the key differences between the two.

	Master’s	PhD
Career prospects	Usually intended for a career outside of academia.	Prepares for a research career, ideally as a university professor.
Length of time	1–2 years	5–7 in the US (master’s degree included); 3–5 outside the US (after a separate master’s degree)
Structure	Mostly coursework, often with a semester-long or capstone project at the end.	2 years of coursework (in the US), followed by 3–5 years of preparing a dissertation, which should make a significant original contribution to current knowledge.
Cost	Varies by country, university and program; usually higher upfront cost with limited financial aid available.	Tuition fees are usually waived and a living stipend provided in exchange for being a teaching or research assistant.
Graduate salaries	Wage premium (compared to earnings with a high school education) is 23% on average.	Wage premium is 26% on average.

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A PhD is right for you if:

Your goal is to become a professor at a university or some other type of professional researcher.
You love research and are passionate about discovering the answer to a particular question.
You are willing to spend years pursuing your research even if you have to put up with a lot of dead ends and roadblocks.

A master’s degree is the better choice if any of the following apply:

You want to continue studies in your field, but you’re not committed to a career as a professional researcher.
You want to develop professional skills for a specific career.
You are willing to pay a higher upfront cost if it means finishing with your degree (and thus being able to work) much faster.
You want the option to study part-time while working.

The length of time required to complete a PhD or master’s degree varies. Unsurprisingly, PhDs take much longer, usually between 3–7 years. Master’s degrees are usually only 1–2 years.

Length of a master’s

Master’s degrees are usually 2 years, although 1-year master’s degrees also exist, mainly in the UK.

Most of the degree consists of classes and coursework, although many master’s programs include an intensive, semester-long master’s thesis or capstone project in which students bring together all they’ve learned to produce an original piece of work.

Length of a PhD

In the US, a PhD usually takes between 5 and 7 years to complete. The first 2 years are spent on coursework. Students, even those who choose to leave without finishing the program, usually receive a master’s degree at this point.

The next 3–5 years are spent preparing a dissertation —a lengthy piece of writing based on independent research, which aims to make a significant original contribution to one’s field.

Master’s degrees tend to prepare you for a career outside of academia, while PhDs are designed to lead to a career in research.

Careers for master’s graduates

There are two types of master’s degrees: terminal and research-intensive. The career prospects are different for each.

Terminal master’s degrees are intended to prepare students for careers outside of academia. Some degrees, known as professional degrees, specifically prepare students for particular professions; these include the Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees.

Other master’s degrees, usually Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Sciences (MS or MSc) degrees, do not necessarily lead to a specific career, but are intended to be a final degree. Examples include an MS in Communications or MS in Data Analytics.

In research-intensive master’s programs, students take coursework intended to prepare them for writing an original piece of research known as the master’s thesis . Such programs are usually intended to prepare for further study in a doctoral program.

Careers for PhD graduates

As research degrees, PhDs are usually intended to lead to an academic career. A PhD can be thought of like an apprenticeship, where students learn from professional researchers (academics) how to produce their own research.

Most students aspire to become a university professor upon the completion of their degree. However, careers in academia are highly competitive, and the skills learned in a doctoral program often lend themselves well to other types of careers.

Some graduates who find they prefer teaching to producing research go on to be teachers at liberal arts colleges or even secondary schools. Others work in research-intensive careers in the government, private sector, or at think tanks.

Below are a few examples of specific fields and non-academic careers that are common destinations of graduates of those fields.

Computer Science
Lab Sciences

Many government jobs, including economists at a country’s central bank, are research-intensive and require a PhD. Think tanks also hire economists to carry out independent research.

In the private sector, economic consulting and technology firms frequently hire PhDs to solve real-world problems that require complex mathematical modeling.

Graduate students from the humanities are sometimes hired by museums, who can make use of their research and writing skills to curate exhibits and run public outreach.

Humanities PhDs are often well-suited to research and grant-writing roles at nonprofits. Since so much of research is funded by grants, PhD students often gain a lot of experience applying for them, which is a useful skill in the nonprofit sector.

There are a wide range of non-academic research jobs for lab scientists with doctorates in subjects like chemistry, biology, ecology and physics.

Many PhD graduates are hired by pharmaceutical companies that need to perform research to create and test their products. Government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also hire lab scientists to work on research projects.

Job prospects after graduation vary widely based on the field. In fields like management, computer science, statistics, and economics, there’s little underemployment—even graduates from less well-known programs can easily find jobs that pay well and use the skills they’ve gained from the PhD.

However, in other fields, particularly in the humanities, many PhD graduates have difficulty in the job market. Unfortunately, there are far more PhD graduates than assistant professor roles, so many instead take on part-time and low-paid roles as adjunct instructors. Even non-academic careers can sometimes be difficult for PhDs to move into, as they may be seen as “overqualified” or as lacking in relevant professional experience.

Because career options post-PhD vary so much, you should take the time to figure out what the career prospects are in your field. Doctoral programs often have detailed “placement” records online in which they list the career outcomes of their graduates immediately upon leaving the program. If you can’t find these records, contact the program and ask for them—placement information should play an important role in your choice of PhD program.

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Although PhDs take far longer to complete, students often receive a living stipend in exchange for being a teaching or research assistant. Master’s degrees are shorter but less likely to be funded.

Both master’s degrees and PhDs lead to increased salaries upon graduation. While PhDs usually earn a bit more than those with a master’s degree, in some fields, the wages are identical, meaning that no financial benefit is gained from going on to a PhD.

Cost of a master’s

The upfront cost of a master’s degree is usually higher than a doctoral degree due to the lower amount of financial aid available. However, increased salaries also arrive faster than with a doctoral degree, because people graduate much earlier from a master’s program.

Some master’s students do receive stipends for their degrees, usually as compensation for being a teaching or research assistant. In addition, many people complete master’s degrees part time while working full-time, which allows them to fund their living costs as well as tuition.

The cost varies significantly by school and program. Public schools are usually cheaper than private ones. Some master’s degrees, such as MBAs, are notoriously expensive, but also result in much higher wages afterwards that make up for the high cost.

The master’s wage premium , or the extra amount that someone with a master’s degree makes than someone with just a high school diploma, is 23% on average. Many universities provide detailed statistics on the career and salary outcomes of their students. If they do not have this online, you should feel free to contact an administrator of the program and ask.

Cost of a PhD

PhDs, particularly outside the humanities, are usually (though not always) funded, meaning that tuition fees are fully waived and students receive a small living stipend. During the last 3–5 years of a PhD, after finishing their coursework (and sometimes before), students are usually expected to work as graduate instructors or research assistants in exchange for the stipend.

Sometimes students can apply for a fellowship (such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program in the United States) that relieves them of any obligations to be a teaching or research assistant. Doctoral programs in the US tend to be better funded than in the rest of the world.

Sometimes, PhD degrees can be completed part-time, but this is rare. Students are usually expected to devote at least 40 hours a week to their research and work as teaching or research assistants.

The main cost of doctoral programs comes in the form of opportunity cost—all the years that students could be working a regular, full-time job, which usually pays much better than a graduate school stipend.

The average wage premium for PhDs is 26%, which is not much higher than the master’s degree premium.

In the US, the application process is similar for master’s and PhD programs. Both will generally ask for:

At least one application essay, often called a personal statement or statement of purpose .
Letters of recommendation .
A resume or CV .
Transcripts.
Writing samples.

Applications for both types of programs also often require a standardized test. PhDs usually require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which tries to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative, critical thinking , and analytical writing skills. Many master’s programs require this test as well.

Applying for a master’s

Master’s degrees programs will often ask you to respond to specific essay prompts that may ask you to reflect upon not just your academic background, but also your personal character and future career ambitions.

Northwestern University’s Kellogg Business School requires Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) applicants write two essays, one about a recent time they demonstrated leadership and the second about their personal values.

Who you should ask for your letters of recommendation varies by program. If you are applying to a research-intensive master’s program, then you should choose former professors or research supervisors. For other programs, particularly business school, current work supervisors may be a better choice.

Some professional master’s programs require a specific test. For example, to apply to law school, you must take the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT. For business school, you must take either the GRE or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

Applying for a PhD

When applying for a PhD, your resume should focus more on your research background—you should especially emphasize any publications you’ve authored or presentations that you’ve given.

Similarly, your statement of purpose should discuss research that you’ve participated in, whether as an assistant or the lead author. You should detail what exactly you did in projects you’ve contributed to, whether that’s conducting a literature review, coding regressions, or writing an entire article.

Your letters of recommendations should be from former professors or supervisors who can speak to your abilities and potential as a researcher. A good rule of thumb is to avoid asking for recommendations from anyone who does not themselves have a PhD.

If you want to know more about college essays , academic writing , and AI tools , make sure to check out some of our other language articles with explanations, examples, and quizzes.

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A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

This depends on the country. In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program.

Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD.

This varies by country. In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5–7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3–5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation.

In the rest of the world, students normally have a master’s degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3–5 years.

A master’s degree usually has a higher upfront cost, but it also allows you to start earning a higher salary more quickly. The exact cost depends on the country and the school: private universities usually cost more than public ones, and European degrees usually cost less than North American ones. There are limited possibilities for financial aid.

PhDs often waive tuition fees and offer a living stipend in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. However, they take many years to complete, during which time you earn very little.

In the US, the graduate school application process is similar whether you’re applying for a master’s or a PhD . Both require letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose or personal statement , a resume or CV , and transcripts. Programs in the US and Canada usually also require a certain type of standardized test—often the GRE.

Outside the US, PhD programs usually also require applicants to write a research proposal , because students are expected to begin dissertation research in the first year of their PhD.

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The Pros and Cons of Getting a PhD

Getting a doctorate is a decision that will impact both your personal and professional life for many years to come. In this blog, we explore the benefits and drawbacks of attaining a doctoral degree, aiming to provide you with an unbiased view to help you make an informed decision.

Why Consider A PhD?

The benefits of a phd.

When it comes to enhancing your knowledge and contributing to your chosen field, few pathways can match the depth of a PhD. The benefits of a PhD extend beyond mere academic gains – they permeate each dimension of your professional enhancement.

1. Mastery in Your Field A PhD equips you with comprehensive knowledge about a specific area, amplifying your analytical, critical thinking and research skills to a level far beyond what a bachelor’s or a master’s degree could offer.

2. Opportunity for Ground-breaking Research As a PhD student, your primary role is to create new knowledge. The sense of fulfillment derived from contributing something novel to your field can be incredibly rewarding.

3. Networking Opportunities During your PhD program, you'll attend conferences and seminars, presenting you with opportunities to mingle with like-minded individuals, renowned academics and industry professionals, expanding your professional network substantially.

4. Enhanced Career Prospects With a PhD, a broader horizon of career opportunities opens up. You become a university professor, a leader in research organizations, or even a policy-maker influencing critical decisions in your field.

Practical Reasons to Get a Doctorate Degree

1. Societal Impact PhD holders can influence policy, promoting changes that positively impact society at various levels.

2. Teaching Opportunities For those passionate about educating others and impacting future generations, a Doctorate degree is often a prerequisite for higher-level academic positions.

3. Potential Higher Earnings A direct benefit of a PhD is the possibility of higher earnings over the course of your career, although this can vary considerably depending on the field.

The Flip Side: Challenges of a PhD

Just like any significant endeavor, getting a doctorate comes with its fair share of challenges.

The Cons of a PhD

1. Time and Financial Commitment A typical PhD can take 4-7 years to complete. Not only does this require a substantial investment of your time, it can also strain your finances. While scholarships and stipends may alleviate some costs, there is the foregone income to consider as well.

2. Pressures and Stress Levels The demands of a PhD — meticulous research, endless writing and frequent presentations — are often high. The intense pressure can lead to stress and burnout.

3. Work-Life Balance The long hours often required to complete a PhD can lead to a blurring of lines between work and personal life.

Practical Disadvantages of a Doctorate Degree

1. Over-Qualification Depending on your field, you might find potential employers outside academia who view you as overqualified, thus narrowing your pool of job opportunities.

2. Limited Practical Experience Dependent largely on theoretical work, a PhD sometimes lags in offering industry-specific training, which some employers may seek.

3. Opportunity Costs You should consider alternative achievements you might forego during the years spent on your PhD. This includes work experience, career progression, or even personal life events.

Making an Informed Decision: PhD or Not?

Deciding whether or not a PhD is worth it for you is a deeply personal decision, highly dependent on your long-term career goals and current life situation.

Evaluate your reasons to get a doctorate degree.

Are you genuinely passionate about research?
How essential is a PhD for your career aspirations?
Are you ready for the financial implications?

Have you considered the opportunity cost?

Seeking advice from PhD holders, mentors, and career advisors can offer valuable insights in answering these questions.

The decision to pursue a PhD is undoubtedly complex and multifaceted. It requires careful consideration of both the benefits of a doctorate degree and its potential disadvantages. Ultimately, though, it is a personal decision. What is very clear is this: when used as a stepping stone for specific career goals, a PhD can be an exceptionally powerful tool.

learn more about what it takes to get a PhD

Explore our guide How to Get a PhD: A Guide to Choosing and Applying to PhD Programs.

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Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > Tips for Students > Doctorate Degree: What Is It And Where To Study

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Doctorate Degree: What Is It And Where To Study

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: July 7, 2020

Doctorate-Degree-What-Is-It-And-Where-To-Study

Thinking of going the next step and getting a doctorate degree? Find out just what a doctorate degree is, how to get one, what to expect during your studies, how much it will cost, how long it will take you, and what to do once you graduate. Read on to get the full picture on what a doctorate degree is all about.

What Is A Doctorate Degree?

A doctorate degree is the highest academic degree you can earn. Many refer to this degree as a ‘terminal’ degree, as it’s the last in a sequence of studying. However, you can of course continue to study after a doctorate degree.

Those who are pursuing a doctorate degree are usually looking to develop academic expertise in a specific area. There are also practical doctorate degrees as well. The most common types of doctorate degrees are PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), EdD (Doctor of Education), MD (Doctor of Medicine), and JD (Juris Doctor).

Doctoral Basics

Choosing to get a doctorate degree is quite the commitment — in both time and energy. Doctorate programs usually require 60-120 credits for graduation, but the entire doctorate degree program will take most students between five to eight years to complete.

The higher the academic degree, the more narrow your focus is, and that is very true of doctorate degrees. These programs can be highly specific, and you will likely spend the entire program studying only your area of concentration.

A doctorate degree program also requires research and a dissertation with an academic professor. During the degree program, you may also be required to complete work hours as well.

Photo by Pang Yuhao on Unsplash

Types of doctorate degrees.

Generally speaking, doctorate degrees can be split into two types: research degrees, or PhDs, and applied, professional, or clinical degrees.

The first is all about research and becoming an expert in a field of study. The latter is meant to give students the practical knowledge and experience for a career path.

What Can You Do With A Doctorate Degree?

Graduates of doctorate degree programs are essentially qualified to work in any level of their chosen field.

In almost all fields, you can become a professor and conduct research and give lectures at universities.

In more specific fields and with applied doctorate degrees, you can work in positions that others are not eligible for. These include careers such as anthropologist, archaeologist, psychologist, psychiatrist, positions in government, certain positions in science and in university executive boards, and finally, of course, a medical doctor.

With a doctorate degree, you can go far in business leadership, political science, engineering, and other high-earning fields. Within these fields, you will also have a high earning potential, being a doctorate graduate.

Photo by Michał Parzuchowski on Unsplash

Why earn a doctorate degree.

For some, their desired career path requires a doctorate degree. For others, it’s about earning potential.

The average working doctorate graduate makes $98,000 per year , which is higher than the average master’s grad salary at $75,000 per year .

Many also choose to earn a doctorate degree simply because they absolutely love the subject they work in or study and want to pursue further research in that area.

Is It Worth It?

It all depends on what you will use a doctorate degree for, and how much time, energy, and money you want to invest in your field. If you are passionate about your field and want to commit your working career to learning, gathering information, and sharing that information, then getting a doctorate degree will be worthwhile for you.

In addition, many of the top professions in each industry require a doctorate degree. You may be able to rise to the top with only a master’s degree , though, so check your intended career path well before you invest in a doctorate degree. That being said, University of the People offers master’s and other degrees online and tuition-free !

How Much Does A Doctorate Degree Cost?

The price tag for a doctorate degree varies greatly — from around $6,000 per year, to $90,000 per year. Almost all doctorate degree students will receive financial assistance in the way of grants for their research. They may also have discounted tuition, or be compensated for working or teaching with the university during their degree.

Generally, tuition rates for doctorate programs at private, non-profit universities are much higher than public schools. Tuition rates are also higher for law and medical doctorate degrees. Average PhD programs have a net cost of $8,480 , while average LLB law degrees have a net cost of $20,360, and for MDs, $19,230.

How Long Does It Take To Get A Doctorate Degree?

Usually, a doctorate degree takes three to six years, with the average being four years to complete. If you already have a master’s degree, it may take less time than if you are pursuing both at the same time. Some students may take up to eight years total to complete a doctorate degree program.

Photo by Caleb Minear on Unsplash

What to expect during a doctorate degree.

Unlike undergraduate and potentially graduate degrees, expect to only focus on a narrow field of study for the entirety of your doctorate degree.

During your degree program you will refine your skills, and become an expert in your given field, writing scholarly articles, research design, and implementation.

The ultimate goal of your doctorate degree will be your dissertation or thesis, and much of your time will be spent there. These projects usually focus on a theory or practical application of your research. At the end of your program you will be expected to present and defend your dissertation or thesis in front of a committee. After you complete this task, you will get your doctorate degree.

Online Doctorate Programs

Many students are looking to the internet to complete their degree studies — and doctorate degree programs are no exception. With the busy lives of professionals, and the high demands of doctorate degrees, it’s easy to see why that may be the case. Online doctorate degrees may be more flexible than in-person programs.

You can find online degrees in almost any field, and in any program these days. To start your search, check our list of accredited online colleges , and see what doctorate programs are offered in your area of interest.

Overall, it’s up to you if you want to pursue a prestigious doctorate degree. It is an investment of time, money, and a commitment to one field, but if you are truly committed, it will certainly be a worthwhile endeavor.

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Why a PhD is Worth it!

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Introduction

Join the knowledge economy

Diverse range of research roles, transferable skills, gain some 'gravitas'.

Considering a PhD ? It could be the best decision you ever make, both in terms of your career and personal development . Here's why...

Okay, let's start with the arguments against. First: who wants a PhD degree when you can earn a six-figure salary with an MBA or a professional degree in much less time? Imagine watching your friends drive off to work in their expensive cars while you're still stuck in the library or lab.

Let’s accept it, doing a PhD can be intellectually challenging, physically tiring and emotionally draining. So, why should anyone do a PhD? And is it worth the effort?

To begin with, PhDs are an essential part of the knowledge economy. Completing a PhD is all about creating fresh knowledge, discovering new things and developing new skills.

It is a degree meant for those who seek greater depth of knowledge in a specific area. With a PhD, ‘one can make a difference’, says Professor Paul KH Tam, Pro Vice Chancellor and Vice President (Research), University of Hong Kong. “A PhD is about pursuing knowledge for the passion of acquiring knowledge. If one is fortunate, one’s discovery/invention may even change society,” he adds.

Although academia is considered to be the most obvious path for any PhD holder, the degree also paves way to a career in industries centered on research and innovation.

“In developing countries, where there is a gap in higher-education sector, but where government as well as society realize and pursue a policy to develop knowledge-based economy, there is an across the board need for increased PhDs both in academia and in industry,” says Prof Tam.

He adds that PhDs are required for the discovery of new drugs to satisfy the health needs of an ageing population, to continue making communication technology (iPhone, iPad) as one of the major driving forces of economic activities in modern society and to develop the understanding of humanities as society faces the challenges of coping with the side-effects of science and technology.

“Areas with high demand for very specialized and high level research skills demand PhDs. In the current economy, these areas may be biotechnology, information systems and medical and environmental engineering.

"That said, a PhD in liberal arts discipline is likely to be a passport to employment in any number of areas from media to political advising to independent research work,” says Dr Emmaline Bexley, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne, Australia.

Sectors such as manufacturing, scientific research and development, health and social work and business activities all welcome PhD holders.

Besides this, a PhD degree helps you develop valuable transferrable skills, which are held dear by the employers. The very nature of the degree teaches candidates to be team players, problem solvers, have great presentation and communication skills apart from having an analytical mind and perseverance.

“Employers value the transferrable skills which PhD candidates bring to the table and they take on PhD holders from a variety of disciplines. The process of doing a PhD is often recognized as a training in creativity, critical inquiry, negotiation skills, professionalism and confidence,” says Dr Nathalie Mather-L’Huillier, Postgraduate Recruitment and Admissions Manager (Research), University of Edinburgh.

Dr Harry Kelly, Chemistry Operations Manager, GlaxoSmithKline, says that many view a PhD as an excellent means to acquire theoretical as well as practical skills. He says, “Together with high levels of innovation, creativity and ability to solve complex problems…PhD…enhances transferable skills such as communication skills and the ability to work in a team, both of which are critical to the achievement of our drug discovery programmes.”

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Doing a PhD is not as much about ‘patience or persistence’ as much it is about ‘quality and preparation’ according to Professor Richard Anthony Strugnell, Pro Vice Chancellor (Graduate Research), The University of Melbourne.

That is why those who earn the degree are held in high esteem. It wouldn't be wrong to say that a PhD degree gives gravitas to one’s social standing. “In society, a PhD in any field still stands for something,” says Professor Thomas Vogel, Pro Rector for Doctoral Studies, ETH Zurich.

However, it is also a degree to be pursued by only those who are truly driven to do something original, create a new knowledge base and be prepared to discover the unknown. “One of the hardest things to do in the world in educational terms is the PhD, but the rewards are amazing. The self-fulfilment and satisfaction you achieve from it pushes you to go through all the hard work and toil,” says Prof Andrew George, Head of Graduate School, Imperial College London.

But he also adds, “You should only do a PhD if you are really interested in it, not if you can’t think of doing anything better.” Point taken!

More about the benefits of completing a PhD >

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What is the purpose of doing a phd.

A Ph.D., or Doctor of Philosophy, is a degree that typically takes four to six years to complete. It is the highest academic degree one can earn, and it signifies that the holder has conducted extensive research in their field of choice.

There are many reasons why someone might choose to pursue a Ph.D. For some, it is a way to deepen their knowledge in a particular subject area. For others, it may be a necessary step to pursue a specific career path . Regardless of the reason, undertaking a Ph.D. is no small feat.

Before embarking on this journey, it is essential to consider what type of Ph.D. would best suit your needs and interests. There are two main types of PhDs : research and teaching. Research-based PhDs involve completing original research under the guidance of a supervisor.

What Is The Purpose of Doing a Ph.D.?

The purpose of a ph.d. why do people get them.

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A Ph.D., or Doctor of Philosophy, is the highest level of academic degree that a person can earn. A research degree typically takes four to six years to complete. The purpose of a Ph.D. is to contribute new knowledge, theories, or practices to a field of study.

People pursue a Ph.D. for many reasons. Some want to advance their careers in academia or research ; others want to increase their earning potential and others like the personal satisfaction of completing an arduous task. However, getting a Ph.D. requires dedication, hard work, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

The Different Types of PhDs

There are four different types of PhDs: the research Ph.D., the professional doctorate, the practice-based doctorate, and the higher doctorate. The research Ph.D. is the traditional academic doctoral degree.

The degree is awarded for completing and defending a dissertation that makes a significant original contribution to knowledge in the field. The research Ph.D. typically takes longer to complete than other PhDs, usually 4-6 years.

The professional doctorate is a terminal degree that prepares graduates for medicine, law, and engineering careers . These degrees usually take 4-5 years to complete.

The practice-based doctorate is a newer type of doctoral degree that combines academic study with practical experience in fields such as education, business, and social work. These degrees typically take 3-4 years to complete.

What are the benefits of completing a Ph.D.?

A Ph.D. is the highest academic degree a person can earn, and it signals to potential employers that the holder has acquired deep knowledge and expertise in their field. A Ph.D. can also open up opportunities for advancement and higher earnings.

While completing a Ph.D. takes significant time and effort, the rewards can be well worth it. Those who hold a Ph.D. often enjoy greater job security and increased respect from their peers. In addition, they are typically able to command higher salaries than those without a doctoral degree.

For many people, the satisfaction of completing a Ph.D. and being recognized as an expert in their field is rewarding enough. But a Ph.D. can be an invaluable asset for those looking to maximize their career potential.

Why do people choose to pursue a Ph.D.?

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There are many reasons people choose to pursue a Ph.D.. Some people want to further their knowledge in a particular subject area, while others want to improve their chances of getting a job or advancing in their career.

Still, others pursue a Ph.D. because they enjoy research and teaching and want to make a difference in the world.

Whatever the reason, pursuing a Ph.D. is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. It takes dedication, hard work, and a lot of time – typically four to six years for full-time students. But for many people, the rewards of earning a Ph.D. are well worth the effort.

Why do people go to grad school?

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There are many reasons why people choose to go to grad school. For some, it may be a way to further their knowledge in a particular field and open up more job opportunities. On the other hand, it may be a way to pursue a passion or interest for others. And for some, it may be a combination of both.

Regardless, grad school is an investment of time and money. And, like any investment, there is no guarantee of success. But for those willing to put in the hard work, grad school can be an enriching experience.

What is the Purpose of Graduate School?

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Graduate school is a research-focused academic program typically lasts four to six years. The graduate school aims to prepare students for careers as independent researchers and scholars.

Students learn advanced research methods and complete a significant research project, known as a dissertation, to earn their degree. A doctoral degree is the highest level of academic achievement and signifies that the holder has mastered their field of study.

A Ph.D. is the most common type of doctoral degree, although there are also professional doctorates such as the MD or DDS. Ph.D. programs usually take four to six years to complete and require students to conduct original research that significantly contributes to their field of study.

What is the difference between a Ph.D. and a graduate degree?

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A Ph.D., or Doctor of Philosophy, is the highest academic degree one can earn. It is also the most advanced research degree that a student can pursue. A Ph.D. requires a minimum of four years of full-time study and a dissertation, a research project that must be completed and defended to earn the degree.

On the other hand, a graduate degree is an academic degree earned after completing an undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree.

Graduate degrees can be either master’s degrees or doctorates, but they are not as advanced as a Ph.D. A master’s degree generally requires two years of full-time study, while a doctorate typically takes three or more years to complete.

What kind of profile is required to get into top Ph.D. programs?

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There is no standard answer to this question since each Ph.D. program has different requirements. However, top Ph.D. programs generally look for students with a solid academic record, research experience, and letters of recommendation from well-respected scholars in their field.

In addition to these basic requirements, it is also essential for applicants to demonstrate their commitment to their chosen field of study and their ability to think critically about complex problems. Therefore, many Ph.D. programs also require applicants to take a standardized test such as the GRE or GMAT as part of the admissions process.

Ultimately, the best way to find out what kind of profile is required for admission into a particular Ph.D. program is to consult directly with the admissions office or faculty members of that program.

What types of students are most likely to pursue a Ph.D.?

There are many different types of people who pursue a Ph.D., but there are some commonalities among them. In general, Ph.D. students are passionate about their subject area and want to deepen their knowledge and understanding.

They are also usually very independent and self-motivated, as well as excellent critical thinkers and researchers. Many Ph.D. students have also been successful in their undergraduate studies, often finishing near the top of their class.

Pursuing a Ph.D. is a natural next step for these high-achieving students who want to continue learning and expanding their skillset. For others, completing a Ph.D. may be necessary to advance their career or pursue their dream job.

There is no “type” of person who pursues a Ph.D., but in general, they tend to be driven, intelligent individuals who are passionate about their chosen field of study.

Why a Ph.D. is Worth it!

Though getting a Ph.D. can be long and arduous, many good reasons exist to pursue this advanced degree. A Ph.D. can open up new employment opportunities, increase earnings, and provide a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction.

For many people, the primary reason to get a Ph.D. is to improve their career prospects. With a doctorate, you will have the opportunity to work in higher education or research positions that were not available to you with just a bachelor’s or master’s degree. In addition, you may be able to command a higher salary than those without a doctorate.

Another reason to consider pursuing a Ph.D. is the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of earning this advanced degree—a Ph.D.

What does one do while doing a Ph.D.?

A Ph.D. is the highest academic degree one can earn and is also one of the most difficult to obtain. It usually takes four to six years to complete a Ph.D. program, and during that time, students must complete rigorous coursework, conduct original research, and write a dissertation.

So what does one do while doing a Ph.D.? A lot of reading, writing, and research. In addition, students must complete advanced coursework in their chosen field of study, which can be very challenging.

They also conduct original research and write a dissertation, a major scholarly work. In addition to all this academic work, students often teach classes and perform other university service duties. While it is undoubtedly a lot of work, many people find the challenge and intellectual stimulation of a Ph.D. program to be gratifying.

The Disadvantages of Doing a PhD

A Ph.D. is a significant time and financial investment. For many people, it is not worth the opportunity cost. The average person with a Ph.D. will earn less over their lifetime than someone with just a bachelor’s degree.

In addition, the job market for Ph.D. holders has changed dramatically in recent years. Once seen as a ticket to a good job and stable career, many Ph.D. holders find themselves unemployed or underemployed. As a result, the skills they have spent years acquiring are often not in demand in the current job market.

For many people, doing a Ph.D. is not worth investing time and money. However, there are other ways to achieve success and happiness without going through the rigours of getting a doctorate.

A Ph.D. is an academic degree that signifies one’s ability to conduct original research and contribute new knowledge to their field. It is the highest degree that can be earned in most disciplines and usually takes 4-6 years to complete. A Ph.D. can be an excellent way to launch a career in academia or research, but it is not for everyone.

Before starting a Ph.D., asking yourself if you are up for the challenge is essential. A Ph.D. requires significant time, dedication, and hard work. Therefore, you must be prepared to commit yourself fully to your studies and research.

If you are unsure if you are ready for such a commitment, speak with your potential supervisor and other academic staff at your university to get their advice. If, after careful consideration, you decide that a Ph.D. is right for you, then go forth and conquer!

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What Is a PhD Thesis?
Doing a PhD

This page will explain what a PhD thesis is and offer advice on how to write a good thesis, from outlining the typical structure to guiding you through the referencing. A summary of this page is as follows:

A PhD thesis is a concentrated piece of original research which must be carried out by all PhD students in order to successfully earn their doctoral degree.
The fundamental purpose of a thesis is to explain the conclusion that has been reached as a result of undertaking the research project.
The typical PhD thesis structure will contain four chapters of original work sandwiched between a literature review chapter and a concluding chapter.
There is no universal rule for the length of a thesis, but general guidelines set the word count between 70,000 to 100,000 words .

What Is a Thesis?

A thesis is the main output of a PhD as it explains your workflow in reaching the conclusions you have come to in undertaking the research project. As a result, much of the content of your thesis will be based around your chapters of original work.

For your thesis to be successful, it needs to adequately defend your argument and provide a unique or increased insight into your field that was not previously available. As such, you can’t rely on other ideas or results to produce your thesis; it needs to be an original piece of text that belongs to you and you alone.

What Should a Thesis Include?

Although each thesis will be unique, they will all follow the same general format. To demonstrate this, we’ve put together an example structure of a PhD thesis and explained what you should include in each section below.

Acknowledgements

This is a personal section which you may or may not choose to include. The vast majority of students include it, giving both gratitude and recognition to their supervisor, university, sponsor/funder and anyone else who has supported them along the way.

1. Introduction

Provide a brief overview of your reason for carrying out your research project and what you hope to achieve by undertaking it. Following this, explain the structure of your thesis to give the reader context for what he or she is about to read.

2. Literature Review

Set the context of your research by explaining the foundation of what is currently known within your field of research, what recent developments have occurred, and where the gaps in knowledge are. You should conclude the literature review by outlining the overarching aims and objectives of the research project.

3. Main Body

This section focuses on explaining all aspects of your original research and so will form the bulk of your thesis. Typically, this section will contain four chapters covering the below:

your research/data collection methodologies,
your results,
a comprehensive analysis of your results,
a detailed discussion of your findings.

Depending on your project, each of your chapters may independently contain the structure listed above or in some projects, each chapter could be focussed entirely on one aspect (e.g. a standalone results chapter). Ideally, each of these chapters should be formatted such that they could be translated into papers for submission to peer-reviewed journals. Therefore, following your PhD, you should be able to submit papers for peer-review by reusing content you have already produced.

4. Conclusion

The conclusion will be a summary of your key findings with emphasis placed on the new contributions you have made to your field.

When producing your conclusion, it’s imperative that you relate it back to your original research aims, objectives and hypotheses. Make sure you have answered your original question.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How Many Words Is a PhD Thesis?

A common question we receive from students is – “how long should my thesis be?“.

Every university has different guidelines on this matter, therefore, consult with your university to get an understanding of their full requirements. Generally speaking, most supervisors will suggest somewhere between 70,000 and 100,000 words . This usually corresponds to somewhere between 250 – 350 pages .

We must stress that this is flexible, and it is important not to focus solely on the length of your thesis, but rather the quality.

How Do I Format My Thesis?

Although the exact formatting requirements will vary depending on the university, the typical formatting policies adopted by most universities are:


Font	Any serif font e.g. Times New Roman, Arial or Cambria
Font Size	12pt
Vertical Line Spacing	1.5 Lines
Page Size	A4
Page Layout	Portrait
Page Margins	Variable, however, must allow space for binding
Referencing	Variable, however, typically Harvard or Vancouver

What Happens When I Finish My Thesis?

After you have submitted your thesis, you will attend a viva . A viva is an interview-style examination during which you are required to defend your thesis and answer questions on it. The aim of the viva is to convince your examiners that your work is of the level required for a doctoral degree. It is one of the last steps in the PhD process and arguably one of the most daunting!

For more information on the viva process and for tips on how to confidently pass it, please refer to our in-depth PhD Viva Guide .

How Do I Publish My Thesis?

Unfortunately, you can’t publish your thesis in its entirety in a journal. However, universities can make it available for others to read through their library system.

If you want to submit your work in a journal, you will need to develop it into one or more peer-reviewed papers. This will largely involve reformatting, condensing and tailoring it to meet the standards of the journal you are targeting.

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COMMENTS

Explained: What Is a PhD Degree?
Written by Mark Bennett. A PhD is a doctoral research degree and the highest level of academic qualification you can achieve. A PhD involves students taking on independent and significant research culminating in a publishing-worthy thesis. The degree normally takes between three and four years of full-time work towards an original contribution ...
Doctor of Philosophy
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD or DPhil; Latin: philosophiae doctor or doctor in philosophia) [1] is a terminal degree, that usually denotes the highest level of academic achievement in a given discipline and is awarded following a course of graduate study and original research.The name of the degree is most often abbreviated PhD (or, at times, as Ph.D. in North America), pronounced as three ...
What Is a Doctorate or a Doctoral Degree?
A doctoral degree is a graduate-level credential typically granted after multiple years of graduate school, with the time-to-degree varying depending on the type of doctoral program, experts say ...
What to Expect When Pursuing a Doctorate: A Comprehensive Guide
Completing a Ph.D. is a challenging and rewarding experience unlike any other degree or job that you will embark on. It is important to understand what to expect after you decide that a Ph.D. is right for you. A Long-Term Commitment: Pursuing a Doctorate is a long-term commitment that requires perseverance. You should have a clear understanding ...
Doctorate Degree: What Is a Doctoral Degree?
A doctorate degree — also called a doctoral degree — is the most rigorous and advanced type of degree that a student can earn in any field of study. Regardless of which academic area is being studied, successful completion of a doctorate program demands years of intensive research — and the ability to contribute meaningful new data ...
Why Do a PhD?
If you want to work in academia as a lecturer or university researcher, a PhD is usually one of the main requirements. The degree shows that you have the necessary expertise to thrive in a university department. Of course, there are plenty of directions outside of academia that a PhD could lead you. PhD holders can be found across all business ...
What is a PhD?
Definition of a PhD - A Doctor of Philosophy (commonly abbreviated to PhD, Ph.D or a DPhil) is a university research degree awarded from across a broad range of academic disciplines; in most countries, it is a terminal degree, i.e. the highest academic degree possible. PhDs differ from undergraduate and master's degrees in that PhDs are ...
What is a PhD? Advice for PhD students
The precise nature and definition of an MPhil can vary among institutions and countries. A PhD, meanwhile, follows a more widely known and traditional route and requires students, often referred to as "candidates", to produce their own work and research on a new area or topic to a high academic standard.
5 Reasons to Study a PhD
3) Improving and Challenging Knowledge. Some minds are just curious and for these people, studying for a PhD will feel like a natural next step. Unlike undergraduate and Master's qualifications, the PhD program will be less structured and so students will be encouraged to research topics that are of specific interest to them.
What Is Graduate School? Why Go? Master's and PhDs
Master of science degrees usually provide further training in the sciences and quantitative fields. PhDs, or doctorates in philosophy, provide the most advanced training available in a given academic discipline. PhDs prepare you to work in academia. Graduate school is different from professional school.
What is a PhD and Why Should YOU do one?
In the UK, a PhD stands for 'Doctor of Philosophy', sometimes referred to as a 'doctorate'. It is the highest level of degree that a student can achieve. At some institutions, including Oxford University, a Doctor of Philosophy is known as a DPhil. It is distinct from professional doctorates such as an Engineering Doctorate (EngD).
Doctorate vs. PhD: Understanding the Key Differences [2024]
A doctorate degree is a professional degree that enables students to become experts in a specific field or industry. This degree focuses on applying academic research and theories in the workplace to improve performance and solve problems. ... Let's compare some more differences between a professional doctoral degree vs. PhD. Purpose. A ...
Reasons To Do A PhD or Research Degree
Reasons to do a PhD or research degree. 1. Passion for research. If you simply love learning and have a passion for discovering new things then it's a good sign a research degree is for you. You'll pick a topic you're interested in and have the freedom to dive deep into the heart of a problem. Draw on the years of research in your field, forge ...
Master's vs PhD
The two most common types of graduate degrees are master's and doctoral degrees: A master's is a 1-2 year degree that can prepare you for a multitude of careers. A PhD, or doctoral degree, takes 3-7 years to complete (depending on the country) and prepares you for a career in academic research. A master's is also the necessary first ...
The Pros and Cons of Getting a PhD
1. Societal Impact. PhD holders can influence policy, promoting changes that positively impact society at various levels. 2. Teaching Opportunities. For those passionate about educating others and impacting future generations, a Doctorate degree is often a prerequisite for higher-level academic positions. 3.
What Is Graduate School and Should You Apply?
Tags: graduate schools, education, students. Grad school is an advanced course of study in an academic discipline that people can complete after they already have a college degree. Experts warn ...
What is the purpose of studying PhD?
So what is the purpose of studying PhD beside to fulfill the CV requirement of becoming a consultant, prof, lecturer and teaching staffs in university or companies? What is the real values? based ...
Doctorate Degree: What Is It And Where To Study
A doctorate degree is the highest academic degree you can earn. Many refer to this degree as a 'terminal' degree, as it's the last in a sequence of studying. However, you can of course continue to study after a doctorate degree. Those who are pursuing a doctorate degree are usually looking to develop academic expertise in a specific area.
5 Reasons to Pursue a PhD in Education
There are many reasons why someone would earn a PhD in Education, but in this article, we will cover the top five. 1. Achieve Your Personal Goals. For some, earning a PhD degree represents a personal goal or something that was on their bucket list. Completing a doctoral degree program is a significant achievement.
Why a PhD is Worth it!
Completing a PhD is all about creating fresh knowledge, discovering new things and developing new skills. It is a degree meant for those who seek greater depth of knowledge in a specific area. With a PhD, 'one can make a difference', says Professor Paul KH Tam, Pro Vice Chancellor and Vice President (Research), University of Hong Kong.
What Is The Purpose of Doing a PhD?
A research degree typically takes four to six years to complete. The purpose of a Ph.D. is to contribute new knowledge, theories, or practices to a field of study. People pursue a Ph.D. for many reasons. Some want to advance their careers in academia or research; others want to increase their earning potential and others like the personal ...
What Is a PhD Thesis?
A PhD thesis is a concentrated piece of original research which must be carried out by all PhD students in order to successfully earn their doctoral degree. The fundamental purpose of a thesis is to explain the conclusion that has been reached as a result of undertaking the research project. The typical PhD thesis structure will contain four ...

What to Expect When Pursuing a Doctorate: A Comprehensive Guide

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Doctorate Degree: What Is a Doctoral Degree?

What is a Doctorate Degree?

Doctorate vs. PhD Degrees

Types of Doctoral Degrees

Applied Practitioner-Based Doctoral Programs

Steps To Obtain a Doctorate

Step 1: Complete Your Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree

Step 2: Apply to Doctorate Programs

Step 3: Complete Program Coursework

Step 4: Complete Your Dissertation

How Long Does it Take to Earn a Doctorate?

Demand for Doctoral Degrees

Salary Expectations for a Doctorate Degree

Who Is a Good Fit for a Doctoral Program?

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Your PhD supervisor

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5 Reasons to Study a PhD

1) Make a Contribution Towards Your Chosen Field

2) Long-term Career Goals

3) Improving and Challenging Knowledge

4) Enjoyment of the Subject Matter

5) Demonstration of Intellectual Potential

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