A Ph.D., short for Doctor of Philosophy, is an academic degree that qualifies students to teach their specialty at the university level, as well as enabling them to work in their chosen field. It is the highest university degree that is given after a course of study in countries around the world.
Students who choose to pursue a Ph.D. are typically required to conduct research that would allow them to expand their knowledge, usually in the form of a thesis or dissertation. The completion of a Ph.D. is a requirement for employment for many professions including a researcher, scientist, or university professor.
A Ph.D. is a postgraduate academic degree that’s globally recognized and awarded by colleges, universities and higher education institutions to those who successfully submit their thesis or dissertation that’s based on their specialty.
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It is known as the highest level of degree that students can achieve. Typically, a Ph.D. requires at least three years of full-time study, during which students need to complete their research. However, there are some Ph.D. programs that will accept portfolios or coursework. Unlike courses at the undergraduate level, students will have to focus on one particular area, rather than covering their chosen subjects at a broad level.
While we know it to stand for ‘Doctor of Philosophy’, Ph.D. is actually an abbreviation of the Latin term Philosophiae doctor. The word for ‘philosophy’ refers to its original Greek meaning philo (a love of) sophia (wisdom).
However, despite its name, the Ph.D. is not an Ancient Greek degree. It is a rather recent degree that was developed in the 19th century in Germany, along with the development of modern research universities.
By the 19th century, Germany was known to house all courses of study in sciences and humanities. Soon, German universities began to attract foreign students from around the world, notably from the United States. American students, in particular, would go to Germany to obtain their Ph.D.s after obtaining a bachelor’s degree back home. As this started to happen frequently, universities in the United States started to offer Ph.D.s in the country itself - with Yale University granting the degree to students who had completed their bachelor’s degree or those who completed a course of graduate study with a complete thesis or dissertation.
The Ph.D. degree started to make its way across Europe throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was introduced in France in 1808, in Russia in 1819 and in Italy in 1927.
An undergraduate degree tends to be the minimum requirement for a Ph.D., with some universities requiring a master’s degree in the chosen field. Admissions will also depend on your grades at both bachelor and master levels, as well as on your research capabilities.
Many institutions will require candidates to find a tenured professor to serve as their supervisor and formal advisor throughout the Ph.D. program before they are formally accepted into the institution.
Other requirements include:
Employment and Academic References
Institutions are known to ask for a record of employment (a CV or resume) during the application process. Some may even ask to see all academic transcripts, including the details of course modules and module content. You may include details of other research projects completed or any publications that you have been featured in as well to help boost your application.
In many cases, candidates are asked to provide a reference from people who know them well in an academic setting - such as tutors or undergraduate and/or postgraduate professors. The references must focus on your overall academic performance, research capabilities, coursework, as well as your chosen field of study.
Personal Statements
You may be asked to provide a personal statement when applying for your Ph.D. This will be a short essay through which you will exemplify your passion and understanding of the chosen subject or field. It is encouraged to also include your reasons as to why you want to pursue your Ph.D., as well as your extracurricular activities.
Language Competency
Many Ph.D. applications will ask for proof of proficiency in the language in which you wish to study. You will be asked to provide the results of a standardized language exam or provide evidence of a completed undergraduate or postgraduate study carried out in the same language.
A full-time Ph.D. degree will last around three years in most cases. Students are allowed to request for extra time if they need it to complete their thesis, but this will be at their own expense. If students have chosen to study only part-time, the degree can take anywhere up to seven years.
The standard Ph.D. is split into three stages over three years.
First Year
During the first year, students will meet with supervisors to discuss research proposals at length and create a plan that’s set with deadlines. Candidates will then complete reviews through which you will evaluate existing works and pieces to gain direction on your own projects and to ensure originality.
Second Year
Once the second year has begun, your focus will shift to obtaining results and developing your thesis further. In the second year, you may also present your ideas at conferences, gain work experience or even submit your work for publication in academic journals.
Third Year
The third year is when you will spend time writing your thesis once you have your supervisor’s approval. This is typically known as the final part of your doctorate, during which you will be compiling together your results. However, it is common for students to extend their time studying in order to father more results or sources.
You will then submit your thesis and be subject to a viva voce examination (an oral exam) which may last one to three hours. During this time, you will need to defend your thesis in the presence of internal and external examiners.
Unlike undergraduate programmes, a Ph.D. is purely based on research. A standard Ph.D. usually involves:
All Ph.D. projects will be completed under the guidance of your supervisor, who should be an expert in your general area of research. They will be the main support channel and point of contact throughout your Ph.D. course.
It is commonly assumed that a Ph.D. is a teaching-only degree, while a doctorate is more relevant for those students looking to get into a corporate setting. Both degrees are highly valued in academic and professional settings but have plenty of differences.
With a Ph.D., students conduct research and create new theories. As for doctorates, students start from a known place of practice to look at existing knowledge to see what theories have already been created.
The outcomes of both degrees vary as well. With a Ph.D., students are conducting theoretical research in order to obtain a tenured, higher education academic position. Through doctorates, students will typically practice in the field and advance to leadership positions, with some candidates also obtaining teaching positions in higher education institutions.
The easiest way to decide on whether you want to pursue a Ph.D. or a doctorate is to find out what outcome you want. If you’re looking to generate new theories and conduct research in the pursuit of an academic career, a Ph.D. is right for you. If you’re looking to simply advance your knowledge within the global practice to challenge yourself professionally, a doctorate may be better suited to you.
The cost of a Ph.D. degree will vary by country. In the United States, courses can range anywhere from USD $28,000 to USD $40,000 per year. In the United Kingdom, tuition fees range from £3,000 to £18,000, with fees varying for domestic and international students. In countries such as Germany, students are not required to pay tuition fees, subject to certain requirements of the country.
While it is possible to be a self-funded Ph.D. student, this is very rare. Most universities will provide sizable scholarships or Ph.D. funding opportunities. These will usually cover a good amount of the annual tuition fees, if not all. Universities will also provide funding for students to cover the costs of conferences and/or field trips.
Students can also obtain further Ph.D. funding by obtaining a professional position through studentships or assistantships. These are jobs that are tied to the Ph.D. program and involve work in teaching and research. This way, you will also gain work experience and work in a larger team.
Many Ph.D. students may also pay research support fees to cover the cost of materials used during their projects. These are typically known as bench fees and will cover the cost of facilities that are required to conduct experiments. These may be included in tuition fees but can be quoted separately. For STEM subjects, bench fees are a reason as to why Ph.D. fees are higher than others.
Of course, specific costs will vary depending on the type of programme you’ve chosen, as well as the specific kind of research you plan to undertake.
Higher Doctorate
A higher doctorate will be granted based on the recommendation of internal and external examiners, who will assess the portfolios of published research you’ve undertaken. A higher doctorate is typically for those candidates with multiple years of academic experience. Common titles include the Doctor of Divinity, Doctor of Music, Doctor of Science, Doctor of Literature and Doctor of Law/Civil Law.
New Route Ph.D.
The new route Ph.D. is a four-year course that involves taking a one-year Master of Research before embarking on the three-year Ph.D. program. It will combine taught elements with independent research and allow students to learn different methodologies.
Professional Doctorate
A professional doctorate is aimed at students who have pursued vocational subjects such as medicine, engineering and education. This route involves a large focus on teaching and involves smaller research projects. Professional doctorates are suitable for those students who are looking for a career outside of academia.
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