Do you
have a love of wisdom and a clear field of academic interest? If so, a PhD might be the right choice for you. But what is a PhD, and how can you get one?
PhD is
short for Doctor of Philosophy. This is an academic or professional degree
that, in most countries, qualifies the degree holder to teach their chosen
subject at university level or to work in a specialized position in their
chosen field.
The word ‘philosophy’ comes from the Ancient Greek philosophia, literally translated as ‘love of wisdom’. It originally signified an
individual who had achieved a comprehensive general education in the
fundamental issues of the present world. Today, the Doctor of Philosophy still
requires a love of wisdom but applies to individuals who have pursued knowledge
in a much more specialized field.
What is a PhD?
A PhD is
a globally recognized postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and
higher education institutions to a candidate who has submitted a thesis or
dissertation, based on extensive and original research in their chosen field.
The specificities of PhD degrees vary depending on where you are and what subject you’re studying.
In
general, however, the PhD is the highest level of degree a student can achieve
(with some exceptions). It usually follows a master’s degree,
although some institutions also allow students to progress straight to a PhD
from their bachelor’s degree. Some institutions also offer the
opportunity to ‘upgrade’ or ‘fast-track’ your master’s degree to a PhD, provided you are
deemed to possess the necessary grades, knowledge, skills and research
abilities.
Traditionally,
a PhD involves three to four years of full-time study in which the student
completes a substantial piece of original research presented as a thesis or
dissertation. Some PhD programs accept a portfolio of published papers, while
some countries require coursework to be submitted as well.
Students
must also complete a ‘viva voce’ or oral defense of their PhD. This can be with
just a small number of examiners, or in front of a large examination panel
(both usually last between one to three hours). While PhD students are
traditionally expected to study on campus under close supervision, distance
education and e-learning schemes have meant a growing number of universities
are now accepting part-time and distance-learning PhD students.
PhD admission requirements
Generally speaking, PhD admission requirements relate to the candidate’s grades (usually at both
bachelor’s level and master’s level) and their potential research capabilities.
Most institutions require that candidates hold an honors degree or a master’s
degree with high academic standing, along with a bachelor’s degree with at
least upper second-class honors. In some cases, you can also apply for a PhD
simply on the basis of your master’s degree grades. Grades-based PhD admission
requirements may also be based on the type of funding you will be using – you
may be able apply with lower grades if you self-fund your PhD.
Some
institutions and subjects (such as psychology and some humanities and science
subjects) stipulate that you must find a tenured professor in your chosen
institution to serve as your formal advisor and supervisor throughout your PhD
program before you can be formally accepted into the program. In other cases,
you will be assigned a supervisor based on your research subject and
methodology once you have been accepted into the PhD program.
Either
way, it is a good idea to approach a faculty member in your chosen institution
before applying for a PhD, in order for them to determine whether your research
interests align well with the department, and perhaps even help you to
brainstorm PhD research options.
PhD applications
Language proficiency
Some PhD applications require proof of proficiency in the language in
which you intend to study. You can either provide the results of an approved
standardized language exam or show evidence of having completed undergraduate
or postgraduate study in the relevant language.
Employment/academic references
Some
institutions may also ask for a record of your employment such as a résumé,
and/or all your academic transcripts, including details of course modules and
module content as part of your PhD application. Details of other research projects you have completed and any
publications you have been featured in can also help your application.
Many PhD
applicants are also asked to provide references from two or three people who
know them well in an academic setting, such as their undergraduate or
postgraduate tutors or professors. These references must have a particular
focus on your academic performance, coursework and research abilities, your
research potential and your interest in your chosen field of study.
Personal statements
Many
institutions ask for a personal statement - a short essay which you can use to demonstrate your passion
for your chosen subject. You can outline your reasons for wanting to study a
PhD, personal motivations for doing so, any extracurricular activities that are
particularly relevant or should be highlighted, and any flexibility in your
chosen area(s) of research. If you need help, many institutions have a guide to
personal statements on their website, which can also help you tailor your
personal statement to each institution.
PhD
research proposals
Finally,
in order to be considered for a place on a PhD program, applicants are expected
to submit a PhD research proposal.
A research proposal:
·
Outlines
your proposed research topics in the context of previous work,
·
Highlights
your awareness of current debates within the field,
·
Demonstrates
a suitable level of analysis,
·
Identifies
relevant gaps in current knowledge,
·
Suggests
a relevant research hypothesis to fill some of these gaps,
·
Explains
your intended research methodology in sufficient detail,
·
Discusses
the implications to real-world policy that your PhD proposal may invite.
This will
help admissions tutors to assess your aptitude for PhD research, and also to
determine whether your research interests align with their own research
priorities and available facilities. They will also consider whether they have
the relevant staff to provide you sufficient supervisory expertise.
For this
reason in particular, it is important to research institutions thoroughly
before applying for a PhD. Not only will you be happier if your research
interests fit in with those of your chosen institution, but institutions may be
forced to reject your application simply on the basis of discrepancies between
their research interests and yours. Note that this initial research proposal is
not necessarily binding – it is usually a starting point from which to further
develop your research idea.
Some
subject areas (such as science and engineering) do not ask for original
research proposals. Instead, the institution presents a selection of PhD
research projects which are formulated by the supervisor(s) concerned and peer
reviewed. This may be done at a certain time of year or year-round, depending
on the institution. Students can then submit a statement demonstrating a clear
understanding of the research to be undertaken and their suitability to
undertake it.
These PhD
research projects may also have been formulated in consultation with another
organization that may provide funding/scholarships for the successful
candidate. These pre-defined PhD projects are less common in arts, humanities
and social sciences subjects, where it’s more common for students to submit
their own proposals.
Applying for a PhD without relevant
qualifications
If you
wish to do a PhD but do not have the relevant qualifications or
their equivalent, you may
still be able to apply for a PhD program by fulfilling additional requirements
as stipulated by your institution of choice. Some possible requirements could
be to undertake specified extra study or passing a qualifying examination.
You may
also be able to make a special case to your chosen institution, either on the
basis of a non-degree professional qualification and considerable practical
experience, or on the basis of foreign qualifications. Special case PhD
applications will require the strong backing of your potential supervisor, so
you will need to seek his/her advice and support before applying in this
manner.
PhDs through MPhil
Another option available for potential PhD candidates is to apply as a
general research student or for an MPhil degree. This is a
common path taken by PhD candidates. The MPhil is an advanced master’s degree
awarded for research and can be suitable for students who do not have a strong
research background. You will be required to take some taught courses to get
you up to speed with things like research methods.
The
successful completion of a one-year taught program may lead to the award of the
MRes degree, which includes more taught components than the MPhil and can be
awarded in lieu of a PhD for students who have not completed the required
period of study for a PhD. Alternatively, the successful completion of original
research may lead to the award of the MPhil degree, which can be awarded
without the candidate having to present a defense of their dissertation (a
requirement to achieve a PhD).
If, after
the first or second year of your research (i.e. during your MPhil), the
institution is satisfied with the progress of your work, you may then be able
to apply for full PhD registration. Usually, your supervisor or tutor will be
in charge of determining whether you are ready to progress to a PhD. If you’re
deemed to be ready, you will then need to develop a title for your thesis and
choose your PhD program.
Starting a PhD
When
registration has been completed you should be officially informed of: your
supervisor(s) and their area(s) of expertise; the topic or field of PhD research for which
you have been accepted; the minimum length of time required before submission
of your thesis; the formal assessment methods preferred by the institution.
Most
institutions will also provide you with a comprehensive list of provisions and
available facilities for PhD and research students at the university. They will
also include a detailed outline of the milestones you must reach on your
journey to achieve a PhD. Your supervisor will be in charge of going through
these milestones with you, making reports on your progress, and advising you on
your next steps. You will need to make adequate progress each year in order to
continue your PhD studies.
Alternatives to a PhD
When
looking for PhD programs, keep in mind that there are several types of degrees
which have the term “doctor” in their title, such as the Juris Doctor (common
in the US, Canada, Australia, Mexico and parts of Asia), the Doctor of Physical
Therapy (DPT) or the Doctor of Pharmacy (DPharm) and the US and Canada version
of the Doctor of Medicine (MD).
These
degrees are generally not classified as PhDs as they lack that vital component
that really defines the PhD: academic research. These other types of doctorate
degrees are instead referred to as entry-level doctorate degrees. Candidates
who wish to pursue a PhD may do so afterwards, and this may be known as a
‘post-professional doctorate’.
Neither
the JD nor the US/Canada MD programs universally require students to complete a
specified academic research component in order to be awarded the degree title.
However, there are also many research degrees, such as the MD, which conduct scholarly research
(medical in the case of the MD) which is published in peer-reviewed journals.
This makes them very similar to PhDs, and some countries consider them
equivalent. Some institutions therefore offer combined professional and
research training degrees, such as the MD-PhD dual program, which is useful for medical professionals looking to pursue a research
career.
