What is a PhD?

What does PhD stand for?

A PhD degree is an abbreviation of the Latin term Philosophiae Doctor, with the word ‘philosophy' referring to the Greek meaning of Philo (friend or love of) and Sophia (wisdom).

At university, this doctoral qualification is awarded to those who complete an original thesis that contributes new knowledge to their chosen subject. It can be taken in all subjects and is the highest degree someone can achieve, at Level 8! Once you complete your PhD, you will receive your doctorate.

How long is a PhD?

A PhD will stretch across three to four years if you're studying full-time and up to seven years if you study part-time.

Most PhD studentships start in October but funded and self-funded research degrees can start at any point during the year, so not all PhD students will complete their qualification simultaneously.

What does a PhD involve?

The content of your PhD will vary depending on the subject you study but, one thing's for sure, you'll be asked to deliver a thesis at the end of your final year. Here are some other things you can expect when studying for your PhD:

Assigned supervisor This person will guide you through writing research proposals and submitting your thesis. They'll help you to plan deadlines and review any critical work.

Literature review: This is an essay where you critically review and evaluate evidence or sources within your chosen topic so you can understand where the subject currently is and where there are gaps in the literature. This will inform the direction of your thesis, so you can find a unique perspective and ensure your research is original.

Undertaking research: It might be lab work, analysing sources or reading up on the area, either way, independent research will take up a big chunk of your time when studying for a PhD.

Teaching experience: In many PhD courses, you will also take part in teaching undergraduate seminars or workshops. You'll get a taste of what it's like to teach undergraduates and share the knowledge of your subject and research.

Writing your thesis: With the research under your belt, you'll spend most of your final year writing up your findings in your 100,000-word thesis - this will take some time!

Viva Voce: After submitting your thesis to your supervisor, you'll take part in an oral exam where you are to defend your thesis. This is called Viva Voce and is the final step before you are awarded your doctorate. The examiner will ask you to discuss your findings and question your methods and conclusions.

Do you need a Master's to study for a PhD?

Most PhD courses will require you to have a Master's Degree in a related field and typically a 2:1 or above in your Bachelor's Degree. However, universities have been known to offer PhD places to those without a Master's and those who received lower grades for their Bachelor's.

PhD entry requirements

Most PhD applicants need a Master's Degree and a strong Bachelor's Degree classification. However, the entry requirements will vary depending on the university you apply to, as well as the subject you'll be studying.

Some universities also ask that you hold a specific Master's - either an MPhil or MRes - before you can study a PhD. Take some time to explore different PhD course options, consider the universities that offer the course and their entry requirements.

Is a PhD the right option for me?

Choosing to do a PhD isn't a decision to be made lightly - it's a lot of hard work and can be pretty costly. It's down to your motivations for studying for a PhD and what you plan to do after completing your doctorate.

Studying for a PhD is great for those looking to go into research, or wanting to stay in academia as a lecturer or researcher. Universities look to hire PhD graduates to help support the learning of the department and future students.

You'll want to have a real passion for your subject and it's good to have an idea of the area you want to specialise in. Besides, you'll be focussing on this area for at least three years! Think about how much you enjoyed the subject at undergraduate level as well as for your Master's - do you feel your interest will still be there? Are you happy with the amount of work involved?

A PhD isn't the only doctorate option you can look into either. You could also explore:

• Higher doctorates: These are granted to individuals on the recommendation of a committee of external and internal examiners, who assess your portfolio of research. It's usually handed out to people with several years of academic experience and can be in particular subjects, like music, civil law, divinity, literature, letters, science, and law.
• New route PhD degree: This is a four-year qualification that is available at around 30 UK universities. Students will spend one year on an MRes (Master's of Research) before embarking on a three-year PhD degree.
• Professional doctorate: This is aimed at candidates of vocational subjects such as education, engineering and medicine, with the route also having a teaching focus. These PhDs tend to have less research focus but are focused on careers in academia.

Take a look at your options and understand your motivations. You can find PhD courses right here at Uni Compare!

How to apply for a PhD

Once you've found a PhD program you're interested in, you'll be ready to apply! Unlike undergrad and other postgrad applications, the process looks slightly different at each institution. Typically, the process will include the following:

• A PhD cover letter
• An academic CV (undergraduate and Master's degree)
• Qualification transcripts and grades
• Academic references
• PhD personal statement
• Your research proposal
• Attending a PhD interview
• PhD funding options

Funding options

A PhD tends to fall between £3,000 and £6,000 per year for UK students. Many PhD students are part or fully funded, either by PhD studentships or PhD scholarships. The UK government also offer Doctorate Loans that will be paid to you - it's up to you how you split this across tuition fees and living costs.

PhD studentships

Studentships are the most common and most competitive way to fund your PhD, to help cover the costs of your research and support living costs. Studentships come in many shapes and sizes - some full-funding and some part-funding - and are typically awarded by one of seven research councils in the UK. These councils are:

• Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)
• Medical Research Council (MRC)
• Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
• Science and Technology (STFC)

As part of the PhD application process, take some time to research these and talk to your lectures about the best way to apply for studentships.