what does phd stand for in latin

What is a PhD?

There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the PhD. Although most people have a vague understanding of what it is, there are a lot of misconceptions about what doing one actually entails. How long does a PhD actually take? Do you have to be a super genius to do one? This article will clear up the confusion and answer some common questions.

First of all, what does PhD stand for?

PhD is an abbreviation of Philosophiae doctor which is Latin for “doctor of philosophy”. All PhD are “doctors of philosophy” regardless of whether the degree is in physics, biology, anthropology or actual philosophy.

So, what is a PhD?

In the simplest terms, it’s the highest academic degree. It is earned by spending three or more years doing original, independent research to produce a thesis which is orally defended.

What does a PhD entail?

A PhD is first and foremost a research degree so the majority of your time will be spent researching. What exactly this looks like depends on the field you’re studying. You may be in a library, or running experiments in a lab, or in the field. Regardless of where you research, you will be regularly meeting with your supervisor to check your progress. Your supervisor will also give you feedback and help you work through any problems you may encounter. They will also provide encouragement and support as you progress through your PhD.

As a doctoral student, you may also have to complete a certain level of graduate-level courses or take exams to demonstrate your knowledge of certain subjects in your field. You will also be expected to participate in other vital aspects of academic life such as teaching, attending and presenting at conferences, grant writing, and publishing in academic journals.

The final step is the PhD defence. The after submitting your written thesis to your committee, they will set a date for your defence. The defence is an oral exam where you show your mastery of the subject area by explaining, discussing, and defending your thesis to a committee of internal and external examiners. The examiners also ask the candidate questions about their dissertation and the field more generally. If the defence is successful, the candidate is awarded their degree and the title of “Doctor”.

How long does it take to earn a PhD?

It can take anywhere from three to six years depending on the country you study in. European PhDs tend to be shorter as candidates begin working on their research projects right away, while American PhDs are longer and require couple years of coursework and exams before the candidate begins their research.

What qualifications do you need to do a PhD?

Drive, determination, and curiosity first of all! On a more practical side, excellent grades, strong letters of recommendation, and the appropriate qualifications. In most parts of Europe, a Master’s degree is a must for PhD applicants, while many American programs allow students to apply for a PhD straight from their undergraduate degree. You can read more about the requirements and PhD application process here .

How much will it cost?

It’s difficult to say how much a PhD will cost as it is so dependant on where you are from, where you study, and what you study. Some PhD are fully funded, such as those at the top American schools, while others are funded through university scholarships or national grants. In some parts of Europe, PhD students are paid nationally-legislated salaries. Occasionally PhD candidates do have to take out personal loans to fund their studies. You can find out more about what funding is available for PhD students from the posting itself, the departmental website, or the university’s graduate school website.

What can I do with a PhD?

A PhD is an essential qualification for a career in academia or research. It is the first step to becoming a lecturer or professor or a scientist at a university or research institute. However, not all PhDs choose to continue on in academia. The advanced research skills you learn during a PhD are advantageous in a variety of diverse fields such as pharmaceuticals, finance, law, journalism, and tech.

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Why might "Philosophiae Doctor" (the source of "Ph.D.") have been preferred over "Doctor Philosophiae"?

The English abbreviation Ph.D. comes from the Latin for Doctor of Philosophy , which I understand would be either Philosophiae Doctor or Doctor Philosophiae .

I know word order is flexible in Latin, but I thought that the general rule was "noun + modifier." If so, Doctor Philosophiae would be the preferred form. And yet the widespread usage of Ph.D. suggests that the opposite order, Philosophiae Doctor , prevailed. Is there a grammatical reason that the latter option became the source of the Ph.D. abbreviation?

Related question on ELU.SE: Why PhD, and not DPh

• abbreviations
• academic-latin

• I was always under the impression that it was Philosophical Doctor, not Doctor of Philosophy (which, though it makes little sense in English, might be fine in Latin) –  anon Commented Feb 24, 2016 at 0:11
• 1 In the German-speaking countries, the usual form is Dr. phil. (and Dr. med. , Dr. iur. etc.). –  chirlu Commented Feb 24, 2016 at 1:16
• 3 Isn't this question about English rather than Latin? As far as I know, Ph.D. is an English phrase, not a Latin phrase. It's based on Latin words, but these words were assembled to fit English speakers, not by Latin speakers. –  Gilles 'SO- stop being evil' Commented Feb 24, 2016 at 1:29
• 1 @Gilles I see it as a Latin word order question that later has an impact on English. Why does "Philosophiae Doctor" exist in the first place? There's nothing "more English" about Ph.D. than D.Ph. or D.P., so where did it come from? –  Nathaniel is protesting Commented Feb 24, 2016 at 2:01
• 1 @Nathaniel I'll keep looking for the exact dates these came into being. Also, note that in Oxford and other places, M.Phil. and D.Phil. are standard, not unlike the German abbreviation. –  cmw ♦ Commented Feb 29, 2016 at 21:18

2 Answers 2

There is no significance to the word order, and both are perfectly acceptable in Latin. In fact, it is only in English translation that there is a difference felt. The genitive in Latin is perfectly at home come before or after the noun. For example, Lucretius wrote De Rerum Natura while Cicero wrote De Natura Deorum . The choice is stylistic.

And Ph.D. isn't so standard after all. While it's the most popular abbreviation in the American system, in the UK you can get a D.Phil. in Oxford , and in Germany the abbreviation begins with Dr.

So there's no grammatical reason for adopting one or the other.

"Philosophiae" is not a modifier, but a noun in the genitive case, so the assumption behind the question is faulty.

• 7 It is indeed a genitive noun, but it's also acting as a modifier (modifying doctor ). –  Draconis ♦ Commented Jul 9, 2021 at 23:19

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The Etymology of PhD and Its Essence

How many of you know what does PhD stand for? It is a word with a Latin origination “Philosophiae Doctor”. Some wonder why PhD in any stream is explained as Philosophy. The answer here is tricky and may not be known to many. The use of the word philosophy here is not connected to the branch of science but rather to the original Greek meaning which says “Love of Wisdom”. It is a degree that highlights that the scholar has contributed to existing knowledge with his hard work and wisdom.

The only way one can find out how to do a PhD is to do one!!

In light of the above statement and the etymology of PhD that has been explained, I wonder how relevant would all tips and advices be? But we still do not refrain from giving them. I suppose there isn’t any harm also, as long as we pick up ways to simplify a journey that otherwise would be herculean for many.

As much as we dream to celebrate the end of our PhD journey, I say the beginning needs to be celebrated as well. With plenty of novel experiences and opportunities coming way, it may be over whelming. A great percentage of people quit from their PhD half way because they cannot adapt to the requirements and challenges. Even if it isn’t rosy, I say do not quit. There are good reasons for not doing so.

The requirements and challenges of PhD are distinct for each country while keeping in mind the core essence of the degree. In countries like the US and Canada they call for a specific course work before starting pure research work. In the UK things are changing, there is focus on other activities such as contribution towards teaching and other activities. The conclusion or as we say the culmination of a PhD requires to submit the original contribution to research in the form of a thesis. It has to be of standard to be reviewed published in journals of repute. To maintain the worthiness of the degree it does not end here, in the end the candidate is expected to defend work in front of a panel of experts which is called as VIVA. The word VIVA has been taken from the Latin word “Viva Voice “meaning “Live voice”. Only once the panel is satisfied with the work and the defence given by the candidate do they finally allow to award the degree and the person may get the word Doctor Prefixed to his name.

At the end, it isn’t the end. In fact a PhD is a beginning of one’s professional journey that will require you to use not just the academic skills you have mastered through the course but also the patience, determination, tolerance and capacity to hard work to move along to lead you to your path to success.

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abbreviation or noun

Definition of phd, examples of phd in a sentence.

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'PhD.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

New Latin philosophiae doctor

1839, in the meaning defined above

Dictionary Entries Near PhD

Cite this entry.

“PhD.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/PhD. Accessed 28 Jun. 2024.

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PHD Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It?

You’ve likely seen the abbreviation PHD — but what is the meaning of PHD? We’ll tell you. Read on as we explore this common acronym.

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There are several ways to abbreviate words in the English language — hence why there are so many acronyms and abbreviations found in the dictionary today. 

While some terms are pretty self-explanatory, like “Feb,” which stands for “February,” there are some acronyms that could use a bit of explaining — such as Ph.D.

Although Ph.D is an abbreviation with more than one meaning, it commonly refers to a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D): spelled with a capitalized “P,” lowercase “h,” and uppercase “D.”  

Interested in learning more? We can help. Read on as we explore the abbreviation Ph.D to uncover its meaning, origin, and more. Are you ready? Let’s dive in.

What Does PhD Mean?

Ph.D — aka Doctor of Philosophy — is defined by Dictionary.com as the highest degree awarded by a school in a field of academic study. A doctorate is typically awarded to an individual who has completed three or more years of graduate study and a dissertation approved by a committee of professors. 

Common abbreviations used for the doctor of philosophy include: 

• Ph.D. 

After completing the Ph.D degree or dissertation, a graduate can use Dr. or Ph.D. For example:

• Dr. Suzie Johnson or
• Suzie Johnson (Ph.D) or
• Dr. Suzie Johnson (Ph.D) 

What Is the Origin of Ph.D?

Abbreviated from the Latin term philosophiae doctor meaning “doctor of philosophy,” the Ph.D is the highest degree in most fields, with the notable exceptions of medicine and law that have their own doctorates. The degree originated in 19th century Germany when the word “philosophy” had the much broader meaning of “love of wisdom.”

Though universities have existed in Europe long before the 19th century, the degrees that medieval universities awarded to students had more in common with the MD than with the Ph.D, as they required mastery of already existing knowledge. 

In 1861, Yale University became the first institution of higher education in the United States to award the degree, conferring it on three recipients; Arthur W, Wright, James M. Whiton, and Eugene Schuyler. A few decades later, Canada accepted Ph.D as their highest level of honor, and in 1917, the doctoral of philosophy was introduced in all disciplines of the subjects.  

How Can I Use Ph.D in a Sentence?

Now that you understand what Ph.D means, let’s take a look at some examples of this acronym in a sentence:

“After telling him I earned an academic degree, he bragged for the rest of the night about having a Ph.D .”

“I can’t decide what academic field to get my Ph.D in.”

“Tom can’t work full-time because he is a Ph.D student and has to work on his thesis.”

“My mom is thinking about going back to school to complete a Ph.D program in psychology.”

“I am in the second year of my Ph.D program.”

“Whether you like physics, chemistry, or psychology, you can find a Ph.D program on campus,”

“Look, I understand that you’re my supervisor, but I am looking to get my Ph.D degree and ultimately become a doctor of medicine; in other words, I have to study and can’t pick up more than one shift per week.” 

“Have you taken the exams yet to get your Ph.D ?”

“Did you know that some Ph.D programs accept a portfolio of published papers?”

“To get a Ph.D , it’s important to study hard and get good grades.”

“Gosh, I didn’t realize how many seminars and workshops I’d have to attend to get a Ph.D !”

“A Ph.D comes with a pretty hefty fee, so be sure to apply for scholarships.”

What Is a Doctorate?

Simply put, a doctorate is any qualification that awards a doctoral degree. To qualify for one, you need to produce work at a high level that makes a significant new contribution to knowledge in your academic field. Doing so earns you the title “Doctor.”

Many people believe a doctorate and a Ph.D are the same. However, this is not the case, as a Ph.D is a type of doctorate, such as a Doctor of Philosophy. Other doctoral degrees or types of doctorate include:

• Doctor of Education
• Doctor of Theology
• Doctor of Medicine
• Doctor of Musical Arts
• Doctor of Literature
• Doctor of Divinity
• Doctor of Civil Law
• Doctor of Science

According to the American Psychological Association, the Ph.D is intended for students interested in gaining new knowledge through scientific research, or teaching experience. 

Does PHD Stand For Anything Else?

Although the abbreviation PHD is most commonly associated with the Doctorate of Philosophy, it does have a few other meanings:

• Pizza Hut Delivery
• Press Here, Dummy
• Permanent Head Damage
• Pretty Heavy Drinker
• Please Hire Desperate
• Preparing His Disciples
• Player Hating Degree
• Power Hungry Dog
• Premium Hot Dog
• Pretty Heavy Dude
• Poor, Hungry, and Determined

A Final Word

So, what does PHD mean, you ask?

Simply put, PHD is an abbreviation that stands for many words; however, it’s most commonly used to abbreviate “Doctor of Philosophy.”

We hope this guide has provided you with all of the information you need to understand the meaning of PHD fully. To discover more interesting words and strengthen your overall vocabulary, be sure to check out our website , where you’ll find definitions, grammar tips, and more!  

• A Brief History of the PhD | NeuWrite West 
• Ph.d. Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com
• The First American Doctor of Philosophy Degree: A Centennial Salute to Yale, 1861-1961 | The Journal of Higher Education

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

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• PhD FAQS - Common Questions About Postgraduate Study

Written by Mark Bennett

PhD research is about answering new questions, but what about the questions you have about researching a PhD? Whether you want to know how a PhD works, how long the degree (or thesis) is, or simply what ‘PhD’ actually stands for, this page can help.

Below you can find some of the most frequently asked questions about studying a PhD. We’ve divided them into sections, introducing PhD study and the types of doctoral degree, explaining how to choose, apply for and fund your PhD as well as career prospects for people with a doctorate.

How to do a PhD

Not sure what studying a PhD involves? The questions in this section will help explain how PhDs work, what they involve and how you actually get one.

For a more detailed description, see our guide: What is a PhD?

What is a PhD?

A PhD is a postgraduate doctoral degree, usually completed after an undergraduate Bachelors and / or a Masters degree. PhD students carry out independent research towards an original thesis in their subject and receive the title ‘Doctor’ upon successful completion of their degree.

What does PhD stand for?

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. The term PhD come from the Latin: Ph ilosophiae D octor. It may also be written as Ph.D or DPhil.

What level is a PhD?

A PhD degree is a third-cycle postgraduate qualification, above both Bachelors and Masters degrees. It’s normally the highest level of academic degree someone can earn. In the UK education system, a PhD is known as a level 8 qualification (a Masters is level 7, unsurprisingly).

How long is a PhD?

In the UK, full-time PhDs last for three to four years depending on your programme / funding. This is typical for most countries, but there are exceptions. For example, PhD programmes in the USA are rather longer, lasting for six or seven years full-time, including a significant taught component.

How hard is a PhD?

A PhD is the highest academic qualification you can get, so you shouldn’t expect it to be a walk in the park. Involving at least three years of concentrated research, you’ll need to produce a genuinely original contribution to your academic field.

Additionally, a PhD requires a great deal of motivation, grit and psychological fortitude. It’s not just about your intellect – it’s about your ability and determination to use that intellect to good use over the course of several years.

The difficulty of a PhD doesn’t result from the complexity or technicality of the material you study, so much as the need to commit to and manage such a substantial project. PhDs also require a different approach to learning. Unlike undergraduate study where you learn what is already known, a doctorate challenges you to find solutions that are not yet known – if there is a solution to be found, that is.

How many hours do you need to work?

Doing a full-time PhD is a comparable commitment to a full-time job (funded projects even come with a sort of salary, usually referred to as a stipend or studentship). You should assume a minimum of 35 hours per week, which will often increase (particularly when you are writing up your thesis).

How long is a PhD thesis?

A PhD thesis (or dissertation) is usually around 70,000-100,000 words. They are generally divided into multiple chapters, including the introduction, literature review , results, discussion and bibliography.

Do PhDs have exams?

Yes, but not the sort of exams that you are used to. Instead of a traditional ‘written’ test, a PhD ends with an oral examination called a viva voce (Latin for ‘living voice’).

This requires you to answer questions face-to-face with academics who are experts in your subject and have read your thesis. They will explore the direction you have taken with your research, query your results and ask you to justify your conclusions. The aim is to prove that your work is your own and that your thesis is up to the standard of a PhD. The viva voce is sometimes known as a ‘PhD defence’.

Many PhDs also include a miniature version of this process as part of the process of upgrading or confirming students at the end of their first year.

Can you work during a PhD?

It’s not a good idea to work full-time while studying for a PhD on a full-time basis, and you can’t normally do so if you are receiving full funding (such as Research Council funding from UKRI). You are allowed to work part-time, but you should get your supervisor’s advice before you commit to an additional workload.

Can you study part-time?

Yes. Many students choose to study part-time , particularly when they are self-funded. A part-time PhD usually takes between five and six years in the UK (you’ll have half the workload of a full-time one). However, it is likely that the majority of funded PhD positions will require a full-time commitment. Some study abroad destinations may only award visas to full-time international students, for example.

Why is PhD research important?

Completing a PhD is about creating new knowledge and discovering new things as well as developing skillsets. As such, doctoral research is a key part of the wider research and investigation work undertaken by universities and PhD students alongside academic faculty on projects of equivalent complexity and significance. By doing a PhD you are gaining the research skills needed to advance human understanding of life, the universe and everything.

What's it like to do a PhD?

The million-dollar question! No two PhD experiences are exactly the same, but you can read a wide range of real student stories on our blog . In general, you can expect to work much more independently than you have in previous degrees (or in many jobs) with the need to manage your own progress and deadlines. At the same time, tackling a completely new research topic and developing genuinely new knowledge can be an exhilarating experience that few other occupations offer. For a little more detail, check out our guide to the daily life of a PhD student .

Are PhDs graded?

Not in the way you’re used to. Instead your result comes down to your performance in the viva voce exam. At the end of this your examiners will recommend one of the following outcomes:

• Pass – you are awarded the PhD degree with no further work required
• Minor corrections – you will be awarded your PhD once you have made relatively small edits to your thesis (usually to fix small bibliographical or presentation issues)
• Major corrections – you will need to make more significant additions or alterations to your thesis, such as revising or replacing a chapter and will receive your PhD once the examiners are happy with this work
• Revise and resubmit – you must substantially revise large sections of your work and submit the new thesis for another viva voce exam
• Receive MPhil – your work is not judged to be at PhD standard, but you can be awarded the MPhil (Master of Philosophy) degree instead
• Fail – your work is not of sufficient standard to award a degree

In practice, the majority of PhDs either pass or pass with minor corrections and it is exceptionally rare for a student to get as far as the viva voce exam and fail outright.

When do you graduate from a PhD?

In the UK, you usually graduate during the winter graduation ceremony after you have submitted your thesis and successfully passed your viva voce.

Types of doctorate

The PhD is the most common type of doctoral degree, but there are several other kinds of research degree, some of which you may never have heard of. This section will help clarify some of the terms you may come across during your search.

Find out more information on the types of PhD .

What is an MPhil?

An MPhil (Master of Philosophy) is a shorter research degree that usually takes two years rather than three to four and produces a less ambitious thesis.

Most UK universities require PhD students to start their studies by registering for an MPhil . The student is usually required to produce a report at the end of the first year and undertake an upgrade exam to convert to full PhD status.

Some students also register for an MPhil as a standalone degree.

What is a professional doctorate?

A professional doctorate is a programme that aims to find novel approaches to integrating professional and academic knowledge. Like a PhD, you will complete an original piece of research, however, this research usually relates to a particular area of professional practice, including reflecting on real world case studies and workplace projects.

What is a postdoc?

A postdoc (or postdoctoral fellowship to use the full name) is a paid fixed-term research position (usually 1-3 years) that follows the completion of a PhD. Postdocs allow PhD graduates to gain experience as early career researchers.

Can you do a PhD after an MBA?

Yes, you can do a PhD after an MBA . It isn’t the most popular route to take but if you are interested in research then doing a PhD is for you.

Some universities also offer a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) . This is a professional doctorate that involves more extensive research than an MBA. Students usually choose one or their other, however, rather than going from an MBA to a DBA.

What is a 1+3 PhD?

A 1+3 PhD is a scheme that provides you with funding for one-year research training at Masters level, followed by three years of funding for a PhD. By studying a 1+3 PhD, it’s possible to apply for a PhD without already having a Masters – this pathway is most common in the STEM subjects.

Choosing a PhD

Wondering where to study your PhD, or whether university rankings matter for a doctorate? These might answer your questions.

Find more information on choosing a PhD .

What are the most popular subjects?

The most popular PhD subjects in the UK are: Biological Sciences, Engineering and Technology, Physical Sciences, Medicine and Dentistry, and Social Studies.* Of course, a PhD isn’t necessarily constrained to a single subject area – many are multidisciplinary. The nature of a PhD – the fact that it must form an original contribution to academic knowledge – also means that your research may focus on an incredibly niche sub-topic, so don’t worry if you can’t see a subject that fits your aims exactly.

*Based on data published by the UK's Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) .

Do rankings matter for a PhD?

Overall rankings are based on broad university-wide criteria and don’t necessarily say how good the research expertise and infrastructure will be for your project. One option is to use specific subject rankings to look more closely at the department you will be based within. Generally speaking, if you find a supervisor who is a renowned expert in your research area but who works at a university which is lower down the rankings, your PhD will benefit from working with them rather than at a higher-ranked university that doesn’t have the same staff expertise.

Once you have your PhD, the quality of your research will matter as much as (if not more than) the ranking of the university you completed it at.

Should you do your PhD at a different university?

Studying at a new university can provide the opportunity to increase your academic network by working with other academics than those you studied your Bachelors / Masters with.

However, you should ultimately do your PhD at the university with the best resources for your project, or at the university that is advertising the project you find the most interesting. These factors may be easiest to gauge at a university you are currently studying at, but it’s always worth browsing a wider range of PhD projects and programmes.

Is it worth going to a postgraduate study fair?

If you aren’t sure whether you want to study a PhD, are confused about funding, or want to meet a wider range of universities to discuss their research, then a postgraduate study fair or an open day can be a great way to get more information. These events happen all year round and are free to attend.

How do you approach prospective supervisors?

Identifying and choosing the best supervisor is an essential part of the search for your future PhD. The best way to contact a potential supervisor is via the email address on their university staff page. Keep initial messages brief, saying what you are interested in researching and why you are interested in working with them in particular. It’s not usually a good idea to attach your research proposal or other materials at this point.

Applying for a PhD

PhD applications work a little differently to Bachelors and Masters degrees. Here are the answers to common questions you may have about applying, from entry requirements and eligibility to deadlines and research proposals.

For more detailed guides, see our PhD application section

What qualifications do you need for a PhD?

The minimum admissions requirement for a PhD is normally a good undergraduate degree, usually a UK upper second-class honours degree (2.1) or equivalent in a relevant subject. A Masters is often – but not always – a requirement, depending on the subject. You’ll usually need a Merit or a Distinction in your Masters (the two highest grades). Find out more in our guide to PhD entry requirements .

Do you need a Masters to do a PhD?

If you’re applying for a PhD in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences, a Masters is usually part of the entry requirements for a doctorate. In STEM subjects, however, things work slightly differently. It’s more common in these subject areas for students to complete an integrated 1+3 PhD , which includes a Masters. If you’re doing an integrated Masters / PhD, the main entry requirement is a good undergraduate degree. In some instances you may be able to apply for a PhD without a Masters . You can read one student's experience on our blog.

What qualifications are equivalent to a 2.1 degree?

A British 2.1 degree (referred to as an 'upper second-class honours degree' or a 'Two-One') is the second highest mark available for an undergraduate Bachelors degree (the highest being a 1.1 or a ‘first’). Find out about qualification equivalencies .

Can you do a PhD without a Masters?

It depends on your subject area. Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) will often have received enough research training at undergraduate level to be able to move straight to a PhD. Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences students will normally need to have gained additional research experience through a Masters. A well-graded Masters can also help compensate for a lower undergraduate degree in application.

Do you need a TOEFL / IELTS score for a PhD?

If English isn’t your first language and you haven’t already studied at a university in an English-language country, you may need to provide proof of your language proficiency in the form of a TOEFL or IELTS exam . Your prospective university will be able to advise you on whether or not you need to take an English language test.

What should you put in your application?

Applications for advertised projects should typically include:

• An up-to-date CV
• A personal statement (providing information on your relevant experiences and research interests)
• A covering letter (demonstrating your interest in the project). You may also be asked to include a sample of your written academic work.

If you are putting forward your own PhD project you will need to submit a detailed research proposal along with your CV and other materials.

How many PhD programmes should you apply to?

Technically there’s no limit to the number of PhD programmes you can apply for. That said, PhD applications take time and you should make sure you tailor each application to the specific project you are interested in.

When should you apply?

Application deadlines for PhD study depend on the type of project you are interested in.

• Most advertised projects are listed between September and March (though some application windows may be much shorter than this) ready for students to begin in the following autumn.
• You can propose your own PhD at any time, though universities will generally prefer to enrol students at the start of the academic year.

PhD study is generally much more flexible than other levels of study though, so it’s worth keeping an eye on advertised projects all year round. Similarly, you can contact a university or supervisor to discuss your idea at any point.

Do you need to write your own research proposal?

It depends on your subject area. If you are interested in studying a STEM project it is very unlikely that you will have to write a research proposal, since funded projects in these areas have already been thought up by a supervisor and peer reviewed.

However, in Arts, Humanities and Social Science areas you will likely find yourself producing your own research proposal . In this case you'll benefit from the support and input of a prospective supervisor (if you’ve established one) or another leading academic in your field of interest.

Who should you ask to provide reference for your application?

At least one of your referees for a PhD application should be an academic tutor who has good experience of your work at Bachelors or Masters level (a dissertation supervisor is ideal). You can also include references from employers or others who can speak to your general character and achievements.

What happens at a PhD interview?

Interviews are required for almost all PhD applications (the exception would be if you were staying at the same university with a supervisor and department who are already very familiar with your work).

You will be invited to discuss the project in question with prospective supervisors and other staff at the university. They will ask questions to assess your understanding of the work in question and confirm that this is the right PhD and university for you. Some interviews also ask candidates to give a short presentation on their project idea or on the direction they would like to take for an advertised project.

When do PhDs start?

Most PhDs start at the beginning of the autumn semester (usually around the start of October). However, some PhD projects have the flexibility to start at any time of the year.

Funding a PhD

There are many ways to fund a PhD, including full university studentships and other grant schemes as well as student loan systems. We’ve covered a selection of the most frequently asked questions about how PhD funding works below.

For more information, see our funding guide .

Can you self-fund a PhD?

It is possible to self-fund a PhD, either by applying for several smaller grants to create your own package of funding, using personal funds or a combination of both. Self-funding is not always easy and will require careful financial planning. Having your own funding is also no guarantee of a PhD place. You will still need to fulfil entry requirements and to find a supervisor willing to take you on.

How much does a PhD cost?

PhD fees in the UK are typically between £4-5,000 per year. However, some subjects also include additional ‘bench fees’ for consumables and other research expenses. For indicative fees and other costs, search our database and then consult individual institutions’ websites.

Remember that projects that are advertised as fully funded don’t charge fees to the student.

Are PhD students exempt from council tax?

In the UK, yes. You will need to be fully enrolled and provide evidence of this to your local council. You can get this evidence from your university students advice office.

What are the types of funding available?

There are multiple ways in which you can fund your PhD, including support from one of the UK's Whether that be from Research Council , a University Scholarship , from Charities and Trusts , or with a PhD loan .

Are PhD studentships tax free?

In the UK, yes – student stipends provided by Research Councils and universities are not normally taxed as income.

What is a PhD stipend?

A PhD (or doctoral) stipend is a regular sum of money paid to students for living costs during a PhD. This money forms part of a full Research Council studentship in the UK. Depending on university, stipends may be paid monthly or quarterly.

What is a PhD studentship?

A PhD studentship is a package of funding linked to specific research project. Most provide full funding (covering the cost of tuition, material and a maintenance allowance) but some are fees-only (covering the cost of the tuition fees only). Applications for studentships, or projects with studentships attached, are generally very competitive.

Are PhD researchers university employees?

PhD researchers in the UK carry out some similar work to academics in their department, including teaching undergraduate students (and being paid for it). However, they are not normally classed as university employees.

The situation is different in some European countries where PhD researchers are staff, rather than students, with entitlement to sick pay and benefits in return for fulfilling additional responsibilities alongside their project.

Do PhD students take classes?

Most PhD students will have the opportunity to teach undergraduates during their doctorate, but this isn’t usually a requirement of the programme. Instead, it’s seen as a good chance for them to gain a new skillset and increase their confidence. It can also be a source of funding – particularly in the case of graduate teaching assistantships.

What is a Graduate Teaching Assistantship?

Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTA) are a combination of PhD study and formal teaching responsibilities within your university. You will be paid a regular salary for this work, essentially being a form of funding for your PhD. GTAs are most common in Canada and the USA but can be found across the world (including the UK).

Career prospects

There are many reasons for considering PhD study, but you may be wondering what you can do after you receive your doctorate. You don’t necessarily have to stay in academia! This section will help answer any questions you have about post-PhD careers.

Find more information about PhD careers .

Will a PhD help your career?

If you want a career in research (in academia or in industry), then a doctorate will almost certainly help your career . After all, a PhD demonstrates that you are a highly capable researcher. Other employers may not specifically seek out PhD graduates, but they will often recognise the transferable skills you gain from a PhD.

Will you earn more with a PhD?

Having a doctorate can allow you to access some potentially high-paying jobs, particularly in industrial research, but a PhD doesn’t automatically guarantee a higher salary. Government statistics do suggest that PhD holders go on to earn higher salaries than their Bachelors or Masters counterparts. You can find out more in our guide to PhD employability and earnings .

Does the time you spend on a PhD affect its worth?

Not particularly. In the end you will have the same level of education and a longer PhD may provide more time to attend training courses and undertake career development opportunities. Some employers (particularly universities) may want to know why a PhD was longer than average and what you did during the extra time, which is a good way for you to talk about any possible extenuating circumstances.

Can a PhD leave you overqualified?

Technically, it shouldn’t do. If you apply for a job that doesn’t require a PhD, then they will pay you the salary for the job, not for your qualification. But PhDs come with a lot of transferable skills; you can apply the skillset you acquired during your PhD into any job.

What can you do if your PhD goes wrong?

Research rarely goes completely smoothly and part of succeeding on a PhD involves managing the difficulties you encounter. The important thing to remember is that there is always someone to talk about your problems. The first port of call should be your supervisor (unless they are the problem – in which case you can talk to the PhD programme director or manager of graduate school). Our guide to PhD problems has more detail on some of the potential hurdles you may have to tackle during a PhD.

Looking for more information?

Hopefully we’ve managed to answer the main questions you might have about PhD study. You can check our advice , funding and study abroad sections for more detailed guides.

Ready to do a PhD?

Search our project listings to find out what you could be studying.

Want More Updates & Advice?

If you’re wondering whether you should do a PhD, this page will walk you through a selection of the most common reasons for pursuing one, along with some of the benefits that a PhD can give you.

Understand what a successful PhD research proposal needs to include and how to go about writing one for your project application.

Our guide explains how to contact a potential PhD supervisor to discuss your proposal or ideas with them before applying.

Will a PhD help you get a job or earn a better salary? And what are your career prospects in and outside of academia?

Not sure how to fund your PhD? This guide answers some of the most common questions about PhD funding in the UK.

A checklist of the things you'll need to do when making an international PhD application, from meeting the entry requirements to sorting out your visa.

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What is a phd.

A PhD is the highest postgraduate qualification level that can be awarded in academic study. This is usually completed over three to four years of full-time study, and involves research into an original contribution in your chosen field. 

PhD is an acronym that stands for Doctor of Philosophy. The name for PhD comes from the Latin term “Philosophiae Doctor”, which roughly translates to “Lover of wisdom”.

Whether you’re finishing up from an undergraduate degree, on a masters course or even just looking to get back into education, you’ll have seen people talking about getting a PhD .

Most people know vaguely what a PhD is – it’s a university course that means you can call yourself ‘Doctor’ without having to do medicine, right? Whilst that is surprisingly close to the truth, we’re here to answer the oft-asked question of ‘what is a PhD?’.

This guide covers everything you need to know about a PhD.

What does a PhD involve?

A PhD will typically take three years to complete. If taken part time, then it will be separated into three different stages:

Year 1: This will involve you speaking with your advisor about your research ideas, finishing your research proposal and beginning to put deadlines in place for your research. You’ll also complete your literature review in this stage. During this, you’ll review the existing research done on the topic that you’re planning to research to help you determine the gaps in the research that you can target

Year 2: During this stage, you’ll begin to conduct your research to gather data. You’ll document this whole process for your thesis and begin to attend conferences where you will have the opportunity to present your current research to other professionals and researchers in the field. You can take this further and take steps to educate the public on the benefits of your research.

Year 3: The final stage of a PhD involves using the data you’ve collected and the documentation of your research to write your thesis. You may still be conducting research at this point, and that’s OK. Once you’ve finished your thesis, you’ll justify your research and decisions in a viva .

How long is a PhD?

A typical PhD will take three to four years to complete when studying full time. Studying part time can take up to six years. The good news is that the thesis can be extended by up to four years. This means that if you haven’t gotten anywhere near finishing your research by the end of the second year, you can apply to extend your thesis and continue your research for up to four more years. Many PhD students will complete their thesis in the 4th year.

How is a PhD different from other degrees?

To start with, describing a PhD as a university course can be a bit misleading. Whilst it is a course offered by a university, it’s incredibly different to most courses. Unlike the undergraduate level, you won’t be covering your subject broadly you’ll be focused on one very particular area. Whilst a masters degree, especially a research one, may be focused, it won’t be nearly as focused as a PhD.

That said – don’t expect this focused level of research to necessarily be groundbreaking! Though part of doing a PhD is the intent to produce original research, it’s also primarily there to train your research skills and to prove yourself as a capable researcher.

A PhD is research focused

One of the main differences between PhDs and other types of postgraduate degree is that PhDs are heavily research based. PhDs involve a lot of independent research time, where you'll study your topic in detail using academic resources – such as the university's online library and online materials. This format is different to taught postgraduate degrees, which involve a lot more taught aspects such as lectures and seminars.

Do you need a masters to study a PhD?

In order to study a PhD, you’ll need to have a masters degree and a bachelors degree with a 2:1 or higher. Though self-funded students and students with professional experience in the field may be admitted with lower grades

Some students may begin with a MPhil (Masters of philosophy) or a Mres ( Master of research) and upgrade to a PhD by the end of their studies.

Where can I study a PhD?

Most universities offer PhD programs across a variety of disciplines. It is possible to study a PhD at almost any university and in almost any subject. Since a PhD is an independent research-based program, there is a lot of flexibility in regard to what you’ll study. 

PhD students often choose their own study topics and carry out independent research into that topic. This makes it possible to study your intended PhD at almost any university. 

Although, it is important to check which specific subject areas the university specialises in. For instance, if a university specialises in linguistics, then it would be a good idea to complete a linguistics PhD at that university as opposed to one that specialises in another subject.

It can be difficult to find the perfect course at the right university. That’s why we’ve put together advice on how to find a PhD .

It’s important to remember that a PhD is different from a typical university course. Rather than going to lectures, you’ll be conducting independent research, and so the application process will be quite different. Learn how to apply for a PhD  with our expert guide.

A PhD means attending ‘optional’ lectures and conferences

PhDs do involve some aspects of taught study, including lectures and conferences, although these are often optional and take place less often than on lower level courses.

Now of course, the university doesn’t just accept you, your project and tell you to have fun. You’ll work with a supervisor, and there will be conferences, lectures, and other such things that you can attend. Unlike lower level courses, however, although you won’t necessarily be examined on these things that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go! Conferences are a great way to meet people, get your name out and network . For any career, but especially one in academia, networking is well worth it.

A PhD is a high standard qualification

But what does having a PhD show, other than the fact you spent three to four years working on research and can now call yourself Dr [Your surname here]? 

A PhD is a globally recognised, high standard qualification. This means that if you choose to move elsewhere in the world, your PhD will be recognised as a credible postgraduate qualification.

In addition, a PhD can open up a whole world of new job opportunities! This includes academic roles , such as postdoctoral research posts, or even possibly fellowships. 

Regardless of which career path you choose to take, a PhD is regarded as the highest level postgraduate qualification – reflecting your impressive work ethic, knowledge, and workplace skills.

How to get a PhD

Getting a PhD is not easy by any means. But, if it’s something you truly want to do, it’s well worth it. So let’s take a look at just how to get a PhD!

Choose your research area

Before getting started with your PhD, you want to make sure you know what area you’d like to do it in. Don’t just pick something on a whim – this is something you’re going to be studying for the next four years of your life, and something that, once you finished your PhD, you’ll have your name attached to. So, for arts and humanities students, find an area of your subject that fascinates you enough that you’ll want to spend the next few years writing about it. For scientists, find an area you’d be happy to be working on in a team, and wouldn’t mind moving into as a career!

Find a good supervisor

Once you’ve selected your topic, it’s time to start looking for a supervisor . Depending on what you’re currently doing, asking tutors for contacts or recommendations can be well worthwhile, but if you can’t do this, check out what research your potential supervisor has done. 

In addition, try and arrange an in-person meeting – or at least, a phone conversation. Email can make communication difficult and given this is the person you’ll be working under for the foreseeable future, you want to ensure you get on.

Then, assuming you’re accepted and have appropriate funding, you’ll be considered a probationary PhD student . At the end of your first year, you’ll be expected to prove you’re capable of the full course, so you’ll be tested in the form of writing a report. Once you pass this, you’re good to go!

Your next few years will be spent attending conferences, working on the research and your thesis. Your thesis will talk about what you’ve spent your time doing, how you dealt with any difficulties that arose, and generally show what your contribution to your subject is! Once that’s out the way, you get the fun job of having a viva – that is, talking about your thesis to a bunch of academics.

Pass the viva? Then you’ve succeeded.

So that’s how to get a PhD!

UK Research Councils

There are a selection of UK Research Councils, each of whom are part of the  UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) organisation. Collectively, these UK research councils provide an average of £380 million in PhD studentship funding every year – acting as the largest PhD funding body in the UK. 

Here’s an overview of UK research councils:

• Science and Technology Facilities Council
• Arts and Humanities Research Council  
• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
• Economic and Social Research Council
• Medical Research Council
• Natural Environment Research Council  

Related articles

Dos And Don'ts Of A PhD Interview

Are You Ready For A PhD?

How To Get The Most From Your PhD Supervisor

Common PhD Myths

Alphabet Of PhD Study

What Is A Postgraduate Degree? A Definition

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What is a PhD?

As the highest degree level achievable, completing a PhD shows that you've made a meaningful new contribution to your research field

PhDs at a glance

• Involves three or four years of full-time study, or up to seven part time.
• Typically undertaken after achieving a Masters degree.
• Can either be funded or self-funded.
• Assessed through a written thesis and oral exam.
• Many Doctoral graduates choose to pursue an academic or research career.

What does PhD stand for?

The term PhD or Doctorate of Philosophy is an abbreviation of the Latin phrase 'philosophiae doctor'.

A PhD degree typically involves students independently conducting original and significant research in a specific field or subject, before producing a publication-worthy thesis.

While some Doctorates include taught components, PhD students are almost always assessed on the quality and originality of the argument presented in their independent research project.

What are the most popular PhD subjects?

• clinical psychology
• creative writing
• computer science
• engineering.

How long does a Doctorate degree take?

Full-time PhDs usually last for three or four years, while part-time PhDs can take up to six or seven. However, the thesis deadline can be extended by up to four years at the institution's discretion. Indeed, many students who enrol on three-year PhDs only finish their thesis in their fourth year.

While most PhD studentships begin in September or October, both funded and self-funded PhDs can be undertaken at any point during the year.

Do I need a Masters to do a PhD?

The majority of institutions require PhD candidates to possess a Masters degree , plus a Bachelors degree at 2:1 or above. However, some universities demand only the latter, while self-funded PhD students or those with significant professional experience may also be accepted with lower grades.

You may need to initially register for a one or two-year Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Master of Research (MRes) degree rather than a PhD. If you make sufficient progress, you and your work will then be 'upgraded' to a PhD programme. If not, you may be able to graduate with a Masters degree.

If you need an MPhil or MRes before enrolling on your PhD, search Masters degrees .

What does a PhD involve?

A standard PhD by thesis degree is typically split into three stages. A three-year PhD may follow this pattern:

• First year - You'll meet with your supervisor to discuss your research proposal and agree an action plan with deadlines. You'll then complete your literature review, in which you'll evaluate and critique existing works to inform the direction of your project and ensure that your research will be original.
• Second year - Your focus will shift to gathering results and developing your thesis, and potentially begin writing chapters of your thesis. You may also present your results and ideas at academic conferences, gain teaching experience, collaborate with other students on similar projects, communicate the benefits of your research to the general public through workshops, lectures and presentations, or submit work for publication in an academic journal or book.
• Third year - Primarily involves writing your thesis, though your research may still be in progress. After your supervisor gives their approval, you'll submit your thesis before undertaking a one to three-hour oral exam ( viva voce ) in which you'll discuss and defend your thesis in the presence of at least one internal and external examiner.

How do I find a PhD?

As a PhD is different to other degrees, you're committing to more than simply an advanced qualification. You've chosen to engage in a large-scale independent research project and so you'll need to take into account a range of factors that will drive your search.

A methodical approach to the process is required and you'll need to consider the subject you're interested in carrying out research in and the type of Doctorate you're looking for, making sure this is the right project for you. Only when you're fully prepared and have a good idea of your research proposal should you search for PhD opportunities .

What other types of Doctorate are there?

Alternative types of PhD include:

• Higher Doctorate - These are usually granted on the recommendation of a committee of internal and external examiners, which assesses a portfolio of published, peer-reviewed research you've undertaken over the course of many years. This type of Doctorate is usually for those with several years of academic experience. Common award titles include the Doctor of Civil Law (DCL), Doctor of Divinity (DD), Doctor of Literature/Letters (DLit/DLitt/LitD/LittD), Doctor of Music (DMus/MusD), Doctor of Science (DS/SD/DSc/ScD) and Doctor of Law (LLD).
• Integrated/New Route PhD - This four-year PhD course is offered by over 30 universities and involves taking a one-year MRes before studying a three-year PhD. It combines taught elements with independent research, allowing students to learn different methodologies while building their transferable skills.
• Professional Doctorate - Geared towards students of vocational subjects such as medicine, education and engineering, professional Doctorates are focused on teaching and so normally involve smaller research projects and thesis component. They're often favoured by those aiming for a career outside of academia and are usually supported by employers.

Read more about the different PhD pathways at 5 routes to getting a Doctorate .

How much does a PhD cost?

Tuition fees vary, but usually fall between £3,000 and £6,000 per year for UK students and those from the European Union (EU) with settled status. UK Research Councils pay universities £4,786 per year (from 2024/25) on behalf of each funded PhD student, so this gives a good indication of the average figure.

For EU students looking to pursue a Doctorate in 2024/25, you'll need to have gained settled or pre-settled status to be eligible for student finance - see PhD loans .

Non-EU students may pay considerably more for their tuition fees.

Despite this, many PhD students are now part or fully funded - scholarships and bursaries are widely available, and particular attention should be paid to Research Council grants .

PhD studentships and assistantships involving a mixture of research and teaching are also common, with scientific studentships usually paid at a higher rate.

Read more about funding postgraduate study .

How do I apply for a PhD?

Some students propose their own research area and apply for funding, while in some cases a supervisor may already have funding for a project and advertise it like a job. When making a PhD application, you'll typically be asked to submit:

• an academic CV
• your academic transcripts
• two or three academic references
• a personal statement
• a research proposal.

International students without settled UK status looking to study certain courses in medicine, mathematics, engineering and material sciences are required to comply with the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) .

This involves undergoing a security clearance process with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. International students may also have to prove their English proficiency.

Can I study a PhD abroad?

As the aim of postdoctoral research is to stretch the boundaries of understanding within your chosen field, you may find that the best place to begin your research lies overseas.

According to the Higher Education Student Statistics: UK, 2021/22 , 113,000 postgraduate research students are based in the UK, with 46,350 of these identified as international PhD candidates.

While studying in the UK has proved a strong draw for foreign PhD students, a number of other countries have also proved themselves to be research-orientated nations.

The following 15 countries all feature within the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings 2024 :

• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Switzerland

If you're interested in studying a PhD abroad, explore our country profiles .

What can I do next?

Your ability to critically analyse, display intellectual maturity, and research independently and honestly is highly valued within academia and the workplace.

Many students who undertake a PhD get an academic job or become an industry researcher, possibly following the PhD with postdoctoral study, then a fellowship or lectureship.

Other career options will depend on your study area. For instance, according to HESA's Graduate Outcomes 2020/21 data, a significant number of PhD graduates went on to work in teaching, natural and social science, therapy, and business, research and administrative careers.

Consider what else a PhD degree can lead to at your PhD, what next?

Find out more

• Get help with choosing your PhD supervisor .
• Discover 5 challenges faced by PhD students .
• Explore professional qualifications .

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Why PhD, and not DPh

Phd is an abbreviation of Doctor of Philosophy , but unlike MSc (Master of Science), MBA (Master of Business Administration) , BA (Bachelor of Arts), BSc (Bachelor of Science) and others the order of the letters is reversed.

• abbreviations

• D.Phil. DPhil. are also used. Not as broadly as PhD, though. –  user140086 Commented Oct 5, 2015 at 18:06
• Why is this getting downvoted? Can someone provide OP with some helpful feedback to improve their question? –  Marsh Commented Oct 5, 2015 at 18:10
• 2 @MartinCarney Why? Because driveby downvoting, that's why. A plague on this site. –  deadrat Commented Oct 5, 2015 at 18:13
• 2 @deadrat Well then, I'll driveby upvote it. –  Marsh Commented Oct 5, 2015 at 18:26

Ph.D. is an abbreviation of the Latin, not the English.

Wikipedia says:

A Doctor of Philosophy degree (often abbreviated Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil) or a Doctorate of Philosophy, from the Latin Doctor Philosophiae ...

Latin does not have a set word order in cases like this , so Philosophiae Doctor is perfectly legitimate as well, and that's what the abbreviation is based on.

• Even though Latin 'does not have a set word order', some orderings are much more preferred than others. In this instance, it is 'noun modifier' or doctor philosiphiae, so now we'd like to find out why the particular order of ph. d. came about rather than d. ph. (as in DPhil) –  Mitch Commented Oct 5, 2015 at 18:50
• I'll hazard a guess - and it is a guess - that anybody who was anybody was a doctor, and the important thing was the field: was the person a philosophiae doctor (PhD), a medicinae doctor (MD), a legum doctor (LLD)? –  Colin Fine Commented Oct 5, 2015 at 18:59
• 6 Doctor is Latin for 'teacher'. A doctoral degree means the recipient is certified as being knowledgeable enough in the subject to teach it at a college level. The degree system comes from European universities (mostly originating in the 12th century in cathedral chapters at Paris, Oxford, Bologna, and other centers). All instruction was in Latin; all writing was in Latin; all discussion was in Latin. Latin was not a native language for anyone at the time. You can make up your own story about why one order got preferred for the abbreviation; it's got as much chance of being correct as any. –  John Lawler Commented Oct 5, 2015 at 19:12
• Note that PhD and DPhil are different degrees in some countries, with the latter usually being higher than a PhD. –  Janus Bahs Jacquet Commented Jan 9, 2017 at 16:32

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Frequently asked questions

What is a phd.

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.

Frequently asked questions: Graduate school

In the US, most graduate school applications require you to include:

• Transcripts from previous educational institutions
• Standardized test scores (such as the GRE or MCAT)
• A graduate resume
• 2–3 letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose

Some programs may ask you to write a personal statement in addition to, or instead of, a statement of purpose. You may also be asked to an interview .

Always carefully read the application instructions for the specific program you’re applying to.

Most medical school programs interview candidates, as do many (though not all) leading law and business schools.

In research programs, it depends—PhDs in business usually do, while those in economics normally do not, for example.

Some schools interview everyone, while others only interview their top candidates. Look at the websites of the schools you’re applying to for more information on whether they conduct interviews.

In addition to thinking about your answers for the most commonly asked grad school interview questions , you should reach out to former and current students to ask their advice on preparing and what sort of questions will be asked.

Look back through your resume and come up with anecdotes that you could use for common questions, particularly those that ask about obstacles that you overcame. If you’re applying for a research program, ensure that you can talk about the previous research experience you’ve had.

You should also read as much research in your field as possible. Research the faculty at the schools you’re applying to and read some of their papers. Come up with a few questions that you could ask them.

Graduate schools often ask questions about why you are interested in this particular program and what you will contribute.

Try to stay away from cliche answers like “this is a good program” or “I got good grades in undergrad” and focus instead on the unique strengths of the program or what you will bring to the table. Understand what the program is looking for and come up with anecdotes that demonstrate why you are a good fit for them.

Different types of programs may also focus on different questions:

• Research programs will often ask what topics you’d like to research and who you would like to work with, as well as specific questions about your research background.
• Medical schools are interested in your personal motivation, qualities such as integrity and empathy, and how you’d respond to common ethical dilemmas.
• Business schools will focus on your past work experience and future career prospects, and may be particularly interested in any experience you have managing or working with others.

Some students apply to graduate school straight from undergrad, but it’s also common to go back to school later in life. The ideal time to do so depends on various financial, personal, and career considerations . Graduate school is a big commitment, so you should apply at a time when you can devote your full attention to it.

Your career path may also determine when you should apply. In some career fields, you can easily progress without a graduate degree, while in others—such as medicine, business, and law—it’s virtually impossible to move up the career ladder without a specific graduate degree.

Most graduate school applications for American graduate programs are due in December or January for a September start.

Some types of programs, especially law school, are rolling applications, meaning that the earlier you apply, the earlier you’ll hear back. In this case, you should aim to apply as early as possible to maximize your chances.

Medical school follows a completely separate timeline with much earlier deadlines. If you’re applying for medical school, you should speak to advisors at your university for more information.

A good starting point to aim for is about 18 months before you would start the program, or 6–9 months before the applications are due.

In the first few months of the process, research programs and study for any standardized exams you might need.

You can then begin writing your personal statements and statements of purpose , as well as contacting people to write your letters of recommendation . Ensure that you give recommenders plenty of time to complete their letters (ideally around 2–4 months).

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.

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.

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 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.

It’s best to ask in person if possible, so first reach out and request a meeting to discuss your graduate school plans.

Let the potential recommender know which programs you’re applying to, and ask if they feel they can provide a strong letter of recommendation . A lukewarm recommendation can be the kiss of death for an application, so make sure your letter writers are enthusiastic about recommending you and your work!

Always remember to remain polite. Your recommenders are doing you a favor by taking the time to write a letter in support of your graduate school goals.

This depends on the program that you are applying for. Generally, for professional programs like business and policy school, you should ask managers who can speak to your future leadership potential and ability to succeed in your chosen career path.

However, in other graduate programs, you should mostly ask your former professors or research supervisors to write your recommendation letters , unless you have worked in a job that corresponds closely with your chosen field (e.g., as a full-time research assistant).

Choose people who know your work well and can speak to your ability to succeed in the program that you are applying to.

Remember, it is far more important to choose someone who knows you well than someone well-known. You may have taken classes with more prominent professors, but if they haven’t worked closely with you, they probably can’t write you a strong letter.

The sections in your graduate school resume depend on two things: your experience, and the focus of the program you’re applying to.

Always start with your education. If you have more than one degree, list the most recent one first.

The title and order of the other sections depend on what you want to emphasize. You might include things like:

• Professional experience
• Voluntary and extracurricular activities
• Publications
• Awards and honors
• Skills and certifications

The resume should aim for a balance between two things: giving a snapshot of what you’ve done with your life so far, and showing that you’re a good candidate for graduate study.

A resume is typically shorter than a CV, giving only the most relevant professional and educational highlights.

An academic CV should give full details of your education and career, including lists of publications and presentations, certifications, memberships, grants, and research projects. Because it is more comprehensive, it’s acceptable for an academic CV to be many pages long.

Note that, outside of the US, resume and CV are often used interchangeably.

No, don’t include your high school courses and grades. The education section should only detail your college education.

If you want to discuss aspects of high school in your graduate school application, you can include this in your personal statement .

A resume for a graduate school application is typically no more than 1–2 pages long.

Note, however, that if you are asked to submit a CV (curriculum vitae), you should give comprehensive details of all your academic experience. An academic CV can be much longer than a normal resume.

Always carefully check the instructions and adhere to any length requirements for each application.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

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“M.D.” vs. “Ph.D.” vs. “Dr.”: Are They Synonyms?

Quick: when you hear the word doctor , what do you picture?

Most would probably describe someone in a white lab coat with a stethoscope hanging around their neck or someone in medical scrubs—someone you would seek out if you have a deep cut that needed stitches.

That word doctor , however, is a title assigned to many who don’t come close to that description, many of whom you wouldn’t want stitching up that cut. Take your English professor, for instance. No offense, Dr. Barrett. 

It can all be a bit confusing, which is why it’s important to know who and why someone might be called a doctor , as well as what all those initials and abbreviations after their name mean. Here we break it all down.

What does Dr. mean?

Let’s start with doctor or D r . for short. While the first definition of the word is “ a person licensed to practice medicine,” that doesn’t mean you want to take medical advice from anyone who calls themselves a doctor . There are many looser definitions of the word that follow and, frankly, make things a bit confusing.

For example, the third definition is older slang for a “cook, as at a camp or on a ship,” while the seventh entry is “an eminent scholar and teacher.” Bugs Bunny didn’t help matters either by plying anyone and everyone with his famous greeting,“What’s up, doc?” 

The term doctor can be traced back to the late 1200s, and it stems from a Latin word meaning “to teach.” It wasn’t used to describe a licensed medical practitioner until about 1400, and it wasn’t used as such with regularity until the late 1600s. It replaced the former word used for medical doctors— leech , which is now considered archaic. 

WATCH: When Did The Word "Doctor" Become Medical?

Physician vs. doctor : are these synonyms.

While the term physician is a synonym for doctor , it’s typically used to refer to those who practice general medicine rather than those who perform surgery, aka surgeons . 

A quack , on the other hand, is defined as “ a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill.”

What does M.D. mean?

Moving on to initials that carry more weight than a nod from Bugs, let’s look at M.D.s .

M.D. , which can be used with or without the periods ( M.D. or MD )  is the designation for a medical doctor. This is earned by attending medical school (typically a four-year program after completing at least one undergraduate degree, plus a residency program), and learning to diagnose patients’ symptoms and offer treatment. 

The initials M and D stem from the Latin title  Medicīnae Doctor. There are many different types of doctors, with different specialties, but if you have a physical ailment, visiting a doctor with the initials M.D. is a good place to start.

Specialty doctors may add even more initials to their title, such as DCN (doctor of clinical nutrition), DDS (doctor of dental surgery), or countless others they acquire with additional training. To make things even more confusing, some may add abbreviations from medical associations they belong to, such as FAAEM (Fellow of the American Academy of Emergency Medicine). 

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What does Ph.D. mean?

As for Ph.D. , this stands for “doctor of philosophy.” It stems from the Latin term Philosophiae Doctor.

You can get a Ph.D. in any number of subjects, from anthropology to mythological studies. It’s not an easy feat, however, as to earn one, you must do original research and write a dissertation . 

Ph.D. vs. M.D .: are these synonyms?

There are two big differences between Ph.D. s and M.D .s. When it comes to medicine, M.D.s can prescribe medications, and Ph.D.s can’t. And yes, it’s possible to be both an M.D. and a Ph.D. In fact, some med schools offer programs in which you can achieve both simultaneously. 

You can also get a professional doctorate degree in a number of fields. For example, you might receive a doctorate of education, an  Ed.D . 

So, in a nutshell, both M.D.s and Ph.Ds can be referred to as doctors . If you’re looking for someone to treat what ails you physically, then you want at least an M.D. following their name. If you want to dig deep into a subject and get advice from someone who has done their own research and who likely knows the latest and greatest developments in a particular area, then you’re probably looking for a Ph.D. And if someone has both, even better—depending on your needs, it may be just what the doctor ordered.

Want more synonyms? Get Thesaurus.com’s sizzling synonyms right in your inbox! 

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Definition of PhD noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

• to do/have/be a PhD
• Anne Thomas, PhD
• acquire/​get/​lack (an) education/​training/ (British English) (some) qualifications
• receive/​provide somebody with training/​tuition
• develop/​design/​plan a curriculum/ (especially British English) course/ (North American English) program/​syllabus
• give/​go to/​attend a class/​lesson/​lecture/​seminar
• hold/​run/​conduct a class/​seminar/​workshop
• sign up for/​take a course/​classes/​lessons
• go to/​start preschool/​kindergarten/​nursery school
• be in (North American English) the first, second, etc. grade/ (British English) year 1, 2. etc. (at school)
• study/​take/​drop history/​chemistry/​German, etc.
• (British English) leave/​finish/​drop out of/ (North American English) quit school
• (North American English) graduate high school/​college
• be the victim/​target of bullying
• (British English) play truant from/ (both British English, informal) bunk off/​skive off school (= not go to school when you should)
• (both especially North American English) skip/​cut class/​school
• (British English) cheat in/ (North American English) cheat on an exam/​a test
• get/​be given a detention (for doing something)
• be expelled from/​be suspended from school
• do your homework/ (British English) revision/​a project on something
• work on/​write/​do/​submit an essay/​a dissertation/​a thesis/​an assignment/ (North American English) a paper
• finish/​complete your dissertation/​thesis/​studies/​coursework
• hand in/ (North American English) turn in your homework/​essay/​assignment/​paper
• study/​prepare/ (British English) revise/ (North American English) review/ (North American English, informal) cram for a test/​an exam
• take/ (both British English) do/​sit a test/​an exam
• (especially British English) mark/ (especially North American English) grade homework/​a test
• (British English) do well in/ (North American English) do well on/ (especially North American English, informal) ace a test/​an exam
• pass/​fail/ (especially North American English, informal) flunk a test/​an exam/​a class/​a course/​a subject
• apply to/​get into/​go to/​start college/ (British English) university
• leave/​graduate from law school/​college/ (British English) university (with a degree in computer science)
• study for/​take/ (British English) do/​complete a law degree/​a degree in physics
• (both North American English) major/​minor in biology/​philosophy
• earn/​receive/​be awarded/​get/​have/​hold a master’s degree/​a bachelor’s degree/​a PhD in economics
• dissertation

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Nearby words

Question: What Is a PhD Degree?

Answer: PhD stands for Philosophiae Doctor, which is Latin for Doctor of Philosophy. A PhD is the terminal or highest attainable degree in most academic disciplines. Graduates from PhD programs are considered to have reached the top level of formal scholarship in that field.

PhD Degree Programs

A PhD degree is often referred to as a doctorate. Graduates from PhD programs are formally addressed as “Doctors” and entitled to use the “Dr.” prefix before their name. Earning a PhD is a lengthy and arduous process that typically entails four or more years of academic work, culminating in a thesis project or dissertation, which consists of original research in the field for which the PhD is awarded. PhD candidates must then typically defend their work in front of faculty or a thesis committee. Students who are accepted into PhD programs may receive payment in the form of tuition reimbursements and stipends for work they do in academic fellowships as research and teaching assistants, which is considered an important part of PhD training.

A PhD is in some cases a requirement for upper-level research and tenure-track faculty positions at colleges and universities. There are PhD programs that cover nearly every academic discipline and many areas of professional study in the arts, the sciences, and the humanities, including but not limited to:

• Anthropology
• Business Administration
• Computer Science
• Earth Science
• Engineering
• Mathematics
• Social Work

Admission to PhD Programs

Admissions to PhD programs is generally selective, although this varies by discipline and by program. There are essentially two paths to earning a PhD, both of which begin with the completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. In many disciplines, it is possible to go straight into a PhD program after completing an undergraduate degree, in which case students may be looking at five or more years of intensive study and training before completing the program.

Applicants to a PhD program in a particular discipline or field who hold a master’s degree in that area of study are generally eligible for admissions, and their time to completion is usually closer to four years. There are some fields in which earning a master’s degree before entering a PhD program is recommended or preferred, and in other cases admission to a PhD program is contingent upon the applicant holding master’s in the same field or a related field. For example, a PhD in Social Work program may require applicants to hold a master’s degree in social work or in a field like health and human services. PhD programs that accept candidates directly from bachelor’s degree programs often allow students to earn a master’s degree as part of the PhD program. In those programs, the master’s degree is conferred when the crediting and coursework for the master’s degree is completed.

Other Types of Doctoral Degrees

The PhD is not the only type of doctoral degree. There are a number of fields in which there are terminal doctoral degrees other than the PhD, often in areas of professional practice like medicine, law, and education. Some of the more common terminal degrees in professional fields include:

• DMD (Doctor of Dental Medicine)
• DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)
• EdD (Doctor of Education)
• JD (Juris Doctor)
• MD (Medical Doctor)
• PsyD (Doctor of Psychology)
• DSW (Doctor of Social Work)

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Look up a word, learn it forever.

/pieɪtʃˈdi/.

Other forms: PhDs

A PhD is a university degree that a student gets after several years of advanced study in a subject. Once you have a PhD , you can be called "Dr. So-and-so."

The abbreviation PhD stands for "Doctor of Philosophy," and it's also called a Doctorate. Students who attend graduate school and continue their studies beyond a Master's Degree eventually receive a PhD. Most college professors have a PhD. The name of the degree comes from the Latin phrase philosophiae doctor , and the "philosophy" part of the name comes from the Greek word philosophia , "love of wisdom."

• noun a doctorate usually based on at least 3 years graduate study and a dissertation; the highest degree awarded graduate study synonyms: Ph.D. see more see less type of: Doctor of Philosophy a doctorate awarded for original contributions to knowledge

Vocabulary lists containing PhD

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What does phd stand for.

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Table of Contents

The doctorate or PhD degree is the highest academic degree available. For a thesis that makes an original contribution to your subject area, the title usually requires three to four years of full-time work.

This article defines a doctorate, what it entails and what you need to know before applying for a doctoral project or enrolling in a doctoral program.

PhD Meaning

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.

Doctors of Philosophy have the ability to become legends. Is it true that only geniuses can help them? Do you want to learn something amazing? Does your academic position depend on your degree?

Even the full title of “Doctor of Philosophy” is a little confusing.

Are you planning on becoming a doctor when you grow up? This isn’t a medical situation, though. Is learning philosophy a requirement? But (not unless you want to).

Before we go any further, let’s define “PhD” and what it entails.

What is a PhD?

A doctor of philosophy (PhD) is a degree given to those who have completed advanced studies in philosophy.

PhD is one of the highest-ranking degrees available. PhD is an abbreviation of the Latin term (Ph) ilosophiae (D) octor. Traditionally, the term “philosophy” has been used to refer to the ancient Greek definition of the word, which approximately translates to “lover of wisdom.”

What is a doctorate and how does it differ from a master’s degree?

Every degree leading to a doctorate is referred to as a doctoral degree. To be considered for this, you must have completed advanced research which is instrumental in adding expertise in your field. As a result, you get the title “Doctor”, hence the name.

So how does a PhD differ from a PhD?

No, a doctorate is called a doctorate.

Doctorates are the most common type of doctorate and are awarded in almost all subjects at universities worldwide. Other doctorates are more specialized or geared more towards practical and professional purposes. In principle, all doctorates are doctorates, but not all doctorates are doctorates.

Is Master's Degree Required for a PhD?

Certainly not. Students in the Arts and Humanities frequently earn an MA (Master of Arts) before beginning a PhD to gain research skills and techniques. Students majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) don’t always require an MS/MSc (Master of Science) to pursue a PhD because they’ll get lab experience and other abilities throughout their undergraduate studies.

Whether or not a Master’s degree is required for a PhD varies by country. As a substitute for their own ‘honours year,’ Australian PhDs may be required to complete a Master’s degree (where students work on research). A Master’s degree is frequently included in PhD programmes in the United States.

The PhD's Beginnings

The PhD is not an Ancient Greek degree, despite its name. It’s a lot more recent development instead. Along with the contemporary research university, the PhD as we know it was developed in nineteenth-century Germany.

Higher education had typically focused on mastery of an existing body of scholarship, with a Masters degree being the highest academic rank attainable.

The PhD degree was introduced to recognise people who demonstrated the necessary abilities and expertise as the focus shifted more toward the production of new knowledge and ideas.

The (PhD) Doctoral Procedure: What is Required for a Doctorate?

The doctorate usually lasts three to four years full-time or five to six years part-time.

Unlike most master’s programs (or all undergraduate programs), a PhD a mere research degree, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be locked up in a library or laboratory for years. and varied assessment with many different components.

While the second or third year of a particular degree is very similar to the first (with more modules and courses at a higher level), a doctorate goes through several phases.

A typical PhD entails the following:

 Conducting a literature review (a survey of current scholarship in your field).

 Performing original research and compiling your findings.

 Creating a thesis that summarises your findings.

 Putting your thesis together and turning it in as a dissertation.

 In an oral viva voce exam, you must defend your thesis.

These stages differ slightly between disciplines and universities, but they generally follow the same pattern during the course of a standard three-year full-time PhD.

A PhD Student's Ist Year

The first year of a PhD is all about establishing yourself as a researcher and gaining a firm foundation in current literature on your field.

You’ll meet with your supervisor for the first time to discuss your research proposal and a plan of action.

Performing your literature review is probably certainly the initial stage in this process. You’ll start by surveying and analysing current scholarship with the help of your supervisor. This will aid in situating your study and ensuring the originality of your work.

Your literature review will serve as a reasonable starting point for the start of your own study and data collection. This could entail devising and carrying out tests, or digging through a stack of primary sources.

It’s possible that the year will end with an MPhil upgrade. When PhD students are first registered for an MPhil degree and then ‘upgraded’ to PhD candidates after making sufficient progress, this happens.

In an upgrade exam, you’ll submit information from your literature review or a draught of your research findings, which you’ll discuss with members of your department. If all goes well, you’ll continue your research as a PhD student.

A PhD Student's IInd Year

The majority of your core research will likely take place in your second year. Depending on your field, the procedure will vary, but the major focus will be on acquiring data from experiments, archival research, surveys, and other sources.

The thesis (or argument) you base your study on will evolve as well. You may even start drafting chapters or other parts of your dissertation now.

Your supervisor and you will continue to meet on a regular basis. They’ll keep an eye on your progress, give you input on your ideas, and most likely read any draughts you submit.

The second year is also a critical period in your academic growth. You’ll be well-versed in current research and have started collecting data or developing your own ideas.

However, you will not yet be faced with the difficult and time-consuming work of completing your dissertation. As a result, this stage of your PhD is an excellent opportunity to consider giving talks at academic conferences, obtaining teaching experience, or even selecting material for publishing in a peer-reviewed journal.

A PhD Student's IIIrd Year

The writing up period of a PhD is commonly referred to as the third year. This is traditionally the last stage of your PhD, when you’ll be tasked with compiling your findings and refining your thesis into a dissertation.

In reality, it isn’t always that simple. It’s fairly uncommon for PhD students in their final year to be fine-tuning studies, collecting data, or tracking down a few extra sources. This is especially true if you devote a portion of your second year to professional development.

In fact, some students spend the whole fourth year or a portion of it doing their dissertation. The terms of your enrolment – and maybe your PhD financing – will determine whether you are able to do so.

However, you will eventually be required to write your thesis and submit your dissertation. This is a process in which your supervisor will be heavily involved. They’ll go over your final draught with you and let you know when they believe your PhD is ready to submit.

The only thing left is your final viva voce oral examination. This is a formal discussion and defence of your thesis, with at least one internal and external examiner in attendance. It’s usually the only way to evaluate a PhD candidate. You’ve completed the task once you’ve passed!

What is it like to be a doctorate?

The “stages” mentioned above might be thought of as a basic “roadmap” for a PhD, but the real “travel” you will take as a research student will include many additional intriguing spots, some optional destinations, and at least one very significant partner.

PhD and Research

As a doctorate student, you spend the majority of your time researching your PhD thesis, which is understandable. However, this term can refer to a surprising number of activities.

When you’re supervising experiments or researching literature, the stereotype of a student working in a laboratory or sitting in a library with a stack of books can be true. However, your PhD can take you much further.

It’s possible that you’ll find yourself visiting archives or facilities to study data or look at rare source materials. You could even be able to spend a length of time ‘in residence’ at a research centre or another institution outside of your university.

In addition, research is not a solo endeavour. You’ll meet with your supervisor on a regular basis, but you may also collaborate with other students on occasion.

This is especially true if you’re part of a larger laboratory or workshop group working on a comparable issue. Collaboration among students working on various projects is also prevalent. You can join groups that plan events and presentations, or you can work on smaller, mutually beneficial projects on your own.

Many universities also organise in-house presentations and panel discussions, which are a fantastic way to meet and provide feedback to other PhD students in your field.

Cooperation with Your Supervisor

All doctoral projects are carried out under the direction of at least one academic supervisor, who will be your main contact person and supervisor for the entire duration of the doctorate.

Your supervisor will be an expert in your general research area, but he will never have done research on your exact topic (if so, your project would not be original enough for a PhD).

It is better to see your manager as a mentor than a teacher. As a PhD student, you are now an independent and original scientist who pushes the boundaries of your subject beyond what is currently known (and taught) about it.

You are doing all of this for the first time, of course. It’s not your boss. They’ll understand what it takes to run a three-year advanced research project (or more).

They’ll know how to succeed, but they’ll also be aware of what could go wrong and how to recognise the warning signs before it happens. Most importantly, they will have the time and experience to listen to your ideas and provide comments and support as you work on your thesis.

The specifics of supervision differ between universities and projects:

 A supervisor is often the primary investigator on a larger research project in Science and Technology, with responsibility for a laboratory or workshop that includes numerous PhD students and other researchers.

 A supervisor’s research in Arts and Humanities topics is more distinct from that of their pupils. They may supervise multiple PhDs at the same time, but each project is treated as an independent entity.

Furthermore, PhD candidates are increasingly likely to have two (or more) supervisors. The former is in charge of your academic research, while the latter is in charge of supervising your doctoral thesis to ensure that you complete your education on time.

As part of your project’s strategy Regardless of how you are cared for, you will have regular meetings to discuss the job and assess your progress.

Your supervisor will offer you with feedback on your work throughout your doctorate and will play an important role as you near graduation: they will read your final draught, support you in choosing an external reviewer, and (hopefully) accompany you for a celebratory drink.

PhD: a Education, Networking, and Communication

The doctorate is traditionally understood as a training process that prepares students for a scientific career. As such, it often includes the opportunity to acquire additional skills and experience that are an important part of an academic curriculum.

After all, scientists don’t just do research; they also teach students, manage departments and supervise doctoral students. The modern doctorate is also considered a flexible degree.

Not all doctoral students end up in higher education. Many pursue alternative careers related to their area of expertise or based on the advanced research skills developed by their doctoral thesis. This is also reflected in the doctoral programs. Many today place great emphasis on transferable skills or include special training sessions designed to help students communicate and apply their research outside of class.

All of this means that relatively few doctoral degrees concentrate exclusively on researching and writing a dissertation. 

What are the Options During PhD?

During your PhD, you will almost certainly do some (or all) of the following:

i. Teaching

PhD students often have the opportunity to train university students in their respective institutions.In most cases, this involves leading classroom exercises in small groups, demonstrating methods and experiments, and offering tutoring. Work is often paid and formal training and assessment are becoming more common.

ii. Conference Presentation

As a PhD student, you are at the forefront of your field, doing unique research and generating new knowledge. This indicates that your research is of interest to other scientists and that your results are worth presenting at scientific conferences.

This is worth doing regardless of your career plans. You will develop transferable speaking and presentation skills, receive feedback on your results, and be recognized as an expert in your field. Conferences are also good places to network. with other students. and academics.

iii. Publication

In addition to presenting your research, you have the opportunity to publish your work in scientific journals, books or other media.

This can be a challenging process. Your work will be judged to the same high standards as that of other scientists and will usually go through extensive peer-review processes.

But it’s also very rewarding. Seeing your work “in print” is an incredible endorsement of your dissertation and a definite boost to your academic resume.

iv. Public Relations and Communication

Scientific work may be associated with the myth of the “ivory tower,” an isolated community of experts focused on obscure topics of little interest outside of the university, but this is nowhere near the case.

The “impact” of research and its wider public benefits are increasingly emphasized, and funding decisions are made accordingly.

Fortunately, as a doctoral student there are many ways to test public participation. Universities often participate in local events and initiatives to communicate the benefits of their research, from workshops at local schools to lectures and public presentations.

Some PhD programmes incorporate structured instruction to assist students with tasks like the ones listed above.

Your supervisor may also be able to assist you by pointing you in the direction of acceptable conferences and public engagement opportunities, as well as participating you in appropriate university events and public engagement efforts.

These experiences will be crucial to your growth as a researcher, and will increase the value of your PhD regardless of your future aspirations.

What is the Purpose of a PhD, and Who Should Pursue One?

So now you know what a PhD is, what it entails to complete one, and what you might accomplish while doing one. Only one more question remains: should you pursue a PhD?

We’re afraid we can’t help you with this.

A PhD is an extremely demanding and specialised task. After you’ve earned your undergraduate degree, you’ll need to put in at least three years of effort and attention (and probably a Masters degree too).

During those years, you’ll need to sustain yourself, and while you’ll be honing an outstanding set of abilities, you won’t be directly developing in a profession.

A PhD, on the other hand, is extremely satisfying. It’s your chance to add to the total of human knowledge by producing work that other scholars can (and will) expand on in the future. There is no such thing as a useless PhD, no matter how obscure your topic appears.

A PhD is something to be quite proud of as well. Only a small percentage of people continue on to conduct academic work at this level. Whatever you do with your PhD, you’ll have an excellent qualification – and a title to go along with it. In addition, non-academic careers and professions are increasingly appreciating the unique talents and experience that a PhD provides.

Should I do PhD?

Elsewhere in this section, you can find more advice about the value of a doctorate and good reasons to study one. Talk to your teachers / tutors.

After completing a PhD, the best thing to do is to ask who has obtained a PhD. Ask the staff at your current or former university about their experiences in doctoral research – what they enjoyed, what they didn’t and what advice they could give.

If you are considering a PhD for an academic career, ask about it too. Are the job prospects in your area good? And what is it really like to work at a university?

Speak with PhD students who are currently enrolled in programmes

Do you want to know how it feels to be a PhD student right now? Or how it is to conduct research at a specific institution? Inquire with an expert. Current PhD students were in your shoes a year or two ago, and the majority of them will gladly answer your queries. If you can’t meet any students in person, head over to the Postgraduate Forum, where you’ll find lots of students willing to talk about postgraduate research.

Examine the projects and programmes that have been advertised

This may appear to be an odd recommendation. After all, you’ll only be studying one PhD, so why waste time learning about others? Examining the specifics of other PhD projects, on the other hand, is a terrific approach to obtain a general idea of what PhD research entails. You’ll learn what PhDs have in common and what kinds of opportunities you might have.

Take a Look at Funded PhD Programs

Finally, on the VacancyEdu.com website, you can look at some of the fully funded PhD programs as well as CV template , cover letters etc.

We’ve looked at some of the benefits (and drawbacks) of pursuing a PhD, as well as how a doctorate might help you advance in your job. You may learn more about general areas of doctorate studies, such as working with a supervisor or writing your dissertation, by reading our in-depth look at a typical PhD journey. We regularly publish new articles; the best way to keep up with them is to subscribe to our free PhD opportunity email.

PhD Career: What are the Career Option?

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The Doctor of Philosophy in Greek and Latin

Requirements for the ph.d. degree in greek and latin.

This page presents the rules and requirements of the Ph.D. in Greek and Latin. The department does not offer an M.A. degree in Greek and Latin, except as a terminal degree (given to students leaving the program who have fulfilled the requirements of an M.A. degree). The following rules apply to students who begin the program with a B.A.; students who enter the program holding an M.A. may have some of the following requirements waived. The Graduate School Handbook should be consulted to ensure complete adherence to all current graduation policies and deadlines. The Ph.D. degree in Greek and Latin is awarded upon successful completion of a program of study in the Latin and Greek languages, literatures, and related subjects. The requirements of the program include courses, language examinations (ancient and modern), the candidacy examination, and the dissertation. Students’ progress is supervised by the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) until the appointment of an advisor for each student. The department faculty, upon recommendation of the Graduate Studies Committee, may propose terminating a student's enrollment if his or her progress is deemed unsatisfactory.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS  

• Credit hours: A minimum of 80 graduate credit hours beyond the B.A. degree is required to earn a Ph.D. degree. If an M.A. has already been earned by the student, then a minimum of 50 graduate credit hours beyond the M.A. is required. Moreover, the following specific requirements are discrete, that is, one cannot use, say, a seminar to satisfy a survey requirement (unless as specified below), or a seminar to fulfill an ancillary or history requirement. The required courses listed below do not total 80 credits, and students achieve the required minimum number of credits in a variety of ways (additional seminars, courses outside the classics department, independent studies, vel sim.)  
• Survey sequences in Latin and in Greek (6891 and 6892 for either language, for a total of 20 credits) : the student may opt out of one sequence if he or she has passed the language exam of that sequence at the Ph.D. level. In that case, the student will be required to take one graduate seminar in that same language (Greek or Latin) for each semester of the survey sequence.  
• Seminars (18 credits total) : three 7000-level graduate courses in Greek and three 7000-level graduate courses in Latin. A 7000-level course under the Classics heading may count for either a Greek or a Latin seminar based on the nature of the course and the focus of a student’s work. It is expected that from these or other similar courses each student will be able to submit three research papers to the Candidacy Examination Committee that may be discussed during the oral portion of the candidacy examination (see “Research Papers” below).  
• History (3 credits) : One course offered by the Department of History, whether in Greek, Roman, or relevant medieval, Byzantine, or Near Eastern history.  
• Ancillary field (3 credits) : One course in an ancillary discipline, which may be on but not limited to Greek or Latin paleography, linguistics, epigraphy, topography, literary theory, art and archaeology, ancient philosophy, ancient religion, and Near Eastern languages and cultures. The DGS will determine which courses fulfill the Ancillary Requirement.

LANGUAGE EXAMINATIONS  

• Once students pass the examination in a language at the Ph.D. level they do not have to take it again in that language. Students are expected to pass at the M.A. level normally by the end of their first year in the program and at the Ph.D. level at the end of their second year at most or at the start of the third year. For incoming students beginning the program, the examination results are used for diagnostic and advising purposes, though if they pass at any level those positive results are valid.  
• Modern language competence: Students must acquire reading proficiency in French and German before taking their candidacy examination. The advisor can require or advise a student to acquire reading proficiency in an additional language if deemed necessary for the field in which dissertation research is to be conducted. Unless students are native speakers of these languages, they will be required to pass one-hour translation examinations (with dictionary) set by the department. Students may prepare for these exams on their own or by taking OSU’s language courses (German 6101 and 6102, French 6571 and 6572). Students for whom English is not their native language may also use a modern dictionary in their native language, e.g., Russian-English.

THE CANDIDACY EXAM + DISSERTATION PROSPECTUS  

• Appointment and function of the advisor: The DGS initially serves as the advisor for all students in the program. As students begin to prepare for the candidacy examination, they select an advisor in consultation with the DGS. The advisor helps the student form a Candidacy Exam Committee, which he/she chairs, and, when the examination has been passed, facilitates the formation of a Dissertation Committee (of which the advisor may or may not become the Chair). The student can change advisors at any time.  
• Scope and function: The candidacy examination tests depth of knowledge in four specialized fields spanning different areas and disciplines (see below) that are pertinent to the student’s research interests (in preparation for dissertation work) and desired professional qualifications. It also tests the ability to interpret literature, to analyze problems, and to discuss interpretation and analysis in writing and orally. Students are expected to pass the candidacy examination no later than the end of their fourth year in the program. Students who do not pass the candidacy examination on the initial attempt must retake and pass it within one semester of the first attempt.  
• Timing:  The normal pattern for the candidacy exam and prospectus defense is to hold both within a single semester: written candidacy exams should be sat early in the semester, the oral exam toward the middle of the semester (and no more than four weeks after the last written exam), thus leaving time for the prospectus defense to be held within six weeks of the candidacy exam and before the end of the semester. Prospectus defenses must be held in term-time, between 8am and 4pm.  
• The Candidacy Examination Committee is created by the student and his or her advisor and with the approval of the DGS. The Candidacy Examination Committee consists of four faculty members, including the student’s advisor, who will serve as the chair of the Committee. The composition of the Candidacy Examination Committee may be changed only by the advisor in consultation with the student and the DGS.  
• Research papers:  Three papers that qualify as research papers shall be submitted to the Committee, whether they were written in seminars, other courses, or independent research. Each student should ask the professor for whom the paper was written (or the best qualified professor in our department, if written outside our courses) to evaluate whether it fulfills research criteria and confirm this via e-mail. The student will forward this confirmation to the DGS and the Academic Programs Coordinator to be entered into the student’s Record of Examinations. The papers may be discussed at the oral portion of the examination (see below).
• Copies of the exams should be deposited with the Academic Programs Coordinator. The examination in each of the four fields will last for three hours, and these segments of the examination may be taken in combination or separately, in accordance with the rules of the Graduate School Handbook. All portions of the Written Examination must be completed to the satisfaction of the Committee before the candidate may proceed to the oral portion of the examination. The chair of the Committee will discuss with the student the Committee's evaluation and advise the student regarding his or her option to continue with the oral portion of the examination. If the student fails the examination at this point and if the Committee grants the student permission to take the examination a second time, the student must retake the failed sections of the Written Examination; an oral portion must be included in the second attempt. All completed examinations become a permanent part of the student's file.  
• The oral portion of the candidacy examination is administered and evaluated by the Candidacy Examination Committee. To schedule the oral exam, the student must submit an Application for Candidacy  in GRADFORMS and have this approved by his or her program and advisor at least two weeks before the proposed date. Exams can begin no earlier than 7:30am and no later than 3:30pm. Exams are scheduled for two hours and can only be held at an authorized campus location, Monday through Friday, any day the university is open. Last day to complete the oral exam is the last weekday before the semester commencement. The examination itself will not exceed two hours and will be normally administered within one week of the completion of the written portion. The oral examination will explore the student's fields of expertise and interest as reflected in the four areas of examination, the research papers submitted to the Committee, and the written examination, but it will not necessarily be confined to the topics addressed there. The student will be orally informed as to whether he or she passed the Candidacy Examination immediately after the oral examination.  
• The dissertation prospectus: Each student admitted to Candidacy must submit a written dissertation prospectus to his or her Dissertation Committee within six weeks of completing the candidacy examination. The entire Dissertation Committee needs to provide feedback and approve the prospectus in order for the dissertation to proceed. The student will also arrange with the department's Lecture Committee to make an oral presentation of the prospectus before the department.

THE DISSERTATION  

Once a student has completed the candidacy examination and has been admitted to Candidacy (i.e., is ABD), he or she begins work on the dissertation. While working on this project, students continue to earn credit hours, typically three credits of dissertation research (Greek or Latin 8999) per semester. The dissertation is the culminating experience of the Ph.D. program, in which the student writes a substantial work of innovative scholarship. The dissertation is developed in close coordination with the student’s advising committee, and it usually becomes the foundation of a student’s professional academic profile.

• The Dissertation Committee: The Candidacy Examination Committee will be modified to serve as the Dissertation Committee, though changes can be made to its composition at this stage by the student and advisor in consultation with the DGS. According to University regulations, the chair of the Dissertation Committee must be a member of the Classics Department. The other two members may be from outside the department, but must be OSU faculty. A committee may have more than three members, and professors from outside OSU may be added (this requires special paperwork).  
• The dissertation: Rules governing the dissertation may be found in the Graduate School Handbook. In accordance with those rules, a student must submit the final copy of his or her dissertation within five years of being admitted to Candidacy. The student must submit an  Application to Graduate  in GRADFORMS  at start of the semester they are planning to graduate.   
• Final oral examination: Rules governing the final oral examination may be found in the Graduate School Handbook. The student must submit an  Application for Final Examination  in GRADFORMS  and have this approved by his or her program and advisor at least two weeks before the proposed date. Exams can begin no earlier than 7:30am and no later than 3:30pm. Exams are scheduled for two hours and can only be held at an authorized campus location, Monday through Friday, any day the university is open. The following departmental rules and procedures also apply: the final oral examination is held after the dissertation has been approved by all members of the Dissertation Committee. The examination deals intensively with the field of the candidate's dissertation. The dissertation defense will be open to all members of the department and, space permitting, to the general public. The date will be announced in advance and a copy of the submitted dissertation will be made available to faculty and students for previous consultation. Only members of the Dissertation Committee are allowed to be present at the discussion of the candidate's performance and to participate in the decision about the outcome of the examination. The student is considered to have completed the final oral examination successfully only when the decision of the final oral examination committee is unanimously affirmative.

Terminal M.A.

If a student leaves the program before obtaining the Ph.D., a terminal M.A. degree may be provided upon the fulfillment of the following requirements: completion of credit hours required by the College to grant an M.A. degree; completion of specific courses required by our program (consult with the DGS for these); passing at least one of the Greek and Latin examinations at the M.A. level. If the student has not passed the other language at the M.A. level, the student may submit a research paper on a topic that engages with texts in that language.