What Is A Phd Program Like

Last Updated on December 28, 2022

“What is a Ph.D. program like?” This is the question many undergraduates e-mail me asking me about. It is not hard to understand why they do so, as there are numerous doubts and confusions in the mind of every individual resulting from his amateur knowledge about the academic classes. Just as I used to be before coming to know what is phd worth it and how to become phd doctor . Today my life has changed completely for good I’m working with one of the eminent business schools with cloud nine remuneration.

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what is phd?

A PhD is a globally recognized postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities and higher education institutions to a candidate who has submitted a thesis or dissertation, based on extensive and original research in their chosen field. The specificities of PhD degrees vary depending on where you are and what subject you’re studying.

In general, however, the PhD is the highest level of degree a student can achieve (with some exceptions). It usually follows a master’s degree, although some institutions also allow students to progress straight to a PhD from their bachelor’s degree. Some institutions also offer the opportunity to ‘upgrade’ or ‘fast-track’ your master’s degree to a PhD, provided you are deemed to possess the necessary grades, knowledge, skills and research abilities.

Traditionally, a PhD involves three to four years of full-time study in which the student completes a substantial piece of original research presented as a thesis or dissertation. Some PhD programs accept a portfolio of published papers, while some countries require coursework to be submitted as well.

Students must also complete a ‘viva voce’ or oral defense of their PhD. This can be with just a small number of examiners, or in front of a large examination panel (both usually last between one to three hours). While PhD students are traditionally expected to study on campus under close supervision, distance education and e-learning schemes have meant a growing number of universities are now accepting part-time and distance-learning PhD students. 

What Is A Phd Program Like?

Every person’s PhD experience will be different. Your day-to-day routine will depend massively on your subject, research project and institution. Science degrees, for example, often involve a fair amount of collaborative work. Yet the Arts and Humanities are usually more individual.

But there are some common things that almost every student will experience. This guide will take you through the nature of PhD study, covering what will broadly be expected of you as a student and highlighting some common feelings you might have.

What does PhD study involve?

The nature of a PhD requires the student to take responsibility for their own learning. Unlike taught degrees, you will have full control of your own project and progression. If you want more detail about the ins and outs of research and the PhD experience you should check out our comprehensive guides on each step of the process.

Individual research

The main element of a PhD is individual research. While your supervisor might help point you in the right direction, it is up to you to do the work and interpret your findings. As the progress of a PhD will be almost entirely on you, you will need to learn to prioritise tasks and justify the routes you take.

Time management

As a PhD student you will be expected to set your own deadlines and work efficiently throughout the degree. There is no set schedule when doing a research degree and so you’ll have to organise your tasks appropriately. Responsibilities will depend on your topic and what year you are in. An average student might be juggling research, teaching, meetings and outreach activities at any one time.

Learning to manage your time wisely is an important skill that will greatly benefit your productivity. Taking time out to plan and organise is always beneficial.

Your supervisor

Your supervisor is there to guide you in your research and professional activities. Building a good working relationship is therefore extremely important. It’s recommended that students stay in contact with their supervisors regularly to update them on their progress.

This also involves initiative on your part, not just your supervisor.

is a phd worth it?

A PhD is a big commitment. You’ll spend at least three years as a doctoral researcher, with great demands made on your time, finances and dedication.

Which begs the question: is a PhD actually worth it?

Some of the answers are fairly obvious: you’ll do research no one has ever done before, make a unique contribution to the sum of human knowledge and come away with a prestigious qualification held by a tiny fraction of the population. You’ll also get to call yourself ‘Doctor.’

Those things probably matter to you – and they’ll play a role in defining the value of a PhD in your eyes.

But your doctorate won’t just be a vanity project. You may also want to know how much a PhD is worth – and to who.

It gets stronger the more you exercise it; and the more you push yourself to think about a piece and then write it out, the easier it becomes.

5 Reasons It is Worth Getting Your PhD Degree, After All

Assuming you didn’t get a “zero” on the above assessment, there is a glimmer of hope that maybe your PhD is worth it. Here are the 5 major reasons why it’s worth getting your PhD degree after all the time, energy, money, and effort it requires.

Reason #1: With a PhD Degree, you’ll earn more over your lifetime than the average Master’s degree holder

9 things you should consider before embarking on a PhD

From talking to thousands of people, I know that graduate students worry about the cost of their PhD degree.

Many PhD candidates think about the cost of their student loans versus their university stipends, and wondering whether the financial strain is worth it.

Money may be tight while you’re studying, but this is one area where a PhD really is worth the investment, especially in fields such as law, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical sciences, and finance.

Getting your doctorate will make you more likely to earn a higher salary over someone with just a master’s degree.

According to a study from the US Census Bureau, using data from the most recent comprehensive national census, adults with PhD degrees earn more than those with just master’s degrees.

This is true for all the disciplines that the Census Bureau surveyed, and the differences range from a 7% increase to a substantial 33% increase.

The salary rewards for PhD holders aren’t just in academia, either.

There’s evidence that a PhD is an even more valuable asset in the private sector, particularly in industrial research and development.

The salary boost is usually biggest in the STEM fields.

The journal Science reported that PhD holders in mathematics, engineering, and the sciences, can earn as much as $20,000 more per year working for private companies than those who stay in academia.

For any industry, PhD holders are very attractive hires.

The level of discipline and specialized knowledge that a PhD requires, as opposed to simply a master’s, is absolutely necessary in many advanced, research-driven jobs.

Reason #2: You’ll have unique career options open to you that you won’t get with just a Master’s

Based on over 10 years of mentoring experience with PhD candidates, I know that their number-one concern is career options after earning their doctorates.

This question is so important that it’s a make-or-break issue for a lot of graduate students.

Based on career options alone, many ask whether it’s not a better option to just get a master’s degree.

Whenever I talk to those skeptical PhD candidates, I tell them that their doctorate will be worth it, and the data backs that up.

According to PayScale, PhDs can expect to make more money than applicants without doctorates, and have access to more jobs.

The median income for an employee with a PhD degree and less than a year experience—meaning the first job out of grad school—was almost $80,000. Someone with a PhD in the sciences, technology, engineering, or math can expect to earn six-figure incomes after getting their PhDs.

In highly competitive fields, certain positions go exclusively to applicants with PhDs.

According to a ranking conducted among almost 3,000 employed PhDs by PayScale, these jobs are worth the effort.

The average worker with a doctorate ranked themselves at the highest level of job satisfaction.

All of this is good news for graduate students with reservations about continuing their PhD educations.

After you earn your doctorate, you can expect to earn more and have higher levels of job satisfaction.

There’s another major benefit to finishing your PhD.

In addition to the salary rewards and the prestigious CV that come with a PhD, there are the connections you will make on your academic journey.

As you climb the ladder in your field, you’ll distinguish yourself as an expert, accumulating contacts who will vouch for your work.

On top of the likely salary hike and job satisfaction that come with your degree, you’ll earn valuable social capital.

Reason #3: Having a PhD Degree gives you the self-confidence that comes with knowing you stuck with your degree, instead of quitting

If your confidence is faltering in grad school, you’re not alone.

According to a 2014 piece in Forbes magazine, as much as 70% of the American population has struggled with “imposter syndrome” at some point in their lives.

This is particularly true with people on the path of higher education, since academia attracts people who have high expectations.

For graduate students, the question of how to craft their own self-esteem is essential.

To psychologists, the answer to this question is clear: self-esteem comes from personal and professional achievement.

Researchers have analyzed what gives people a lasting sense of satisfaction with their abilities.

Instead of high self-esteem leading to high achievement, study after study indicates that the opposite is true.

According to an article in Psychology Today, nothing gives people self-confidence like setting goals, working towards them, and then achieving them.

As a Wall Street Journal article puts it, “high self-esteem is the result of good performance.”

As anyone who is getting their PhD degree knows, the path to earning a doctorate takes a lot of both labor and time.

However, while it takes effort, it’s all in service of the field you’re most passionate about.

Once you’ve finished your PhD, you will have accomplished something that only a small percent of the population have.

You’ll have earned the respect of your colleagues and peers, and done it while distinguishing yourself academically. By receiving the title of doctor, you will earn self-confidence in the most meaningful way.

Reason #4: Your writing skills will improve tremendously as a result of writing a Doctoral Dissertation

In order to become a PhD candidate in the first place, you need a good grasp of how to write.

Going all the way and finishing your degree will push your skills to the next level, and put you in an elite category of writers.

Most people will never even attempt to write something as ambitious as a PhD dissertation, let alone finish it.

Compiling years of research—and hundreds of pages of notes—into a cohesive thesis takes organization, talent, and most of all, diligence.

Once you’ve completed your PhD degree you’ll be an expert at one of the hardest parts of the writing process: sitting down and getting started, every day.

I haven’t even mentioned the numerous papers you’ll write, or co-write.

In fact, the process of learning to collaborate is also a valuable skill, which PhD’s have an opportunity to hone.

Why is this important?

Even if you don’t pursue a career in academia, you’ll still be grateful for your wealth of writing experience. In fact, in non-academic fields, your writing skills will give you even more of a competitive edge.

If there’s one thing my years of writing have taught me, it’s this: when it comes to writing, your brain is like a muscle.

Even in highly-skilled professions, basic writing skills are increasingly rare.

According to a study from CollegeBoard, blue-chip businesses spend over $3 billion every year on remedial writing training for their employees.

Businesses are desperate to hire good writers, and your PhD is an indication of exceptional writing ability.

For an employer who’s searched high and low for good writers to hire, a doctorate signals that you’re a sound investment.

Reason #5: By working with your committee to get your PhD Degree, you’ll have better interpersonal skills

As a PhD candidate, you know that the stereotype of the grad student working alone is only a small part of the story.

The most successful graduate students are those who learn to work effectively as part of a team.

The day Jess confessed her doubts to me about getting a PhD, we were working together on a tough project.

We were part of a team that had to juggle complicated experiments with scarce resources.

Together, we had to use teamwork and sheer persistence to complete the research we needed.

The members of our lab team each had different strengths, weaknesses, and levels of experience.

It didn’t even occur to us at the time that we were learning group-management skills.

Working alongside professors or peers in grad school requires unique interpersonal skills, which are different from typical cooperation.

Academics tend to be independent-minded and ambitious thinkers.

Plus, collaborations in grad school are often focused on extremely complex and difficult projects.

The level of emotional intelligence it takes to do research in a team a team, will serve you well in any field.

Even if you are doing an online PhD degree, there are opportunities for networking and building your communication skills. 

PhD degree requires building  professional relationships with mentors and navigating bureaucracy to access resources.

No matter what your field, these are all skills that will give you a head start in achieving your career goals.

phd degree requirements

Generally speaking, PhD admission requirements relate to the candidate’s grades (usually at both bachelor’s level and master’s level) and their potential research capabilities. Most institutions require that candidates hold an honors degree or a master’s degree with high academic standing, along with a bachelor’s degree with at least upper second-class honors. In some cases, you can also apply for a PhD simply on the basis of your master’s degree grades. Grades-based PhD admission requirements may also be based on the type of funding you will be using – you may be able apply with lower grades if you self-fund your PhD.

Some institutions and subjects (such as psychology and some humanities and science subjects) stipulate that you must find a tenured professor in your chosen institution to serve as your formal advisor and supervisor throughout your PhD program before you can be formally accepted into the program. In other cases, you will be assigned a supervisor based on your research subject and methodology once you have been accepted into the PhD program.

Either way, it is a good idea to approach a faculty member in your chosen institution before applying for a PhD, in order for them to determine whether your research interests align well with the department, and perhaps even help you to brainstorm PhD research options.

PhD applications

Language proficiency

Some PhD applications require proof of proficiency in the language in which you intend to study. You can either provide the results of an approved standardized language exam or show evidence of having completed undergraduate or postgraduate study in the relevant language.

Employment/academic references

Some institutions may also ask for a record of your employment such as a résumé, and/or all your academic transcripts, including details of course modules and module content as part of your PhD application. Details of other research projects you have completed and any publications you have been featured in can also help your application.

Many PhD applicants are also asked to provide references from two or three people who know them well in an academic setting, such as their undergraduate or postgraduate tutors or professors. These references must have a particular focus on your academic performance, coursework and research abilities, your research potential and your interest in your chosen field of study.

Personal statements

Many institutions ask for a personal statement – a short essay which you can use to demonstrate your passion for your chosen subject. You can outline your reasons for wanting to study a PhD, personal motivations for doing so, any extracurricular activities that are particularly relevant or should be highlighted, and any flexibility in your chosen area(s) of research. If you need help, many institutions have a guide to personal statements on their website, which can also help you tailor your personal statement to each institution.

PhD research proposals

Finally, in order to be considered for a place on a PhD program, applicants are expected to submit a PhD research proposal. A research proposal:

  • Outlines your proposed research topics in the context of previous work,
  • Highlights your awareness of current debates within the field,
  • Demonstrates a suitable level of analysis,
  • Identifies relevant gaps in current knowledge,
  • Suggests a relevant research hypothesis to fill some of these gaps,
  • Explains your intended research methodology in sufficient detail,
  • Discusses the implications to real-world policy that your PhD proposal may invite.

This will help admissions tutors to assess your aptitude for PhD research, and also to determine whether your research interests align with their own research priorities and available facilities. They will also consider whether they have the relevant staff to provide you sufficient supervisory expertise.

For this reason in particular, it is important to research institutions thoroughly before applying for a PhD. Not only will you be happier if your research interests fit in with those of your chosen institution, but institutions may be forced to reject your application simply on the basis of discrepancies between their research interests and yours. Note that this initial research proposal is not necessarily binding – it is usually a starting point from which to further develop your research idea.

Some subject areas (such as science and engineering) do not ask for original research proposals. Instead, the institution presents a selection of PhD research projects which are formulated by the supervisor(s) concerned and peer reviewed. This may be done at a certain time of year or year-round, depending on the institution. Students can then submit a statement demonstrating a clear understanding of the research to be undertaken and their suitability to undertake it.

These PhD research projects may also have been formulated in consultation with another organization that may provide funding/scholarships for the successful candidate. These pre-defined PhD projects are less common in arts, humanities and social sciences subjects, where it’s more common for students to submit their own proposals.

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