What Is a PhD?

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is a type of doctoral degree, the highest academic degree you can earn in a subject. While full-time PhD programmes (or doctorate programmes) are often structured to take three to four years in the UK, part-time students may take longer because they typically balance the responsibilities of coursework, original research, and other degree requirements with raising families or working. 

With a PhD, you may find opportunities to work as a university professor, a researcher, a consultant, or a subject matter expert. Earning a PhD can be a rewarding experience for dedicated, independent, and intellectually curious learners. Explore what it takes to earn a PhD, the requirements to apply for a PhD programme, and other factors worth considering.

PhD: Key facts

Generally, students begin their PhD after earning a master’s degree. Some programmes may require you to enroll in a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Master of Research (MRes) programme to prepare for a PhD even if you possess a master’s degree.

What can you get a PhD in?

Earning your PhD in several academic disciplines, including the natural sciences, humanities, arts, and social sciences is possible. Below is a list of some academic disciplines where you can get a PhD:

• Archaeology

• Art history

• Chemistry

• Civil and environmental engineering

• Classics

• English

• Media and communication

• Microbiology

• Music composition

• Philosophy

• Physics

Depending on your university, you may find that the broad academic fields above break down into more specific disciplines. For example, you might get a PhD in physics or chemistry within a physical science department. You might get a PhD in electrical or mechanical engineering within an engineering department. Philosophy, theology, history, or English might fall within a humanities department, while economics or social work could fall within a social sciences department. Marketing could be a specific PhD major within a business department.

Regarding your PhD coursework and research, you will likely be expected to concentrate on a specific area of your larger subject. For example, PhDs in biology may focus on the biochemistry of methanogenesis. 

Requirements to get a PhD

PhD programmes typically require at least three to five years of research and the successful defence of a thesis in a viva voce oral examination. The timeline for a full-time PhD may include: 

• Year 1: Discuss and create a timeline for your original research with your supervisor. Begin your literature review to inform your original research by critiquing previous work in the field.

• Year 2: Develop your thesis through research, and outline the chapters of your thesis. Collaborate with other students and peers to inform the direction of your research.

• Year 3: Write your thesis and prepare to defend it in the “viva voce” oral examination. 

PhD supervisor 

PhD students often choose two academic members who specialise in their area of interest to serve as their research supervisors (a senior principal supervisor and a junior second supervisor). It can help to identify professors or programmes that will support your research endeavours before applying, so you can establish a relationship with your potential research supervisors early. 

PhD costs 

In the UK, tuition fees vary from institution to institution but also depend on whether you have UK-settled status. Generally, tuition fees vary from £3,000 to £6,000 for students in the UK or EU with settled status [2]. International (non-EU) students typically pay higher fees for a PhD programme in the UK.

Funding for PhD programs exists through a Doctoral Loan from the HM Government that covers course fees and living costs while studying for a postgraduate degree. Additionally, universities may publish PhD projects that are eligible to receive full funding through the institution. For example, the University of Brighton posts its fully funded PhD studentships yearly. 

Many students end up with PhD funding from multiple sources, with some costs covered by their institution while they self-fund the rest.

Reasons to get a PhD

Earning your PhD can be an immensely rewarding experience. Explore some reasons you may want to pursue a PhD:

• Become a subject matter expert in a particular field.

• Conduct the research you are passionate about.

• Develop transferable skills that can help in your professional life. 

• Make a difference in the world with new research.

• Make connections with scholars in your academic community.

• Open up career avenues, such as in academic and research work or in the public or private sector.

Completing a PhD can demonstrate to employers that you possess many valuable skills in both academic and non-academic settings. 

PhD salaries

In the first year after graduation, PhD graduates’ median yearly earnings were £35,800 in 2022, while Master’s graduates’ were £28,100 [1]. 

Requirements to apply to a PhD programme

PhD programmes expect you to meet several requirements before enrolling. Some examples of common requirements include:

• Academic transcripts

• Research proposal

• Personal statement

• CV

• Letters of recommendation, which should ideally come from academic faculty members who can speak of your research or intellectual abilities

Requirements differ by programme and school, so take time to become familiar with the universities' entry requirements to which you are interested in applying. Admissions or departmental staff should be able to give you specific information about their admissions requirements.

If a programme is interested in you based on your application, you may have to complete an interview. The university representatives interviewing you will look at your motivation, how prepared you are, and how suitable you are for acceptance into the doctoral degree programme.

PhD vs other doctoral degrees

As a doctoral degree, a PhD is among the highest degrees available in a field of study. In addition to a PhD, other doctoral degrees exist in the UK, including:

• Doctorate by publication

• Practice-based doctorate

• Professional doctorate

Doctorate by publication

A doctorate by publication helps mid-career academics who have not had the opportunity to study a PhD receive one through original research contributions formally. These works may include journal articles, books, and book chapters that form an original body of work published in the field. While the requirements vary from university to university, it is common to expect five to eight pieces minimum with a supporting statement. You will then have to defend this work similarly to traditional PhD candidates through an oral examination.

Practice-based doctorate

Practice-based doctorates or PhDs are for those looking to do practice-based research, often in the visual arts, design, architecture, music composition, film, dance, and even engineering or technology. While a professional in their field could apply for a doctorate by publication, a practice-based PhD involves researching while in the programme at university. The research process includes reflective theoretical work on the creative element you produce. 

Professional doctorate

Professional doctorates are a different category of doctorate degrees. They are usually intended for professionals already working in a field who want to pursue advanced training in their area. The main difference between a professional doctorate and an academic doctorate is subject matter and research. While PhDs are interested in conducting new research, professional degree students take existing models and knowledge and apply them to solve problems. Professional doctorates are also designed to prepare learners for careers in a certain industry rather than academia.  

Examples of professional doctorates include:

• DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)

• EngD (Doctor of Engineering)

• EdD (Doctor of Education)

Is someone with a PhD a doctor?

You can use "Dr" to address people with doctorates, including PhDs and other professional degrees. The word "doctor" comes from the Latin word for "teacher". 

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