What Does 'PhD' Stand For?

A PhD, also called a ‘doctorate’ or DPhil is the highest possible academic degree a student can obtain. PhD stands for “Doctor of Philosophy,” which refers to the immense knowledge a student gains when earning the degree. While you can get a PhD in philosophy, "Doctor of Philosophy" doesn't always refer to someone with a terminal degree in that discipline. You can get a PhD in many fields, such as psychology or economics, and the word "Philosophy," translated from original Greek to mean "lover of wisdom," can refer to the degree holder's dedication to understanding a subject.

You might be motivated to earn a PhD if you’re interested in an academic or research career or want to take your education as far as it can go. In some cases, earning a PhD can open career opportunities in both the public and private sectors thanks to the subject matter expertise you gain along the way. Explore whether a PhD is right for you by learning what a PhD is, the characteristics of this degree path, and common careers PhD graduates enter. 

What is a PhD? 

A PhD is a research-based academic degree combining general knowledge of a field with specific mastery of an area or subtopic. When applying, you’ll often submit a specific research proposal to your department of interest. For example, while you might apply to earn your PhD within a biological sciences department, your research proposal would cover a novel research question in the field, such as looking at the genetics of a certain species or understanding environmental influences on certain health outcomes.

PhDs are terminal degrees, meaning they are the highest level of degree that you can achieve in your field. In the UK, popular PhD subjects include economics, law, philosophy, psychology, education, computer science, and engineering, but you can find many more options available to suit your interests. 

What does it take to earn a PhD? 

PhD programmes typically require you to complete a thesis under the advisement of your supervisor. Your thesis is an original body of work based on your research proposal and can range in length depending on your programme and topic. Generally, you can expect your final thesis to range from 60,000 to 100,000 words. The specific requirements will differ by programme or university, such as how and when you defend your thesis.  

How long does a PhD take?

Your PhD studies can take three to seven years, though it often depends on your field and other commitments. For example, full-time students typically earn their PhD in three to four years, while part-time students might take six to seven. Students working full-time or raising a family while completing their degree requirements may need additional time to complete a programme. 

Writing a thesis is often credited with adding to the time it takes to complete a PhD programme, and some students may take a full year after their research is complete to write their thesis. 

Getting a PhD: What to know

If you're considering getting a PhD, you’ll learn about some important aspects of doctoral degrees:

To apply for PhD programmes, you'll typically need to provide academic transcripts from your prior education, samples of your academic writing and research, and letters of recommendation from former professors. You will likely also need to write a personal statement that details your academic and professional goals, research interests, why you are applying to a particular programme, relevant skills and experience, and strengths. For some programmes, you’ll need to detail your research proposal and prospective department, and you may also submit funding-related information or applications. 

Before applying, it's a good idea to research different education institutions to understand their reputation, faculty achievements, mission statements, and the jobs former PhD students have gotten upon completing. 

Once enrolled in a PhD programme, expect to complete advanced study in your field. This will likely entail conducting original research into a specific topic, navigating the world of academic publishing, and working closely with faculty to prepare for an academic or research-based career. While the timeline varies by student, a typical timeline for a full-time student might look like this:

• Year one: Finalise your thesis idea with your advisor and conduct a literature review related to your thesis topic.

• Year two: Complete the bulk of your research project. You may begin writing your thesis and presenting your work. 

• Year three: Write your thesis and finish any additional analysis. Once your supervisor approves, you may defend your thesis.

Successful completion of a PhD programme typically requires writing a thesis or conducting a significant research project on a specific topic related to your field. Most programmes require students to give an oral defence to demonstrate mastery of the thesis topic and describe its contribution to the field. 

PhDs vs other terminal degrees

A PhD is not the only kind of terminal degree you can earn. You can choose another level 8 qualification that is more career-focused.

Professional doctorates

PhDs and professional doctorates are similar because they are the most advanced academic degrees you can earn. Still, a PhD requires a dissertation, and a professional doctorate requires a doctoral study. 

PhDs are focused on producing original research, whereas professional doctorates typically have some professional experience they apply towards researching a solution to a practical problem. If you have significant experience in a professional field, such as medicine or social science, you might choose to pursue a professional doctorate because you can use your knowledge and expertise in more concrete ways.  

Examples of professional doctorates you might choose include a Doctor of Social Science (DSocSci), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Juris Doctor (JD), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), or Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy).

Did you know?

Honorary degrees at the PhD level are conferred upon people who've made significant contributions to a field or society. An "honorary" degree refers to an academic award that distinguished individuals can receive from an academic institution without having to complete the usual requirements of the degree. Some celebrity examples include:

Stephen Fry received an honorary doctorate from the University of Sussex for his work campaigning for individuals with bipolar disorder, HIV, and mental health conditions. 

John Legend received an honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Pennsylvania and an honorary doctorate from Howard University.

Sir David Attenborough has received over 30 honorary doctorates from UK universities to recognise his achievements with the natural world. He holds the most honorary doctorates of anyone in the UK.

Education requirements for a PhD 

Obtaining your PhD requires earning your bachelor’s degree and likely your master’s degree before applying to doctorate programmes. However, some programmes combine the master’s degree with the PhD (often called an Integrated PhD) for students who want to streamline the process. In other cases, a specific programme may accept bachelor’s applicants, or you may be able to bypass the master’s degree requirement with significant experience.

Consider the two most important degrees you’ll need to complete before you can begin pursuing your PhD.

Bachelor’s degree

You will need to earn a bachelor’s degree before pursuing more advanced degrees, like a master’s or PhD. You don’t have to choose a degree subject related to your eventual doctorate, though it can help to pick a complementary subject. Hence, you have a strong foundation before taking higher-level coursework. For example, if you want to obtain a master’s degree and then a PhD in economics, it might help you to study economics, finance, business, or even political science as an undergraduate. 

While graduate programmes don’t always expect applicants to have studied the same field as the one they’re applying to. If your bachelor’s degree is in a different field, you’ll likely need a relevant master’s degree to demonstrate your proficiency in the new area. In your application, you will need to explain your interest in the field of your potential graduate work and have some knowledge about what you want to study within it. In addition to this, having high scores in your undergraduate classes is beneficial, as many programmes expect at least a 2:1.  

Master’s degree

A master’s degree is an advanced degree you can pursue after earning your undergraduate degree. PhD programmes typically require a master’s (often in a relevant area) before admitting you, though as noted above, some programmes may combine degree tracks.

Master’s degrees take one to two years to finish, depending on whether you can attend part-time or full-time. Part-time study can take up to four years. Master’s degrees enhance your expertise in your field, and you can pursue many higher-level careers with the credential—or continue with your education and apply to PhD programmes. 

4 benefits of a PhD 

You’ll find many reasons why you might want to pursue your PhD. Four of them include: 

1. Become an expert.

People who obtain PhDs have the highest possible education in their field. As such, they're often considered genuine experts in that subject matter. You may feel tremendous personal satisfaction from having achieved this level of mastery.

2. Contribute original research. 

Adding to the knowledge of a particular field is no small feat. When you write your thesis, you can make a valuable original contribution that either expands people’s understanding of a subject or brings an entirely new perspective to it.

3. Broaden your job opportunities.

Earning a PhD could qualify you to work in academia or research, but it may also increase your qualifications—or help you stand out—for jobs that do not necessarily require a PhD. Holding a PhD may convey to employers that you’re knowledgeable, hardworking, and disciplined because of what it takes to earn the degree. 

4. Increase your salary potential.

On average, people with PhDs earn more than those with undergraduate or master’s degrees, depending on your profession. According to 2023 labour market statistics, the annual nominal median salary for someone with a postgraduate degree was over 10 percent higher than for those with an undergraduate degree and around 35 percent higher than non-graduates [1]. 

Most common careers for PhDs

A PhD is an academic credential necessary to teach at the university level or conduct high-level research in a number of fields, such as natural and social sciences. Common careers for individuals after they earn their PhD include:

• Teaching professionals

• Research professionals 

• Therapy professionals

• Business and administration professionals

While you can enter any career field your PhD suits, graduates typically enter higher-level roles as senior staff or managers. Sometimes, you may even enter a career in a related discipline outside your primary subject field. PhDs demonstrate advanced critical thinking and research skills, demonstrating your ability to learn new concepts and tackle challenges for employers.

Work toward a PhD with Coursera 

A PhD, which stands for Doctor of Philosophy, is a research-based terminal degree in an academic subject. This degree typically takes three to seven years and centres around a novel thesis question. With a PhD, you can expect to become a subject-matter expert in your field and enter exciting high-level positions following graduation.  

If you're contemplating getting your PhD and have not yet earned your master’s, explore many master’s degree options from prestigious universities in high-growth fields, such as computer science, business, management, or public health. Start your journey with an MSc in Cyber Security from the University of London or a Global Master of Public Health from Imperial College London on Coursera. Work toward your degree at your own pace from anywhere with an internet connection.