Why do doctorate

Students may be able to take extra time in order to complete their thesis but this will usually be at their own expense. For part-time, self-funded students, it can take up to seven years. A PhD usually culminates in a dissertation of around 80,, words , based on research carried out over the course of their study.

The research must be original and aim to create new knowledge or theories in their specialist area, or build on existing knowledge or theories. Many departments initially accept students on an MPhil basis and then upgrade them to PhD status after the first year or two, subject to satisfactory progress.

Students who are not considered to be doing work appropriate for the level can instead submit a shorter thesis and gain an MPhil. There is little taught element, students are expected to work independently, supported by their department and a supervisor. During their study, students will try and get academic papers published and present their work at conferences, which will allow them to get feedback on their ideas for their dissertation.

There are now hundreds of doctoral students studying a variety of subjects at a consortium of universities across the UK. PhD graduates who go on to work in academia usually start off by undertaking postdoctoral research and then a fellowship or lectureship. Other career options will depend on what the PhD was in — commercial research is an option for some, and many are able to use their specialist knowledge and research skills in areas of business and finance.

If you are considering doing one make sure that you do it with a purpose. Do one because you want to and know why you want to do it and have a clear idea of what it could lead to. How is doing a PhD going to help you achieve what you want to in your future? It is your decision to commit to a significant period of time and work and it needs to be something you approach positively and with enthusiasm but also with realism about the pros and cons of undertaking original research.

The PhD population today is very diverse and not made up entirely of 21 to year-olds who have stayed in educational settings for the majority of their lives. Simply stated, by earning a doctoral degree you'll be joining an elite population. You'll have the opportunity to achieve goals in your chosen field that may not be available to others. And whether you choose to be an author; an educator; or an innovator adding additional knowledge, training and research to your field; you'll be considered an expert.

Besides being able to add the appropriate designation after your name, there are solid academic, career-related, and personal and interpersonal skillsets that are acquired through doctoral-level education.

Here are some of the most prevalent skills that can be expected from a graduate. Obtaining a doctoral degree takes a significant investment of time, dedication and finances. Benefits of earning a doctoral degree can include, but are not limited to:. You'll have the chance to attend conferences, seminars and workshops in different cities or countries. Gain new insights and build connections with other researchers and experts across borders.

Networking with coursemates, colleagues and other academics helps expand your knowledge base and balance the solitude that can often come with a research life. Having a network is also incredibly helpful in finding and applying for funding and looking for work in the future. Studying for a PhD or research degree might mean moving cities or even countries. If you've been wanting a change of setting along with your career path it's a great opportunity to give both a try.

If you're an international student, studying in a different country gives you the chance to graduate with both fantastic life experiences and a great qualification.

Portsmouth is a welcoming, student-friendly city — one where you'll meet people from all around the world, and have the chance to make connections with people in a whole new environment. See why Portsmouth is a great place to live. Since starting my PhD, I have been lucky enough to publish twice and visit three different conferences, one of which was held at Cornell University.

These opportunities will prove invaluable in my career going forwards, in academia. Just like any course, the benefits you'll get from a research degree depends on what you want to get out of it.

When you're weighing up your options there are some important questions you should ask yourself to make sure it's right for you. Studying a research degree is a multi-year time commitment. If you're excited by the idea of spending a significant period of time dedicated to one subject, that's a good sign you're ready.

Research degrees often involve a lot of independent work, so if you're only partly interested in the subject, you might find yourself losing interest. That can make meeting your own expectations more difficult. Is learning about and working in this field something that you can see yourself in for the next years? And where do you want to be in that timeframe? It's important not to study just so you can put off bigger life decisions. There are many different jobs or careers in every field.

Not all of them require you to have a research Master's or PhD. If you want to contribute to a specific industry or area, do you already have some skills and knowledge you can apply in it? If not, what skills or knowledge will a research degree give you? If you've finished your Bachelor's or Master's degree and are looking at your next options, a research degree is an option that keeps things familiar. For some students, if you've spent the last years studying you might want to try something different.

It depends on who you are, what you care about and what you want to do with your life. If you finished your degree and you're mostly relieved it's over then jumping right back into study may not be the best fit for you. Remember that you can always go to uni again later. Plenty of graduates spend a few years working before coming back to upskill, retrain or dive into their passion. In a lot of cases, what you've learned in your work experience will make you a better student when you go back to it.

Every research student has at least one supervisor. They're there to support and guide you as you develop your ideas and compile your research. Having the right supervisor can be the difference between making your research good, great or excellent. If they're running or part of a research centre or group you may have greater access to networks and resources. It's best you explore supervisors you can work with , which might mean checking out multiple universities and reaching out to them directly.

Usually, their profile will say if they're taking on new students and they're happy to get back to you by email. As it is a PhD I have formed my course myself, but having a supervisor who is well-versed in my subject area is the most unique part of my work here, as no one else is approaching the subjects we look at in a similar way. If you're a UK national applying for an MPhil or MRes course, you might be eligible for a Government Postgraduate Master's Loan which you can use to fund your tuition fees, living costs and other costs for a Master's course.

If you're an international student you'll need to plan out how you can cover your costs and fund yourself while you're studying. If you're currently working you may need to adjust your working hours or potentially look for part-time work.

You might have less money to play with if you're studying full-time and working on the side.