Study a PhD: A Guide to PhD Degrees
Looking to undertake PhD studies? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about PhD studies.
- PhD

Looking to undertake PhD studies? Is getting a PhD even worth it? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about getting a PhD.
In this guide, we'll cover:
Would you like to study a PhD abroad?
Click here to start a search for your ideal PhD program!
What is a PhD/Doctorate degree?
A Doctor of Philosophy, more commonly known as a PhD, is the highest level of degreeย you can achieve in one field of study. Itโs awarded by universities around the world for significant contributions to knowledge in various academic fields, or upon completing a PhD program.ย ย
Pursuing a PhD involves conducting in-depth original research in a certain field. The results of this research are then compiled into a thesis or dissertation. This usually culminates in an oral examination or defense, where the candidate must demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of their research area and defend their findings in front of a panel of academics in that subject field.ย
Different Types of PhDs
โPhDโ is an umbrella term for different types of programs. These can be broadly divided into four categories:ย ย
- Traditional/Academic PhDs: Also known as a research doctorate, this involves a couple of years of original research on a specific topic. It usually focuses on a theoretical understanding of the topics, rather than practicing the knowledge in the professional setting. This is the most common type of PhD.ย
- Professional Doctorate: These are designed for professionals who want to apply their research to their professional practice. Examples include the Doctor of Education (EdD), Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). These degrees are often more practice-oriented compared to the traditional PhD.ย
- Higher Doctorates: These are awarded to people who contributed greatly to the research and knowledge body within their field and are thus given out later in that researcherโs life. You canโt apply for this type of doctorate like a regular PhD program.ย
- Honorary Doctorates: These are given out by universities at their discretion, and donโt require any specific academic achievement or publication. Just like Higher Doctorates, you canโt apply for this type of Doctorate.ย
What the breakdown above suggests is that you essentially have two options when it comes to pursuing a PhD โ you can either opt for an academic route, or a professional/industry doctorate.ย

How Long Does It Take To Get a PhD?
On average, PhD programs last 5-7 years, but this number varies greatly depending on the country, the university, and the specific field of study.
For example:
- PhD programs in the UK tend to be on the shorter end of the spectrum, typically lasting 3-4 years.
- In the US, however, the average completion time for PhDs rounds out at 6 years.
Make sure to keep in mind that the time it takes to earn a PhD also depends on the pace of your study, the field of study, the requirements of your program, and your prior educational background.
What Are The Requirements To Study A PhD?
Youโll need to do some preparation in order to successfully apply for a PhD. The general rule-of-thumb is to check the universityโs website for the specific requirements of the program youโre interested in.ย
That said, there are some general requirements youโll need to meet to pursue a PhD:ย
Academic Transcriptsย ย
Youโll be expected to submit transcripts of your Bachelorโs and Masterโs studies, which have to show the courses you took and grades you received during your programs.ย
Some PhD programs in the UK, particularly in STEM fields, may allow you apply for a PhD with only a Bachelorโs degree. However, PhD programs in Arts and Humanities require a Masterโs degree.ย
You may need to have to get your transcripts (and other documents) translated and stamped by a notary. For example, if you got your Bachelorโs and Masterโs in Hungarian, but youโd like to study in Canada, you will need to get your transcripts translated into English.ย
Research Proposalย
The majority of universities require students to submit a research proposal as a part of their PhD program application, unless if youโre applying for a pre-defined research project in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or medicine. Make sure if this exception applies to your program of interest.ย
A good research proposal includes the scope, significance and some details about the topic you plan on researching during your program.ย
Your research proposal will have varying significance depending on the country youโre planning on studying in.ย
Academic CV/Resumeย
The general practice is to include your education at the top of the CV, followed by work experience and then academic research.ย
Make sure to check the industry standard for CVs/Resumes in the country and field you want to study in. For example, U.S. Resume may differ from your home countryโs standards โ it will make you stand out above other candidates who didnโt take that time to research your study destinationโs standards.ย
Note: While not adhering to the CV/Resume standards of the country/university won't immediately disqualify you as a candidate, itย doesย show a certain lack of care and polish that other candidates might showcase in their own applications. The best way to describe is that details like this show your determination and proactiveness (because you're actively thinking about what could leave a better impression on the admission committee).

Motivation Letter/Statement of Purposeย
Research the university and the faculty thoroughlyย
To compose an effective motivation letter for your PhD application, itโs crucial to thoroughly research the university and the faculty you're interested in.ย This is something recruiters and admission committees are actively looking out for - they want to see that:
- You know what the university/faculty is about
- You're familiar with the projects the department you're interested in is involved in
- You care enough to learn about the professors, researchers, and other people at the department you're applying for
It's not only about looking good - this thorough approach shows dedication and leaves a positive first impression when it comes to your research skills and maturity.
Avoid clichรฉs and communicate who you are
Faculty members and admission committees have likely sifted through countless formulaic letters and readily available templates from the internet, so your authenticity and genuine enthusiasm will set you apart.ย ย
Remember that no one expects you to be perfect - admission committees hire on potential, not perfection.ย Craft an interesting narrative unique to you, and articulate why that specific university and its PhD program align with your research interests and career aspirations. Don't forget to also explain whyย you are the right choiceย for them.ย
Bonus tip:ย If you have been involved in the process ofย securing funding for research in the past, make sure to mention that. This is especially important for institutions that donโt haveย internal funding, but itโs always a bonus no matter where you apply.ย
Letters of Recommendation and/or Referencesย
Some universities and programs require you to submit letters of recommendation and academic references from people who youโve studied under or collaborated with in the past.ย
Make sure to give people you want recommendation letters from enough time to write a strong letter detailing why youโre the right choice for this. ย
Proof of Language Proficiencyย
Youโll need to prove that you can speak and write in the language you want to study in. This usually means taking a language proficiency test. ย
Here are some examples of certificates that are widely accepted for different languages:ย
English | French | German |
TOEFL | DELF | DSH* |
IELTS | DALF | VWU** |
Le TEF |
* General German language test for all foreign higher education students.
**ย German language test for those who want to study at Vienna University. Lots of universities in German-speaking countries offer their own specialized German courses like this, and they're often free or very affordable.
Additional Requirementsย
If you're non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you may be required to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate if you want to get a PhD in certain subjects in the UK. You can check if you need to apply for this clearance on the UK government website.ย
You may need to complete graduate entry tests to apply for a PhD in certain countries โ most commonly in the US, Canada, Australia and India. These include but are not limited to:
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT)
- Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
- Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT)
- And various language tests.ย

What Are the Benefits of Getting a PhD?
A PhD can equip you with a variety of skills and a deep knowledge of your chosen field, but it also offers tangible benefits.ย ย
Laura Forsberg White, PhD and a Professor in Biostatistics at Boston University, in the KAS interview with her, listed the following as the key skills students acquire in graduate programs:ย
Hard Skills and a Deep Understanding of Your Fieldย
A PhD allows you to delve deeply into your field of interest, exploring complex theories, methodologies, and concepts in a profound way. You will gain hard skills that can be applied in a variety of contexts within your area of specialization. This level of knowledge makes you a sought-after professional in academia, industry, or the public sector.ย
The example Prof. White gave was in her own field: students in Biostatistics and adjacent fields learn practical knowledge and skills in statistics, probability, critical analysis and more.ย
Research Skills and Collaborationย
An essential part of many PhD programs is based around developing research plans, performing data collection and analysis, and presenting your findings. This cultivates strong research skills that are highly valuable both in academia and industry, in sectors such as finance, tech, consulting, and more, where data-driven decision-making is crucial.ย
Whatโs more, PhD programs involve lots of collaboration with other researchers, which matures you as an individual and teaches you various soft skills youโll need to succeed in your future roles, such as proper communication, taking and receiving feedback, critical thinking, time management and resilience and perseverance.ย
Transferrable Skillsย
Aside from academic knowledge and research skills, a PhD program helps you develop a range of transferable skills. These include project management, leadership, team working, and communication skills. Such skills are highly valuable in a variety of professional contexts.ย
Many PhD programs also require students to undertake teaching or mentoring roles. This offers valuable experience if you aim to pursue a career in academia, giving you the chance to shape the minds of future generations and contribute to the growth and development of your field of study.ย
Career Advancementย
If you decide to leave academia to pursue a career in the industry, a PhD can open up higher-level career opportunities, such as moreย prestigious roles, higher pay, and quicker promotions.
It's also worth noting that a PhD is often required for tenure-track positions in academia.
Whatโs more, during your PhD, you'll attend conferences, seminars, and other academic events. These platforms allow you to meet and collaborate with other professionals, academics, and experts in your field. Such networking can lead to fruitful collaborations, job offers, or research partnerships.ย
Contribution to Societyย
As a PhD researcher, your work could lead to significant breakthroughs or advancements in your field. Whether you're studying medical sciences to contribute to public health, or researching environmental science to advance sustainability efforts, your research can make a real difference in society and/or the overall body of knowledge of your chosen field.ย

What Is The Average Salary of a PhD Graduate?
When we consider pursuing higher education, one of the key factors that often drives our decisions is the potential impact it will have on our financial future. A PhD can provide the edge you need to not only secure high-paying roles but also garner respect and credibility in your chosen field.ย
The average salary of PhD graduates varies significantly across countries and fields:ย
United States
- Bachelorโs degree average: $70,000/year
- Masterโs degree average: $82,000/year
Job Title | Average Salary (PhD) |
Mechanical Engineer | $113,108 |
Data Scientist | $112,397 |
Research Scientist | $95,747 |
University Professor | $94,068 |
Clinical Psychologist | $88,910 |
Source: Payscale, 2023
United Kingdom
- Bachelorโs degree average: ยฃ33,000/year
- Masterโs degree average: ยฃ35,000/year
Job Title | Average Salary (PhD) |
Senior Software Engineer | ยฃ67,062 |
Quantitative Analyst | ยฃ57,886 |
Senior Research Analyst | ยฃ43,539 |
Senior Lecturer | ยฃ54,967 |
Barrister | ยฃ84,757 |
Source: Payscale, 2023
Germany
- Bachelorโs degree average: โฌ51,000/year
- Masterโs degree average: โฌ56,000/year
Job Title | Average Salary (PhD) |
Senior Software Engineer | โฌ70,005 |
Risk Manager | โฌ61,042 |
Research & Development Engineer | โฌ59,321 |
University Professor | โฌ80,000 |
Senior Environmental Professor | โฌ66,330 |
Source: Payscale, 2023
How Much Does Getting a PhD Cost?
A PhD can cost you nothing or a fortune, depending on the university and the country in which you want to study in. Most universities also have different tuition fee structures for domestic and international students. ย
Hereโs a breakdown of the average tuition fees depending on the region and citizenship:ย ย
Country | Average cost |
United States | Public institutions: Usually $10,000- $12,000 for in-state students and double or triple that for international students.Private institutions: Usually $20,000- $30,000 for in-state students. International student fees are usually higher. |
United Kingdom | Anywhere between ยฃ4,500 (for domestic students) to over ยฃ30,000 per year (international students). |
Germany | No tuition for the first six semesters of your PhD studies. After that, youโll need to pay โฌ300 per semester. |
Sweden | Free for all students regardless of their country of origin. |
France | No tuition fees, but there is an administrative cost of โฌ380 per year. |
You can read a more detailed breakdown of the costs of getting a degree in various countries in our Country Guides.
For those of you worried about the costs of studying abroad, there are plenty of scholarships out there to help you find your studies. Take a look at our free Scholarship Directory for a list of 550+ scholarships in 37 countries around the world.

Can I Do a PhD Online?
Yes, you can definitely completeย PhD programs online. More and more of them are available every year, but it's important to remember that their quality varies widely depending on the field of study and the institution.
It would be good to check how long the online program youโre interested in has existed. PhD programs are collaborative by nature, and many majors arenโt a good fit for online studies.
Typically, PhD programs specifically designed for online instruction tend to be more effective compared to traditional programs that have been simply transferred to online learning platforms.
Need More Help With Your PhD Application?
Download our free PhD Application Documents handbook, which goes into detail on how to perfect your motivation letter, CV/resume, research proposal and more!

educations.com team
Author
The educations.com team consists of hundreds of dedicated individuals who share a passion for studying abroad. We combine our diverse strengths to guide millions of students in over 250 countries toward finding their dream education.
Read related articles

How to Study Abroad Guide: What Can I Study Abroad?
April 2025 Master's Degree Bachelor's Degree Preparing to Study Abroad Associate's Degree PhD

Best Decision of My Life: Pursuing My PhD at Manchester Met
April 2025 Student Stories Study Abroad in the United Kingdom Why Study Abroad? PhD

How to Write a PhD Cover Letter (With an Example)
October 2024 โณ 3-5 min read Applying to Study Abroad PhD