• Question: What Do You Need To Do To Acheive A Phd

    Asked by xtremexx to Damien, Rachael, Simon, Suzi, Tim on 21 Jun 2011.
    • Photo: Suzi Gage

      Suzi Gage answered on 15 Jun 2011:

      Hi @extremexx
      Thanks for the question.
      It can depend on what you’re doing your PhD in. But the usual route is:
      * school
      * an Undergraduate degree
      * sometimes a Masters degree
      * sometimes some relevant work experience

      Then once you have a PhD place you spend 3 to 4 years researching your chosen question, with the help and advice of supervisors, usually 2, sometimes 1 or 3.

      You write up your findings as a thesis, then you have to present this to 2 examiners, who check that it’s your work and that you understand it.

      Then you get a PhD. I’m currently doing the experiments for mine, so I’m not quite there yet 🙂

    • Photo: Rachael Ward

      Rachael Ward answered on 15 Jun 2011:

      Hi @xtremexx

      Mine was similar to Suzis but I think she forgot to mention working really, really hard! You dont really mind that because youre doing something youre really interested in but it definitely takes a lot of hard work and dedication – that all makes it feel more worthwhile in the end though!

    • Photo: Tim Fosker

      Tim Fosker answered on 21 Jun 2011:

      Hi xtremexx

      I agree with Suzi and Rachael. I would say that determination is the key successfully getting a PhD.

Comments

  • Photo: Anna

    Anna commented on :

    Hi xtremexx, nice question!
    I think the first answer is determination! The other answer is funding!
    Suzi Gage is right, you need an undergraduate degree, and usually a Masters. Some universities accept exceptional students without a Masters degree. Then you need to find a university that has a supervisor in the subject you want to do, and together, find a subject that is suitable and original enough to be a PhD. Then you need to get the university to give you the money to do the research for 3 to 4 years, or provide it yourself, or be sponsored by a company.
    Then, you have to stay focussed and motivated for 3-4 years! It is a lot of hard work, and you end up writing a big book or thesis about your subject, and you become the world’s expert in that particular subject area. You have a very tough exam at the end, and after that, you can call yourself Doctor!
    I think if you’re serious about a subject, and want to have a career in it, it is a very sensible and interesting thing to do. You will find out a lot about the subject area, and even more about yourself!!