Everything You Need to Know About a PhD
Have you always had an interest in wisdom and never really knew what you could do about it? Well, Ph.D. is the answer to it. So, if you are keenly interested in academics, you are in the right place. Read more to find out everything you need to know about a Ph.D.
But First, What is a Ph.D.?
Ph.D., a postgraduate doctoral degree, stands for Doctor of Philosophy. Being a holder of this degree means one can teach the subject they qualify at a university level and can even work in a specific field at a specialized post anywhere in the world.
When a candidate submits a dissertation or thesis that is based on original and extensive research in the chosen field, they are awarded a Ph.D. by a university or a higher education institution.
Generally, a Ph.D. is the highest level of degree that a person can achieve. This degree is a follow of a master’s degree. Nonetheless, some institutions permit students to pursue a Ph.D. after a bachelor’s degree.
Can you Study Part-Time?
Numerous students decide on studying part-time, especially when they are funded by themselves. Nevertheless, you will be required to fully commit yourselves to your studies.
What is involved in the Research Process?
Unlike other courses that are teaching-based, a Ph.D. is solely a research-based degree. Need not worry, this does not mean you will have to stay locked in a laboratory or library for the course of your degree. In reality, the modern Ph.D. is a varied and diverse qualification that has a variety of components.
Typically, a Ph.D. involves the following.
- Executing a literature review
- Carrying out original research, collecting data and analyzing it to conclude the results
- Building a thesis which sets forth your conclusions
- Writing your own thesis and finally submitting it in the form of a dissertation
- Justifying and supporting your thesis during the viva voce oral examination.
Although the above-mentioned stages may vary depending on the specialization and the university, these are more or less the same.
Who Should Study a Ph.D.?
Now that you have understood what a Ph.D. is and what it involves majorly, it is time for you to understand who should study a Ph.D. and if it is your cup of tea or not.
Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered by us since it is going to be your decision. All we can tell you is that a Ph.D. is challenging and difficult. It requires rigorous efforts and while you will be building up your skills during the course, you would not be progressing directly in a career.
Apart from the hard work it requires, a Ph.D. is uniquely rewarding. You can contribute to human knowledge by researching while building on your future. Irrespective of the obscurity of the topic, in case it is, a Ph.D. is never useless.
Now that you have learned everything about a Ph.D., it’s your turn to decide. If you have made up your mind to pursue, then read more to get yourself this degree.