Want to do a PhD?

What is a PhD?

Known as a research degree, the PhD is a 3-4 year (full time) or 5-7 year (part time) course of independent and original research which is supervised by an academic in the subject area.

You will contribute new research in the form of a thesis suitable for publication which is around 100000 words.

PhDs are traditionally research based, although the integrated PhDs, also known as New Route PhDs, combine research with a more vocational training programme.

Professional Doctorates are useful for students interested in professional careers and consist of a taught core and incorporate professional and academic knowledge. They are available in education (EdD), engineering (EngD or DEng) and business (DBA).

Why do a PhD?

People complete PhDs for a variety of reasons:

• Love of their subject
• Springboard into a new career
• Access to excellent resources for non-academic careers
• As a pre-requisite for academic careers

When can I do a PhD?

You can do a PhD if you have at least a 2:1 relevant first degree or a relevant masters. You must have in-depth knowledge of your subject area and be able to present a comprehensive research proposal.

You could also apply for a job as a Graduate Research Assistant where you would support the research an academic in your department, teach, take part in laboratory work and complete your own research. You could also consider completing a PhD part time whilst in a job.

Researching into PhDs

It is important to check the quality of the teaching on the course – see the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), types of reviews.

You will either come up with the topic yourself, pitch it at your preferred institution and supervisor and hope to gain funding, or you can apply for a topic which has been agreed between a funding council and an institution and advertised and hope to get accepted (funding will be assured here).

Useful publications in the LSE Careers Library

• Your PhD companion, Stephen Marshall and Nick Green, 2004
• The PhD Application Handbook, Peter Bentley, 2006
• How to get a PhD: third edition, Estelle Phillips and Derek Pugh, 2001
• AGCAS leaflet, postgraduate study and research

Useful links

• Information for PhD students and research staff on LSE Careers
• Want to do a PhD? [pdf] Presentation by the LSE Careers PhD Careers Consultant

• British Federation of Women Graduates

  Offers scholarships based on academic excellence for female PhD students studying in Britain.

• EducationGuardian.co.uk

  Interactive guide from The Guardian to the 2001 Research Assessment Exercise listing research ratings and research staff numbers of the 2600 university departments submitted to the exercise, as well as comparisons to the previous results in 1996. Includes

• eduPASS

  Wide range of information about studying as an international student in the USA. Includes information on paying tax on pay, scholarships, grants and other funding. Information for international students who are thinking about pursuing an undergraduate, graduate, or professional education in the United States

• ETS - GRE

  Official GRE site. Practice GRE tests and register to take the real thing

• FindAPhD

  Postgraduate research degrees, PhDs, studentships and scholarships.

• Funds For Women Graduates (FFWG)

  Offers grants to help women graduates with their living expenses while registered for or research at an approved institution of higher education in Great Britain

• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) - scholarship database

  Database of scholarships and funding opportunities in Germany

• International Education Financial Aid (IEFA)

  Searchable for scholarships and other sources of funding available to international students wanting to study abroad, including the USA. Resource for financial aid, college scholarship and grant information for US and international students wishing to study abroad

• Jobs.ac.uk

  Academic jobs website which also advertises scholarships. Leading UK site for academic and academic-related jobs; includes some overseas jobs. Advertises specifically jobs in science, research, academic and administrative employment.

• Jobs.ac.uk - Find PhDs and scholarships

  Search for PhDs, research studentships, professional doctorates and many more opportunities.

• Kaplan Test Prep - GRE Preparation

  Pay to access 180+ hours of content, seven full-length computer tests and over 5,000 practice items

• New Route PhD

  Find out more about the New Route PhD.

• Prospects - Your master's, what next?

  Includes information on further study, career options, employment, other options, and useful contacts and resources

• Research

  News, funding opportunities and jobs for researchers. Paid subscription is required for certain news stories and funding opportunities

• Scholarship Times

  International scholarships, financial aid news & updates for Higher Education

• The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding

  This is a book which is available in the Careers Library (3rd Floor, Tower 3). Lists charities and other sources of funding. Advice on extending the funding for your PhD.

• The Association of Commonwealth Universities

  View available courses across 5 continents. Also read publications and find out about awards and scholarships. The oldest and one of the largest inter-university networks in the world. Lists vacancies, funding opportunities and news

• The Careers Group - CVs for PhD Students

  Information on writing CVs for PhD students.

• University of Manchester - An Academic Career

  Designed to help all levels of students, alumni and researchers who might be considering a career in academia

• US News Rankings

  Provides ranking information on doctoral programmes, e.g. rankings of doctoral programmes in the social sciences and humanities are based on the results of peer assessment surveys sent to academics in each discipline.

• Vitae.ac.uk

  Vitae is a national organisation championing the personal, professional and career development of doctoral researchers and research staff in higher education institutions and research institutes. They play a major role in the drive for high-level skills a Information and support for researchers, supervisors, researcher managers and employers

• Your PhD...what next?: Academic careers | Prospects.ac.uk

  Provides information on the job market for PhDs, making the most of your PhD, finding and applying for jobs, case studies and useful contacts and resources.