How Many Years Does it Take to Complete a PhD?
A PhD is one of the most distinguished academic awards in the world. Here's everything you need to know.
📌 Key takeaways
Why get a PhD?
People get a PhD mainly because of career benefits and their deep interest in a certain field. PhD grads earn higher salaries on average and are more likely to have a job throughout their career.
How long does it take to get a PhD?
A PhD usually takes between 3-6 years to complete. The exact number of years depends on the discipline and country you're studying in.
In exceptional circumstances, it's possible to complete it sooner.
Why should I do a PhD?
People are inspired to complete a doctorate for many different reasons:
- It's the biggest step towards a career in academia.
- A PhD is an excellent way to deepen your research into a specific field, which may lead to some very innovative and lucrative commercial solutions.
A number of students simply enjoy the scholarly life and enroll for the sheer pleasure of learning. These naturally curious people might not have any specific career goals in mind, but a PhD is the best way to satisfy their thirst for knowledge.
💡 How PhDs lead to innovation
Some of the most revolutionary technologies and companies began life during their inventor's PhD programs. Here are a couple of examples:
Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin met while pursuing their PhDs at Stanford University. They teamed up and developed a search engine that ranked web pages based on their relationships and link structure. This foundational research eventually became Google, one of the most influential tech companies in the world. This invention democratized information, fundamentally changing people's lives.
AC Induction Motor
Nikola Tesla, a Serbian engineer and inventor, invented the AC (Alternating Current) induction motor in 1887. This was one of his most famous inventions. During his studies and subsequent work, Tesla recognized the inefficiencies of direct current (DC) systems and came up with a solution for it in 1887. While Tesla’s genius was often underappreciated during his lifetime, his work on AC motors and the broader AC system fundamentally shaped the modern electrical era.
Graphene
Physicists Andre Geim and Kostya Novoselov at The University of Manchester led to the discovery of graphene -- an atom-thin material that is incredibly strong and extremely conductive. Geim and Novoselov were both established professors when they joined the Manchester faculty, but a team of dedicated PhD students supported their work, which went on to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2004.
What are the benefits of doing a PhD?
The title carries prestige
First of all, you get to call yourself a ‘doctor’, which is pretty cool (although it might be worth keeping it quiet if you run into some kind of medical emergency).
Having this title means you can change your title at that bank, with the credit card company, and on your passport.
And if anyone asks why you can call yourself a ‘Dr’ without knowing one end of a scalpel from the other, tell them that doctor comes from the Latin word which means 'distinguished teacher.' It became a common medical term after physicians were required to complete a doctorate before becoming licensed medical practitioners.
A strong foundation for a career
However, aside from the prestige and a few opportunities to show off, being an academic ‘Dr.’ has several practical benefits.
To start with, it is a prerequisite for anyone who wants to build an academic career. And even if you decide against a career in the academy, having a PhD on your CV will impress nearly all potential employers.
What's more, statistics show that PhDs get a higher paycheck. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Doctorate degree holders earn around 25% more than their Master's peers.
You're more likely to find and keep your job, too. BLS numbers showed that unemployment was highest among people without any degrees and that unemployment rates went down with each degree level. So, the higher your education level, the more likely you are to be employed.
Shared passions with your peers
Finally, a PhD is lots of fun! Obviously it involves years of hard work, but you will also be spending time with people who share your interests and passions. Also, there are plenty of travel opportunities for many PhD students. You could find yourself at a prestigious conference surrounded by the leading experts in your subject, or working on a research project in some of the world's most exotic locations.
How long does it take to complete a PhD?
This depends on where or what you study, but you'll need to dedicate at least 3-4 years towards earning a doctorate.
- Most PhD students in the UK take three to four years
- In the US, the median amount of time for a PhD is 5.8 years.
The length will also depend on which university awards the doctorate. The timescales also vary quite dramatically from country to country, so international students should always do plenty of research before applying for a PhD abroad.
The length of time varies by subject, too:
- Highly technical subjects such as physics often require up to eight years to earn ‘Dr’ status.
- Psychology PhD also takes 6-8 years, as students have to complete long residences in a medical setting.
- A PhD in architecture takes around 10 years!
- The biological sciences tend to require the least amount of time.
Is there any way I can qualify sooner?
High-performing students complete their PhDs in two years, and sometimes even shorter. It's hard to overstate how rare and impressive this is, but it is always a possibility.
The key to a fast-track PhD is to:
- Build up a strong academic CV before you even start
- Get your work published in journals as a Master's student (this is one of the best ways to alert professors of your academic qualities)
I'm not sure I want to do a PhD, should I just do one anyway?
Every major decision we make requires careful consideration. This approach will naturally give rise to certain doubts, fears, and insecurities. We can usually overcome them with a little bit of forward-thinking or at least reassure ourselves that we are ready for whatever challenges may come our way.
A PhD is a serious commitment that requires dedication, commitment, a lot of brainpower, and, most of all, as the London School of Economics explains, passion. Studying for a doctorate is a real labour of love and should never be approached half-heartedly. And if none of that scares you off, then you are probably the perfect PhD candidate!
PhDs take time, effort, and an enormous amount of hard work. But they are also one of the most rewarding things you can do, especially if you're interested in the world of academia. So get ready for more than a few tough moments -- but remember that you will come out of the other side as a highly qualified specialist (indeed, a ‘doctor’!) in the specific subject you're most passionate about!
As an international student, what happens when I finish my PhD?
Many universities have extension schemes in place designed to help international students remain in the country after their final thesis has been approved. These extensions help recent graduates find work or continue their academic careers.
They usually last for up to 12 months, after which you will need to make additional arrangements if you would like to stay in your host country. Universities typically sponsor these extension schemes, and you will need to match very specific criteria requirements before you can apply.
Again, this varies depending on where you study, so speak to whoever administers the program for more information.
educations.com teamAuthor
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.
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