how long is phd in usa

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How Long Does it Take to Get a PhD?: A Go-Getter’s Guide to Graduation

Featured Expert: Dr. Charlene Hoi, PhD

How long does it take to get a PhD? On average, PhD programs are 4 or 5 years long. The time it takes to get a PhD is slightly longer in the US, between 4-6 years, because these programs tend to be more structured. If you want to know how to get a PhD in Canada or Europe, you can expect it to take 3-5 years. However, there are PhD programs that take longer, such as part-time programs, or are extremely short, like online accelerated PhD programs. Ultimately, how long it takes to get a PhD is up to you. In this article, we’ll look at the average PhD program lengths, the typical PhD timeline, and tips on how to get your PhD finished faster.

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Article Contents 13 min read

How long does it take to get a phd.

On average, it takes 4-5 years to complete a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program. In the US, most PhD programs are between 4-6 years, while in Canada they are typically shorter, around 3-4 years.

Some students take longer than 6 years to complete their PhD, but in general the longest time it takes to get a PhD is capped at 8 years. If you’re enrolling in a part-time PhD program, for instance, your timeline will probably be extended to 6-8 years.

The shortest PhD programs out there are accelerated or sometimes online PhD programs. Some of these are only 1-2 years long, but there are comparatively fewer programs available, and they are only suitable for certain fields and careers which require less intensive research which defines most PhD programs.

One of the main reasons why it takes many years to get a PhD is because these programs are comprehensive and the requirements to graduate are extensive. Most have a set number of credit hours you need to complete, examinations to write, plus you’ll need to write your PhD thesis or dissertation, unless you pursue a PhD without dissertation .

There are certainly ways to shorten the PhD application timeline and time to graduate, which includes enrolling in a shorter program if possible, increasing your course load or the number of research hours you can dedicate per week, but generally a PhD will still take some time.

Even if you want to do a PhD without a master’s degree first, such as by applying to a direct entry PhD program, the program is still usually 4-5 years long.

We’ll take a look at the typical PhD timeline and how long it takes to get a PhD normally. After, we’ll cover some tips on how to get your PhD done faster or how you can avoid dragging things out.

In North America, the typical PhD program is divided into two stages. The first stage is where you complete all the required coursework, comprehensive exams and other academic requirements, depending on the program. The second stage is when you submit a proposal for original, independent research, get it approved and start working on your thesis or dissertation. Your PhD culminates with your thesis defense. Once your thesis has been approved, you’ll be eligible to graduate.

This timeline is somewhat flexible, as you might complete the first stage in 1 or 2 years but take longer to complete your dissertation. For the purpose of this general PhD schedule, we’ll assume your PhD program is a typical length of 4-6 years.

Application Stage

We’ve included the application stage of getting your PhD here first because the grad school application timeline can take several months to put together your application package and hear back about acceptance to a program. Secondly, because the application stage involves some critical steps you’ll need to complete in order to get your PhD.

1. Research proposal

To apply to a PhD program, you’ll most likely be required to submit a research proposal and be prepared to answer any research proposal questions your advisor will have. This is your “proposal” of what research question you will explore during your studies at a program, or an outline of what research topic you want to pursue. If you’re not sure how to write a research proposal, check out these Oxford PhD proposal samples or a Cambridge PhD proposal sample.

2. Application materials

The admission requirements for a PhD can vary from program to program, but here are the general components of a PhD application:

• Required prerequisite coursework
• Official transcripts (and minimum GPA)
• Graduate school statement of purpose
• CV for graduate school or research resume
• PhD motivation letter

Some programs may also ask you to submit additional essays, such as a letter of intent, research interest statement or grad school career goals statement .

Many PhD programs also invite you to a grad school interview to get to know you better. Be ready for common graduate school interview questions such as “ tell me about yourself ” and “ why do you want to do a PhD ?”

PhD Years 1-3: Coursework Stage

1. orientation.

Your PhD program will usually begin with your orientation, where you’ll learn about the program’s individual structure, requirements and expectations. You’ll also either choose or be assigned an academic advisor and schedule an initial meeting with them. Your advisor will be a member of the university faculty who will act as your support while you complete your research and write your thesis.

2. Coursework

The first year or two of your PhD will involve completing required advanced coursework in your field. You’ll attend lectures and seminars and you may participate in research projects with department faculty or fellow graduate students or even lab work, depending on your field.

3. Electives

Along with required coursework, you’ll have the chance to take elective courses that interest you or relate to your field. It’s important to choose electives that will enrich your program. Choose ones that really interest you, that might help inform your PhD research or that will help you fulfill your credit requirements.

4. Extracurriculars

PhD programs sometimes have extracurricular activities or additional requirements outside the classroom. This can include internships or a practicum you need to complete for credit, or you might be interested in attending academic conferences or relevant events to socialize and network you’re your colleagues in the field.

5. Comprehensive exams

The coursework stage of your PhD program will end with comprehensive exams , sometimes called qualifying or preliminary exams. These are your “final exams” to make sure that you completed the necessary PhD coursework and that you’re ready and qualified to take on your own independent research in the next phase.

1. Thesis proposal

You may recall that you submitted a research proposal as part of your PhD application, and this step of the process is similar. Your thesis proposal is just like your research proposal, but it’s a more refined and developed version. Throughout your coursework, your research question might have changed or you might have changed course a little bit. If you’re still thinking about your PhD topic , take the time to solidify it before you reach the thesis proposal stage.

Your research proposal might have been a first draft, while your thesis proposal is your official announcement of: this is what I propose to research in this PhD program.

Depending on your field and the program, you thesis research might involve a great deal of lab work, or data collection or fieldwork. Whatever the case, your thesis proposal is a complete outline of what you intend to do for this independent research project and the steps you’ll take.

2. Thesis approval

Once your proposal is written, you’ll submit it for approval. Your academic advisor, PhD supervisor or the PhD committee overseeing your program will review it and either approve it or make suggestions for changes. Once it’s been polished and finalized, you’ll be given the go ahead to start conducting your research.

3. PhD research

Your research alone will probably take you several semesters to complete. On top of the fieldwork, lab work or data collection and analysis you’ll be completing, you’ll be using this time to write and review. Writing your thesis or dissertation takes a fair number of hours to outline, draft, edit and complete. It also means hitting the books to complete a literature review of your research topic so you have a complete background understanding of your chosen topic and how it will inform your research.

Your research and the preparation of your thesis is really the biggest part of this second stage, and is probably the longest part of your PhD altogether.

4. Extra requirements

When you’re not deep in your research, you’ll be completing other requirements of your PhD program or additional duties that enrich your education. Some programs require you to dedicate some hours to teaching, whether it be leading seminars for undergraduate students or acting as a teaching assistant for university faculty.

You’ll also be strongly encouraged to publish as a graduate student , so you may be involved in the research projects of faculty members or other grad students when you’re not working on your dissertation.

5. Thesis submission and preparation for thesis defense

When you’re finished writing your thesis and you’re ready to submit it, it’s critical to know how to prepare for thesis defense . Because not only do you have to complete this original, new body of research work, you have to get the approval of your PhD committee to put it out into the world.

Your thesis defense is essentially the final presentation of your PhD.

6. Thesis defense

Your thesis defense is an oral presentation of your research project, but it also involves submitting your written document to be reviewed. Essentially, you’ll present the entirety of your thesis to the PhD supervising committee, including your findings and conclusions. From there, the committee will ask thesis defense questions . Your answers will defend your methodology and results to the committee, basically proving the value and validity of your work. While this is an evaluation of sorts, it is also your opportunity to share your original ideas and invite further research into your topic.

After your defense, the PhD committee will either approve your thesis or send it back to you with edits or changes to be made before it can be formally approved.

Graduation and Postdoc

Once your thesis has been approved, congratulations! You’ll be eligible for graduation and be awarded your degree. Now that you’ve finished this marathon, you can choose to pursue further studies or start looking for a job after grad school .

With a PhD, you have many different options for positions in your field. You might want to know how to find a job in academia or how to get a tenure track position at a university if you’re interested in teaching others. PhD graduates who decide to transition from academia to industry or who would rather work outside the realm of academia can find industry jobs after PhD that suit their skills and experiences.

Either way, you’ll need to prepare for how to find a postdoc position, explore what the career options are for you, decide what your career goals are and start sending out applications. Remember to prep your postdoc resume and get read for postdoc interview questions , since the job hunt will begin soon after you finish your PhD!

Is it possible to get your PhD done faster? What are some ways you can speed up the process and avoid taking 8 years to complete your graduate studies? Luckily, there are many key ways you can make your journey through grad school easier and speed things up a little, from the type of PhD program you choose to the habits and skills you cultivate during your program.

#1 Enroll in an accelerated program

The first way to guarantee it will take less time to get your PhD is to, of course, enroll in a shorter PhD program. Direct entry PhD programs allow you to enroll once you’ve completed your bachelor’s degree in exceptional circumstances. Note that these are not the easiest PhD programs to get into , as your academic record needs to be excellent, and you’ll likely need prior research experience and you may even need to have publications already. However, a direct entry PhD program is around 4-5 years, but it allows you to skip the 1-2 years it would take to earn a master’s degree.

You can also choose to enroll in an online or accelerated PhD program that is designed to be much shorter than the traditional PhD. Once again, though, these programs are not available to students in every field, so you may need to research whether there are any options for you.

#2 Choose the right mentor

One of the first things you can do to ensure your PhD is smooth sailing is to choose the right mentor or academic advisor. Many programs allow you to choose your advisor, while some assign one to you. Whatever the case, it’s important to establish a strong working relationship and clear expectations early on.

One of the first things you’ll do as a PhD student is meet with your advisor. Take the time to discuss with them what your expectations for the program are, ask questions and ask them what their expectations are of you. Your advisor is there to help you and advise you, and they have resources and connections you can use to your advantage. But they are also working with a busy schedule and might be advising more than one PhD student, too. A mutually respectful relationship with open communication will ensure fewer interpersonal hurdles down the road.

#3 Earn credit hours faster

One way you can shave some time off your PhD is by earning your credit hours faster and getting to the research and thesis-writing stage faster. This might mean you take on a full-time course load or ask your advisor for ways to earn extra credit, such as participating in research projects. Some PhD programs will give you course credit for previous graduate level coursework you might have completed during your master’s degree, or for certifications and professional education you completed outside of school.

#4 Keep your thesis focused

When you get started on your research, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the amount of work you need to complete, with the writing of your thesis on top of it all. One way to keep your research hyper-focused and on point is to keep your thesis topic narrow. If your subject is too broad, you’ll be spending way too much time in your research. Give yourself clear objectives and scope, and don’t deviate from your PhD proposal if you don’t have to.

There may be a million questions you want to explore within your PhD topic, but there will be other opportunities to explore them. Keep your focus narrow so you don’t spend years and years asking and answering research questions!

One of the best things you can do to get your PhD done faster and adjust to the experience of graduate school is to change your thinking. Adopt a growth mindset so that you’re open to new learning, willing to listen to constructive feedback on your proposal or thesis and willing to grow your skills. A PhD is an advanced program, and you’ll already be very skilled, but it is also an opportunity to learn and grow. There will be challenges for you, so be ready to meet and overcome them instead of letting them draw you back or slow you down.

#5 Develop your professional skills fast

A PhD is an opportunity to grow your professional skillset as much as it is an opportunity for you to contribute meaningfully to your field. If you haven’t already been working on skills such as communication, presenting or lecturing and writing, now is the time to start.

Strong writing skills will help you get your thesis finished and edited faster, as you’ll be more familiar with the process and understand what makes a strong document. It’s also a useful skill to learn how to write effective funding proposals or grant proposals. You may need to do so to secure funding for your research, but it’s a highly valuable skill in the workforce, too.

Good presentation skills will help you during your thesis defense or if you’re asked to present during a conference. They will also help you build confidence in your voice and ideas and make you a better communicator when you’re networking or job searching.

#6 Keep to your schedule

This is maybe the most important skill if you want to finish your PhD faster: make a detailed schedule and hold yourself accountable to it. If you like, you can plan out your entire PhD week by week from Day 1. Write down what your course schedule is, when you’ll do research and how many hours, when you’ll write and how many hours, what extracurriculars or personal activities will take up your time and so on.

A detailed schedule gives you an overview of your PhD and a timeline of when you’ll finish. It will keep you organized and accountable, so you can avoid procrastinating or avoidable speed bumps that might slow you down. It also helps you compartmentalize the many items on your to-do list so you don’t stress out about how much you need to accomplish.

When creating your schedule, especially during the research stage when there is no formal class schedule for you to adhere to, focus on deliverables. Set a date when you will submit a section of your thesis to your advisor, or when you will complete your literature review. Setting goals and clear outcomes will keep you on track and focused.

#7 Take initiative and be independent

The last tip to help you get your PhD done faster is to take initiative. Remember that a PhD is a largely independent endeavor. You’ll have the support of a committee or advisor, but you can’t rely on them to do the work for you or put everything on hold if they aren’t available when you need them. Be flexible and adaptable so you can keep working and moving forward, even if your schedule gets interrupted or needs to change to suit your situation.

It's also important to take the initiative in your learning. Take advantage of opportunities for growth, networking, and gaining experience where you can. Get the most out of your PhD program and use your experiences to fuel your end goal of completing your thesis.

On average, it takes 4-5 years to get a PhD. There are a few factors that can influence the time it takes to complete your PhD, from program length and structure to what country you are earning your PhD in, to your own personal work ethic and schedule.

PhD programs in the US are on average 4-6 years. In Canada and the UK, they are usually 3-5 years long. Part-time PhD programs may take up to 7-8 years to complete. Direct-entry PhD programs and dual master’s and PhD programs are typically 5 years long. If you’re enrolling in an online, hybrid or accelerated PhD program, the timeline is usually 2-3 years, but there are some extremely short 1-year PhD programs offered online for specific disciplines.

Yes, you can finish your PhD before the “normal” timeline. For example, if you complete your coursework early, if you finish writing your thesis faster than average and get it approved, or if you otherwise complete all your PhD program requirements before the anticipated finish date. 

Yes, there are online PhDs available for certain fields and disciplines. These typically range from 2-3 years, although there are some traditional 4-year PhD programs offered online. There are also some “accelerated” online PhDs which last 12-18 months.

A PhD program is not necessarily shorter if you first complete a master’s degree, but having gone through a master’s program can better prepare you to finish your PhD faster. Some PhD programs accept credit hours from your master’s degree towards the coursework requirements for a PhD, and if you’ve previously written a master’s thesis or completed some research during your graduate studies, this will be an advantage. Since you’ll already be familiar with the process of writing a thesis and conducting your own research, you can avoid some stumbling blocks in your PhD program that might otherwise slow down your progress.

Yes, it is possible to get a PhD without first completing a master’s degree. There are direct entry PhD programs that allow students with a bachelor’s degree to enroll, so long as they meet the admission requirements and have exceptional academic records. Some online PhDs also waive the master’s degree requirement.

Yes, it is possible to complete a traditional PhD program in a shorter amount of time than anticipate. This usually means dedicating yourself to full-time study or taking on a larger course load and increased research hours. It takes significant work, but it can be done with the right schedule and commitment.

The fastest PhD programs are the short, 1-year accelerated programs. These programs have fewer credit hours to complete, and some have no dissertation requirement, only qualifying exams to finish. However, there are not many programs out there, and they are not available for every field of interest.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get a phd.

This varies by country. In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5–7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3–5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation.

In the rest of the world, students normally have a master’s degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3–5 years.

Frequently asked questions: Graduate school

In the US, most graduate school applications require you to include:

• Transcripts from previous educational institutions
• Standardized test scores (such as the GRE or MCAT)
• A graduate resume
• 2–3 letters of recommendation
• A statement of purpose

Some programs may ask you to write a personal statement in addition to, or instead of, a statement of purpose. You may also be asked to an interview .

Always carefully read the application instructions for the specific program you’re applying to.

Most medical school programs interview candidates, as do many (though not all) leading law and business schools.

In research programs, it depends—PhDs in business usually do, while those in economics normally do not, for example.

Some schools interview everyone, while others only interview their top candidates. Look at the websites of the schools you’re applying to for more information on whether they conduct interviews.

In addition to thinking about your answers for the most commonly asked grad school interview questions , you should reach out to former and current students to ask their advice on preparing and what sort of questions will be asked.

Look back through your resume and come up with anecdotes that you could use for common questions, particularly those that ask about obstacles that you overcame. If you’re applying for a research program, ensure that you can talk about the previous research experience you’ve had.

You should also read as much research in your field as possible. Research the faculty at the schools you’re applying to and read some of their papers. Come up with a few questions that you could ask them.

Graduate schools often ask questions about why you are interested in this particular program and what you will contribute.

Try to stay away from cliche answers like “this is a good program” or “I got good grades in undergrad” and focus instead on the unique strengths of the program or what you will bring to the table. Understand what the program is looking for and come up with anecdotes that demonstrate why you are a good fit for them.

Different types of programs may also focus on different questions:

• Research programs will often ask what topics you’d like to research and who you would like to work with, as well as specific questions about your research background.
• Medical schools are interested in your personal motivation, qualities such as integrity and empathy, and how you’d respond to common ethical dilemmas.
• Business schools will focus on your past work experience and future career prospects, and may be particularly interested in any experience you have managing or working with others.

Some students apply to graduate school straight from undergrad, but it’s also common to go back to school later in life. The ideal time to do so depends on various financial, personal, and career considerations . Graduate school is a big commitment, so you should apply at a time when you can devote your full attention to it.

Your career path may also determine when you should apply. In some career fields, you can easily progress without a graduate degree, while in others—such as medicine, business, and law—it’s virtually impossible to move up the career ladder without a specific graduate degree.

Most graduate school applications for American graduate programs are due in December or January for a September start.

Some types of programs, especially law school, are rolling applications, meaning that the earlier you apply, the earlier you’ll hear back. In this case, you should aim to apply as early as possible to maximize your chances.

Medical school follows a completely separate timeline with much earlier deadlines. If you’re applying for medical school, you should speak to advisors at your university for more information.

A good starting point to aim for is about 18 months before you would start the program, or 6–9 months before the applications are due.

In the first few months of the process, research programs and study for any standardized exams you might need.

You can then begin writing your personal statements and statements of purpose , as well as contacting people to write your letters of recommendation . Ensure that you give recommenders plenty of time to complete their letters (ideally around 2–4 months).

In the US, the graduate school application process is similar whether you’re applying for a master’s or a PhD . Both require letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose or personal statement , a resume or CV , and transcripts. Programs in the US and Canada usually also require a certain type of standardized test—often the GRE.

Outside the US, PhD programs usually also require applicants to write a research proposal , because students are expected to begin dissertation research in the first year of their PhD.

A master’s degree usually has a higher upfront cost, but it also allows you to start earning a higher salary more quickly. The exact cost depends on the country and the school: private universities usually cost more than public ones, and European degrees usually cost less than North American ones. There are limited possibilities for financial aid.

PhDs often waive tuition fees and offer a living stipend in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. However, they take many years to complete, during which time you earn very little.

This depends on the country. In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD  with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program.

Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

It’s best to ask in person if possible, so first reach out and request a meeting to discuss your graduate school plans.

Let the potential recommender know which programs you’re applying to, and ask if they feel they can provide a strong letter of recommendation . A lukewarm recommendation can be the kiss of death for an application, so make sure your letter writers are enthusiastic about recommending you and your work!

Always remember to remain polite. Your recommenders are doing you a favor by taking the time to write a letter in support of your graduate school goals.

This depends on the program that you are applying for. Generally, for professional programs like business and policy school, you should ask managers who can speak to your future leadership potential and ability to succeed in your chosen career path.

However, in other graduate programs, you should mostly ask your former professors or research supervisors to write your recommendation letters , unless you have worked in a job that corresponds closely with your chosen field (e.g., as a full-time research assistant).

Choose people who know your work well and can speak to your ability to succeed in the program that you are applying to.

Remember, it is far more important to choose someone who knows you well than someone well-known. You may have taken classes with more prominent professors, but if they haven’t worked closely with you, they probably can’t write you a strong letter.

The sections in your graduate school resume depend on two things: your experience, and the focus of the program you’re applying to.

Always start with your education. If you have more than one degree, list the most recent one first.

The title and order of the other sections depend on what you want to emphasize. You might include things like:

• Professional experience
• Voluntary and extracurricular activities
• Publications
• Awards and honors
• Skills and certifications

The resume should aim for a balance between two things: giving a snapshot of what you’ve done with your life so far, and showing that you’re a good candidate for graduate study.

A resume is typically shorter than a CV, giving only the most relevant professional and educational highlights.

An academic CV should give full details of your education and career, including lists of publications and presentations, certifications, memberships, grants, and research projects. Because it is more comprehensive, it’s acceptable for an academic CV to be many pages long.

Note that, outside of the US, resume and CV are often used interchangeably.

No, don’t include your high school courses and grades. The education section should only detail your college education.

If you want to discuss aspects of high school in your graduate school application, you can include this in your personal statement .

A resume for a graduate school application is typically no more than 1–2 pages long.

Note, however, that if you are asked to submit a CV (curriculum vitae), you should give comprehensive details of all your academic experience. An academic CV can be much longer than a normal resume.

Always carefully check the instructions and adhere to any length requirements for each application.

If you’re applying to multiple graduate school programs, you should tailor your personal statement to each application.

Some applications provide a prompt or question. In this case, you might have to write a new personal statement from scratch: the most important task is to respond to what you have been asked.

If there’s no prompt or guidelines, you can re-use the same idea for your personal statement – but change the details wherever relevant, making sure to emphasize why you’re applying to this specific program.

If the application also includes other essays, such as a statement of purpose , you might have to revise your personal statement to avoid repeating the same information.

The typical length of a personal statement for graduate school applications is between 500 and 1,000 words.

Different programs have different requirements, so always check if there’s a minimum or maximum length and stick to the guidelines. If there is no recommended word count, aim for no more than 1-2 pages.

A statement of purpose is usually more formal, focusing on your academic or professional goals. It shouldn’t include anything that isn’t directly relevant to the application.

A personal statement can often be more creative. It might tell a story that isn’t directly related to the application, but that shows something about your personality, values, and motivations.

However, both types of document have the same overall goal: to demonstrate your potential as a graduate student and s how why you’re a great match for the program.

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How the PhD Program Works

Program Overview

Completing your doctorate at Wharton requires 5 years of full-time study. The first 2 years in the program prepare you for admission to candidacy by taking courses, qualifying exams, and starting research projects. In the last few years, you are primarily conducting research full-time including writing and defending your doctoral dissertation.

Admission to candidacy.

You begin by taking courses required for your program of study. All programs requires a preliminary exam, which may be either oral or written.

Some programs may have further requirements, such as an additional exam or research paper. If you enter with a master’s degree or other transfer credit, you may satisfy the formal course requirements more quickly.

Beginning the Wharton PhD Curriculum How the first two years of the Wharton program helped students discover their interests, learn the tools of the profession, and fuel their passion for teaching.

The Doctoral Dissertation

Upon successful completion of coursework and passing a preliminary examination, you are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation phase of your studies.

Your doctoral dissertation should contain original research that meets standards for published scholarship in your field. You are expected to be an expert in the topic you choose to research.

You are admitted to candidacy for the dissertation phase of your studies upon successful completion of coursework and passing a preliminary examination, but you can start thinking about and working on research of relevance at any time.

The dissertation process culminates with a “defense,” in which you defend the proposal orally before your dissertation committee.

While working on your dissertation, you interact extensively with Wharton faculty. Together with interested faculty, you create your own research community that includes your dissertation advisor and dissertation committee.

Policies and Procedures

Get more detailed explanation of course requirements, academic standards, the Teacher Development Program, time limits, and dissertation procedures and requirements.

Sample Program Sequence

Years 1 & 2.

Coursework Examination Research Papers Research Activities Field-Specific Requirements

Directed Reading & Research Admission to Candidacy Formulation of Research Topic

Years 4 & 5

Continued Research Oral Examination Dissertation

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• Applying for a PhD in the USA

Written by Taru Medha

Applying to a PhD degree in the USA can be quite an extensive and competitive process. Universities want to make sure students end up on the right graduate programmes and therefore put a lot of time and effort into their admissions process. They expect you to do the same with your application.

This doesn't mean that it's harder to get a place on a US PhD degree. But you will need to provide more material and more detail about your existing qualifications than you might be asked for elsewhere.

On this page

When should i apply for a phd in the usa.

US graduate programmes will have specific application deadlines. It’s common for application windows to open between August and December for admission to a PhD in the autumn (or ‘fall’) of the following year.

How should I apply for a PhD in the USA?

Applications for US PhD programmes are made directly to graduate schools. But bear in mind that US graduate schools will often ask for a lot of supplementary material with your application. Most will also charge an admission fee (usually between $50 and $100 ).

Do I need a Masters to apply for a PhD in the USA?

You won’t necessarily need a Masters to apply for a PhD in the USA. American graduate programmes effectively combine Masters and PhD study. Some students actually receive a Masters at the end of their coursework stage.

If you do already have a Masters , you may be able to receive credit for it and spend less time on the coursework stage of your programme. This decision is made by your graduate school, who will decide how relevant your existing degree is.

To apply for a PhD at an American university, you’ll need to submit a list of documents which include:

• academic transcripts;
• personal statement ;
• letters of recommendation;
• research statements – A research statement is different from a research proposal (required if you’re applying for a PhD in most other countries). You’ll only need to give a general sense of your research interests and possible directions you might like to pursue. The specific details for your project will be developed later in your programme and put forward as part of your research prospectus;
• graduate admission tests – They are a more common requirement in the US education system than they are in other countries. They allow your university to assess general skills such as abstract reasoning, problem solving and critical thinking. A number of tests are in use, but the two most common are the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) . Some PhD subjects may use other graduate entry tests in place of (or in addition to) the GRE such as the LSAT for Law programmes . You must check with your university to know which test it requires;
• English academic language test - If English is not your first language you may need to submit a score from a recognised body such as TOEFL or IELTS. Your prospective university will be able to tell you which test it prefers (many will accept more than one), and the minimum score, or scores, it requires.

Decision on your PhD application

There are three potential outcomes for a US PhD application. You may be successful , waitlisted or unsuccessful . If you’re successful or unsuccessful, your university will let you know straight away. However, you may also be waitlisted as a second-choice candidate. If the first-choice candidate declines their offer or isn’t able to enrol on the programme, you’ll be offered their place.

Once you’ve heard back from your university and you have a confirmed place, you’re all set to start applying for your student visa! Read our comprehensive guides to know more how a PhD looks like in the US and the funding options at your disposal.

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How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD?

Earning a Ph.D. is a remarkable academic achievement, often seen as the pinnacle of one’s educational journey. It’s a pursuit that demands unwavering dedication, intellectual prowess, and an unshakable commitment to research. Yet, when setting out on this academic odyssey, prospective doctoral students often find themselves grappling with a common question: How long will it take to reach the coveted destination of a PhD?

In the world of academia, where timeframes can be as diverse as the subjects studied, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The duration of a PhD program can be influenced by a multitude of factors, ranging from the chosen field of study to the country in which one embarks on this intellectual voyage.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the intricate web of considerations that determine the timeline of a Ph.D. We’ll delve into the typical duration, international variations, the stages of the Ph.D. journey, and even the strategies that can expedite or prolong this academic quest.

Through real-life experiences and insights, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the fascinating, challenging, and often unpredictable timeline associated with pursuing a PhD.

So, if you’ve ever wondered about the time commitment required for a PhD, join us on this educational voyage as we uncover the secrets of this academic adventure and navigate the complex terrain of doctoral studies.

Introduction

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A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is the highest academic degree one can attain. It represents expertise in a specific field and often involves original research contributing to the world’s knowledge. However, this academic feat isn’t for the faint of heart. To embark on this journey, you should be aware of the formidable challenges it presents, and one of the most fundamental questions is, “How long will it take?” In the introduction, you can touch upon the idea of academic ambition, the pursuit of knowledge, and the unique challenges that come with obtaining a Ph.D.

It’s essential to emphasize why understanding the time commitment is crucial. Pursuing a Ph.D. isn’t just an intellectual endeavor; it’s also a significant personal and professional commitment. It can impact one’s life, career, and even mental and emotional well-being. You can mention that by knowing what you’re getting into time-wise, you can make informed decisions about your academic and career goals. For instance, if you’re aware that a Ph.D. typically takes several years, you can plan your life accordingly, set expectations, and ensure you have the necessary resources and support in place.

Imagine standing at the crossroads of ambition and dedication. You’re passionate about a particular field, and the thought of making a meaningful contribution to it excites you. You dream of becoming a respected expert, perhaps even shaping the future of your discipline. This ambition has led you to consider pursuing a PhD, a journey that represents the highest echelon of academic achievement.

But before you dive into the world of research, scholarly papers, and intellectual debates, there’s a critical question that looms large—how long will it take to earn that coveted Doctor of Philosophy degree? The answer isn’t as straightforward as one might hope. It’s a complex equation, influenced by various factors, and it’s a puzzle that many aspiring doctoral students grapple with.

Understanding the time commitment of a PhD is not merely a matter of academic curiosity. It’s a pivotal factor that can shape your life’s trajectory in significant ways. This introduction explores the intricacies of a PhD journey, from the initial spark of academic passion to the profound understanding of what it takes, in terms of time, to turn that passion into a doctoral reality.

Earning a PhD is a highly individualized journey, and its duration can vary significantly from person to person. This section will delve into the myriad factors that play a role in determining the length of a PhD program. It’s important to understand that the timeline is not a fixed number of years but is influenced by various variables. Here are some key factors:

• Field of Study: The nature of your research area has a significant impact. Some fields, such as the natural sciences or engineering, might require extensive laboratory work and data collection, which can lengthen the Ph.D. process. In contrast, fields like humanities or social sciences might involve less time-intensive data collection but demand extensive writing and analysis.
• Country: The country in which you pursue your PhD can greatly affect the duration. Different countries have different academic systems and expectations. For example, in the United States, it’s common for PhD programs to last longer compared to some European countries where they tend to be shorter and more structured.
• Research Focus: The specific focus of your research project can influence the time required. If your research involves cutting-edge, complex topics, it might take longer to gather and analyze data or develop new methodologies. On the other hand, a well-defined and less ambitious research question could lead to a quicker completion.

Let’s take a closer look at the intricate web of factors that influence the duration of a PhD program. Imagine two students, both embarking on their journeys to earn a PhD, but in different fields.

Student A is pursuing a PhD in physics. This field often involves conducting elaborate experiments, gathering extensive data, and fine-tuning intricate instruments. The pursuit of new discoveries in the realm of physics can be time-consuming, and the PhD program might extend to several years to complete all the necessary research.

Student B, on the other hand, is studying literature and cultural studies. Their research involves in-depth analysis of existing texts, interpretations, and critical theories. While the reading and writing process is extensive, it may not require as many years as Student A’s experimental work.

Now, consider these students in the context of the country in which they are pursuing their PhD Student A is in the United States, where doctoral programs typically span several years. Meanwhile, Student B is in a European country known for its structured and shorter Ph.D. programs.

Lastly, let’s factor in research focus. Student A’s project is ambitious, attempting to uncover the mysteries of the universe, which can be a time-intensive endeavor. In contrast, Student B’s research question is more narrowly defined, making the path to completion relatively shorter.

These examples illustrate how the combination of field of study, country, and research focus can significantly influence the duration of a PhD program.

Understanding the average duration of a PhD program can help prospective students set realistic expectations. This section will provide an overview of the typical timeframes for completing a PhD.

• Average Duration: On a global scale, a PhD program often spans between 5 to 7 years. This period includes coursework, research, and the writing and defense of a dissertation. However, it’s important to note that this duration can vary significantly. In the United States , for instance, it’s common for PhD programs to take longer, often 5 to 7 years or even more, due to the inclusion of coursework and comprehensive exams. In contrast, in some European countries, PhD programs are designed to be shorter, typically around 3 to 4 years, as they are research-focused with less emphasis on coursework.
• Variations by Field: The average duration can also differ based on the field of study. Fields requiring extensive data collection, such as the natural sciences or engineering, might take longer, while fields like humanities or social sciences with more writing and analysis may have shorter timeframes.

When it comes to the average duration of a PhD program, the common adage ‘it’s a marathon, not a sprint’ certainly applies. The typical journey to a PhD is a long and demanding one, taking aspiring scholars through a series of rigorous academic challenges.

Globally, a PhD program often spans between 5 to 7 years. This period includes the initial coursework phase, where students delve deep into the theoretical foundations of their field. This is followed by a substantial research phase, during which they gather data, conduct experiments, or engage in extensive fieldwork. Finally, the culmination of this journey is the completion and defense of a dissertation, a written document that contributes new knowledge to their field.

However, it’s crucial to remember that these timeframes are general averages and can vary significantly based on various factors. In the United States, for example, it’s quite common for PhD programs to extend to the longer end of the spectrum, taking 5 to 7 years or even more to complete. This is because American PhD programs often include a significant coursework component and comprehensive exams before the dissertation phase begins.

On the other hand, in some European countries, PhD programs are designed to be more streamlined and research-focused. They typically take around 3 to 4 years to complete, reflecting a shorter timeframe. This structure is influenced by the belief that students entering PhD programs are already well-prepared in their chosen field, and the primary focus is on conducting independent research.

Additionally, the duration can also vary based on the specific field of study. Fields that require extensive data collection or experimental work, such as the natural sciences or engineering, tend to have longer PhD programs. In contrast, fields like humanities or social sciences, where research involves more reading, writing, and analysis, may have shorter timeframes.

Keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and individual PhD experiences can deviate from the average.

Ph.D. program durations can vary significantly between countries due to differences in educational systems and academic traditions. This section will explore how and why PhD programs’ lengths differ by country.

• United States: In the United States, PhD programs are known for their comprehensive structure. They often include a combination of coursework, comprehensive exams, and dissertation research. This makes them typically longer, often spanning 5 to 7 years or more.
• European Countries: In many European countries, PhD programs are more streamlined and research-focused. They tend to be shorter, typically around 3 to 4 years. European programs often assume that students have a strong foundation in their field when they enter the Ph.D. phase.
• Other Countries: The duration of PhD programs can also vary in other parts of the world. For instance, in some Asian countries, the length of a PhD program can be influenced by the nature of the research and the institution’s specific requirements.

When contemplating the pursuit of a Ph.D., it’s important to recognize that the path you tread can be markedly different depending on the country in which you choose to study. The world’s countries have diverse academic systems and traditions, and these intricacies play a significant role in shaping the duration of PhD programs.

Consider the United States, a country renowned for its rigorous academic programs. Here, PhD programs are known for their comprehensive nature. Students often undergo a period of intensive coursework, followed by comprehensive exams to assess their knowledge. This is in addition to the research phase, which involves conducting experiments, gathering data, or delving deep into the chosen area of study. As a result, PhD programs in the United States are often among the longer ones, frequently taking 5 to 7 years or even more to complete.

In contrast, many European countries have adopted a more streamlined approach to PhD programs. These programs tend to be research-focused from the outset, with the assumption that students entering PhD programs already possess a strong foundation in their chosen field. The result is a shorter program, typically spanning around 3 to 4 years. In countries like the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Denmark, students can transition directly into their research, which contributes to the shorter duration.

Outside of the United States and Europe, PhD program lengths can vary significantly depending on the country’s educational system and specific institutional requirements. For instance, in certain Asian countries, PhD programs might also be research-intensive and shorter in duration, or they might extend to accommodate the complexity of the research involved.

It’s important to understand these country-specific variations when considering a PhD program, as they can have a profound impact on the length of your academic journey.

A Ph.D. program is not a single, continuous journey but is typically divided into distinct stages. This section will provide an overview of the common stages of a PhD program, which include coursework, research, and dissertation writing.

• Coursework: The journey usually starts with a coursework phase, where students dive deep into the theoretical foundations of their field. During this stage, students take classes and seminars to build a strong academic foundation. The duration of this stage varies by country and field but generally lasts from 1 to 2 years.
• Comprehensive Exams: In some countries, notably the United States, students are required to pass comprehensive exams to demonstrate their mastery of their field. This stage can add a few months to a couple of years to the timeline.
• Research Phase: After coursework and exams, students transition into the research phase, which is the heart of a Ph.D. program. This phase involves conducting original research, experiments, fieldwork, or in-depth analysis, depending on the field of study. It can last several years, usually 3 to 5 years or more, depending on the complexity of the research and the progress made.
• Dissertation Writing: The final stage involves writing the PhD dissertation, a comprehensive document that presents the research findings and contributes to the academic field. The duration of this stage varies but often takes at least a year.

A PhD program is akin to an academic epic, with distinct stages that collectively make up the hero’s journey. As an aspiring doctoral candidate, it’s essential to understand the key stages you’ll encounter along the way.

The odyssey begins with coursework. During this initial stage, students embark on a voyage into the theoretical underpinnings of their chosen field. They attend classes, seminars, and lectures to deepen their understanding. This coursework phase, which can last anywhere from 1 to 2 years, serves as the foundation upon which the rest of the journey is built.

In some countries, particularly the United States, there’s another formidable challenge—comprehensive exams. These exams test the student’s mastery of the field’s core concepts and are often required before moving on to the next stage. Comprehensive exams can extend the journey by several months to a couple of years.

The heart of the PhD journey lies in the research phase. This is where students immerse themselves in original research, which could entail conducting experiments, gathering data, or engaging in extensive fieldwork, depending on their field of study. The duration of this stage is the most variable, spanning approximately 3 to 5 years or even longer, depending on the complexity of the research and the progress made.

Lastly, the culmination of the PhD adventure is the dissertation writing stage. Here, students craft a comprehensive document that presents their research findings, methodology, and contributions to the academic field. This final stage can vary in length but often takes at least a year to complete.

These stages collectively shape the journey towards a PhD, and understanding them is vital for anyone embarking on this academic odyssey.

While earning a Ph.D. is a significant commitment, there are strategies to expedite the process. This section will discuss strategies and approaches that can help shorten the timeline of your PhD journey .

• Efficient Time Management: Effective time management is essential for expediting a PhD program. Planning and prioritizing tasks, setting clear goals, and maintaining a structured schedule can help students make the most of their research and coursework, reducing the time spent on unnecessary or unproductive activities.
• Choosing the Right Advisor: The relationship between a Ph.D. student and their advisor can significantly impact the program’s duration. A supportive and experienced advisor can guide the student effectively, provide valuable insights, and help them navigate research challenges more efficiently. A strong advisor-student relationship can lead to better research progress and a quicker completion.
• Prior Research Experience: Entering a PhD program with prior research experience can be a significant advantage. If you’ve already conducted research related to your PhD topic during a master’s program or as an undergraduate, you may be able to accelerate your research and data collection, potentially shortening the overall timeline.

When it comes to earning a PhD, the duration can be an intimidating factor. However, it’s important to remember that there are strategies that can help expedite the journey. Let’s explore some of these approaches:

One of the most fundamental strategies is efficient time management. Effective planning, prioritization, and maintaining a structured schedule can make a world of difference. By setting clear goals and staying organized, students can optimize their time and reduce the risk of distractions or time wasted on non-essential activities. This approach ensures that every moment spent on research or coursework is meaningful and productive.

Another pivotal factor is the choice of an advisor. The advisor-student relationship plays a crucial role in a Ph.D. program. A supportive, experienced, and engaged advisor can guide a student through the research process more effectively. They can offer valuable insights, help troubleshoot research challenges, and provide a sense of direction. With the right advisor, students often find themselves making more efficient progress and thus shortening the overall timeline of their PhD journey.

For those entering a PhD program with prior research experience, there’s an advantage. If you’ve already dabbled in research during your master’s program or as an undergraduate, you’re poised for a quicker start. The knowledge, skills, and methodologies you’ve acquired can significantly expedite your research and data collection, potentially helping you complete your PhD in less time.

These strategies, when applied thoughtfully, can make the road to a PhD a bit smoother and shorter, ultimately allowing students to achieve their academic goals more efficiently.

While shortening the Ph.D. journey is a common goal, there are situations that can unexpectedly lengthen the timeline. This section will discuss various reasons a Ph.D. might take longer than expected, including research challenges and personal circumstances.

• Complex Research Challenges: Research is at the core of a Ph.D., and sometimes, research challenges can extend the timeline. For instance, unexpected technical issues, data collection difficulties, or unanticipated roadblocks in the research process can delay progress. Dealing with these complexities often requires additional time and problem-solving efforts.
• Scope of the Project: Sometimes, students may underestimate the scope of their research project. If the research topic turns out to be more extensive or multifaceted than initially anticipated, it can lead to a longer journey. Expanding the research scope can also be driven by a desire to make a more substantial contribution to the field.
• Personal Circumstances: Personal circumstances can also play a significant role in lengthening the timeline. Life events, such as family responsibilities, health issues, or other personal challenges, can disrupt the academic trajectory and extend the Ph.D. program.

While aspiring doctoral candidates often set out with the goal of completing their PhD as efficiently as possible, it’s important to acknowledge that unexpected factors can sometimes extend the journey. Let’s delve into some of the reasons a PhD might take longer than initially expected:

One of the most common factors is research challenges. Research is the backbone of a Ph.D., and it’s not uncommon to encounter unanticipated complexities along the way. For instance, imagine a Ph.D. student in the field of environmental science who encounters technical issues with specialized equipment required for data collection. These unexpected hurdles can require additional time and effort to resolve, extending the research phase.

Another factor that can elongate the timeline is the scope of the project. Sometimes, students may begin their research with a particular understanding of the project’s scale, only to discover that the topic is more extensive or multifaceted than initially thought. This realization can lead to an expansion of the research scope, often driven by the desire to make a more significant and impactful contribution to the field. While noble in its intent, this expansion can result in a longer and more extensive research phase.

Personal circumstances can also have a profound impact. Life doesn’t always adhere to the academic calendar, and various personal challenges can disrupt the PhD journey. These challenges can include family responsibilities, health issues, or other unforeseen life events. Balancing these personal circumstances with academic commitments can sometimes lead to a longer timeline for completing a PhD.

It’s crucial to recognize that while we often have our sights set on a timely completion, the PhD journey can be influenced by a myriad of unforeseen factors. Overcoming these challenges is a testament to resilience and dedication in the pursuit of knowledge.

I have written several articles related to PhD. You can visit them Here. These articles will guide you in the smooth completion of your PhD.

An unconventional PhD demands quality publications and presentations. I have written articles related to Research Journals and Research Conferences. Please visit them

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To sum it up, figuring out how long a Ph.D. takes is like solving a puzzle. In the U.S., it’s a bit like a long journey, taking about 5 to 7 years, while in Europe, it’s more like a focused sprint, finishing in about 3 to 4 years.

We also learned about the different stages of a Ph.D., from classes to big research and a huge paper called a dissertation. Some folks speed up their Ph.D. by managing time well, picking a good advisor, or using past research experience. But unexpected stuff, like tough research problems or personal things, can make the Ph.D. journey longer.

In Ph.D. land, time is like money you spend to learn and get smart. Whether someone is thinking about starting a Ph.D. or already on the journey, it’s their special story. Enjoy the good parts, handle the tough bits, and feel proud of becoming a real expert, adding to what everyone knows together.

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Frequently Asked Questions for PhD Applicants

If you have questions about the application process, please consult the Application FAQ

Program FAQ

• When is the application deadline?  December 7, 2024 11:59 PM PST is the application deadline for Autumn 2025-2026.
• I will have just earned my bachelor’s degree before starting graduate study at Stanford. Should I apply to the MS or the PhD program?  You should apply to the degree program that can fulfill your ultimate degree goal. For example, if obtaining a PhD is your ultimate goal, you should apply directly to the PhD program.
• Do I need to have a master’s degree before applying to the PhD program?  No; the minimum degree requirement is a bachelor’s degree. Students who enter the PhD program may opt to pursue the master’s degree along the way to earning the PhD.
• If I apply to the PhD program but do not get admitted, will I be considered for the MS program?  The Electrical Engineering Department does not consider PhD applicants not admitted into the PhD program for the MS program. 
• If I am admitted and enrolled in the MS program, may I enter the PhD program later?  Admission to the PhD program is possible only through the  annual general admissions process . Current MS students must reapply through this process to be considered for the PhD program.
• May I apply for a start term other than autumn? No; applications are reviewed on an annual basis for autumn quarter start only.
• How long does it take to complete the PhD?  Typical completion time for the PhD program is 5-7 years.
• How important is it to contact faculty before I apply?  Contact with faculty members is not a required part of the application process nor does it guarantee admission to our graduate program. Admissions decisions are made by the Admissions Committee, not by individual faculty members.
• Is financial assistance available for PhD students?  Yes; all PhD students who maintain satisfactory academic progress receive full financial support for the duration of the doctoral program. For more information, please see  Financial Assistance for PhD Students .
• What are the minimum GPA requirements for admission?  Applicants do not need to meet any minimum grade point average (GPA) to secure admission, and we do not release information about average GPAs of admitted students. As a guideline, successful applicants typically earn undergraduate cumulative GPAs among the top of their class. However, please keep in mind that admission to our graduate programs depends on a combination of factors, and all areas of a student’s application are weighed when applications are reviewed.
• Am I eligible to apply if my undergraduate major is not Electrical Engineering?  Yes; students who meet the minimum degree requirements with a strong technical background in engineering, physical sciences, or mathematics are welcome to apply. A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering is not strictly required.
• Are specific prerequisite courses required for admission?  No; we advise prospective applicants to review the  EE Graduate Handbook  and the  Stanford Course Catalog  to evaluate what prerequisites are needed for graduate-level courses in your area(s) of interest.
• What is the minimum level of study required of international applicants from an academic institution outside of the U.S.?  Please refer to  Stanford Graduate Admissions | International Applicants  for eligibility guidelines related to study outside of the U.S.
• What is the process for transferring to the PhD program from another institution?  Students who wish to transfer to our PhD program from another institution must complete the same application procedure as new applicants. If you are admitted and enrolled, you may request to transfer up to 45 units of coursework from your previous institution toward the PhD degree requirements at Stanford, by following the procedures for  Graduate Residency Credit . Students must complete one quarter at Stanford before requesting to transfer units, and all transferred units are subject to approval by the Registrar’s Office.
• If I am admitted to a EE graduate program, can my admission be deferred?  The Department greatly discourages deferral of matriculation dates.  Deferrals are granted only to PhD applicants, and only in exceptional circumstances such as for US military service or visa issues for students arriving from designated countries.  Admitted students wishing to defer admission must send a written request (along with documentation if possible) to  [email protected] . Requests will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. MS and Coterm applicants cannot defer admission dates.

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How Long Does It Take to Get a Ph.D. Degree?

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Earning a Ph.D. from a U.S. grad school typically requires nearly six years, federal statistics show.

(CAIAIMAGE/TOM MERTON/GETTY IMAGES)

A Ph.D. is most appropriate for someone who is a “lifelong learner.” 

Students who have excelled within a specific academic discipline and who have a strong interest in that field may choose to pursue a Ph.D. degree. However, Ph.D. degree-holders urge prospective students to think carefully about whether they truly want or need a doctoral degree, since Ph.D. programs last for multiple years.

According to the Survey of Earned Doctorates, a census of recent research doctorate recipients who earned their degree from U.S. institutions, the median amount of time it took individuals who received their doctorates in 2017 to complete their program was 5.8 years. However, there are many types of programs that typically take longer than six years to complete, such as humanities and arts doctorates, where the median time for individuals to earn their degree was 7.1 years, according to the survey.

Some Ph.D. candidates begin doctoral programs after they have already obtained master’s degrees, which means the time spent in grad school is a combination of the time spent pursuing a master’s and the years invested in a doctorate. In order to receive a Ph.D. degree, a student must produce and successfully defend an original academic dissertation, which must be approved by a dissertation committtee. Writing and defending a dissertation is so difficult that many Ph.D. students drop out of their Ph.D. programs having done most of the work necessary for degree without completing the dissertation component. These Ph.D. program dropouts often use the phrase “ all but dissertation ” or the abbreviation “ABD” on their resumes.

According to a comprehensive study of  Ph.D. completion rates  published by The Council of Graduate Schools in 2008, only 56.6% of people who begin Ph.D. programs earn Ph.D. degrees.

Ian Curtis, a founding partner with H&C Education, an educational and admissions consulting firm, who is pursuing a Ph.D. degree in French at Yale University , says there are several steps involved in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. Students typically need to fulfill course requirements and pass comprehensive exams, Curtis warns. “Once these obligations have been completed, how long it takes you to write your dissertation depends on who you are, how you work, what field you’re in and what other responsibilities you have in life,” he wrote in an email. Though some Ph.D. students can write a dissertation in a single year, that is rare, and the dissertation writing process may last for several years, Curtis says.

[ READ: What Is a Doctorate or a Doctoral Degree?  ]

Curtis adds that the level of support a Ph.D. student receives from an academic advisor or faculty mentor can be a key factor in determining the length of time it takes to complete a Ph.D. program. “Before you decide to enroll at a specific program, you’ll want to meet your future advisor,” Curtis advises. “Also, reach out to his or her current and former students to get a sense of what he or she is like to work with.”

Curtis also notes that if there is a gap between the amount of time it takes to complete a Ph.D. and the amount of time a student’s funding lasts, this can slow down the Ph.D. completion process. “Keep in mind that if you run out of funding at some point during your doctorate, you will need to find paid work, and this will leave you even less time to focus on writing your dissertation,” he says. “If one of the programs you’re looking at has a record of significantly longer – or shorter – times to competition, this is good information to take into consideration.”

Pierre Huguet, the CEO and co-founder of H&C Education, says prospective Ph.D. students should be aware that a Ph.D. is designed to prepare a person for a career as a scholar. “Most of the jobs available to Ph.D. students upon graduation are academic in nature and directly related to their fields of study: professor, researcher, etc.,” Huguet wrote in an email. “The truth is that more specialization can mean fewer job opportunities. Before starting a Ph.D., students should be sure that they want to pursue a career in academia, or in research. If not, they should make time during the Ph.D. to show recruiters that they’ve traveled beyond their labs and libraries to gain some professional hands-on experience.”

Jack Appleman, a business writing instructor, published author and Ph.D. candidate focusing on organizational communication with the  University at Albany—SUNY , says Ph.D. programs require a level of commitment and focus that goes beyond what is necessary for a typical corporate job. A program with flexible course requirements that allow a student to customize his or her curriculum based on academic interests and personal obligations is ideal, he says.

[ READ: Ph.D. Programs Get a Lot More Practical.  ]

Joan Kee, a professor at the University of Michigan  with the university’s history of art department, says that the length of time required for a Ph.D. varies widely depending on what subject the Ph.D. focuses on. “Ph.D. program length is very discipline and even field-specific; for example, you can and are expected to finish a Ph.D, in economics in under five years, but that would be impossible in art history (or most of the humanities),” she wrote in an email.

Jean Marie Carey, who earned her Ph.D. degree in art history and German from the  University of Otago  in New Zealand, encourages prospective Ph.D. students to check whether their potential Ph.D. program has published a timeline of how long it takes a Ph.D. student to complete their program. She says it is also prudent to speak with Ph.D. graduates of the school and ask about their experience.

Bennett urges prospective Ph.D. students to visit the campuses of their target graduate programs since a Ph.D. program takes so much time that it is important to find a school that feels comfortable. She adds that aspiring Ph.D. students who prefer a collaborative learning environment should be wary of graduate programs that have a cut-throat and competitive atmosphere, since such students may not thrive in that type of setting.

[ READ: 4 Fields Where Doctorates Lead to Jobs.  ]

Alumni of Ph.D. programs note that the process of obtaining a Ph.D. is arduous, regardless of the type of Ph.D. program. “A Ph.D. is a long commitment of your time, energy and financial resources, so it’ll be easier on you if you are passionate about research,” says Grace Lee, who has a Ph.D. in neuroscience and is the founder and CEO of Mastery Insights, an education and career coaching company, and the host of the Career Revisionist podcast.

“A Ph.D. isn’t about rehashing years of knowledge that is already out there, but rather it is about your ability to generate new knowledge. Your intellectual masterpiece (which is your dissertation) takes a lot of time, intellectual creativity and innovation to put together, so you have to be truly passionate about that,” Lee says.

Erin Skelly, a graduate admissions counselor at the IvyWise admissions consulting firm, says when a Ph.D. students struggles to complete his or her Ph.D. degree, it may have more to do with the student’s academic interests or personal circumstances than his or her program.

“The time to complete a Ph.D. can depend on a number of variables, but the specific discipline or school would only account for a year or two’s difference,” she wrote in an email. “When a student takes significantly longer to complete a Ph.D. (degree), it’s usually related to the student’s coursework and research – they need to take additional coursework to complete their comprehensive exams; they change the focus of their program or dissertation, requiring extra coursework or research; or their research doesn’t yield the results they hoped for, and they need to generate a new theory and conduct more research.”

Skelly warns that the average completion time of a Ph.D. program may be misleading in some cases, if the average is skewed based on one or two outliers. She suggests that instead of focusing on the duration of a particular Ph.D. program, prospective students should investigate the program’s attritition and graduation rates.

“It is worthwhile to look at the program requirements and the school’s proposed timeline for completion, and meet current students to get their input on how realistic these expectations for completion are,” Skelly says. “That can give you an honest idea of how long it will really take to complete the program.”

Searching for a grad school? Access our  complete rankings  of Best Graduate Schools.

• How Long Does A PhD Take?
• Doing a PhD

Sometimes, just knowing how long a PhD takes can be enough to sway your decision on whether a research degree is for you. So with that in mind, exactly how long does a PhD take?

In the UK, a full-time PhD takes 3 to 4 years to finish whilst a part-time PhD takes twice as long at 6 to 7 years. Alongside these average durations, there are time limits on how long you can be enrolled on to a PhD programme. To discover these limits, the factors which most influence doctoral degree durations and how the UK durations compare to international PhDs, continue reading on.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Full-time PhD?

In the UK, a full-time PhD will typically take you 3 to 4 years. You will usually spend the first three years on the technical aspects of your doctorate. This includes undertaking independent research, designing your research methodology and collecting and analysing data. You will then spend an additional academic year on writing up your PhD thesis and sitting your viva.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Part-time PhD?

In the UK, a part-time PhD will typically take you 6 to 7 years; twice as long as doing a full-time PhD. The reason for this is that as a part-time PhD student, you would dedicate around 20 hours per week to your PhD as opposed to the typical 40 hours full-time students would put into their subject.

How Long Does a Distance Learning PhD Take?

Similarly, distance learning PhD’s take an average of 6 to 7 years to complete. This is because the vast majority of students who undertake a distance learning PhD do so because they can’t relocate closer to the university. Although these commitments will differ, they often mean the student isn’t able to dedicate 40 hours per week to their studies.

Students in STEM disciplines will often take longer to finish a distance learning doctorate degree than those in non-STEM disciplines. This because the progress of a STEM PhD student will be limited by how often they can access a laboratory for experiment work.

How Does Funding Impact a PhD’s Duration?

In reality, the actual time it will take you to complete your PhD degree will depend on your funding situation.

If you’re receiving  funding , it will usually only cover you for 3.5 years if you’re studying full-time or for 7 years at half the stipend if you’re studying part-time. Although this could vary slightly, most PhD funding providers, e.g. Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), follow this timescale as indicated on their ‘ length of PhD studentships’ page. Because of this, most students who obtain scholarships try to complete their PhD within the timeframe of their funding so they don’t incur additional fees which they need to cover themselves.

It’s also worth noting that some funded PhD positions have additional conditions attached to them as part of their eligibility requirements. For example, they may require teaching undergraduate students, hosting laboratory sessions or attend presentations and conferences. This will be especially true if you’re on a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA). Although these shouldn’t add considerable time to the length of a PhD programme, they have the potential to do so if they aren’t managed properly.

As self-funded students cover their own annual tuition fees and other associated costs, how long they’ll spend to complete their PhD project will largely depend on their own personal financial situation. Because of this, most self-funded PhD students find it best to complete their PhD study in the shortest time-frame they can manage.

Are There Deadlines?

Yes – unfortunately, all good things must come to an end! Within the UK, the deadline for your PhD is defined as the last date which you must submit your final thesis by. This date is set by your university’s overall regulations and varies depending on the arrangements of your PhD, e.g. whether it’s full or part time. In the vast majority of cases, the adopted deadlines are four years for full-time PhDs and seven years for part-time PhDs from the date you were officially registered onto your programme, as shown below from the University of Leicester’s registration guidance page .

This time-frame may vary from university to university. For example, the University of Sheffield adopts an additional year for part-time PhDs as shown below.

Can I Complete It Faster?

Although it’s possible to complete a full-time PhD in under 3 years, it’s a significant feat that’s rarely heard of. When these feats occur, they’re usually where the doctoral student already has extensive knowledge and experience in their field before undertaking their PhD.

Whilst it’s possible to complete a part-time PhD in under 6 years, it largely depends on your commitments outside your studies. For example, if you have a part-time career alongside your PhD, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to commit the additional hours required to complete your doctorate a year faster.

However, if instead of a steady part-time job you take on occasional work as a freelancer, you’ll be able to set aside many more hours towards your doctoral degree.

Will Having only A Bachelor’s Degree or Being an International Student Limit My Rate of Progression?

Not at all. While there are benefits to having a Master’s degree such as an additional year of learning and greater research experience due to your fourth-year dissertation project, this doesn’t mean not having one would limit you. A PhD is very different to both Bachelor and Master degrees due to being heavily research-based, therefore, both types of students will have just as much to learn on their way to completing their doctorate.

Similarly, whether you’re an international student will bear no influence on the duration of your PhD.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How Does This Compare to the Duration of EU and US PhDs?

PhD hosted by universities within the EU, such as those in France, Norway and Spain, have the same programme structure as those within the UK. As a result, there are no noticeable differences in the time to complete a doctorate between UK and EU institutions.

However, this is not the case in the US. Compared to PhDs conducted within the UK or EU, PhDs conducted within the US take considerably longer to obtain. According to a  2017 study conducted by the National Science Foundation, a US government agency which supports research and higher education, the average time to get a PhD within the US is 5.8 years. Besides this, the average completion time can further increase depending on the disciplines. For example, they found doctorates within the humanities and arts to take an average of 7.1 years to achieve.

The primary reason for this difference is the way PhD degrees are structured within the United States. As mentioned previously, PhDs conducted within UK and EU universities are essentially broken into two sections – one covering the analytical aspects and the other covering the writing up aspects. However, within the US, doctorate programmes comprise additional sections. PhD students are first required to undertake 2 to 3 years of courses, which cover a broad range of topics related to their schools’ discipline. This is then followed by coursework and several examinations, which only once passed can the PhD candidate then start working on their research project and dissertation.

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How many years of school does it take to get a PhD? How long does it take?

Embarking on a PhD journey is akin to strapping in for an intellectual rollercoaster ride.

From the buzzing classrooms of the USA to the revered halls of European universities, the timeline for earning this illustrious degree can dramatically vary. But what exactly does this journey look like, and how much time should you anticipate devoting to it?

In terms of time commitment for a PhD, the United States tends to require the most, with students typically taking between 5 to 8 years to complete their degree. On the other end of the spectrum, countries like the UK, Germany, France, and Australia generally require less time, typically between 3 to 4 years, with other countries like Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, China, India, and Brazil falling in between.

Is it a matter of years, or should you be prepared for a commitment spanning a decade? Moreover, why does it differ so much between countries?

Whether you’re a curious observer or a prospective doctoral student, this deep dive into the heart of PhD programs across the globe promises to be enlightening!

How Long Does It Take to Complete a PhD?

The response is not cut-and-dry as it largely varies, but especially so between different regions of the world.

Generally speaking, a doctoral program in the USA tends to take longer, with a timeline usually falling between three to six years, and in some cases, it may take even longer.

This is contrasted by the shorter duration of PhD programs in Europe, the UK, and Australia, which typically spans three to four years.

Here is how long a PhD can take in different countries:

The first step of a USA PhD journey involves completing coursework.

This phase takes around one to two years, with the goal of deepening the PhD student’s understanding of their chosen field of study and providing a solid foundation for their impending research.

The unique and often challenging aspect of a doctoral program is the original research, which forms the basis of the dissertation.

Depending on the complexity of the chosen research topic, this phase can take several years in the USA, while it may be slightly quicker in Europe, the UK, or Australia due to the structured nature of these programs.

After writing the dissertation comes the defense phase, which can take another year or more in the USA, and this too can be somewhat quicker in other regions.

Once I submitted my PhD in Australia I had to wait 6 months before the decisions were made – luckily I have a job!

If you want to know more about the length of a PhD check out my other article:

• How long does it take to get a PhD part-time? Complete a PhD on your own time. 
• How long does it take to get a PhD? Complete a PhD quickly

How many years of school to have a PhD in total? 

Acquiring a Ph.D. degree requires several years of dedicated study and research.

Here’s a rough estimation of the years of education needed to earn a PhD starting from kindergarten:

*Note: Master’s Degree is often not a requirement for enrolling in a PhD program in the USA but it is common in other countries. In the USA, you can usually proceed directly from a bachelor’s degree to a PhD, in which case the total cumulative years would be less.

• Generally, a minimum of 8-10 years of education beyond high school is required to earn a Ph.D.
• Bachelor’s Degree is the first step towards achieving a Ph.D., which takes around 4 years.
• After getting the Bachelor’s degree, one needs to complete a Master’s degree, which typically takes 2-3 years.
• Following this, the academic journey continues with a doctoral program, which takes another 4-5 years.

During this time, students are engaged in coursework, comprehensive exams, and extensive research work, culminating in a Ph.D. dissertation that represents their original contribution to their field of study.

Why Does It Take So Long to Complete a PhD?

To begin with, a PhD isn’t about skimming the surface; it’s about diving deep into your chosen field. The degree is a testament to your advanced knowledge within your area of study, and this requires time. Picture it as a winding tunnel of discovery, from which you emerge as an authority within your field.

The second, and perhaps more intriguing reason, is the element of trial and error. Every PhD student has a unique tale of failure and success; it’s essentially a rite of passage. From refining research questions to troubleshooting experiments and revising dissertations, the road to earning a doctorate is peppered with challenges.

It’s a dance of adaptability and resilience, and it takes time to perfect.

In essence, while earning a PhD may take around four to seven years, or sometimes even a decade, it’s a testament to a PhD student’s perseverance, deep knowledge, and invaluable contribution to their field. The time to completion may seem daunting, but the rewards it brings are worth the journey.

What are the benefits of earning a PhD? 

The time it takes to earn a Ph.D. equips students with critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing them to tackle real-world challenges.

Here are some of the benefits that can come from doing a PhD.

• Expert Problem Solver : A Ph.D. equips you with the skills to tackle complex problems in your chosen field. This makes you a specialist problem solver, adept at overcoming unexpected challenges.
• More Opportunities : Holding a Ph.D. can open up numerous career opportunities, from academic roles to advanced positions in industry and government. It’s a degree that can provide an extra edge in the competitive job market.
• Recognition as an Expert : Earning a Ph.D. grants you the title of ‘Doctor’, signaling your expertise in a specific area. This recognition can be satisfying personally and professionally.
• Perfected Learning Skills : Ph.D. students become expert learners, honing the ability to self-learn and adapt, skills that are invaluable in every aspect of life.
• Improved Communication : A Ph.D. involves presenting ideas, writing complex papers, and participating in debates. This improves your communication skills, enabling you to articulate your ideas effectively.
• Identity and Personal Growth : The challenges faced and overcome during a Ph.D. journey significantly contribute to personal growth and identity formation. This experience often results in increased resilience and a sense of accomplishment.

While many Ph.D. students enroll with academic aspirations, the doctorate degree can unlock opportunities across industries. A Ph.D., after all, symbolizes the apex of academic achievement and positions its holder as an expert in their field.

Do PhD students get holidays

PhD students, like any other student or working professional, do get holidays during their academic journey.

The nature and duration of these holidays may vary significantly depending on the institution, the field of study, and individual needs and commitments.

I know that many institutions expect their PhD students to treat it as a job and only have minimal time off during their studies.

That being said, it is important to note that PhD students often maintain a high level of commitment and dedication to their research, irrespective of holidays.

The flexibility and autonomy offered in doctoral programs mean that many PhD students continue their research or writing tasks during these vacations, either out of sheer passion or to meet pressing deadlines.

Additionally, some PhD candidates may use the holiday breaks for conferencing, networking, or attending workshops to further develop their skills and knowledge within their research area.

Wrapping up

As we reach the end of our exploration into the world of doctoral studies, it’s crucial to remember that the journey to a PhD, while rigorous and time-consuming, is a unique and rewarding endeavor.

It’s not just about the title or the prestige; it’s about the knowledge you gain, the skills you develop, the resilience you build, and the contribution you make to your chosen field.

The path to earning a PhD is not a race; it’s more of a marathon.

The differing timelines across countries further emphasize that this journey is not one-size-fits-all, with each nation having its distinct approach.

Whether you are a high school student considering your future, a bachelor’s graduate thinking of further studies, or simply a curious reader, it’s essential to understand that a PhD journey is no walk in the park.

It requires substantial investment in terms of time, energy, and often, personal sacrifice. But, the sense of achievement and personal growth that accompanies such a monumental accomplishment can be transformative.

It’s more than the learning ; it’s the lifelong skills you acquire and the person you become in the process. The sense of purpose, the adaptability, the strength of character, and the capability to critically engage with the world are perhaps the most significant gains from this journey.

If you are considering this path, know that it takes more than intellect – it takes courage and an unwavering dedication to the pursuit of knowledge.

So, if you’re prepared to strap in for this intellectual rollercoaster ride, know that it’s a journey worth embarking on.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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Students sit around a table and discuss with a professor nearby. Photo source: Sallie

PhD Admissions

The PhD program in Psychology trains students for careers in research and teaching. In addition to a wide range of courses, the PhD program is characterized by close collaboration between students and their faculty advisors. 

General Information

The Department of Psychology holistically reviews each candidate's complete application to assess the promise of a career in teaching and research. Consideration is based on various factors, including courses taken, grade point average, letters of recommendation, and the statement of purpose. Additionally, the Department of Psychology places considerable emphasis on research training, and admitted students have often been involved in independent research as undergraduate students or post-baccalaureate settings. Although there are no course requirements for admission, all applicants should have sufficient foundational knowledge and research experience to engage in graduate-level coursework and research.

We accept students with undergraduate degrees and those with both undergraduate and master's degrees. An undergraduate psychology major is not required; the Department welcomes applicants from other academic backgrounds.

Our application portal will open for the AY25-26 admissions cycle on September 15, 2024.

How to Apply

Application and deadline.

Our 2025-26 Admissions application will open on September 15, 2024.

Applications will be due on November 30, 2024

The deadline for letters of recommendation will be  November 30, 2024 . 

Once an applicant submits the recommenders' information, the recommenders will receive an automated email with instructions for submitting the letter. Late letters should be sent directly to psych-admissions [at] stanford.edu (psych-admissions[at]stanford[dot]edu) . Staff will add them to the application file if the review process is still underway. Still, the faculty reviewers are not obligated to re-review files for materials submitted after the deadline.

Generally, students will hear from us by the end of January. 

The status of submitted applications can be viewed anytime by logging in to the   application portal . 

The deadline to apply for the '25-26 PhD cohort this year is  November 30, 2024 . Applicants who are admitted to the program will matriculate in Autumn 2025. 

Our next admissions cycle will open in September 2025 and have a November 30, 2025 deadline.

In addition to the information below, please review the  Graduate Admissions  website prior to starting your application. The Department of Psychology does not have rolling admissions. We admit for the Autumn term only.

Requirements

• U.S. Bachelor's degree or its  foreign equivalent
• Statement of Purpose (submitted electronically as part of the graduate application). You will be able to specify three  Psychology Department faculty members , in order of preference, with whom you would like to work. 
• Three  Letters of Recommendation  (submitted electronically). A maximum of six letters will be accepted.
• Unofficial transcripts from all universities and colleges you have attended for at least one year must be uploaded to the graduate application. Applicants who reach the interview stage will be asked to provide official transcripts as well; Department staff will reach out to these applicants with instructions for submitting official transcripts. Please do  not  submit official transcripts with your initial application.
• Required for non-native English speakers: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores, submitted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) electronically to Stanford. 

Application Fee

The fee to apply for graduate study at Stanford is $125. Fee waivers are available for some applicants. Please visit Graduate Admissions for information on applying for an  Application Fee Waiver .

Application Review & Status Check

The Department of Psychology welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. The review of applications is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field.

To check the status or activity of your application, please log into your  application account . You can also send reminders to recommenders who have not yet submitted their letter of recommendation.

Due to limited bandwidth, the Department of Psychology staff will not answer any phone or email queries about application status, including requests to confirm the receipt of official transcripts.

Our faculty will interview prospective students before making final admission decisions. Candidates who progress to the interview round will be informed in January. Interviews are generally conducted in February.

The Department of Psychology recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

• Diversity and Engagement in Psychology PhD Programs 
• Vice Provost for Graduate Education
• Stanford IDEAL
• Graduate Application Fee Waiver Information

For More Information

Please see our  list of Frequently Asked Questions  and  psych-admissions [at] stanford.edu (contact us)  should you have additional questions.

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How Long Does It Take To Get A PhD (Doctorate)?

Find your perfect postgrad program search our database of 30,000 courses.

• by Charlotte King
• In General , PHD

As with many things in life, how long it takes you to get a PhD depends mostly on you. Because doctorate degrees are flexible, the duration of study can vary. But if you work hard and are disciplined, how long will it take you to get a PhD

How long is a full-time PhD?

In most cases, PhD research involves full-time study. You should expect to dedicate around 35 hours per week to your work. However, in busy periods, such as writing up your thesis , you may need to work for considerably longer. 

In the UK,  it usually takes three to four years of full-time study to gain a PhD. Time is spent carrying out research and collecting data towards a thesis. Your thesis can take a year to write and will offer an original contribution to your subject.Once you have completed your thesis you will usually have to undertake a PhD viva to present, explain and defend your research.

Most students begin a PhD after completing a relevant masters course. A masters degree will usually take around one year to complete if you are studying full time, or two to five years if you are studying part time. So from undergraduate to doctorate, you should expect it to take at least four years full time.

In Europe, the time it takes to gain a PhD can vary depending on the country and the subject of study. For example, in Germany, a PhD in a scientific subject might take two to three years full time, and a doctorate in the arts or humanities may take four to six years full time. In Norway, all PhDs usually take three years on a full-time basis. Most countries are similar to the UK, where you complete your PhD once you have done a relevant masters course.

In Norway , all PhDs usually take three years on a full-time basis – here is a great explanation from the  University of Oslo . It can take up to six years to complete a PhD on a part-time basis, but this way of studying is unusual. 

The USA has a different university set up to the UK and Europe as most doctorate degrees are gained by going to Graduate School straight after you have completed your undergraduate degree. This means that the time it takes to gain your masters-level qualification is built into the time it takes to get your PhD. It is common for it to take four to five years to gain a Doctorate from the time you start Graduate School, but it can take up to eight years of full-time study. It depends on the institution and the type of PhD you choose.  

Some institutions, like Franklin University, allow students to transfer credits and count professional work experience towards their doctorate degrees, so you could complete a PhD in as little as three years.

How long is a part-time PhD?

Studying for a PhD part time is a good way to accommodate other work or life commitments alongside your research. Typically, it takes twice as long as a full-time PhD and you will study for around 20 hours a week.

Not many PhD students undertake their doctorate on a part-time basis, but those who do will have between five and seven years to complete their PhD. 

Part-time PhDs are unusual in Europe. In Germany, you could expect a PhD to take four to eight years. France is similar to Germany, and it takes around three to four years for a full-time doctorate in the sciences, and four to five years for a doctorate degree in the arts and humanities. At the University of Oslo, it can take up to six years to complete a PhD on a part-time basis. 

Part-time and online PhDs are more common in the USA and these take anywhere from five to 10 years to complete.

How long is a distance learning PhD?

There are some doctorate degrees which are studied by distance learning. These online PhDs allow students to study at a location and time that suits their schedule. These tend to be part time only and usually take up to seven years to complete. 

Entry requirements for a PhD

In the UK the vast majority of PhD candidates will begin a PhD after completing a relevant masters course . A masters degree will usually take around one year to complete if you are studying full time, or two to five years if you are studying part time. Once you've gained this qualification you can move onto the doctorate after you have excelled at your PhD interview.

Different countries in Europe have different traditions and regulations surrounding doctorate degrees. Most countries are similar to the UK, where you complete your PhD once you have done a relevant masters course. 

Why does it take so long to complete a PhD? 

Due to the complexity of the study and the amount of original research required, PhDs typically take longer to complete than other undergraduate degrees. It can take a long time to create a thesis, since you must make an original and noteworthy contribution to your field.

What is the deadline for finishing a PhD?

The deadline for submitting your PhD will be set by your university. In the UK, the deadline is defined by the last date on which you can submit your thesis. For most PhDs, the deadline is four years for full-time students and seven years for part-time students. It may be possible to extend the deadline up to four years, but this is at the discretion of the university. 

Does funding impact the length of a PhD? 

Generally, PhD funding providers will cover you for a set amount of time during the course of your PhD. Most students will aim to finish their PhD within the timeframe set by their funding provider to avoid incurring additional fees. 

Self-funded students cover their own tuition fees and other related costs, therefore many self-funded students aim to complete their PhDs in the shortest time possible. 

Read more about postgraduate tuition fees on our fees and funding information page .  

Find your ideal PhD

Search for your ideal PhD or browse our collection of helpful PhD articles on Postgrad. 

Editor’s note: this blog post was originally published in April 2018, it now contains some updated information.

amber is one of many potential private accommodation options for international postgraduate students. Other private student accommodation options are available and Postgrad.com advises you to research all your options thoroughly before making such a commitment. Postgrad Solutions accepts no responsibility for your choice of student accommodation and does not endorse or support amber.

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How To Get A PhD

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How Much Does It Really Cost To Study A PhD In The UK?

Are You Ready For A PhD?

Postgrad Solutions Study Bursaries

Elisha June 25, 2019, 9:49 p.m.

I’m Wanting to be a child therapist so what degree would I need for this and how long would I be at uni for Thankyou

Charlotte King June 28, 2019, 1:59 p.m.

Hi Elisha, A bachelors degree in counselling, social work, or child psychology is often a good start for a child counselling career, and most child counsellors are usually required to earn graduate degrees as well. So that would be a minimum of 4 years study.

Amoo Monsuru Olukayode Nov. 24, 2021, 2:44 a.m.

I want to study abroad in any UK country

Charlotte King Dec. 6, 2021, 9:37 p.m.

We have a comprehensive section on postgraduate study in the UK to help you make your decision > https://www.postgrad.com/study-in-uk/ I hope it helps.

Juli Hanes March 9, 2023, 4:42 p.m.

You always provide great examples and real-world applications, thank you for your valuable contributions.

Charlotte King March 13, 2023, 5:08 p.m.

Thanks Juli!

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Application requirements for all doctoral programs (phd).

All of our doctoral programs are designed to develop outstanding educational researchers who have a deep understanding of the scientific, practical and policy issues they study. All require full-time study, and we promise five years of full-time financial support for every student we admit. Our doctoral programs are small, typically ranging from about 25 to 35 new students a year. The small size of our doctoral cohorts creates big educational advantages for students: the classes are almost always small, students receive individualized attention from their advisors, and they have many opportunities to develop close collegial relationships with fellow students.

It is extremely important to demonstrate in your statement of purpose that your interests converge closely with the current research of faculty who work in the program to which you are applying. Other doctoral applicants will certainly do this, and if you don't, you will forfeit an important competitive advantage to them. 

If you wish to contact faculty, please read our Which Degree Which Program article, by Professor Eamonn Callan, which outlines the appropriate process for contacting faculty with whom you share research interests. 

• Program website:  Degrees and Programs/PhD
• Length of Program:  5 years (average length)
• Tuition: fellowship/assistantship salary and tuition guaranteed for first five years of the program (autumn, winter and spring quarters) for all students, including international students. Funding includes two summers.

Application Requirements:

Application form.

Complete and submit Stanford's graduate online application .

Application Fee

The application fee is $125 , is non-refundable, and must be received by the application deadline.

Application Fee Waivers

Stanford offers three types of application fee waivers for which GSE applicants may apply and be considered:

• GRE Fee Reduction Certificate-Based Waiver
• Diversity Program Participation-Based Waiver
• School-Based Waiver

Please visit the Stanford Graduate Diversity website for instructions, deadlines, and the fee waiver application form.

Statement of Purpose

A Statement of Purpose is required. Your statement should be typed, single-spaced and should be between one to two pages . Describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program, your preparation for this field of study, and why our program is a good fit for you, your future career plans, and other aspects of your background as well as interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. You may indicate potential faculty mentors as part of your study and research interests. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. What's a Good Statement of Purpose?

A resume or CV  is required of all applicants, depending on which document is most appropriate for your background. There is no page limit for resumes or CVs, though we typically see resumes of one page in length. Please upload your resume or CV in the online application.

Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation . In the online application, you will be asked to identify your recommenders and their email addresses. Please notify your recommenders that they will receive an email prompt to submit their recommendation online. You can submit your request for letters of recommendation through the system without submitting the entire online application.  Stanford GSE only accepts online recommendations through the application system ; Stanford GSE cannot accept mailed, emailed or faxed recommendations.

Recommendations should be written by people who have supervised you in an academic, employment, or community service setting. We very strongly recommend that at least one of these letters be from a university professor familiar with your academic work. Your recommendations should directly address your suitability for admission to a graduate program at Stanford GSE.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all three letters of recommendation are submitted through the system by the application deadline , so please work closely with your recommenders to remind them of the deadline.

College and University Transcripts

Transcripts are required from every college and university you have attended for at least one academic year as a full-time student. When submitting your online application, transcripts should be uploaded to the application as a scanned copy or PDF ; this is sufficient for the application review process. Please refrain from sending a secured PDF/transcript with a digital signature as our system cannot upload these properly. The best way to ensure we receive an upload-able document is for you to print out the secured transcript, scan it, and upload the scanned copy (not to exceed 10MB) as a PDF. 

If you earned a degree at the institution from which you are submitting a transcript, please ensure that the degree conferral date and the degree conferred is clearly visible on the document. If you are currently enrolled in a degree program and will not have earned the respective degree by the time of submitting your GSE application, you should submit your most recent in-progress transcript from your institution.

Only if admitted will we contact you with instructions on sending two copies of your official transcripts to our office. We cannot accept mailed, emailed or faxed copies of your transcripts during the application process. Please note: the instructions for sending transcripts on the online application and on the general Stanford Graduate Admissions Office website differ from this Stanford GSE requirement.

Concerning course work completed in a study abroad program

If the coursework and grades are reflected on the transcript of your home institution, you do not need to submit original transcripts from the study abroad institution.

Concerning foreign institutions

If your institution provides a transcript in a language other than English, we require that you submit a translation of the transcript that is either provided by the institution or a certified translator. Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records.

If your transcript does not include your degree conferral date and the degree conferred , please submit a scanned copy of your diploma, a conferral statement, or a conferral document in addition to your transcript . If you are currently enrolled in a degree program and will not have earned the respective degree by the time of submitting your GSE application, you should submit your most recent in-progress transcript from your institution.

Stanford University requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from all applicants whose native language is not English. The GSE requires a minimum TOEFL score of 250 for the computer-based test, 600 for the paper-based test or 100 for the internet-based test in order to be considered for admission. The Test of Written English (TWE) portion of the TOEFL is not required. Applicants who have completed a four-year bachelor's degree or a two-year master's program (or its equivalent) in the U.S. or at an institution where English is the main language of instruction are not required to take the TOEFL. For more information on TOEFL requirements, please refer to the Required Exams  page on the main Stanford Graduate Admissions website. You may register for the TOEFL test directly at the ETS website .

TOEFL Dates and Deadlines

PhD applicants who are required to take the TOEFL should plan to take the internet-based TOEFL test and have official TOEFL scores sent electronically to Stanford at institution code 4704 (department code does not matter) no later than November 1 . This will give your official TOEFL scores time to be sent from ETS and be received by our system in time for the December 1 deadline. PhD applicants to Knight-Hennessy Scholars should plan to take the internet-based TOEFL test no later than October 16 so your scores can be received by our system in time for the November 16 KHS GSE deadline. Please note that the TOEFL may be taken no earlier than 18 months prior to the application deadline.

Does Stanford accept tests other than TOEFL?

No. We accept only TOEFL scores; we do not accept IELTS or other test scores.

Contact Information

Admissions:  [email protected]  

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How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD?

If you aspire to rise to the top of your field, then you may have your sights set on a PhD.

Earning a doctoral degree can be a years-long process, but choosing an accelerated doctoral online program may help you complete your program more quickly.

Editorial Listing ShortCode:

Whether you’re wanting to earn one of the highest paying doctoral degrees or you have a specific one in mind, this guide can help walk you through how long it takes to complete your PhD program.

For a traditional, campus-based PhD program, the average time to finish a PhD is 8 years. Fulfilling the program’s requirements will often demand a serious investment of your time.

Even still, some people are able to finish their programs in just 3 to 6 years. Multiple factors may influence the overall length of your program.

Required Credit Hours

Many PhD programs require you to earn 120 credit hours before entering the exam and dissertation phases.

Fortunately, there are PhD programs without such high credit-hour demands. For example, at some universities, you may earn a PhD with only 60 credit hours.

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Schedule

Enrolling in a doctoral program part-time may allow you to keep up with your regular job. You’ll have to decide whether you prefer the flexibility of part-time schooling or the faster schedule of full-time studies.

Final Project Requirements

Many PhD programs end with the completion of a dissertation. This assignment may take years to complete, so PhD students often end up in the all-but-dissertation (ABD) phase for quite some time.

University Scheduling

Some schools promote their ability to help you through the PhD process faster than normal. Accelerated class schedules with eight-week online courses may speed your studies along. Focused attention from dissertation advisors may help as well.

PhD Program Components

Before you enroll in a PhD program, it’s important to know some of the basic requirements:

Prerequisites

Most schools require you to already hold a master’s degree, but some offer bachelor’s-to-PhD programs.

Length to Completion

On average, it takes eight years to earn a PhD. Even still, completing doctoral coursework and a dissertation in three to four years is not unheard of.

Topic of Interest

PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy, but that doesn’t mean you’ll be getting a philosophy degree. Your field of study will depend on your interests and the programs that your university offers. You may tailor your doctoral focus though your choice of a dissertation topic.

Steps to Completion

You’ll take advanced classes before sitting for comprehensive exams. After passing your exams, you’ll likely begin working on a dissertation. You must defend your dissertation before finishing your program.

Doctoral studies begin with a series of classes through which you may increase your knowledge of your field of study and learn about conducting research. These are advanced classes, so they should be more in-depth than the ones you took during your undergraduate and master’s programs.

The number of courses that you need to take can vary significantly. It’s not uncommon for PhD programs to require 120 credit hours of coursework. That amounts to about 40 classes.

At other schools, the requirements are lower. Your university’s program may involve just 60 credit hours or, possibly, even fewer. A less intense course load may significantly slash your time to completion.

Your university may require you to maintain a GPA above a minimum threshold. An unsatisfactory GPA may keep you from moving on to the next step of the PhD process.

Comprehensive Examinations

Universities often require students to demonstrate their readiness for a doctoral project before advancing to the next stage of their studies. Readiness is proven through comprehensive exams , which may also be known as:

• Preliminary examinations
• Major field examinations
• General examinations

Often, comprehensive exams take the form of written or oral tests. In other situations, faculty may assess students’ readiness on the basis of a portfolio evaluation or a written paper.

Dissertation and Defense

A dissertation, also known as a graduate thesis, is a body of work that presents original research in your field. This manuscript focuses on a unique idea and includes evidence to support your thesis. During your doctoral studies, there are classes designed to help prepare you for your dissertation work.

The dissertation process may take several years. Once your manuscript is complete, you must defend it to the doctoral program faculty. After your defense, you may need to do further work on your manuscript, or the committee may decide that your dissertation is complete.

Not all programs require a dissertation. Instead, there may be an alternative doctoral project. Although both dissertations and capstone projects are rigorous, projects can sometimes be completed within a shorter time frame.

Average Time to Complete PhD by Field of Study

Students in some disciplines usually take a lot more time to finish their doctoral work than students in other fields.

If you’re studying in the following scientific fields, you may be more likely to earn your on-campus degree in seven years or less:

• Physics — average of five years
• Psychology — average of five to seven years

On the other hand, if your field of study relates more to the humanities, your on-campus degree program may take longer:

• History — average of eight years
• English — average of eight years
• Education — average of 13 years

These are the traditional figures. There are ways to finish faster.

Why Does It Take So Long to Finish a Traditional PhD?

Some schools require doctoral students to take around 40 classes, which, in a traditional on-campus setting, may take years. After completing the coursework, you must write your dissertation and defend it. The dissertation process alone might take multiple years.

Doctoral programs online may help shorten the PhD process to three or four years. Fewer credit hours may be required, and the classes may be delivered in an accelerated format.

Schools with an emphasis on quick doctoral programs may also offer dissertation advisors to efficiently guide students through that phase. Alternatively, some universities allow students to complete capstone projects that don’t take as long as dissertations.

Getting a PhD Online vs. Campus

Online education has changed students’ options for earning a PhD. These days, aspiring students may choose whether to attend classes on a college campus or online.

Traditional programs may require you to relocate to the university’s campus and attend school full-time. On average, it takes just over eight years to complete those programs. The benefits of choosing an online school instead may include:

Faster Progress

Accelerated eight-week courses may allow you to finish your course load sooner. You may complete your entire program in just three or four years.

Multiple Start Dates

Online programs often let you join throughout the year, so you don’t have to put your studies on hold until the fall semester.

Flexibility

Not being required to move to campus or come to class at set times may allow you to work your studies around your schedule.

Equal Status

Online programs are just as rigorous as on-campus ones. As long as your university is accredited, your degree will be just as valuable as one from a traditional university setting.

Cost-Savings

Finishing your doctoral studies faster may mean that you pay less tuition.

How to Finish Your PhD in Less Time

Although you can’t earn a doctoral degree overnight, you shouldn’t have to spend the majority of your working years striving toward PhD-completion. The following tips for accelerating the PhD process may help you finish your studies more quickly than the average doctoral student.

1. Use What You Already Know

Every school requires a minimum number of credit hours that you must earn in the pursuit of your degree. To help you meet this threshold, some schools will allow you to transfer in credits from other doctoral programs. Universities may also give you credit for your professional experience. Reducing your class load may save you both time and money.

2. Look for Short Classes

Accelerated course schedules are one of the best ways to speed through the degree process. Every eight weeks, you’ll begin a new set of classes. Over the course of a year, there may be five different sessions during which you can take classes.

3. Work on Your Dissertation Throughout the Program

Traditionally, dissertation work begins once the classroom portion of your studies is over. Quick doctoral programs may allow you to begin the dissertation process while you’re still taking other classes. This approach, known as an embedded dissertation, may reduce the likelihood that you’ll drop out before finishing your final project. It might also speed up your doctoral timeline.

4. Ask for Help

A lack of support can lead some doctoral students to drop out. On the other hand, having a good support system can help you push through and finish your program more quickly. Build a team of family, friends, and academic mentors who can encourage you, guide you, and lend practical help when you’re feeling overwhelmed by school.

Why Get a PhD?

You may need to earn a doctoral degree to achieve your career goals . For example, if you want to become a clinical psychologist, this level of study is essential. Many scientific and research positions require doctoral studies. University faculty typically need to hold terminal degrees as well.

Even if a doctorate is not a requirement for your desired line of work, it may help you achieve greater success. You might be granted higher levels of responsibility, and you may earn more money. In some fields, those who hold PhDs make around 20% more than those with master’s degrees, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .

Do You Have to Have a Master’s Degree to Get a PhD?

Many schools consider a master’s degree an essential prerequisite for PhD admission. If you don’t already have a master’s degree, a bachelor’s-to-doctorate program may allow you to earn a master’s and a PhD for less time and money than it would take to pursue them separately.

How Long Does It Take to Get a PhD After a Master’s?

You may be able to complete your doctoral program in three to four years if you opt for an accelerated online program. On average, traditional on-campus PhD programs take around eight years to complete.

How Hard Is It to Finish a PhD?

Doctoral studies are challenging. That shouldn’t come as a surprise; if doctorates were easy to acquire, nearly every college graduate would end up with a PhD behind his or her name.

Approximately 50% of students who begin a PhD program don’t end up finishing. Many quit within two years of starting. Another large portion gives up upon reaching the dissertation phase.

Although all PhD programs are challenging, the flexible nature of online programs may help you find success. Choosing a doctoral track that doesn’t require a dissertation may help as well.

What Is the Easiest PhD to Get?

All PhD programs are demanding, but you might have an easier time if you select a program that aligns with your interests and your career goals. The flexibility of online study may help your doctoral program seem less burdensome. In addition, capstone projects are sometimes easier than writing dissertations.

If earning a doctoral degree in a short time frame is important to you, then consider the many potential benefits that online programs have to offer. Within just a few years, you may be able to place the letters “PhD” at the end of your name.

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PhD duration in the USA

I am trying to find out what the average duration of PhD studies are in the USA. Here in Spain it used to be 4 years, but it seems that Europe is moving towards a 3-year scheme since students are expected to do their MSc before they start. What is it like in the USA? Is some kind of shortening also occurring?

• united-states

• 2 In my university, 4 or 5 in Economics, 5 or 6 in Finance. –  Akavall Commented Mar 24, 2014 at 15:53
• 6 Keep in mind that, in many fields, the time to PhD in the US also includes the coursework (master's) component, so the research phase can be anywhere from one semester to almost two years shorter than the "time to PhD." –  aeismail Commented Mar 24, 2014 at 17:02
• 4 In the experimental sciences, the time it takes to get a PhD can depend heavily on how a particular experiment or program of research works out. In physics it's not uncommon for people to do their coursework, then take several years trying to get an experiment to work, then give up and start over with some other experiment, which takes several more years. At the school where I got my PhD in physics, I think about 30% of my peers took 9 years total. –  user1482 Commented Mar 25, 2014 at 0:29
• 2 The dean of social sciences at my school is an archaeologist and mentioned offhand that his students typically take 9+ years to finish due to fieldwork. –  Tim Commented Aug 7, 2014 at 8:42
• 2 "it seems that Europe is moving towards a 3-year scheme" - I am not sure this applies so generally. In Germany, there is a certain movement towards structured doctoral programs, but newly introduced programs are quite sometimes designed to take four years. Moreover, the practical way these are sometimes conducted is that the doctoral candidate goes through the structured doctoral program for four years, and then remains with his or her department for another year or so, funded from other sources, to complete their doctoral thesis, thus maintaining the original duration of roughly five year –  O. R. Mapper Commented Sep 17, 2015 at 8:57

3 Answers 3

Each program is going to be different. Usually, the first couple years of a PhD program involves taking graduate level classes while the later years are dedicated to academic engagement in the discipline (for example, in Chemistry, you would do research in a lab.) If you have a Masters degree relevant to the PhD, you may cut off some or all of the classroom portion of the PhD program.

The qualifications for actually receiving the PhD also differ. You may need to get approval from an academic board (this is usually at least part of the process in any case), you may need to write a thesis, you may even be required to be published in an academic journal. (In the hard sciences, this is common.)

Because the requirements for getting the degree differ, the time may as well. For the most part, PhDs (with no Masters) should take between 4 - 6 years. Getting a Masters degree first may cut off about a year or so of that. While this is generally true, you will find many examples of people taking longer and I've known at least two people who graduated in less than 4 years with a PhD.

While this is an average, you'll want to get info specific to your desired University, the degree, and even the group (or academic adviser) that you choose to work for.

• 4 It also varies by discipline. Some take substantially longer than others. –  vadim123 Commented Mar 24, 2014 at 16:32
• For US PhD recipients in 2018, the median years between starting graduate school and earning a doctorate was 7.3. Do not rely on the 4-6 years. –  Anonymous Physicist Commented Jul 18, 2020 at 2:21

This varies so widely by discipline that asking for an average across all disciplines is unlikely to be very helpful. Most individual disciplines do keep careful records of this statistic, and it should be easy to search for them on (e.g.) google.

However, I would say with some confidence that no American PhD program requires or even expects its students to complete a PhD in less than four years. In some programs the "party line" is that it is desirable to complete the degree in four years, but in my experience this means that you start to feel the squeeze of increased teaching and/or decreased funding after four years, not that you get ejected from the program or forced to graduate.

I work in a discipline, mathematics, with a high entry cost but for which, once you acquire the necessary background and skills (with which a small minority of students do enter the program), there is no specific reason why you couldn't do all the work for a great thesis and write it up in a rather short amount of time, say on the order of a semester. Nevertheless I have met very few people who have completed a math PhD in fewer than four years. When we get to the upper echelons of talent, preparation and work ethic, this surely must mean that the culture of a PhD program strongly encourages students to stay for this amount of time.

To answer your final question: yes, many programs are trying to shorten their average time to degree as funding is being cut. In my own PhD program (mathematics at UGA) I was involved in an initiative to do just this: up until recently we guaranteed six years of funding to incoming PhD students without master's degrees and five for students with an incoming master's. We now guarantee five years to all students. Note that this does not mean that we do not have funded sixth year students: we certainly do. But it means that students will, throughout their time in the program, have to keep their eye on the five-year mark, which is something that our former arrangement was not doing: even very strong students would often stick around for six years for no especially good reason.

Finally let me also note that we changed (with my involvement) all our requirements to be independent of whether students arrive with master's degrees. We have found that the difference in the level of preparedness of such students is not significant enough to justify more stringent time-to-degree requirements.

• Many thanks. I find it amazing that you fund people equally regardless of whether they have a masters's; it's very generous. Very informative answer. –  CesarGon Commented Mar 24, 2014 at 21:59
• 1 I would +1 except for the 4-year hard minimum. I know several people who did the PhD in three, in STEM fields. If you're not looking for an academic job afterward, and you know what you want to research, 3 years is realistic in many fields. –  David Ketcheson Commented Mar 25, 2014 at 3:41
• @David: There are people who got their PhDs at 20 years old; one presumes they spent a short amount of time in the program. When I say four years is a "hard minimum", I mean I know of no program in the US which requires or even expects (e.g. by decreasing funding) its students to complete a PhD in fewer than four years. Do you? –  Pete L. Clark Commented Mar 25, 2014 at 8:10
• @CesarGon: In mathematics most students don't get a master's on the way to a PhD. –  Mark Meckes Commented Mar 25, 2014 at 10:14
• @PeteL.Clark I don't know of any such program. But expectations and hard minimums are very different, in my mind. Anyway, <4 is certainly unusual. –  David Ketcheson Commented Mar 26, 2014 at 13:03

The Survey of Earned Doctorates ( http://www.norc.org/Research/Projects/Pages/survey-of-earned-doctorates-(sed).aspx ) has detailed statistics. A summary report is http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/infbrief/nsf06312/ with breakdown by field, year etc.

• 3 We generally prefer to have more than just a bare link in answers, since the answer then becomes useless when the link decays. Can you please add a brief summary of key information at the end of the link? –  jakebeal Commented Nov 7, 2015 at 21:14
• Thank you. Would you be so kind to add a summary of what the report says, as suggested by @jakebeal? –  CesarGon Commented Nov 9, 2015 at 19:40
• For US PhD recipients in 2018, the median years between starting graduate school and earning a doctorate was 7.3. –  Anonymous Physicist Commented Jul 18, 2020 at 2:19

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PhD Programs

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Students in our PhD programs are encouraged from day one to think of this experience as their first job in business academia—a training ground for a challenging and rewarding career generating rigorous, relevant research that influences practice.

Our doctoral students work with faculty and access resources throughout HBS and Harvard University. The PhD program curriculum requires coursework at HBS and other Harvard discipline departments, and with HBS and Harvard faculty on advisory committees. Faculty throughout Harvard guide the programs through their participation on advisory committees.

How do I know which program is right for me?

There are many paths, but we are one HBS. Our PhD students draw on diverse personal and professional backgrounds to pursue an ever-expanding range of research topics. Explore more here about each program’s requirements & curriculum, read student profiles for each discipline as well as student research , and placement information.

The PhD in Business Administration grounds students in the disciplinary theories and research methods that form the foundation of an academic career. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program has four areas of study: Accounting and Management , Marketing , Strategy , and Technology and Operations Management . All areas of study involve roughly two years of coursework culminating in a field exam. The remaining years of the program are spent conducting independent research, working on co-authored publications, and writing the dissertation. Students join these programs from a wide range of backgrounds, from consulting to engineering. Many applicants possess liberal arts degrees, as there is not a requirement to possess a business degree before joining the program

The PhD in Business Economics provides students the opportunity to study in both Harvard’s world-class Economics Department and Harvard Business School. Throughout the program, coursework includes exploration of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, probability and statistics, and econometrics. While some students join the Business Economics program directly from undergraduate or masters programs, others have worked in economic consulting firms or as research assistants at universities or intergovernmental organizations.

The PhD program in Health Policy (Management) is rooted in data-driven research on the managerial, operational, and strategic issues facing a wide range of organizations. Coursework includes the study of microeconomic theory, management, research methods, and statistics. The backgrounds of students in this program are quite varied, with some coming from public health or the healthcare industry, while others arrive at the program with a background in disciplinary research

The PhD program in Organizational Behavior offers two tracks: either a micro or macro approach. In the micro track, students focus on the study of interpersonal relationships within organizations and the effects that groups have on individuals. Students in the macro track use sociological methods to examine organizations, groups, and markets as a whole, including topics such as the influence of individuals on organizational change, or the relationship between social missions and financial objectives. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program includes core disciplinary training in sociology or psychology, as well as additional coursework in organizational behavior.

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11 Secrets of a PhD in Europe vs USA that Matter

A PHD in Europe or USA?

They’re VERY different!

If you are trying to decide between pursuing a PhD in the USA vs a PhD in the UK, you should think more about which fits you best. There are 11 major differences between the two systems and you need to choose the one that fits you best:

Masters Degree

Typically, in Europe, you would join a PhD program after completing your Master’s degree. In the US, you would spend a few years taking courses (alongside research) to get your Master’s degree.

If you already have a Master’s degree, you may get a course waiver, which could reduce the time needed to complete your PhD.

Most of the US universities ask for GRE and TOEFL in your application for PhD program. But this not mandatory for PhD in europe, including UK and German universities. Though TOEFL, preferably above 90, is highly recommended for international students.

Choose your project before starting your PhD

For PhD in the UK (and Europe) , you need to choose a project before starting your PhD program.

This is different from the US , where you typically apply to a department for your PhD first and your thesis and research evolves in a year or two.

There are no class requirements for a PhD in the UK . You begin your research right away. The assumption is PhD students know their research areas. After all, you start by applying to a professor / lecturer with a research area in mind.

Now, that might be true for some students. Others may want to get exposed to new ideas and potential research topics. In addition, they may also want to have a wider peer group that gets formed in classes.

PhD in US vs Europe: Time to completion

PhD programs in the UK (and rest of Europe) take around 3 to 4 years to complete .

After a PhD in the UK, students generally go on to their postdoctoral research.

In the US , a PhD may take up to 5 or 6 years.

After a PhD in the US , students tend to go directly from graduation to academia or research jobs without a postdoc.

In many UK (and European) universities, there are firm guidelines on just how long a PhD takes and those are more important than individual decisions by a student’s advisers. In comparison, in the US, some students can fly through their PhD in 3 years with tremendous amounts of research, while others can take as long as 8 to 10 years to complete their PhD.

There are different systems within Europe.

In Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, a PhD takes 4 to 5 years and includes additional teaching duties. Students in these schools are considered as employees. They receive monthly salaries which are comparable to the salaries earned by graduate students working in various industries and are taxable as well. A PhD student is allowed to either present or attend at least one conference anywhere in the world, expenses for which are taken care of by the research group.

In Germany, a 4-year PhD is considered too long and funding might not be available after the first three years of the PhD program.

Work-life balance

This point is less about the PhD in question, and more about the cultural difference between the UK (and Europe) and the US, but this could be a factor in your decision making if you are particular about the type of culture around you and the kind of lifestyle you wish to have.

The PhD lifestyle is much more relaxed in the UK (and in Europe). You will have more time for yourself as well as your friends and family in the UK, while pursuing your PhD.

In the US, PhD students are often overworked with more teaching and grading responsibilities. They also have a lot of class work.

PhD in UK vs US: Hierarchical Structure

In the US, PhD students report to and directly interact with their professors, but some of the PhD programs in the UK are headed by the Professor but there is also a Reader and a Lecturer. Students sometimes feel this hampers their flexibility to work, while restricting their exposure to the lab as well as the head of the lab.

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Future opportunities.

Some students feel that the US offers more opportunities to PhD students in academia as well as jobs. This can be true as the US has many universities offering teaching positions as well as companies offering jobs to PhD students.

However, irrespective of whether you earn your PhD from Europe or the US, some experts say you may have to hustle to find a great job after your PhD.

Different Stipend (salary)

For most PhD in the UK (and Europe), stipend (or salary) comes centrally from the universities or from Government research organizations. These stipends (or salaries) may be limited to only 3 years.

In the US , stipend (or salary) comes directly from your supervisor without any limitation on the duration of the PhD. Unlike in big US universities, there are fewer TA responsibilities for PhD students in UK universities.

In many cases, you don’t need to pay tax on your income as a graduate student in the UK (and Europe).

In Germany , international PhD students are funded for 3 years by the German government.

Less Publications

In the UK , you have less chances of getting published . Your time is more focused on your thesis document.

Less Chance of Faculty Position Afterwards

In the US , students opt for faculty positions after receiving their PhD .

This isn’t necessarily the case with PhD students in the UK , who opt for postdoc positions to remain in academia.

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More Similarity Than Differences

The UK (and European) universities are being influenced by the US system. Many UK universities’ Computer Science schools have Doctoral Training Programs which are essentially 4-year PhD programs, with the first year focused on teaching. These programs offer more flexibility about what you end up doing and who you end up working with. Also, these programs often are sponsored by industries, which means these have higher stipends and you may get an adviser in industry.

So, which one to choose – UK (or Europe) PhD vs US PhD?

Apart from the factors mentioned above, you should focus on the quality of the research group and reputation of the professor. You should look at the top conferences about your topic of interest and note where the papers come from. That’s your best clue as to which university / school you should choose.

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Who is Kamala Harris's mother, Shyamala Harris?

One of the most frequently mentioned people at the Democratic National Convention this week has been someone not in the room: Shyamala Gopalan, Vice President Kamala Harris's late mother.

Harris has frequently cited her mother as a major influence on her life and politics. In a now-viral 2023 interview, Harris quoted Gopalan saying, "You think you just fell out of coconut tree? You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you."

The quip grew so popular that a coconut emoji quickly became a symbol of Harris's campaign online after she launched her presidential bid last month.

Other DNC speakers have also adopted Gopalan's teachings. In her address to delegates this week, former First Lady Michelle Obama drew parallels between Gopalan and her own recently deceased mother, and cited one of Gopalan's mottos when she told the crowd, "Don't sit around and complain about things. Do something."

Harris is likely to touch on her mother's legacy again in her speech Thursday accepting the presidential nomination. Here's what to know about Gopalan and her role in the vice president's politics.

Who was Shyamala Gopalan?

Born in India, Gopalan immigrated to the United States at 19 years old to pursue a post-graduate degree in nutrition and endocrinology at the University of California, Berkeley. She eventually became a breast cancer researcher, and her work contributed to several significant advances in the field.

In California, Gopalan also met economist Donald J. Harris , and the couple married and had two children, Kamala and Maya.

The couple bonded over their involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, and Harris has said attending marches for racial justice as a child was formative in her upbringing.

Harris's parents eventually divorced, and Gopalan got primary custody of their children. Donald continued to see Kamala and Maya during the weekends and summer, but Gopalan raised the sisters "mostly on her own," according to the vice president's 2019 memoir.

“Had they been a little older, a little more emotionally mature, maybe  the marriage could have survived . But they were so young,” Kamala wrote in "The Truths We Hold."

More: Who is Kamala Harris's father, Donald J. Harris?

What is Shyamala Gopalan's connection to Wisconsin?

Though she lived in California for much of her life, Gopalan also spent several years in Wisconsin .

The family lived in Madison from the time Kamala was three to five years old. Shyamala worked as a breast cancer researcher in the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research at University of Wisconsin-Madison, while Donald was an associate professor of economics at the university.

In her memoir, Harris cited the family's move to Madison as the reason for her parents' separation.

Shyamala Gopalan death and legacy

Gopalan died of colon cancer in 2009 at the age of 70. At the time, Harris was serving as the district attorney of San Francisco.

After her mother's death, Harris traveled to Chennai, India, to scatter Gopalan's ashes. Harris used to travel there with her mother every other year to visit her grandparents, according to USA Today .

Though Gopalan won't be in the audience tonight, she will almost certainly on Harris's mind as becomes the first Black and South Asian woman to accept the Democratic presidential nomination.

“Mommy, you are the star of this book because you are the reason for everything,” Harris wrote in her 2019 memoir “The Truths We Hold.” “There is no title or honor on earth I’ll treasure more than to say I am Shyamala Gopalan Harris’ daugher."

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Trump vows to release JFK assassination docs as RFK Jr. makes rally debut hours after endorsing GOP nominee

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. made his first appearance at a rally for former President Donald Trump Friday hours after ending his campaign and endorsing the Republican nominee .

Trump, 78, described the 70-year-old scion of the Kennedy political dynasty as an “incredible champion” for American values and a “highly respected” and “great person” before bringing him out as a surprise guest at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Ariz.

“Bobby! Bobby! Bobby!” Trump supporters in the packed arena chanted as he walked out on stage. 

“For the past 16 months, Bobby has run an extraordinary campaign,” Trump said.

“I know because he went after me a couple of times — I didn’t like it.” 

“His candidacy has inspired millions and millions of Americans, raised critical issues that have been too long ignored in this country and brought together people from across the political spectrum in a positive campaign grounded in the American values of his father, Robert Kennedy, a great man, and his uncle, President John F Kennedy,” the former president continued.

“And I know that they are looking down right now, and they are very, very proud of Bobby. I’m proud of Bobby.” 

“One of the issues that he talked about was having safe food and ending the chronic disease epidemic,” the Democrat-turned-independent said.  

Kennedy explained that in his initial conversations with Trump – after the July 13 assassination attempt in Butler, Pa., — the two discussed “not the things that separate us, because we don’t agree on everything, but on the values and the issues” they share. 

“Don’t you want healthy children? And don’t you want the chemicals out of our food? And don’t you want the regulatory agencies to be free from corporate corruption? And that’s what President Trump told me that he wanted,” Kennedy revealed. 

“Don’t you want a president that’s going to make America healthy again?” he asked the raucous crowd. 

Kennedy also touted Trump’s vows to keep the US out of foreign wars, end censorship  and protect “America’s freedoms” from “totalitarianism.” 

After Kennedy’s brief remarks, Trump predicted that his former rival would have a “huge influence” on his campaign — “much bigger than you’d see in the polls.” 

“Bobby and I will fight together to defeat the corrupt political establishment and return control of this country to the people. And all who supported Bobby’s campaign, I very simply ask you join us in building this coalition,” Trump said.

Kennedy bowed out of the 2024 race earlier on Friday and decried the Democratic Party for holding a “sham primary” and installing Vice President Kamala Harris “without an election.” 

He called the decision to suspend his campaign and back Trump “agonizing,” in his hour-long speech in Phoenix, during which Kennedy also rattled off several grim medical statistics and seemingly expressed interest in a role as Health and Human Services secretary under Trump. 

The 45th president slammed the “Harris-Biden administration” for denying Kennedy — who lost his father, the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and uncle, former President John. F Kennedy, to assassinations and faced numerous death threats during his campaign — Secret Service protection until after the Butler, Pa., rally shooting .  

As a “tribute” to RFK, Trump announced that if elected he would establish a commission on assassination attempts that would release all federal records related to JFK’s murder.

“They will also conduct a rigorous review of the attack last month,” Trump noted. “But I tell you, I have never had more people ask me, ‘Please, sir, release the documents on the Kennedy assassination,’ and we’re going to do that.”

Trump also repeated his pledge to establish a panel of “top experts working with Bobby” that would investigate the cause of a “decades-long increase in chronic health problems and childhood diseases.” 

“We want every child in America to grow up and to live a long and healthy life,” the GOP nominee declared. 

‘Joining like wildfire’

Before bringing Kennedy on stage with him, Trump described his political movement as being “welcoming” to Democrats. 

“Our movement is not about Democrat versus Republican,” he said. “It’s about patriotism and common sense.”

“That’s why we’re welcoming support for millions and millions of disaffected Democrats,” Trump claimed. “And they are joining like wildfire now.” 

“We’re welcoming the support from millions of disaffected Democrats, independents, moderates, old fashioned liberals who still believe in things like little things like borders.” 

Several Trump fans at the rally told The Post that they were supportive of the ex-president’s olive branch to Kennedy and the potential of having the environmental lawyer in Trump’s cabinet. 

Brett Munroe, who works in sales in Scottsdale, described the Kennedy endorsement as “amazing” and “awesome” and he was eager to see the ex-Democrat “work alongside” Trump. 

“I believe his policies along with Trump’s policies, a lot of them align and I think they can come to fair ground,” Munroe told The Post, noting that he wouldn’t be surprised if the two pols “headbutt on some couple things.”

Jason Marshall, a retired veteran from Phoenix, indicated that he was pleased Trump welcomed Kennedy into the fold. 

“You know, the more the merrier. Anything that will help us, man, we just don’t want what we’ve had for the past four [years],” Marshall said.

“We’ll take whatever we can get.”

Arizona state Sen. Anthony Kern told the Post that he expects Kennedy’s endorsement to bring a big boost to the Trump campaign. 

“We’re going to win this thing,” Kern said. 

“That 5-8% is going to help Trump,” he added, referencing Kennedy’s recent polling numbers as an independent. 

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