What is PhD Degree?

A PhD (short for Doctor of Philosophy) is the highest academic degree. It make you an expert in your subject and you can use the title Dr. after your name. To get a PhD you do a lot of research and you write a big project called a thesis or dissertation — this project should add new ideas to your field. 

People who want to be university professors or researchers normally need a PhD. Some places call the same degree DPhil (this is more used in the UK, for example at Oxford). There is no higher degree after a PhD. After finishing, some people start working, some do another degree, and many do postdoctoral work (a postdoc) to get more research experience.

Around the world, PhD holders are known as "doctors" and are seen as experts. They can do independent or team research, write papers, and share findings with engineers, medical people, psychologists and others. If you think to do a PhD abroad, read more about the process and requirements — applying, finding a supervisor, language tests and degree rules. This help you plan better.

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What is Meant by a PhD Degree?

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest academic degree that can be pursued only after the completion of a master’s degree in a specific field. It requires extensive research and a dissertation that contributes original knowledge. The term "philosophy" in this context refers to the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom, rather than the academic discipline of philosophy.

During the course of a PhD program, a doctoral candidate is required to submit a thesis statement alongside their dissertation, which usually encompasses a considerable amount of original research that is often regarded as suitable for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. In many countries, the candidate is also required to defend their work before a panel of expert examiners appointed by the university.

The PhD degree is awarded by higher and authorised institutions only after the successful thesis or dissertation. A PhD degree is typically pursued by those students who wish to settle in an academic or research field or students who wish to get a strong hold on their subject, as much as possible. A PhD degree can pose numerous challenges in front of a student, but equally rewards them for their determination and hard work. One may even be able to bring out some groundbreaking results during their journey to manifesting their highest academic degree.

The elements of getting a PhD involve:

• Coursework: Completing required courses related to the chosen field.
• Research: Conducting original research and writing a dissertation.
• Defense: Defending the dissertation before a panel of experts.  

Admission Requirements for PhD Abroad

Indian students willing to do a PhD abroad need to meet a certain set of admission requirements. In the table below, we have covered the major requirements for getting into a PhD abroad in major countries. 

Requirements to Complete a PhD Degree Abroad

The requirements for obtaining a PhD degree differ significantly based on the country, institution, and duration, ranging from introductory research degrees to advanced doctorates. In some countries, a master’s degree is a basic requirement for pursuing a PhD degree, however, some institutions also allow students to get a PhD degree straight after their 4-year or longer bachelor’s degree.

There are different terms to refer to the person doing a PhD. Throughout the course of their studies, individuals pursuing the PhD degree are referred to as doctoral students or PhD students. However, those who have completed the requisite coursework and examinations and are in the process of writing their thesis or dissertation may be referred to as doctoral candidates or PhD candidates.

PhD graduates often engage in postdoctoral research as they transition from their studies to securing academic positions. Below are some important requirements to earn a PhD degree abroad:

What are PhD Subjects?

Just like the bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a PhD degree can be attained in any stream or subject. Some major PhD subjects are given below. 

What are the Eligibility Criteria to do a PhD Abroad? 

When it comes to PhD Admission abroad, one must fulfil the requirements of getting into it. To be eligible to get admitted to a PhD abroad, one must:

1. Have a master’s degree in a relevant subject or a bachelor’s degree of 4 or more years in the same or relevant field. 
2. Have the consolidated marksheet of both master's and bachelor's degrees. 
3. Have valid scores in English Proficiency Tests.
4. Qualify for the General GRE.
5. Qualify for the Subject GRE.
6. Arrange 2-3 Letters of Recommendation (LORs)
7. Possess the required Academic Transcripts
8. Have a high GPA score

Tip:- If you have published a research paper as a co-author or as a principal author, then you must also mention the details of that paper in your application. This gives an edge to your application among others. 

How to do a PhD Abroad?

Unlike getting a bachelor's or a master's degree abroad, the way to get a PhD abroad is different. The students need to approach their desired supervisors and get their recommendation before applying to the PhD vacancies available at the university. For the complete step-by-step plan on how to do PhD abroad, do check out our article "How to do PhD?".  

Required Documents:  Below is a list of documents that a PhD applicant is expected to possess. Having these documents ready before applying for a PhD may prevent any last-minute disruptions. 

1. Your school and college mark sheets. 
2. Test scores of English test
3. Your research/thesis proposal.
4. An updated CV (Curriculum Vitae)
5. 2-3 Letters of Recommendation: Consider asking your professors and department heads in college.
6. Passport 

Once your application gets approved, you will be required to possess your university's acceptance letter at all times while applying for a visa and looking for accommodations in that foreign country. 

Know all about PhD Abroad

Fees for PhD Degree Abroad

A PhD degree may have different modes of getting funding in different countries. For example, there is no fees to get a PhD in Australia and New Zealand. Australian government pays for and takes care of all the PhD candidates except for the SSAF under Research Training Program. In Canada, student may or may not receive a scholarship for their PhD, resultantly, they work part time outside the office hours. However, students who have been awarded some sort of funding may not be allowed to work outside. 

Average PhD Stipend in Different Countries 

The Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD, is considered a professional degree which is why the duration of a PhD degree is counted in the total experience of the student. Most countries and universities abroad provide fully-funded PhDs; while the others provide some amount of funding/stipend for pursuing the full cost of a PhD. The amount of funding provided may vary according to the government or institutional policies. When it comes to the funding of a PhD in different countries, one must look for both government and non-government scholarships. We have listed the average range of government and non-government funding available in different countries in the table below.

*The given INR conversions are subject to change as per the exchange rate. 

Please note that the above values are for estimation purposes only. There may be some difference in the actual values due to an update in the policies for funds in the concerned organisations. Students must also note that PhD stipends in some countries may cover the cost of living while others may not. It is advised to check the details of the funding thoroughly. 

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How long is a PhD Abroad?

The duration of completing a PhD depends entirely on the institution, subjects and the thesis topic. In some institutions, a PhD can take up to 6-8 years depending on the challenges and research processes involved during the PhD, while some may help you get a PhD degree within 3-4 years of its manifestation. On average, a PhD may span to up to 5-6 years anywhere across the globe. A PhD degree cannot be referred to as “complete” if the thesis has not been approved by the supervisor. 

Benefits of PhD Abroad

Below are some advantages of a PhD abroad. 

1. You get a global perspective of people, trends, and cultures. 
2. You may get hands-on practice on some of the most sophisticated analytical equipment. 
3. There are more research opportunities and you may get a diverse set of interests, support and opinions on your project. This can help you in bringing out your best results.
4. You get a chance to network with brilliant experts and authors which may not be possible in your home country. 
5. Better funding. 
6. You may even get to complete your PhD degree in a shorter duration of time, depending on your supervisor and institution. You may look for your desired supervisor’s trends of approving a thesis or connect with their PhD students to get an idea of what you may expect on joining their laboratory. 

Careers After PhD Abroad

After pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) abroad, one can settle into the following career segments.

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Life of a PhD Scholar Abroad

As heard from the active PhD students abroad, it may be outlined that pursuing a doctorate (PhD) abroad can be challenging. While a PhD abroad may come with numerous rewards such as great funding, more research ideas and networking with brilliant people, it may pose equally challenging obstacles in the journey of the researcher as well. We have listed some pros and cons of doing a PhD abroad. 

This was all about what is PhD, PhD full form, PhD subjects, PhD meaning, how to do PhD abroad and how many years for PhD are required. Candidates looking for assistance with the university application process can get in touch with our Shiksha Counselling Services on the same. Candidates can also write to us with their queries in the comments section, below.