{"id":6010,"date":"2024-12-11T11:45:58","date_gmt":"2024-12-11T11:45:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/research-business-innovation\/?p=6010"},"modified":"2024-12-12T11:15:39","modified_gmt":"2024-12-12T11:15:39","slug":"so-you-want-to-do-a-phd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.uwe.ac.uk\/research-external-engagement\/so-you-want-to-do-a-phd\/","title":{"rendered":"So you want to do a PhD?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This article is updated from a first version published as Have you ever thought of doing a PhD?<\/a><\/em>, on 31\/11\/21 on Design@Open, a blog about design at the Open University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Professor Alice Moncaster<\/a>, Professor of Sustainable Construction<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a PhD and why might I want one?<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is awarded for postgraduate study in any subject (not only Philosophy) which involves substantial independent research that can be considered to be \u2018adding to knowledge\u2019 in your area. It usually takes 3-4 years full-time in the UK, produces a single-authored thesis of up to 100,000 words (depending on discipline), and is examined by two academic examiners through viva voce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A PhD can be a life-changing event, a career-development opportunity, a career-changing opportunity, a chance to deeply explore  an area of interest, a chance to develop and demonstrate your expertise, a chance to both broaden and deepen skills you didn\u2019t know you had, a chance to impress your nearest and dearest (although also a chance to bore them rigid with the details\u2026), and many other things. It is also, of course, the first step to an academic job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are currently thinking YES, that\u2019s for me! but don\u2019t know how to go about it, read on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The application process<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

PhDs are academically challenging, across all universities and disciplines. Applicants therefore need to persuade potential universities and supervisors that they are going to be capable of success.  They are usually expected to have a good first degree and evidence of some previous research (such as a master\u2019s dissertation), although exceptions can be made for significant \u2018real world\u2019 experience in a relevant area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some institutions and supervisors will consider accepting self-funded students, who are often studying part-time while also working.  Funded PhDs are usually although not always full-time.  In the UK funding covers the tuition fees and a minimum stipend<\/a> of \u00a319,237 per year (2024-25 figures), usually for three years. This isn\u2019t a loan, unlike for Bachelor\u2019s and Master\u2019s degrees, and you don\u2019t have to pay it back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However finding funding can be difficult and is very competitive.  Funding might be offered by your company \u2013 you can always ask. Some universities have funding for a few studentships each year.  Some funded research projects also include funding for PhD students.  Both of these routes are likely to be for specific, pre-determined research projects.  A good source of open and future positions is findaphd.com<\/a>, where you will find opportunities which have already been defined to a greater or lesser extent, usually as part of a wider research project.  These are generally advertised throughout the year, although it\u2019s worth noting that many deadlines will be early in the year for a PhD starting in October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most UK Government funding is now funnelled through Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs), which are held by one or more universities in partnership with one of the UK Research Councils. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The University of the West of England is part of two DTPs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n