• Question: How long did it take to get a phd, and is it worth it?

    Asked by to Anna, Elaine, Fiona, Kevin, Darren on 19 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Anna Bramwell-Dicks

      Anna Bramwell-Dicks answered on 19 Jun 2014:

      Most people in the UK take about 3.5-4 years to complete their PhDs if they are working on it full time.

      I am still working on mine, so I can’t tell you how long it will take me!

      Do I think it’s worth it? Well, for me personally, yes! I want to become a lecturer, I love teaching and doing research and I’m good at it. In order to become a lecturer, the PhD is a necessity.

      That said, it is not an easy life – PhDs are HARD. And while I mostly enjoy it, it has been very stressful too. In the end, it will be worth it, I’m sure!

    • Photo: Fiona McLean

      Fiona McLean answered on 19 Jun 2014:

      I’ve not got mine yet but I am on a PhD course that lasts 4 years. I think I’ll finish on time (hopefully!). I think it is worth it (I hope so). If you want to progress in a scientific career these days then you need a PhD. At the moment I’m actually really enjoying it. There are ups and downs though and I would say to anyone who goes for a PhD that they have to really want it.

    • Photo: Elaine Cloutman-Green

      Elaine Cloutman-Green answered on 19 Jun 2014:

      I’m due to submit my thesis in September and I’ve been working on it since 2009. I do it at the same time as having a full time job though which means it has taken me much longer.

      I didn’t start my PhD until my late 20s as I wasn’t sure that I wanted or needed one. I’m doing one know as it is important for my job and allows me to undertake the research I enjoy, so I’m very glad that I waited and did it later. It means I’m enjoying it more than I would have straight from uni and I’m doing it in a field which I use everyday in my job so I know that it’s useful and is already making a difference to my patients. I’m not sure I would have enjoyed doing one so much if I hadn’t known where it would lead me.

    • Photo: Kevin O'Dell

      Kevin O'Dell answered on 19 Jun 2014:

      It took me 3 years and one month to do the research and then I had a viva (effectively a 3 hour interview about the work) about 3 months later.

      Like the others say it’s a lot of work, but if you want to do research and teaching in a University then it is the only way to get there.

      As the others say, it’s a lot of work, and you have to really want to do it if you are eventually going to get there. It’s all about doing it for yourself.

    • Photo: Zhiming Darren Tan

      Zhiming Darren Tan answered on 20 Jun 2014:

      With luck I’ll finish in 3 years, and it generally takes between 3-4 years in the UK, as others have pointed out. Whether it is worth it is a decision that you have to consider for yourself – and you can probably make a better decision about it when you are at university and can find out more from professors and graduate students in your particular field.

Comments