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How do you get a phd a guide to the phd timeline.

Everyone who considers a doctoral degree knows a PhD is a big commitment. 

Not only will it require all your mental energy, focus, and persistence, but it will also require a significant investment of your time. Your particular area of research, your institution’s policies and procedures, and the standard expectations within your field affect how long it takes to earn a PhD. The average PhD length is five or six years, while some students may take eight or nine years.

Regardless of how long a PhD program takes,  there are some common stages of a PhD that all doctoral students share. These significant and essential milestones shape the timeline for earning your doctorate . Read on as we take you through each step and explore the typical steps to a doctorate degree.

How Long Do PhD Programs Take?

The number of credit hours that you need to complete your doctoral coursework might depend on several factors: do you already have a master’s degree? Will you earn one en route to the doctorate? Or do you even need one? 

Different disciplines and research interests have their own PhD process, but even within your field of study, institutions may have diverse pathways for obtaining that terminal degree. For most, coursework will take anywhere from two to three years to complete.

During this time, students can serve as graduate research or teaching assistants or could even lead their own courses as instructors. In many degree programs, students develop their potential dissertation topics through their coursework and define their research plans in the next few years.

Steps to Getting a PhD: PhD Qualifying Exam and Comprehensive Exam

Many programs set up academic checkpoints to help keep students on track during their PhD journeys. The timing varies by program, but one of the most common – and possibly most stressful – forms of benchmarking is the PhD comprehensive exam or qualifying exam. Often administered around the end of the student’s coursework, these exams are your chance to demonstrate what you learned in your classes.

A faculty committee from your department oversees testing. Usually comprised of at least three members, your professors ask questions or assign writing prompts based on your experience in the program thus far. The format is generally a combination of written and oral exams designed to test your expertise in your discipline’s methodologies and significant content areas.

To better prepare yourself, research the number and kind of qualifying benchmarks the program will require in the university catalog before you begin your program. This will allow you and your advisor to effectively plan out the first few years of your degree and give you an idea of how you’ll be evaluated throughout your program.

Doctoral Dissertation Prospectus and Defense

You may be required to complete and defend a dissertation prospectus before officially becoming a PhD candidate. A prospectus is a document outlining your dissertation plan, which includes an explanation of your research topic, a potential outline of your dissertation, the methodologies you intend to employ, the significance of your research question, and a bibliography including sources that form the foundation of your research.

Your prospectus allows your dissertation advisor to understand the scope of your project. It should be thorough enough that they can provide useful feedback to help shape your research plan. After some revisions, an approved prospectus is the green light to move into the next stage of your PhD.

Advancement to Doctoral Candidacy

If you have heard the term ABD – “All But Dissertation” – then that means you are in the home stretch of your doctoral program!

Well, sort of…only your dissertation remains!

Doctoral Dissertation Research and Writing

While you’ve made it through the coursework and qualifying exams, the dissertation is the culminating component of the doctoral degree. At this point, your approved research plan is ready to be set into motion. Depending on your discipline, this could be the stage where you travel extensively to conduct fieldwork, explore archives, or visit labs to collaborate on projects that relate to your dissertation work. For many students, the research phase can take a couple of years, but some may be able to complete it in one.

Writing your dissertation can be one of the most challenging parts of the whole PhD process. Not only are you condensing years of research into a single cohesive document, but you are also formulating graphs, charts, and other textual references to help clarify your argument. Often, formatting can be a major challenge for many students. 

In this stage, it’s most helpful to seek out resources to help you with the writing process. Many universities have dissertation writing workshops where you can learn best practices, as well as support groups where students meet regularly and help keep each other accountable. Most universities also offer competitive dissertation completion grants, supporting students with additional funding so they focus more of their time and effort on completing this undertaking.

Dissertation Defense

Everyone gets nervous about this major rite of passage. It can be difficult to take criticism over something you have poured your heart and soul into for years. Remember, though, that a good advisor will not let you defend if you’re not ready, and you literally wrote the book on your topic!

The dissertation defense is not intended to tear your work apart but rather is your opportunity to prove your expertise to your dissertation committee. Many defenses are open to observers, so you should attend a few in advance of your own, especially within your department, to get a sense of what it’s like. 

First, you’ll present the main points of your thesis. Then the committee will ask questions so they can clearly understand your arguments. Finally, they’ll send you out of the room while they deliberate and decide if you pass or not. If all goes well, you’ll be addressed as “Doctor” the next time you walk into the room!

Get Started on Your PhD Journey Today

No matter what your particular timeline looks like as you work toward your doctorate, know that the faculty and other students within your program are frequently a huge source of support — which means you won't do this alone! Additionally, every school has resources to assist PhD students, from libraries to writing centers to dedicated student support services. 

If you are excited about beginning your PhD journey, we invite you to request more information or reach out to one of our admissions professionals today. Best of luck as you begin this transformational experience!

learn more about

what it takes to apply to and succeed in a PhD program. Explore our resource — A Guide to Choosing, Applying for, and Thriving in a PhD Program!

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Doctoral study at Harvard means full immersion in one of the world's most dynamic and influential intellectual communities. At the Harvard Graduate School of Education, two distinct doctoral programs leverage the extraordinary interdisciplinary strengths of the entire University. The Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) prepares experienced educators for system-level leadership roles in school districts, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and beyond; and the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.)  empowers cutting-edge interdisciplinary research informed by the cognitive sciences, economics, medicine, the humanities, and more.

Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.)

The Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D) is a three-year, practice-based program designed to produce system-level leaders in American pre-K-12 education. The Ed.L.D. curriculum mines the vast intellectual and professional resources of HGSE, the Harvard Business School , and the Harvard Kennedy School , and includes a 10-month residency in the third year.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.)

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.) , offered jointly with the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences , provides unrestricted access to faculty and resources at all Harvard graduate and professional schools. This five-year Ph.D. is ideal for conducting groundbreaking interdisciplinary research that directly informs and impacts education practice and policy.

Doctoral Programs

In this section, phd in public policy.

• PhD in Political Economy & Government

PhD in Health Policy

Phd in social policy.

• Job Market Candidates

Health care and politics. Inequality and public policy. Economics and disruption.

You see today's most compelling global issues as complex, interrelated, and urgent. You believe that fresh ideas—and research to carry them through—are critical to building stronger communities and a more just world.

In collaboration with the  Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences  (Harvard Griffin GSAS),  Harvard Kennedy School immerses you in rigorous learning that bridges academic disciplines and draws from leading faculties across the university’s graduate schools. When you pursue a doctoral degree at HKS, you are among extraordinarily bright minds, you’ll work with committed faculty members who are leaders in their fields, and you’ll have unparalleled access to resources across Harvard University.

Prepare yourself for a career in academia or policymaking that demands advanced knowledge of economics, political science, and social policy. Translate your ideas into action that can untangle our world’s unprecedented challenges. Join us.

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Guide to PhD degrees

06 th January 2023

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An PhD, short for the Latin philosiphiae doctor , is a research-intensive qualification and the highest level of academic degree that you can get. 

Read on to find out more about PhD degrees, what they could lead to, and decide whether they’re right for you. 

• What is an PhD degree and why study for one?
• What PhD courses are there?
• How long is an PhD degree and when do they start?
• What are the entry requirements for an PhD degree?
• How much does an PhD degree cost?
• What funding is there for PhD degrees?
• What jobs can you do with an PhD degree?
• Which PhD degrees are most in demand?
• When to apply for an PhD degree
• How is an PhD degree graded?

What is an PhD degree and why study for one? 

An PhD is a level 8 qualification in the UK, meaning it’s higher degree than other postgraduate qualifications like a master’s degree or PGCE, which are level 7 qualifications. Completing a PhD will allow you to use the prefix ‘doctor’ or ‘Dr.’ with your name. 

It’s the most common type of doctorate degree, differing from other doctorates like the Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Education (EdD) in its focus on research, rather than applied preparation for a certain career. 

Your PhD degree will train you to operate as an expert researcher or practitioner at a professional level, and usually involves completing a research project that significantly contributes to your field. 

During your PhD you might complete taught modules, such as seminars and tutorials, as well as delivering teaching yourself to undergraduate students in some cases. In most cases, you’ll be working towards the creation and publication of a thesis that summarises the outcomes of your research. 

PhD programmes are significantly longer than undergraduate or master’s degrees in most cases, lasting between three and six years. You’ll be working without direct peers or close academic support in most cases, reflective of your transition towards professional research work. 

A PhD is a very common way for students to prepare for a career in academia, or other research-intensive roles across government and industry. It will prove your ability to work at the forefront of your field and independently generate and complete a research project. 

What PhD courses are there? 

There are a number of different types of PhD course that you can choose from. The best kind of PhD for you will depend on your previous education and experience, the subject or topic you want to research, and the kind of career you wish to pursue afterwards. 

The PhD by Thesis is the most common type of PhD completed by students in the UK. This course normally takes three years, where you’ll research and write up a thesis based on your submitted proposal with support from a PhD supervisor. Your thesis could be anywhere from 60,000 to over 100,000 words in length, and will typically include an oral presentation or viva. 

During an Integrated PhD, sometimes called a New Route PhD, you’ll first complete an MRes degree over a year before moving onto the PhD element of the programme for three further years. These are offered at relatively few universities currently, but they are becoming more common. This PhD has more taught elements and is focused on building subject-specific skills, practical research experience and advanced theoretical knowledge. 

You might pursue a Professional Doctorate if you’re pursuing a particular career in fields like medicine, education, engineering or business administration. They typically have more of a focus on taught modules and professional skills, and may involve a minor research project. You’ll usually progress into a professional role rather than an academic post after completing one of these. Many people complete these part-time with support from their employer. 

A PhD by Publication is also possible, where you can be awarded a doctorate based on work you have previously published. This might be previous research publications as a graduate student or in research roles, or a book that you’ve written. This qualification is typical for academics who have progressed in their career but not been able to complete a PhD course. 

How long is an PhD degree and when do they start? 

A full-time PhD usually takes between three and four academic years in the UK, but they can last longer in some cases. Part-time courses normally take between six and seven years, depending on the study pattern that you choose and the progression of your research project. 

The most common starting time for PhD degrees is in the autumn, especially September and October. However, some programmes may also offer start dates at other points in the year, particularly if you are a self-funded student. 

What are the entry requirements for an PhD degree? 

To get onto an PhD degree you’ll usually need a master’s level degree, such as an MA or an MSc. You may also need to have achieved a 2:1 or higher in your undergraduate degree in some cases. You might get able to get onto a PhD programme with just a bachelor’s, but you’ll usually need a first-class degree and strong research skills. 

Getting onto a PhD with lower grades than this is possible, but usually requires significant professional experience in a related area. Pursuing an integrated master’s that starts with an MRes component, or just applying for an MRes degree, can also be a first step towards a PhD if you don’t have the required grades for direct entry onto a PhD. 

How much does an PhD degree cost? 

You’ll pay less in tuition fees per academic for your PhD than your bachelor’s or master’s degrees, in most cases. Average tuition fees for a PhD course in the UK typically range between £3,000 and £6,000 per year.  

This can still vary widely, however. For example, the PhD in Antarctic Studies at Cambridge University will cost £9,111 a year in tuition fees, while the PhD in Civil Engineering at the University of West London costs £3,995 per year for tuition. 

Fees can be significantly higher for non-EU PhD applicants. 

What funding is there for PhD degrees? 

Funding options for PhD courses includes additional options compared to bachelor’s and master’s degrees, but competition for funding sources can be intense. 

• UK government loans for doctorate studies have become available, offering up to £27,892 to students starting a course from 1st August 2022. It will be split evenly across your years of doctoral study. 
• PhD studentships are specific to this kind of study and are one of the more sought-after funding options. They are typically offered by Research Councils, but universities or other organisations like trusts and foundations may also support them. Tuition studentships might cover your fees only, while full studentships include stipends for maintenance and research costs. They may be attached to specific research projects or programmes that you can apply to, or you might apply for the studentship in parallel with the submission of your own research proposal. 
• A range of other scholarships and bursaries are available to apply for as a PhD student. These might be from your university, private organisations or other organisations. Eligibility criteria and award value will vary. 
• Part or full self-funding is also an option for doctoral study. 

Go to: Read the ULTIMATE Guide to Postgraduate Funding

What jobs can you do with an PhD degree? 

Getting a PhD qualification will allow you to access research-focused positions in academia, but an increasingly wide range of jobs suited to doctorate holders are appearing in industry or the public sector. 

Your PhD will be evidence of your professional research skills and commitment to your field, allowing you to access teaching and research roles in universities, industrial research positions in sectors like pharmaceuticals or engineering, as well as clinical or other medical roles. 

They are also increasingly valued in applications for technical or senior social science, natural science and physical science research roles, across the public sector or charitable organisations. 

If you’re looking to build a career in academia, focusing on areas like networking, publications and post-doctoral research opportunities will boost your career prospects. 

Which PhD degrees are in most demand? 

PhD degrees in engineering disciplines such as chemical engineering, electrical engineering and biomedical engineering are particularly valued in today’s job market, and industry partners offer a large amount of funding to PhD and post-doctorate students. 

Computer science and software engineering are also popular PhD level courses, with broad employment opportunities across the public and private sector available. 

PhDs in clinical or other medical disciplines, as well as in medical technology and pharmacology, are often linked to further research or employment opportunities with the NHS, health trusts or charities focusing on areas like cancer research, for example. 

When to apply for an PhD degree 

In most cases you’ll want to start the application process for a PhD as early as possible to give you time to develop a strong thesis application or m ake other applications if you’re unsuccessful, maximising your chances of success. You’ll normally want to get in touch with prospective supervisors at first, to discuss your ideas and determine their feasibility. 

In some cases you’ll also need to submit a separate application for studentships, scholarships or other funding. 

Some PhDs may have deadlines for particular entry points, while others may accept applications at any time. You should check the deadlines for your chosen courses before planning your application.  

How is an PhD degree graded? 

A PhD programme will contain different forms of assessment during its course. A PhD is usually marked as a pass or fail, rather than being subject to the grade boundaries typically used at undergraduate or master’s level study. 

During your studies you might have reviews with your tutor where your performance will be discussed, or chapters of your thesis reviewed, and feedback given. This is just for your development and to maximise your performance leading up to the submission and defending of your thesis. 

After the submission of your thesis, you could receive a pass or fail grade as well as a ‘resubmission’ grade, which will require you to make minor or major corrections and submit it again. 

Following your thesis submission, you’ll need to do an oral presentation in front of an expert panel and defend your thesis – this is normally called your PhD viva. This is usually a presentation followed by questions about the context, methods and conclusions of your research. 

The different elements of your PhD, from your written thesis to your oral presentation, will normally be assessed according to criteria that focus on: 

Your understanding of your work’s academic or industrial context 

• The originality of your work 
• The contribution of your work to the field of research 
• The written quality of your work 
• Use of sound techniques and methods to reach your results 
• The capacity for your work to be published 

However, assessment criteria may differ according to the institution you’re studying at and your assessors. The grading of a PhD usually involves at least one internal and one external assessor. 

Next: Search for PhD courses

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Accelerated Online Doctoral Degrees to Get Quickly

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One of the biggest hurdles for doctoral students is the time it takes to complete a doctorate. These programs often require 5-7 rigorous years to complete, which can make them difficult to pursue for many people.

An accelerated online doctorate introduces an alternative pathway for you. These degrees allow you to complete a traditionally lengthy program in a fraction of the time. Learning online can also make your study schedule more flexible and may be more accessible than on-campus learning.

In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular accelerated doctoral degrees and answer your common questions.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

What Is an Accelerated Doctoral Degree Program?

Schools use a variety of methods to accelerate doctoral programs, including accepting large numbers of transfer credits, allowing heavier course loads, and condensing study schedules.

Through online delivery, schools can accelerate these programs and still offer flexible schedules.

Accelerated online doctoral degrees appeal to many types of students, but they may suit working students best since they can more easily accommodate nontraditional study schedules. On the flip side, an accelerated doctoral program could mean a more rigorous program.

Before enrolling, consider both the advantages and drawbacks of an online and fast-tracked program and how it might affect your learning experience.

10 Popular Online Accelerated Doctoral Degrees

Online accelerated doctoral degrees come in many different packages, but some disciplines lend themselves better to this format than others. Below, we take a look at some of these options.

1. Accounting

Most accelerated accounting programs award professional degrees, such as a DBA in accounting .

These programs require less intensive research and dissertation requirements and focus more on career-based coursework, such as advanced accounting methods and techniques. This creates more opportunities for accelerating the program via self-paced studies or a master’s-to-DBA pathway program.

2. Business Administration

An online DBA provides the best opportunity for you to accelerate a business doctorate. While these programs take an average of three years to complete, several schools offer fast-tracked online DBAs that offer more condensed schedules and classes year-round.

In place of the larger dissertations of Ph.D. programs, DBAs usually feature smaller dissertations and applied research projects.

3. Counseling and Therapy

Many doctoral programs in counseling feature significant clinical components in order to qualify graduates for state licensing requirements, making it difficult to accelerate them.

Programs that don’t lead to licensing, however, such as an Ed.D. in counseling or therapy, can offer accelerated online options by reducing the clinical and research requirements. These programs focus more on enhancing the practical knowledge of already licensed counselors with courses like counselor education and supervision.

4. Data Science

While you can find accelerated professional doctoral degrees in data science , such as a D.Eng. in data science, some schools have accelerated Ph.D. programs as well.

While these programs typically feature the same dissertation requirements as traditional Ph.D. programs, they fast-track the program by offering condensed courses like data engineering and machine learning and a faculty-assisted dissertation process.

5. Education

Education doctorates are some of the most commonly accelerated degrees, as they feature less intensive research requirements than a Ph.D. and fewer practical requirements than many clinical degrees. Accelerated online Ed.D. programs often focus on building administrative and leadership skills in experienced educators with courses like curriculum design and instructional strategies.

If you have experience and some doctoral coursework, you may even be able to enroll in an All But Dissertation (ABD) education doctoral program.

6. Healthcare Administration

Many doctor of healthcare administration (DHA) programs offer accelerated pathways by bypassing the dissertation and delivering practice-based studies instead, such as health leadership, human resources, and an applied research project.

Some DHA programs also offer advanced standing for relevant graduate-level training or professional experience.

DNP programs offer one of the fastest routes to a doctorate in nursing. By focusing more on evidence-based and advanced practice courses than intensive research, these programs can be complete more quickly. Some possible courses include healthcare policy and health informatics.

While DNP programs feature significant clinical requirements, you can still complete this degree in as little as two years.

8. Organizational Leadership

You have several options for an accelerated organizational leadership doctorate , including a DBA or Ed.D. in organizational leadership, which feature less intensive research requirements than the usual.

However, you can also find Ph.D. programs that stray from the traditional five-year curriculum by offering accelerated leadership and performance management courses before the dissertation.

9. Psychology

At the doctoral level, most accelerated psychology programs award Psy.D. degrees because these programs focus more on clinical practice than research. In addition to fast-tracked courses in applied research and evidence-based practice, many Psy.D. programs feature applied doctoral projects instead of lengthy dissertations.

10. Public Administration

When you want an accelerated doctorate in public administration , a professional doctor of public administration (DPA) is likely your best bet. Unlike research-heavy Ph.D. programs, DPA programs typically emphasize coursework and practical project-based training.

Often designed for working professionals and aspiring practitioners, DPA programs may offer more flexible schedules as well.

Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Online Doctorate Degrees

How quickly can i get a doctorate.

The length of your doctoral program depends on the school and your previous training and experience, but most accelerated doctorates take about 3-4 years to complete. With advanced standing and/or a heavy course load and condensed schedule, you might graduate in less than three years in some cases.

Do all doctorate degrees require a dissertation?

While Ph.D. programs typically require you to write a dissertation , not all doctoral programs require one. For example, many professional doctoral programs include an applied research project or put more emphasis on coursework and clinical work. In fact, the lack of a dissertation is what helps professional degree programs offer accelerated pathways.

Can you get a doctorate degree online?

Many schools allow you to earn a doctorate through online studies . You can watch recorded or live online lectures, attend virtual labs, and complete much of your research without ever visiting campus.

However, many clinical components of professional doctorates require in-person attendance, though you can often complete these requirements at a location near you.

What is the difference between a Ph.D. and a doctorate?

A Ph.D. is one type of doctorate — a research-based doctor of philosophy, to be specific. Other doctorates include an Ed.D., a DBA, a DPA, a DNP, and a DHA. These doctoral degree types may be classified as professional doctorates as they feature more practitioner-focused studies.

Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed May 13, 2024.

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Doctoral Degrees

Doctor of public health (drph) program.

A doctoral degree for those who want to translate knowledge into powerful results as the leader of a public health organization:

Doctor of Public Health

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs

All PhD programs at Harvard University are administered by the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS), and applications are processed through the Harvard Griffin GSAS online application system .

The following three PhD programs are based at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, designed for students seeking specialized scientific and technical expertise to propel an academic or research career:

PhD in Biological Sciences in Public Health PhD in Biostatistics PhD in Population Health Sciences

Harvard PhD program in Health Policy The PhD in Health Policy is a collaborative program among six Harvard University schools, including the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

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Doctoral Studies

The doctoral experience.

We offer six types of doctoral degrees in over eighty fields of study. Most of our doctoral degrees are PhDs; we also offer a Doctor of Education, Doctor of Environmental Science and Engineering, Doctor of Public Health, Doctor of Musical Arts, and Doctor of Nursing Practice.

COMPLETE COURSEWORK AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Doctoral programs vary widely in the number of required courses as well as additional requirements. Most programs use the first year to prepare students for their chosen field. Some programs conduct an end-of-the-year exam for each first-year cohort, while others evaluate student by courses, papers, and projects completed in that first year. In addition to being assigned a Student Affairs Officer (SAO) by your program, you’ll also mutually choose your Faculty Advisor. Generally this is a natural process where a student’s and a faculty member’s interests and areas of specialization align. This relationship is an important one, which lasts well beyond a student’s tenure at UCLA. In your first year, you’ll take courses with a wide variety of faculty and make lasting friendships with your cohort.

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FIND FORMS FOR DOCTORAL STUDENTS

We’ve assembled all UCLA-wide forms that may be useful to a graduate student on a Master’s track in one place:  Forms for UCLA Doctoral Students . Your specific program may provide additional forms for your use. Here are some of the most common.

• Language Petition
• Nomination of Doctoral Committee
• Reconstitution of Doctoral Committee
• Graduate Degree Petition
• Leave of Absence
• In Absentia

KNOW YOUR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

To keep on track, a Doctoral student must meet specific requirements for a student’s program.

Type the name of your program to jump straight to its requirements:

Your Program Requirements cover most things a current student needs to know in order to graduate on time.  Our FAQs  answers a few common questions about program requirements. Any outstanding questions can be answered by your program through their website or from your Student Affairs Officer (SAO).

If your program offers a Master’s Degree along the path toward a Doctorate, you’ll be required to initiate a specialized process and meet criteria specific to your program.

NOMINATE YOUR DOCTORAL COMMITTEE

During your second or third year, you’ll begin assembling (nominating) your Doctoral Committee. Your committee is comprised of 4 or more faculty members (3 or more faculty members for professional (non-Ph.D.) doctoral committees) who are experts in your field who can guide you in your research. Some committee members will be on-campus while a few may be located at another academic institution. All committee members will be responsible for reviewing your work periodically, advising you on your direction and independent research, assessing your university oral qualifying exam, and approving your dissertation.

On occasion, your committee will fall out of compliance, in which case you’ll be required to  reconstitute your Doctoral committee . Common reasons include when one of your committee members leaves her or his post at UCLA or when you or a current committee member decides that you’ll benefit more by working with a different faculty member.

For more about your doctoral committee, see the Graduate Council’s guide  Graduate Student Academic Rights and Responsibilities  and  Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA .

• Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution
• Professional (Non-Ph.D.) Doctoral Committee Policy
• Nomination of Doctoral Committee
• Reconstitution of the Doctoral Committee and/or Change in Final Oral Examination Requirement
• Remote Participation Requirements

ADVANCEMENT TO CANDIDACY

Becoming a doctoral degree candidate is not a given. The first phase of your doctoral program is supervised by a faculty advisor or guidance committee. Your program will administer the written, and in some cases the program’s oral qualifying, exam after you complete courses and other preparatory work recommended or required by your program

Your doctoral committee may also require additional written exams. Only upon satisfactory completion of the written and oral qualifying requirements may you advance to candidacy. A student must also have met language requirements for advancement. This accomplishment generally happens between your second and fourth year.

CONTINUE PROGRESS TOWARD YOUR DOCTORAL DEGREE

With the guidance of your Doctoral Committee, you’ll conduct fieldwork, research, writing, and independent study all the way up through your dissertation.

While you’re completing your degree, keep an eye on your future. Be sure to participate in the great career and professional development events and resources at UCLA.

DEFENDING YOUR DISSERTATION

Some programs require you to present your dissertation to your doctoral committee in a time-honored event called the final oral examination (or final defense). To find out if your program has this requirement, consult your program requirements for the year you were admitted (see KNOW YOUR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS above).

FILE YOUR DISSERTATION

You will complete an approved doctoral dissertation that demonstrates your ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in your principal field of study.

CELEBRATE YOUR GRADUATION

Doctoral Degrees are awarded four times a year, and are integrated into a single commencement—called the Doctoral Hooding Ceremony—held once each year at the beginning of June.  UCLA Graduate Commencement for Doctoral Students  is where you’ll find info about tickets, locations, schedule, parking, and dress code (including caps and gowns). For information on commencement ceremonies hosted by various graduate departments and programs, search for your program on this year’s schedule .

YOUR FUTURE

Once you graduate, our support continues. You’ll find great resources, guidance, career support, and opportunities to network with fellow graduates through  UCLA’s Alumni Association .

To network with fellow alumni and learn about meetups and events, like our UCLA Alumni Facebook page . and follow UCLA Alumni on Twitter .

Guide to Graduate Studies

The PhD Program The Ph.D. program of the Harvard Department of Mathematics is designed to help motivated students develop their understanding and enjoyment of mathematics. Enjoyment and understanding of the subject, as well as enthusiasm in teaching it, are greater when one is actively thinking about mathematics in one’s own way. For this reason, a Ph.D. dissertation involving some original research is a fundamental part of the program. The stages in this program may be described as follows:

• Acquiring a broad basic knowledge of mathematics on which to build a future mathematical culture and more detailed knowledge of a field of specialization.
• Choosing a field of specialization within mathematics and obtaining enough knowledge of this specialized field to arrive at the point of current thinking.
• Making a first original contribution to mathematics within this chosen special area.

Students are expected to take the initiative in pacing themselves through the Ph.D. program. In theory, a future research mathematician should be able to go through all three stages with the help of only a good library. In practice, many of the more subtle aspects of mathematics, such as a sense of taste or relative importance and feeling for a particular subject, are primarily communicated by personal contact. In addition, it is not at all trivial to find one’s way through the ever-burgeoning literature of mathematics, and one can go through the stages outlined above with much less lost motion if one has some access to a group of older and more experienced mathematicians who can guide one’s reading, supplement it with seminars and courses, and evaluate one’s first attempts at research. The presence of other graduate students of comparable ability and level of enthusiasm is also very helpful.

University Requirements

The University requires a minimum of two years of academic residence (16 half-courses) for the Ph.D. degree. On the other hand, five years in residence is the maximum usually allowed by the department. Most students complete the Ph.D. in four or five years. Please review the program requirements timeline .

There is no prescribed set of course requirements, but students are required to register and enroll in four courses each term to maintain full-time status with the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Qualifying Exam

The department gives the qualifying examination at the beginning of the fall and spring terms. The qualifying examination covers algebra, algebraic geometry, algebraic topology, complex analysis, differential geometry, and real analysis. Students are required to take the exam at the beginning of the first term. More details about the qualifying exams can be found here .

Students are expected to pass the qualifying exam before the end of their second year. After passing the qualifying exam students are expected to find a Ph.D. dissertation advisor.

Minor Thesis

The minor thesis is complementary to the qualifying exam. In the course of mathematical research, students will inevitably encounter areas in which they have gaps in knowledge. The minor thesis is an exercise in confronting those gaps to learn what is necessary to understand a specific area of math. Students choose a topic outside their area of expertise and, working independently, learns it well and produces a written exposition of the subject.

The topic is selected in consultation with a faculty member, other than the student’s Ph.D. dissertation advisor, chosen by the student. The topic should not be in the area of the student’s Ph.D. dissertation. For example, students working in number theory might do a minor thesis in analysis or geometry. At the end of three weeks time (four if teaching), students submit to the faculty member a written account of the subject and are prepared to answer questions on the topic.

The minor thesis must be completed before the start of the third year in residence.

Language Exam

Mathematics is an international subject in which the principal languages are English, French, German, and Russian. Almost all important work is published in one of these four languages. Accordingly, students are required to demonstrate the ability to read mathematics in French, German, or Russian by passing a two-hour, written language examination. Students are asked to translate one page of mathematics into English with the help of a dictionary. Students may request to substitute the Italian language exam if it is relevant to their area of mathematics. The language requirement should be fulfilled by the end of the second year. For more information on the graduate program requirements, a timeline can be viewed at here .

Non-native English speakers who have received a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from an institution where classes are taught in a language other than English may request to waive the language requirement.

Upon completion of the language exam and eight upper-level math courses, students can apply for a continuing Master’s Degree.

Teaching Requirement

Most research mathematicians are also university teachers. In preparation for this role, all students are required to participate in the department’s teaching apprenticeship program and to complete two semesters of classroom teaching experience, usually as a teaching fellow. During the teaching apprenticeship, students are paired with a member of the department’s teaching staff. Students attend some of the advisor’s classes and then prepare (with help) and present their own class, which will be videotaped. Apprentices will receive feedback both from the advisor and from members of the class.

Teaching fellows are responsible for teaching calculus to a class of about 25 undergraduates. They meet with their class three hours a week. They have a course assistant (an advanced undergraduate) to grade homework and to take a weekly problem session. Usually, there are several classes following the same syllabus and with common exams. A course head (a member of the department teaching staff) coordinates the various classes following the same syllabus and is available to advise teaching fellows. Other teaching options are available: graduate course assistantships for advanced math courses and tutorials for advanced undergraduate math concentrators.

Final Stages

How students proceed through the second and third stages of the program varies considerably among individuals. While preparing for the qualifying examination or immediately after, students should begin taking more advanced courses to help with choosing a field of specialization. Unless prepared to work independently, students should choose a field that falls within the interests of a member of the faculty who is willing to serve as dissertation advisor. Members of the faculty vary in the way that they go about dissertation supervision; some faculty members expect more initiative and independence than others and some variation in how busy they are with current advisees. Students should consider their own advising needs as well as the faculty member’s field when choosing an advisor. Students must take the initiative to ask a professor if she or he will act as a dissertation advisor. Students having difficulty deciding under whom to work, may want to spend a term reading under the direction of two or more faculty members simultaneously. The sooner students choose an advisor, the sooner they can begin research. Students should have a provisional advisor by the second year.

It is important to keep in mind that there is no technique for teaching students to have ideas. All that faculty can do is to provide an ambiance in which one’s nascent abilities and insights can blossom. Ph.D. dissertations vary enormously in quality, from hard exercises to highly original advances. Many good research mathematicians begin very slowly, and their dissertations and first few papers could be of minor interest. The ideal attitude is: (1) a love of the subject for its own sake, accompanied by inquisitiveness about things which aren’t known; and (2) a somewhat fatalistic attitude concerning “creative ability” and recognition that hard work is, in the end, much more important.

History PhD / MA

Ranking 8th in UK in REF 2021 for History Ranking details

Delivery format In person, Online

Start date Flexible – September or January encouraged

Duration Full time: PhD – 3 years, MA by Research – 1 year

Award Doctorate / Master of Arts

Entry requirements Merit in a Masters degree Full requirements

Fees £4,921 (full-time), £2,461 (part-time) Fee details

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Course overview.

Delve into British, European and world history from c.500 to the present day. Shape the future of historical research when you join our Department of History.

When you're ready, return to this page and begin your application by clicking APPLY NOW

Career opportunities

The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits [The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers report].

Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique.

Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.

Careers Network

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.

We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Student experience

At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.

Brian Eno will be teaching a songwriting course early next year – find out more below.

• READ MORE:  Fred again.. and Brian Eno – ‘Secret Life’ review: ambient soundscapes from master and apprentice

Last night (November 13), the School Of Song announced its January 2025 program, which will see the legendary multi-hyphenate conduct a songwriting course for its applicants. The course, titled Songwriting With Brian Eno , will take place over the course of a month.

The School of Song wrote on social media to announce the course: “School of Song is overjoyed to announce that Brian Eno will be leading our Songwriting Workshop in January 2025. Come join us as @brianeno guides us through his multifaceted relationship to the creative process.”

View this post on Instagram A post shared by School of Song (@school_of_song)

The course will see Eno conduct four lectures via Zoom, lead hour-long Q&A sessions with students, song-share sessions and even a live in-class writing exercise with the musician himself. Topics being covered during the course include The Role Of Surrender, Avant Gardening, Oblique Strategies and more.

The program will cost USD$160, with registrations closing on January 4 – just a day before the first session begins. You can register for the course here .

Eno said in a statement per the course website : “I’m looking forward to the chance to properly articulate some ideas about the creative process that have been fermenting over the last 50 years. To be able to do this with some fresh young minds and imaginations was a chance that I couldn’t refuse.”

• READ MORE: ‘Eno’ review: a solid narrative structure underpins this wilfully random documentary

Recommended

Back in July, Gary Hustwit’s documentary Eno premiered in cinemas. The documentary scored a four-star review from NME, which read: “The film’s segments come across as mere dips into an oceanic intellect; so much more of Eno’s life, broad-reaching career, stories and ideas are there to be uncovered with further viewings. But the core Eno that emerges is one dedicated to the deconstruction of music and its making at a fundamental level, then recreating it in amorphous terms: feeling, landscape, peripheral perception, belonging. He’s cast here as the Columbus of the never-trodden sonic road, and it’s certainly fitting that one viewing of  Eno can never fully encompass him.”

The documentary’s soundtrack was released in April on digital and in June on physical formats. The record is made up of 17 tracks, featuring “work from early solo outings, acclaimed collaborations with the likes of David Bryne ,  John Cale , Cluster and more recently,  Fred again…  all the way through to music from his latest album, ‘FOREVERANDEVERNOMORE’, and his 2022 appearance at the Acropolis in Athens with brother Roger.”

In May last year, Eno teamed up with Fred Again.. to release the collaborative album ‘Secret Life’. The LP scored a three-star review  from Will Richards for  NME, who wrote: “This surprise album – despite its frequent beauty – works best as a puzzle piece rather than a standout record in its own right.”

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Change of Preference Expo

Friday 13 December

Expo booths

Register now to drop in to the expo, connect, and discover new opportunities. Through the registration flow you can add the below optional information sessions and tours to your booking.

10am-2pm, Market Hall, Parkville campus

Drop in to the expo to speak one-on-one with staff and students about your ATAR results and what's ahead on your journey to Melbourne

Future Students team

Chat with us about the Melbourne curriculum, pathways to graduate study and other general course information and entry requirements

Meet with faculty representatives to learn more about course structure, majors, student societies, work-integrated learning opportunities and much more

Narrm Scholarship Program

Speak to the team to learn more about the academic and wellbeing enrichment program benefits

Student accommodation

Meet with representatives from University Accommodation and residential college teams

Global learning

Find out about the range of overseas study programs and partner institutions

Careers and employability

Receive specialised advice and insight on programs, events and tools available at Melbourne to help you kickstart your career while you study

Access Melbourne

Speak to the team about the benefits, including ATAR entry requirements, Graduate Degree Packages, scholarships and more

Melbourne Uni Sport

Find out about our sporting clubs, programs, and fitness services that cater to the first-timer through to the elite athlete

Expo sessions

Information sessions and campus tours

10.30-11.30am | Receiving an offer: Next steps

Receiving an offer to study at Melbourne is an incredibly exciting time. Join this session to find out your next steps to ensure a smooth journey from your offer to your first class.

11.45am-12.15pm | Bachelor of Design: Tips for your first week

Discover the opportunities offered in the Bachelor of Design and explore how this dynamic program can empower you to shape the future of design. Hit the ground running with tips and tricks from our current Bachelor of Design students.

12.15-12.45pm | From paddock to plate: A look at our Bachelor of Agriculture

Discover how this course equips you with skills for a futureproof career in agriculture, from sustainable practices to cutting-edge technology. Explore diverse career paths—from agronomy to agribusiness—that empower you to make a real impact to people and the planet.

1.00-2.00pm | Life as a student: Lessons learned and shared

Hear from a panel of current undergraduate students as they share their stories of life at Melbourne and offer tips on how you can make the most of your time here, both within and outside the classroom.

Explore Melbourne campus tours

Join one of our student ambassadors as they take you on a guided tour of our beautiful Parkville campus, including key buildings, popular hang out spots and where to get the best coffee before class. Tour 1: 10.15am-11.00am Tour 2: 11.15am-12.00pm Tour 3: 12.15pm-1.00pm Tour 4: 1.15pm-2.00pm

Our team is here to support you

We look forward to seeing you on campus at the Change of Preference Expo on Friday 13 December, 10am-2pm.

Additional resources

Timely information and resources, applicants from outside of melbourne.

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At Mar-a-Lago, ‘Uncle’ Elon Musk Puts His Imprint on the Trump Transition

He’s on the patio. He’s on the golf course. Everywhere Donald Trump looks, there is the world’s richest man.

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By Theodore Schleifer

Theodore Schleifer has covered Silicon Valley’s influence on politics since 2017.

In nearly every meeting that President-elect Donald J. Trump holds at Mar-a-Lago, alongside him is someone who has been elected to nothing, nominated to nothing and, only a few months ago, had no meaningful relationship with him.

The world’s richest person has ascended to a position of extraordinary, unofficial influence in Mr. Trump’s transition process, playing a role that makes him indisputably America’s most powerful private citizen. He has sat in on nearly every job interview with the Trump team and bonded with the Trump family, and he is trying to install his Silicon Valley friends in plum positions in the next administration.

Mr. Trump announced on Tuesday that Mr. Musk would help lead what he called the Department of Government Efficiency , a new body to “dismantle government bureaucracy.” But Mr. Musk’s true influence on the Trump transition effort goes well beyond that posting.

Mr. Musk has assumed an almost mythical aura in Mr. Trump’s inner circle. At Mar-a-Lago one recent evening, he walked into the dining room about 30 minutes after the president-elect did and received a similar standing ovation, according to two people who saw him enter.

Mr. Musk, often with his 4-year-old son X on his lap, has spent most of the last week at Mar-a-Lago, joining not just interviews but almost every meeting and many meals that Mr. Trump has had. He briefly shuttled back to Austin, Texas, where he has a $35 million compound , before returning on Friday, where he ate in Mar-a-Lago’s dining room and on its patio, roamed the gift shop and spent time on the golf course — all alongside the president-elect.

“I’m happy to be the first buddy!” he replied to a social-media follower this weekend.

This article is based on roughly a dozen interviews with Republican donors, politicians and friends of Mr. Musk, many of whom insisted on anonymity to talk about private conversations.

Publicly, over just the first week of the transition, Mr. Musk has endorsed Senator Rick Scott of Florida to be the next Senate majority leader; urged Republican senators to embrace recess appointments for Mr. Trump; suggested that all government employees should submit a “weekly email of accomplishments”; called for the Department of Education to be closed; solicited recommendations for new administration roles that he could bring to Mr. Trump; wondered if Canada was “dying”; and posted plenty of Trump-themed memes.

Behind the scenes, Mr. Musk’s behavior has been far more hands-on than even some of his allies expected. His role, in the eyes of some Trump aides, even outstrips that of Howard Lutnick and Linda E. McMahon, the two formally appointed leaders of the Trump transition.

He has sat in on calls with foreign leaders, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine, and plans to meet in person this week with President Javier Milei of Argentina when Mr. Milei visits Mar-a-Lago. Mr. Musk has also attended at least one national security meeting with Mr. Trump alongside the likes of Stephen Miller, a top aide, and Donald Trump Jr., according to a person briefed on the meeting.

On Wednesday, Mr. Musk is expected to accompany Mr. Trump to a meeting with House Republicans on Capitol Hill, according to a person close to the president-elect. Mr. Musk is flying aboard Mr. Trump’s plane to Washington, the person said.

Mr. Musk is generally not introducing new names for specific roles, according to people familiar with the process, typically evaluating only people whom the Trump transition team is already considering.

He has voiced support for Mr. Trump’s decision not to appoint Mike Pompeo or Nikki Haley to a senior national security position, although he unsuccessfully expressed concern about giving Representative Elise Stefanik of New York a role that would take her out of Congress. (She has been offered the post of United Nations ambassador.)

Mr. Musk also has a good relationship with Brendan Carr, the commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, who is seen as a front-runner to be the body’s next chairman. The billionaire has recently voiced support for Mr. Carr in private conversations at Mar-a-Lago.

Karoline Leavitt, a Trump spokeswoman, told The New York Times that Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump were “great friends and brilliant leaders working together to Make America Great Again.”

On a personal level, Mr. Trump seems to be taken with Mr. Musk, adopting him as a quasi member of the family. A photograph posted on social media by Tiffany Trump, Mr. Trump’s youngest daughter, featured the entire family, including grandchildren, at Mar-a-Lago with the message “Dad, we are so proud of you!”

Conspicuously, Mr. Musk was standing right in the mix, holding his son X.

“Elon, get in the picture with your boy,” Mr. Trump told him, according to a video of the moment posted online. “We have to get Elon with his boy — his gorgeous, perfect boy.”

On Sunday, Mr. Trump’s eldest grandchild, Kai Trump, put it a little more bluntly with a photo from the golf course: “Elon achieving uncle status.”

Muskworld influence

Mr. Musk is not at Mar-a-Lago with a large entourage — just his son X, a nanny and some security. But his elevation has meant more influence on the fledgling Republican administration from a coterie of Silicon Valley figures who are close to the billionaire.

Mr. Trump has cultivated right-wing members of the tech world over the last year as he has adopted tech-friendly positions on cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence and Big Tech antitrust legislation. But at the same time, his vice president-elect, Senator JD Vance of Ohio, has been a supporter of Lina Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission and a target of some conservatives , including Mr. Musk.

Mr. Musk has said that he is recruiting an “A team” from the private sector to help overhaul the government, and that he will ensure “that maniacally dedicated small-government revolutionaries join this administration.” It is unclear how these other tech executives and Mr. Musk himself, whose rocket company, SpaceX, has federal contracts, will avoid conflicts of interest as they work with the administration.

Mr. Musk has recommended two fellow executives at SpaceX, Gen. Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy and Tim Hughes, for administration roles, The Times has reported .

He has also been floating other friends and associates for gigs — or at least paved the way for them to have some influence.

Joe Lonsdale, a tech investor close to Mr. Musk, is not planning to play a formal role in the Trump transition, according to a person briefed on the matter, and he has said publicly that he does not want to join the administration “full time” but would rather play a part-time advisory role.

Another friend of Mr. Musk’s, Ken Howery, served as ambassador to Sweden during the first Trump administration, and has told others that he is interested in another diplomatic position. Another person who could have some influence is Marc Andreessen, a prominent tech investor who, like Mr. Musk and Mr. Howery, spent election night at Mar-a-Lago.

Mr. Musk has also encouraged Palmer Luckey, a co-founder of the military technology start-up Anduril, to aid the administration in some way, saying on X that it was “very important” for “entrepreneurial companies like yours” to be involved. Mr. Luckey said in a television interview that he had spoken with the Trump transition team about how he could help.

The friend of Mr. Musk’s who currently appears to have the most direct influence is David Sacks, a former colleague dating to their years at PayPal.

Mr. Sacks, who hosted a fund-raiser for Mr. Trump in San Francisco in June, has developed a direct line of communication by phone with the president-elect. Mr. Sacks, who took a photo with Mr. Musk and Mr. Trump on election night and spent much of the evening in the candidate’s vicinity, has publicly pushed for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to be given a position in the administration.

Mr. Sacks, a venture capitalist, has told friends since Election Day that because he leads an active fund, it would not be practical for him to play a more formal role in the administration. But he, like Mr. Musk, helped tank the idea of neoconservatives like Mr. Pompeo winning administration roles.

The Peter Thiel connection

Mr. Musk is in some ways reprising — and expanding upon — the role that another tech billionaire, Peter Thiel, formally played on Mr. Trump’s transition team in 2016. Mr. Thiel has since had something of a falling out with Mr. Trump, but he has been passing along potential names to the leaders of the transition effort.

Other figures with ties to Mr. Thiel are also in the mix.

Blake Masters, the former Arizona Senate candidate and Mr. Thiel’s longtime top aide, has spoken with transition officials about a possible role and made recommendations of other appointees, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Another longtime Thiel aide, Jim O’Neill, has told friends that he is interested in a health-related position, two people said. Yet another former top Thiel aide, Michael Kratsios, served as chief technology officer in the first Trump administration and was recently tapped to help oversee the tech-policy portfolio of the transition effort. He is also interested in joining the administration, according to a person who has spoken to him.

Mr. Thiel, for his part, should be riding high after the rise of Mr. Vance, his onetime protégé. But despite their relationship, the mood at his election-night party last week in Los Angeles was relatively subdued, according to people who were there, though it began on West Coast time and unfolded with the outcome of the night mostly clear.

Mr. Thiel, like Mr. Musk, is a fan of gimmicks and lavish parties, and he paid homage to the concluding campaign. Bartenders were dressed in Trump wigs, and the food harked back to one of Mr. Trump’s campaign photo ops : McDonald’s.

David McCabe and Maggie Haberman contributed reporting.

Theodore Schleifer is a Times reporter covering campaign finance and the influence of billionaires in American politics. More about Theodore Schleifer

Trump Builds His Administration

As his team ramps up the transition process, president-elect donald trump says his administration will radically reshape the federal government..

Foreign Policy : While many of Trump’s foreign policy picks were once called neocons by their peers, they now speak the language of the “America First” movement .

Skirting the Senate : Trump’s demand that Senate Republicans surrender their role in vetting his nominees  poses an early test of whether his second term will be more radical than his first.

Department of Education : The president-elect said he would use the department to further his priorities. He also said he would close it. Both options would face difficulties .

Middle Eas t: Trump’s nominees to serve as top diplomatic envoys to Israel and the Middle East indicate a staunch pro-Israel policy .

Deportations : Trump is signaling with his staffing decisions his intention to carry out a campaign promise of widespread deportations of undocumented immigrants .