5 routes to getting a Doctorate

A Doctorate is a Level 8 qualification - the highest academic degree you can achieve. It is designed for those at different career stages and with specific study preferences. However, some routes, particularly funded PhDs, can be highly competitive.

Understanding how each option differs will help you choose the path that best suits your ambitions, experience, and lifestyle.

How to get a PhD

PhD by thesis

• Who it's for - graduates aiming for careers in academia, research or specialist roles, typically early in their careers.
• Typical duration - three to four years full time or five to seven years part time.
• Entry requirements - a strong undergraduate degree (usually a first or a 2:1), often a Masters, and a clear research proposal aligned with supervisor expertise.
• Pros - the most widely recognised route, develops deep research expertise and provides a strong foundation for academic careers.
• Cons - it requires long-term independent study, securing funding can be tough due to competition, and there is limited structured teaching.

This is the most common route, typically undertaken after completing an undergraduate degree and, in many cases, a Masters.

During the three or four years of research at university, your PhD supervisor will support you as you aim to produce a thesis based on your research proposal.

A thesis is typically 60,000 to 90,000 words in length - although this can vary between institutions.

For instance, the University of Glasgow's College of Social Sciences expects a thesis to be 70,000 to 100,000 words including references, bibliography and appendices. On the other hand, the University of Cambridge has set an upper limit of 80,000 words, though this depends on your faculty.

Once completed, you'll need to defend your PhD thesis in a viva voce before a panel of examiners.

Doctorate by publication

• Who it's for - mid-career academics or researchers with an existing body of published work.
• Typical duration - one to two years, often part time while compiling and contextualising work.
• Entry requirements - a substantial portfolio of peer-reviewed publications plus eligibility criteria set by the institution (often linked to alumni or staff status).
• Pros - recognises existing research output, has a shorter completion time, and no need to start a new large-scale project.
• Cons - limited availability, strict eligibility requirements, and still requires a critical commentary and formal assessment.

This route involves submitting previously published work, such as:

• books
• book chapters
• journal articles.

Together they form a coherent body of work and show evidence of an original contribution to a particular field of study.

The PhD by publication route is often taken by mid-career academics who haven't had the opportunity to undertake a standard Doctorate degree.

Generally, a minimum of five to eight published pieces is required, but this varies between institutions and depends on their length. The published work will be assessed to the same rigorous standards as a traditional PhD by thesis.

You must also provide a written supporting statement, which typically ranges from 5,000 to 15,000 words.

For instance, the University of Westminster asks for a commentary of:

• 5,000 words - science and technology subjects
• 10,000 words - arts, social sciences and humanities.

Alternatively, Queen Margaret University (QMU) requires 12,000 to 15,000 words (excluding references) on the rationale and theoretical context for the portfolio of published work.

The work will then be presented to an academic committee. A supervisor will assist you with selecting which publications to submit, as well as provide guidance on the supporting statement.

Some universities accept only their own graduates for a PhD by publication, while others restrict this route to their academic staff. In general, you should have graduated from your first degree at least seven years ago to be eligible.

For example, The University of Manchester has published its own Guidance for the PhD by Published Work, with eligibility only extending to current members of staff.

Professional Doctorate

• Who it's for - working professionals who want to advance their practice.
• Typical duration - two to eight years, usually part time alongside employment. Some full-time options also exist, including professional Doctorates at the University of Leeds and the University of Greater Manchester.
• Entry requirements - an undergraduate degree (often plus a Masters), relevant professional experience, and employment in a related field.
• Pros - directly linked to workplace challenges, combining taught modules with research, and it can lead to professional accreditation.
• Cons - balancing study with work can be demanding, and it's less suited to academic career progression than a traditional PhD.

This type of Doctorate includes a significant taught component and a smaller research project, and is geared primarily towards current professionals in vocational sectors, such as:

• business, consulting and management
• engineering and manufacturing
• healthcare
• teaching and education.

Like their standard PhD counterparts, professional Doctorates usually begin in October or January.

While you won't typically be seeking an academic job, your research is expected to contribute to both theory and professional practice. Projects often revolve around a real-life issue that affects your employer.

Several professional Doctorates are accredited by a professional body and may also lead to a professional qualification, such as:

• Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) - Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and The British Psychological Society (BPS).
• Engineering Doctorate (EngD) - Engineering Council.

Other common titles for graduates of professional Doctorate degrees include:

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Doctor of Public Health (DrPH).

Unlike many professional Doctorates, the EngD is offered on a full-time basis and aimed at engineering graduates with little or no professional experience. Read more about how to become an engineer.

Integrated PhD

• Who it's for - recent graduates who want a structured route into research without committing to a separate Masters first.
• Typical duration - four years full time, combining a one-year Masters with a three-year PhD.
• Entry requirements - a strong undergraduate degree, with some programmes accepting candidates without a standalone Masters.
• Pros - built-in transition from taught study to research, develops your research skills early, and often comes with funding opportunities.
• Cons - requires early commitment to a long programme, and there are fewer opportunities to change direction after the initial year.

This four-year qualification, also known as the New Route PhD, involves studying a one-year research Masters (MRes) or Master of Science (MSc) before progressing onto a three-year PhD.

Offered by a select number of universities across the UK, integrated PhDs are often funded through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and participating institutions.

The integrated PhD involves a combination of taught materials, practical experience and advanced research. This allows you to learn subject-specific methodologies while building the transferable skills that will enable you to become a leader in your chosen profession.

Institutions can also develop personalised, integrated PhD programmes to meet each student's needs. For example, universities may offer you the opportunity to gain a postgraduate certificate (PGCert) in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education - perfect if you're considering a career as a higher education lecturer.

Online/distance learning PhD

• Who it's for - students who need flexibility due to work, family commitments, or location, including international applicants.
• Typical duration - three to four years full time or five to eight years part time.
• Entry requirements - same as a standard PhD (undergraduate degree, often a Masters, and a research proposal).
• Pros - offers a flexible study location, so you can continue working while remaining accessible to those unable to relocate.
• Cons - requires strong self-motivation, as there is less in-person support, plus potential limitations on funding and networking opportunities.

As PhDs are based primarily on independent research rather than time spent in lectures and seminars, distance or online learning has always been a viable route for many Doctoral students.

PhDs by distance learning offered by course providers such as The Open University are therefore a good option to consider if you've got personal or work commitments or are an international student, as this gives you the chance to undertake Doctoral research without having to live close to your chosen institution. It's also a suitable mode of study if your subject requires you to be based at a specific location outside the university.

For the most part, you'll be in touch with your supervisor by phone, email or Skype/Zoom. Bear in mind that even if you opt for this form of research, you'll generally still need to attend university for one or two weeks of each academic year for meetings and to receive research skills training. Your final exam may be undertaken either face-to-face or virtually.

With online PhDs, you can usually register as a full or part-time student. The level of fees you pay varies between institutions - some charge the same as for a standard PhD, while others offer a reduced rate.

Search for online/distance learning PhDs.

How to compare the different PhD routes

To help you choose a PhD, see our essential guide to PhD study.

Search for full and part-time PhDs.

What is the difference between a PhD and a professional Doctorate?

A PhD focuses on producing original research that contributes to academic knowledge, typically through an independent thesis.

In contrast, a professional Doctorate combines research with taught elements and is designed to apply academic theory directly to real-world workplace challenges.

While PhDs are often chosen by those pursuing academic or research careers, professional Doctorates are aimed at experienced practitioners looking to advance within their profession.

Are online PhDs respected by employers?

Online PhDs are generally respected by employers, provided the qualification is awarded by a recognised and accredited university. What matters most is the quality of your research, your subject expertise and the skills you develop during your studies.

However, you may need to demonstrate the key attributes of distance learning, including:

• excellent time management skills
• strong self-motivation
• the ability to work independently.

What funding is available for my PhD?

Funding varies depending on the type of Doctorate.

For instance, traditional PhDs and integrated PhDs are most likely to be funded through:

• subject-specific scholarships
• UKRI
• universities.

Professional Doctorates are often self-funded or supported by employers, particularly where the research benefits the organisation.

Doctorates by publication are usually self-funded, as they involve compiling existing work rather than undertaking a funded research project.

Funding for part-time and distance-learning PhDs is also available, but it may be more limited than for full-time, campus-based study. Some Research Councils, universities and charities offer part-time funding, and certain employers may also provide financial support.

As an online course provider, The Open University provides details of PhD funding opportunities, including its OU-funded studentships.

Distance learning students are sometimes excluded from specific funding schemes, so it's important to carefully check eligibility criteria and explore a mix of funding options, such as:

• loans
• scholarships
• self-funding.

Regardless of route, you may be able to combine funding sources, including:

• employer sponsorship
• fee waivers
• PhD loans
• Research Council funding.

Sort out your funding for postgraduate study.

Find out more

• Explore getting an academic job.
• Consider what to do after completing your PhD.