What Is a PhD?

A Doctor of Philosophy, often a PhD, is a terminal postgraduate degree—or the highest possible academic degree you can earn in a subject. While PhD programmes (or doctorate programmes) usually take three to five years to complete if you have full-time status, some graduate students may take longer as they balance the responsibilities of coursework, original research, and other degree requirements with raising families or working full time. 

With a PhD, you may find opportunities to work as a university professor, a researcher, a consultant, a professional at a nonprofit institution, or an expert in fields relevant to your degree, such as the arts, media, technology, or finance. Earning a PhD can be a rewarding experience if you have intellectual curiosity and dedication. Explore what it takes to earn a PhD, the requirements to apply for a PhD programme, and other factors worth considering.

PhD: Key facts

Generally, students begin their PhD after earning a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree. However, some doctoral programmes may allow you to enter directly after completing a four-year undergraduate degree. 

What can you get a PhD in?

Earning a PhD in several academic disciplines, including the natural sciences, humanities, arts, and social sciences, is possible. In 2022, graduate students received over 32,000 Ph. D.s in India, with the highest number awarded in science, followed by engineering and technology [1]. 

Depending on your university, broad academic fields such as science and maths break down into more specific disciplines. For example, you might get a PhD in physics or chemistry within a physical science department. You might get a PhD in electrical or mechanical engineering within an engineering department. Philosophy, theology, history, economics, or English might fall within a humanities department, while management or business administration could be a specific PhD major within a business department.

Regarding your PhD coursework and research, you will likely concentrate in some area of your larger subject. For example, PhDs in biology may focus on biochemistry or biostatistics, whereas a PhD in Linguistics may concentrate on an area of theoretical syntax. 

Requirements to get a PhD

A full-time PhD programme typically requires three to six years of research under a supervising professor, while a part-time PhD can take four to seven years. To enter a PhD programme, you typically need a relevant bachelor's or master's degree, a passing score on an entrance exam (such as UGC-NET), and acceptable marks. Exact cut-off grade averages and entrance exam requirements vary by institution. You must also receive a No Object Certification (NOC) from the Ministry of Human Resource Development. You may have interviews or other requirements in the later stages of the admission process.

Once you enter a PhD programme, you will need to complete several steps to obtain your degree. The requirements vary by institution, but most follow the same general pattern. You will often have several elective and core course requirements, followed by comprehensive examinations demonstrating subject matter expertise. You may also have teaching and presentation requirements and must submit progress updates periodically.

As this is a research-focused degree, you will also need a specific research proposal under an advisor, for which you will collect, analyse, and interpret data to create a written dissertation. Some universities require your research proposal and application to match you with an advisor and project. Your dissertation is the culmination of your degree, representing your research findings and competency as a research professional. To complete your programme, you will need to defend your findings.

 Research supervisor 

Typically, as a PhD student, you have a faculty member who specialises in your area of interest that serves as your research supervisor. In many cases, the university will admit you to a specific programme and pair you with a mentor because your research interests align with available projects. As you begin working with your research supervisor, you need to discuss expectations early, including working style, procedures, and support offered. 

PhD costs 

According to the IMTS Institute, the typical cost of a PhD programme in India is between INR 50,000 to 1,50,000, depending on the university [2].

Reasons to get a PhD

Earning your PhD can be an immensely rewarding experience, but the degree can be a big commitment, requiring significant time, money, and work. 

Some more reasons you may want to pursue a PhD include:

• Become a subject matter expert in a particular field.

• Conduct the research you are passionate about.

• Develop transferable skills that can help in your professional life. 

• Make a difference in the world with new research.

• Make connections with scholars in your academic community.

• Open up career avenues in academic and research work.

Completing a PhD can reveal to employers that you possess a wide range of competencies that have value in academic and non-academic settings. 

PhD salaries

When earning your PhD, you may get a stipend from the Ministry of Education. As a Junior Research Fellow (JRF), you would earn Rs 37,000; as a Senior Research Fellow (SRF), this increases to Rs 42,000. The highest-paid stipend goes to Research Associates (RAs), who earn Rs 58,000 at level one, Rs 61,000 at level two, and Rs 63,000 at level three [3]. 

According to Glassdoor (February 2025), this salary goes up significantly, with PhD holders earning an average of ₹3,72,000 after graduation [4]. However, as you might imagine, the discipline in which you earn your PhD and your position will greatly affect your earning potential. PhDs in chemistry, civil engineering, computer science and engineering, and mechanical engineering are among some of the top-earning degrees.

PhD vs other terminal degrees

Terminal degrees are the highest degree available in a field of study. While a PhD is the highest academic degree you can earn in a field of study, you can also earn a professional degree in some disciplines, such as a Doctor of Medicine (MD), the highest degree you can earn as a medical professional. 

Professional doctorates fall under a different category of doctorate degrees. Typically, you may pursue one when you're a professional interested in advanced training in their area. The main difference between a professional and an academic doctorate is subject matter and research. While PhDs conduct new research, professional degree students apply existing models and knowledge to solve problems. Professional doctorates are also designed to prepare learners for careers in a certain industry rather than academia. 

Examples of professional doctorates include:

• DBA (Doctor of Business Administration)

• DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice)

Is someone with a PhD a doctor?

You can use the salutation "Dr" to address people with doctorates, including PhDs and other professional degrees. The word "doctor" comes from the Latin word for "teacher," and PhDs are often university professors. While referring to medical doctors as “Dr” has become more common, some professors use the honourific when addressing students and in professional settings.

Explore career and education options with Coursera

PhDs are terminal academic degrees offered in a wide variety of areas. Earning this research-focused degree can enhance your subject-matter expertise, open career opportunities, and increase your earning potential. 

Learning online can be a great way to explore a field you're interested in, discover career paths, and even decide whether a PhD is for you. Consider one of Coursera's Professional Certificates, available from Google, Meta, IBM, Salesforce, and other industry leaders, and gain job-ready skills employers seek.

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