can you get a phd without an undergraduate degree

Can You Get a PhD without a Masters?

Applying to a PhD

Yes, it’s possible to get a PhD without first having a Masters degree .

The conventional route for someone who earns a PhD is to pursue a Bachelor’s degree, followed by a Masters degree and then a PhD. However, several students opt to bypass a Master’s degree by enrolling onto a doctoral programme as soon as they complete their undergraduate degree.

Before we discuss how this can be done, it is worth mentioning the advantages and disadvantages of this route.

Advantages of Applying to a PhD without A Masters

The motivations for undertaking a PhD immediately after an undergraduate course are largely in saving money and time. This is because you will essentially eliminate a year of study. Another advantage of immediately enrolling onto a doctorate degree is project availability. If you find a project that you’re really interested in, it’s unlikely that it will still be available in a years’ time. Therefore, bypassing a Masters and enrolling directly into a PhD will increase your chances of securing the research project before it becomes unavailable.

Disadvantages of Applying to a PhD without A Masters

Although a Masters degree will add a year onto your academic journey, it can be incredibility helpful for your development and can help prepare you for a doctoral degree.

Not having a Master’s degree may prove to be a hindrance during your application process. This is because many other students will also apply to the same research projects, and it’s likely that the majority will hold a Masters. This will put you at a disadvantage to them.

Besides this, the dissertation project you’ll be required to undertake on a Master’s programme will provide you with a taste of what it is like to work on a research-based project. In addition to this, it’s likely that you’ll be able to select your own dissertation topic. As such, you can explore a specific field you’re interested in in further detail. This is a great way to confirm that both research-based work and the specific field you’re interested in are right for you before committing the next few years to it via a PhD.

Another advantage to the dissertation project associated with a Masters degree is the opportunity it provides you with to work closely with a project supervisor. This will help you understand the PhD student-supervisor relationship and communication frequency that works best for you. You can then use this knowledge to find supervisors who would compliment you when it comes time to find a PhD project to apply to. For tips on how to find a great PhD supervisor, check out our supervisor guide .

PhD without a Masters – How Does It Work?

To be considered for a PhD without a Master’s, at a minimum you will be expected to have a Bachelors degree. For students looking to enrol onto a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) PhD, a relevant Bachelors in a 3-year undergraduate course is usually expected. However, this is not the case for students looking to apply to non-STEM PhDs. Rather, students looking to apply to doctorates in subjects such as those surrounding Arts and Humanities are usually expected to have a relevant Bachelors from a 4-year course.

In addition to this, you will need to have demonstrated strong academic performance during your undergraduate course. This means that your Bachelors will need to be at least a UK Upper Second-Class Honours (2.1) for nearly all institutions to consider you.

Should you be accepted into a PhD programme without a Masters, the usual process will be to first register you as an MPhil student. You will then have a year to prepare and submit a thesis. Your thesis will need to detail the research you have carried out within that year and outline how you intend to continue it into a full PhD study. There are three outcomes of this MPhil thesis review:

Failure and you’re not awarded anything.
You pass, however, the supervisor doesn’t believe you’ve demonstrated strong research skills. You’re awarded an MPhil but they do not upgrade your course to a PhD programme.
You pass and the supervisor believes you have proven yourself as a capable researcher. Your course is upgraded to a PhD as opposed to you being awarding an MPhil.

For more information on these outcomes, read the outcomes section of our PhD Viva guide .

Integrated PhD

Some universities offer Integrated PhD degree programmes (also known as an Integrated Masters degree). These are four-year programmes comprising of a one-year Masters degree immediately followed by a three-year PhD degree. These can prove a great option for graduate students who are looking to undertake a PhD without a Masters but are struggling to meet the eligibility requirements. You can read about the many benefits of integrated degrees here .

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

PhD without a Bachelors – Is It Possible?

Yes, it is possible to get a PhD without a Bachelor’s, however, this is extremely uncommon.

When this occurs, it is almost always reserved for very mature individuals. For example, an individual may not be in active academia but still may have significantly contributed to their field. This contribution could be through the work they have undertaken as part of their career, or as part of a long-term study project, they have undertaken out of self-interest.

In either case, the individual would need to prove that they have extensive experience in their field and have directly contributed to new knowledge within it. The key factor here is that their work has pushed the boundaries of existing knowledge. It is not enough for an individual to be regarded as an expert in their field – they must have contributed something new and meaningful. It’s common for individuals awarded a PhD through this means to have produced several publications within their lifetime. It’s also common for the individual to have gained several professional accreditations within their field before even being considered suitable for a PhD research degree.

Universities Offering PhD without a Masters

Unfortunately, there is not a centralised list of universities which offer PhDs without a Master’s degree. The reason for this is that the edibility requirements differ from PhD to PhD and from department to department.

Therefore, you will need to check the guidelines for each individual university and the requirements for each specific PhD you’re interested in.

Should you find a PhD programme you can apply to with a Bachelors, make every effort to make your application as strong as possible. This is because you will be competing against other candidates, most of who will have a Master’s degree.

Not only can you strengthen your application by having a Bachelors with a First-Class Honours (1st), but you can also do so by showing the traits of a successful researcher. This includes showing a genuine interest in the project, a high work ethic, and exceptional communication skills.

Additionally, a strong letter of recommendation from a respected university lecturer will prove very beneficial. This is especially true if the lecturer supervisors his or her own PhD students. This is because the lecturer will understand the skills required for an adept research student.

For more advice on how to apply to a PhD degree, check out our Application Process Guide.

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Do You Need a Master’s to Get a PhD? Not Necessarily

If you’re thinking about becoming an expert in your field by getting a PhD, you might already know how long the road ahead of you may be. Many people dream of getting a PhD, but they often get put off by the time commitment and cost involved before they can even get started.

After all, PhDs can take anywhere from 3 to 8 years to finish — and in some cases, even more. Getting a PhD can be quite a difficult endeavor for people who have jobs , families, and other financial responsibilities to balance along the way.

If you want that coveted PhD without compromising your other responsibilities, you might find yourself asking, “do you need a master’s to get a PhD?”

The short answer is: not necessarily .

Although the traditional route to a PhD often involves getting a master’s degree first, many direct to PhD programs allow academics to skip an MA altogether. Even those with bachelor’s degrees have a decent chance at getting into a PhD program. However, going directly for a doctorate still has its advantages and disadvantages.

Table of Contents

How to Get a PhD Without a Master’s Degree

The minimum requirement to be considered for a PhD is a bachelor’s degree, but your chances of getting accepted will depend on how well you tender your application .

Educational institutions won’t freely advertise that they offer doctorates without master’s degrees. It becomes your task to look into the core beliefs of the universities you’re interested in to see whether you have a chance at success.

When putting together your application, you’ll have to check the universities’ requirements to ensure that your previous academic performance qualifies. The better your qualifications and recommendation letters are, the higher your chances of being considered.

Of course, you may be able to eliminate many of your troubles by going the direct to PhD route, which takes you from undergrad straight into a doctorate program.

PhD Without a Master’s – How Does it Work?

PhD programs that consider candidates who don’t already have a master’s will expect you to have at least a bachelor’s degree.

The expectation can vary depending on the doctorate, but the bare minimum requirement is generally:

A three-year undergraduate degree in a related discipline for STEM PhDs

A relevant four-year undergraduate degree for PhDs in the arts and humanities.

To be considered for a PhD without a master’s, you’ll also need to have a strong academic record from your undergraduate studies. Universities are highly selective when admitting PhD candidates without master’s, so you’ll need to show academic transcripts with a high GPA.

The first way you can study a PhD without a master’s is by applying to a program that allows a direct route from bachelor’s to PhD. There are a number of doctoral programs, especially online ones, that only require you to have an undergraduate degree to apply. Be aware that even if a master’s is not required, you’ll need to submit a strong application, including a compelling research proposal, in order to stand out from other applicants, many of whom may have master’s degrees.

Even if the program normally requires a master’s as a prerequisite, you may be able to get around this by first pursuing an MPhil. Under this process, you’re given a year to prepare a thesis, which outlines your initial research and how you plan to expand on it for a full PhD dissertation. If successful, your MPhil will be upgraded to a doctorate, you’ll become a PhD candidate, and eventually be able to earn a PhD. If you don’t demonstrate strong enough research skills, you may also pass and be awarded an MPhil degree, but won’t be upgraded to a PhD student.

Another option would be to pursue an integrated PhD program, sometimes known as an integrated master’s degree. These are specific courses offered by some colleges that combine a master’s and PhD: if you’re successful, at the end of the course you’ll be awarded both qualifications. Typically, integrated PhD programs last for four years, covering a one-year master’s and a three-year PhD.

How Long Does it Take to Get a PhD Without a Master’s?

Studying a PhD program without a master’s will typically add an extra year to the usual timeline , as you’ll need to spend an additional year either completing an MPhil or as part of an integrated PhD program. Therefore, as most doctorates take three to five years to complete, a PhD without a master’s will usually take between four and six years.

On the other hand, if you choose a PhD program that only requires a bachelor’s degree to join, it will only take the standard length of time for that program, usually three to five years.

Which Universities Offer PhDs Without a Master’s?

Unfortunately, most universities don’t advertise PhD programs without master’s, as candidates are generally accepted on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, admission requirements for PhD programs are usually set by the school or department, so even if one PhD program accepts candidates without master’s degrees, this may not be the case across the university.

If you want to pursue a PhD without a master’s, you’ll need to contact the admissions committee of the programs you’re interested in, and check their requirements.

Is it Possible to Get a PhD Without a Bachelor’s Degree?

It is not impossible to get a PhD without first having a bachelor’s degree, but it is very uncommon. In some rare cases, universities may accept candidates for doctoral programs with extensive professional experience in lieu of an undergraduate qualification.

If you’re able to demonstrate significant contributions to your field through either work or self-directed study, and that you’ve directly contributed new knowledge to the discipline, you may be accepted into a PhD program. You’ll be more likely to be accepted if you’ve been published, preferably multiple times, and have a number of professional accreditations.

Advantages of Going Straight to PhD

The biggest advantage of bypassing a master’s degree is easily the amount of time and money you can save in the process.

An MA can take as short as a year or as long as three to obtain. And when doctorates usually take anywhere from 5-7 years, shaving 1-3 years off can make a huge difference — especially for busy people who want to get ahead in their careers quickly.

Of course, you also won’t need to pay thousands of dollars in tuition fees for an MA. These savings alone are usually enough to convince many people to go for a PhD without master’s degrees slowing them down along the way.

Other benefits you may encounter are:

Grants and Stipends – Another advantage of joining a direct-entry doctorate program is the possibility of obtaining outside funding (if you qualify). Many PhD programs offer students financial assistance in the form of partial funding or full tuition waivers. If you can benefit from financial aid, you might be glad to know that some programs also offer stipends on top of the tuition grants.
Research Projects – As a doctoral candidate, you might want to start or join certain research projects that may be time-sensitive. In cases like these, it’s usually advisable to go directly for PhDs to increase your chances of securing your dream project. If the project you’re looking at is a long-term endeavor, a doctoral program may also be the best route to allow for more in-depth fieldwork and experiments during your studies.
Less Stress and Hassle – Choosing not to go for a master’s degree might help eliminate stress and hassle, such as school applications and potential relocations. Going direct to PhD means you’ll likely only need to move once (if at all) to your chosen school’s area.

Disadvantages of Skipping a Master’s Degree

Although the answer to the question “can you get a PhD without a master’s?” is a resounding yes, it doesn’t always mean that it’s the right choice for everyone.

Going from undergraduate studies straight into a PhD program can be quite a huge adjustment. The program might suddenly expect you to get familiar with new techniques, work, and professional relationships — and fast!

This adjustment period may put you at a disadvantage compared to other doctorate candidates who have previously completed a master’s degree.

Other hindrances you might encounter are:

Difficulty During Applications Process – PhD programs are competitive and often only take the best-qualified applicants. If you’re competing with other students who have master’s degrees, it may affect your chances of securing a spot. However, if you go for a direct to PhD program (undergraduate straight into PhD), it may be possible to avoid this problem.
Less Experience in Research and Dissertation Work – A thesis or dissertation is a major requirement of completing a master’s degree. Skipping an MA means you’re missing out on all of the experience you’d otherwise get in research and fieldwork. You’ll also have less experience actually writing a dissertation.
Less Time to Confirm Your Interests – Working on your master’s thesis will allow you to select a topic that interests you. You usually spend about a year working on your thesis, during which you can explore the topic further to confirm whether it’s really what you want to go into. By skipping the MA, you’re potentially giving up the chance to verify if the field truly interests you before you fully commit to it for the duration of your PhD. Going straight into a doctoral program may also mean that you miss out on the chance to choose your own topic and create your own research proposal.
Missing the Opportunity to Work with a Thesis Supervisor – When doing a master’s degree, postgraduate students work with a thesis supervisor who provides guidance and advice for their projects. Going direct to PhD means you miss out on the experience of working with a supervisor and finding the right types of communication, schedules, and professional relationships for your needs. This means you’ll have to figure all of this out during your doctorate program, which can add to your stress.

So Can you Get a PhD Without a Master’s? Yes, But Not Always

You don’t necessarily need a master’s in order to pursue a PhD. Some PhD programs accept candidates with a bachelor’s degree only, or you may be able to get around a master’s prerequisite by signing up for a MPhil or an integrated PhD program.

The “ideal” doctorate program doesn’t come along often. If you find yourself faced with a choice between pursuing a master’s degree or trying to get into your dream doctoral program, you might want to skip the master’s degree altogether.

Although you may miss out on an MA qualification, often, a finished PhD supersedes the need for one anyway.

Getting a PhD without a master’s degree can be difficult, but it’s certainly not impossible! For more inspiration, take a look at our guides to the highest-paying PhD degrees and the best one-year online PhD programs .

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you skip a master’s and get a phd.

Yes, there are a few ways you may be able to get into a PhD program without completing a master’s first. You could opt for a PhD program that doesn’t require master’s as a prerequisite, or go for a MPhil or integrated PhD program. However, keep in mind that not all universities or programs allow you to apply for a PhD without a master’s.

Can I apply for a PhD after my bachelor’s?

In some cases, you can apply to a PhD program as soon as you’ve finished your undergraduate degree. Some doctoral programs accept candidates with a bachelor’s degree only, though you’ll probably need to have an excellent academic record and a strong research proposal.

Is a PhD better than a master’s?

PhD and master’s degrees are valuable in different ways, so it’s not really fair to say that a PhD is better than a master’s. Although a PhD is a more advanced degree, there are roles and professions that would prefer you to have a master’s rather than a PhD. Master’s programs usually have a more practical, real-world focus, which can be more useful for many roles in the business, non-profit, and government sectors. On the other hand, a PhD is strongly rooted in in-depth research, so prepares candidates to work in research and academia.

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Can you get a PhD without a master’s degree?

Students can bypass a Master's degree to get a PhD in many universities abroad

Traditionally seen as the pinnacle of academic success, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) rigorously prepares you for a career in research and academia that might even earn you the title of “Professor” one day. Getting a PhD is no easy feat, and involves years of gruelling hard work, often with a few life crises and probably thoughts of quitting in between. That said, the question of whether there’s a ‘shortcut’ on how to get a PhD often pops up in student forums and discussions.

Although getting a master’s degree after completing your undergraduate studies is the conventional route taken towards a PhD, you can in fact bypass your master’s degree entirely and go straight into a doctorate programme. Granted, not all subjects or countries have this option, but there’s plenty to go around if you want to save time and money to get your research going.

The University of California, Berkeley , for instance, only admits Bachelor’s degree holders into its political science PhD programme, with a possibility for students to obtain a master’s qualification if they withdraw from the doctoral degree as long as sufficient coursework has been completed. Similarly, you can get a PhD in the Ohio State University’s chemical engineering programme without having done a master’s .

Across the pond, the University of Cambridge can accept students without a master’s degree , where they’ll be placed in a probationary year before progressing into their dissertation. As you can see, various routes are available for direct PhD entry in different fields.

Once again: you don't need a Masters degree to get into a PhD program in America. And there's way more funding for PhD students than MS. Just in case no one told you. — Muneer Yaqub🇺🇸🇳🇬 (@elMunir5) February 21, 2022

How long does it take to get a PhD?

The doctoral degree is primarily a research degree , where you have to come up with your own original ideas and spend some years of fieldwork, lab work, or any other type of real-world practice that will contribute towards your final dissertation.

If you’re wondering why the US is a bit relaxed in terms of entry requirements, it’s probably because a PhD there is almost never a pure research degree, and generally takes a much longer time to complete as a full-time student than in the UK or Australia.

Countries that accept direct BSc degree (from Africa) to PhD i.e. without MSc 📍United States 🇺🇸 (very popular) 📍Hong Kong 🇭🇰 📍Australia 🇦🇺 📍Canada 🇨🇦 📍New Zealand 🇳🇿 Add yours ✌🏽 — Olájídé 𓃵 (@Jamaticulus) February 21, 2022

Many US doctorate programmes begin with coursework and assessments in the first two years. After passing an exam, it’s only then that you’ll start working on your research and dissertation. Overall, you’re looking at a time frame of four to six years full-time if you want to get a PhD in an American university.

Compared to anywhere else, you can get a PhD in the US without forking out any for tuition, even for international students. This is because the programmes there tend to be fully-funded , with enough stipend and income from teaching assistantships to cover your cost of living.

Meanwhile, a PhD in Australia or the UK is generally a pure research degree, where you dive headlong into your dissertation topic from the start of your programme. You’ll already be discussing your doctoral thesis with a supervisor in your first year, starting with a literature review and critiquing existing scholarship on your subject before moving on to independent research in the following years. The programme duration is shorter than in the US — a full-time study takes about three to four years.

How can I get a PhD without a master’s degree as an international student?

Full-time PhD programmes in the US are a few years longer compared to other countries. Source: Roslan Rahman/AFP

It goes without saying that being in good academic standing will go a long way in getting into a PhD programme right after your undergraduate studies, but that’s only part of the equation. PhD applications require more paperwork, including a statement of purpose tailored to the university and recommendation letters from your previous instructors that can vouch for your potential as a candidate.

The best way to get into your programme though? Contact the university directly to express your interest and see what funding package is available based on your circumstances. The graduate admissions page will list what is required for application, where you’ll know if you can be admitted with just a bachelor’s degree.

Although skipping a step to get a PhD sounds ideal, you need to assess if you have the capacity to undertake a high-intensity academic life. A master’s degree might cost you an extra year or two, and a few thousand off your account, but it builds a solid foundation for the kind of discipline and knowledge you will need to survive your PhD.

If you do decide to take the plunge, you might want to look out for programmes that can grant you a master’s qualification along the way, so your hard work pays off in case you choose to withdraw from your PhD in the future.

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Can You Get a PhD Without a Master’s?

If you’re currently studying for your bachelor’s degree and are interested in doing a PhD, you may be wondering: can you get a PhD without a master’s?

The Benefits of Doing a Master’s Degree Before a PhD

A master’s degree allows someone to gain additional skills, research experience and domain-specific knowledge. When a supervisor is looking for potential PhD students, amongst other things they want to see that a candidate has:

Interest in the subject
Research experience
Subject knowledge

Suitability for a PhD does not always require a master’s . But it is a convenient way to provide evidence for your suitability and commitment to research.

Therefore from a supervisor’s perspective, a master’s can provide evidence of these attributes. Having a master’s gives a little more assurance for the supervisor that you’re prepared for the work involved with a PhD. But not having a master’s absolutely does not have to be a barrier!

Already carried out a long research project as part of your bachelor’s degree and want to do a PhD in an area you have knowledge in? You may be able to convince a supervisor that you’re already prepared.

A few less substantial reasons people sometimes consider doing a separate master’s are:

If for any reason your performance during the bachelor’s degree wasn’t ideal, doing a separate master’s provides another qualification to be assessed against.
If you’re transitioning to a different research area it is the obvious way to gain knowledge.
A chance to experience another [potentially more prestigious*] university.

My experience: Early on in your undergraduate degree and interested in doing a PhD? I thoroughly recommend getting as much research experience as possible. Even if you don’t have the opportunity to undertake much research during your course, UROPs are a fantastic way to spend your summer. During my PhD I had help from a few UROP students. One of them has even co-authored a paper with me. I wish that I had done one as an undergraduate!

*I really dislike the idea of considering the prestige of a university and the associated meritocracy , but sadly there is no getting away from the fact that it boosts career prospects.

So Can You Get a PhD Without a Master’s?

If you’re starting to look at PhDs and don’t yet have a master’s, there are two things you can do to get an idea of whether or not you’re likely to need a master’s first:

Check Advertised PhDs

Looking at a PhD advert such as via FindAPhD.com? Check the listed candidate requirements on the advertisement.

Sometimes a master’s isn’t mentioned:

Can you get a PhD without a master's? In this Manchester university PhD advert no mention is made of a need to have a master's.

Sometimes doing a master’s is a suggested advantage:

Do you need a master's to do a PhD? In this Loughborough university PhD advert a master's degree is listed as an advantage.

Here is a post detailing how you can find available PhD projects .

Ask the Academic

The most definitive answer you’ll receive for whether you can get a PhD without a master’s will be by contacting supervisors directly.

Often as soon as you start a conversation with potential supervisors they’ll ask to look over a copy of your CV. There is nothing wrong with being bold and checking whether you’re currently qualified enough to stand a competitive chance of getting a PhD.

My experience: When I was considering PhDs I emailed an academic saying I was interested in applying for a project with them but was worried I didn’t have relevant experience. Within 24 hours he had replied saying “Unfortunately, I’m not confident that you’d be selected if you applied as other candidates who have expressed an interest in applying had more relevant experience” Although disappointing, it’s much better to find this out quickly so that you can move on. I already had a master’s but not in a relevant area. If I’d desperately wanted to pursue this research area an obvious means to transition across and gain experience would have been with a master’s.

My Observations

I don’t believe that there are strict guidelines stating that you have to have a master’s. As shown in the adverts above, it is oftenseen as an advantage but is rarely strictly necessary.

Of the people I worked with during my PhD, not everyone had done a master’s.

Most of the people who had a master’s did it as a 4-year integrated master’s. This is common in certain sciences and engineering, and is exactly what I did . However, several people had not done a master’s before starting their PhDs. Including the guy I sat next to for all of my own PhD at Imperial.

Getting a bachelor’s degree outside of the UK will typically take one or two years longer than in the UK. Therefore international students in particular may be able to evidence their experience without a master’s.

Fancy getting a master’s as well as a PhD? Read on to find out how you could get paid to do both!

Don’t Yet Have a Master’s? Consider CDTs!

What are cdts.

In the UK there are many Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs, sometimes known as DTCs) and it is worth drawing your attention to them if you don’t already have a master’s degree. CDTs offer combined funded Master’s + PhD programmes. You’ll be part of the relatively rare breed getting paid to do a master’s!

These centres are funded via the research councils and provide training for students around a certain theme. FindAPhD.com has a nice post which includes links to funded CDT projects . CDTs cover a huge range of themes. For example just within AI research there are 16 CDTs all for different themes:

The idea is that students from different backgrounds can get training and become proficient at helping to solve problems around the central theme of the CDT. In the first year you’ll have a mix of lectures and smaller projects to get a taste of different research topics. During the first year you’ll also choose your PhD topic. You will then spend three years working on that project before submitting your thesis.

Pros and Cons of CDTs

The advantages are:

You’re part of a cohort so will likely have a greater sense of community and support versus a typical PhD project
You get training and will learn new skills before deciding on a PhD project
If you know you want to work in a certain research area but don’t yet know exactly what project you want to work on yet
You get both a PhD and a master’s at the end, all of which is funded!

Potential disadvantages I can think of for doing a PhD through a CDT are:

Taking a year longer than a normal PhD if you already know what you want to work on
Your PhD position with a certain supervisor isn’t definite before you start. I’ve anecdotally heard of issues where many of the students in the cohort want to work with the same supervisor and of course not all of them can. On the flipside the flexibility in supervisors is an advantage for many.

How much do students earn doing a master’s and PhD through a CDT? Funding for students at CDTs is covered here . UKRI, the body that funds all nine UK research councils , has some case studies of CDT-PhD students which you can find on the various research council websites.

When looking for PhDs, I applied to two CDTs. If I hadn’t already been happy with my offer to study for my specific project at Imperial I’d have loved to have done one. I think they’re a great idea. Particularly if you are transitioning to a research area which differs from the subject of your bachelor’s degree.

Finding Suitable CDTs

As well as using a search engine, you can search for CDTs on FindAPhD.com by selecting PhD Research Programme and then choosing from the list:

Interested in Applying for a PhD?

Hopefully this post shows that you don’t need to be too put off applying for PhDs if you don’t have a master’s. Many people are successful in their PhD application without a master’s if they got research experience during their bachelor’s degree. And if you do fancy getting a master’s and PhD now you know that studying in a CDT could be a great option.

Interested in applying for a PhD? Here is my post covering the PhD applications process. It includes all the steps to apply and tips from successful PhD applicants:

How to apply for a PhD

If you’d like personalised help with your PhD application I am now starting to offer a small number of one-to-one sessions. Please contact me to find out more or click here to book a call.

So can you get a PhD without a master’s? Quite possibly, but a master’s could benefit your application.

Have you got other PhD questions you want answered? Please let me know!

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9 things you should consider before embarking on a PhD

June 23, 2021 | 15 min read

By Andy Greenspon

The ideal research program you envision is not what it appears to be

Editor's Note: When Andy Greenspon wrote this article, he was a first-year student in Applied Physics at Harvard. Now he has completed his PhD. — Alison Bert, June 23, 2021

If you are planning to apply for a PhD program, you're probably getting advice from dozens of students, professors, administrators your parents and the Internet. Sometimes it's hard to know which advice to focus on and what will make the biggest difference in the long-run. So before you go back to daydreaming about the day you accept that Nobel Prize, here are nine things you should give serious thought to. One or more of these tips may save you from anguish and help you make better decisions as you embark on that path to a PhD.

1. Actively seek out information about PhD programs.

Depending on your undergraduate institution, there may be more or less support to guide you in selecting a PhD program – but there is generally much less than when you applied to college.

On the website of my physics department, I found a page written by one of my professors, which listed graduate school options in physics and engineering along with resources to consult. As far as I know, my career center did not send out much information about PhD programs. Only after applying to programs did I find out that my undergraduate website had a link providing general information applicable to most PhD programs. This is the kind of information that is available all over the Internet.

So don't wait for your career center or department to lay out a plan for you. Actively seek it out from your career center counselors, your professors, the Internet — and especially from alumni from your department who are in or graduated from your desired PhD program. First-hand experiences will almost always trump the knowledge you get second-hand.

2. A PhD program is not simply a continuation of your undergraduate program.

Many students don't internalize this idea until they have jumped head-first into a PhD program. The goal is not to complete an assigned set of courses as in an undergraduate program, but to develop significant and original research in your area of expertise. You will have required courses to take, especially if you do not have a master's degree yet, but these are designed merely to compliment your research and provide a broad and deep knowledge base to support you in your research endeavors.

At the end of your PhD program, you will be judged on your research, not on how well you did in your courses. Grades are not critical as long as you maintain the minimum GPA requirement, and you should not spend too much time on courses at the expense of research projects. Graduate courses tend to be designed to allow you to take away what you will find useful to your research more than to drill a rigid set of facts and techniques into your brain.

3. Take a break between your undergraduate education and a PhD program.

You are beginning your senior year of college, and your classmates are asking you if you are applying to graduate school. You think to yourself, "Well, I like studying this topic and the associated research, and I am going to need a PhD if I want to be a professor or do independent research, so I might as well get it done as soon as possible." But are you certain about the type of research you want to do? Do you know where you want to live for the next five years? Are you prepared to stay in an academic environment for nine years straight?

Many people burn out or end up trudging through their PhD program without a thought about what lies outside of or beyond it. A break of a year or two or even more may be necessary to gain perspective. If all you know is an academic environment, how can you compare it to anything else? Many people take a job for five or more years before going back to get their PhD. It is true though that the longer you stay out of school, the harder it is to go back to an academic environment with lower pay and a lack of set work hours. A one-year break will give you six months or so after graduation before PhD applications are due. A two-year gap might be ideal to provide time to identify your priorities in life and explore different areas of research without having school work or a thesis competing for your attention.

Getting research experience outside of a degree program can help focus your interests and give you a leg up on the competition when you finally decide to apply. It can also help you determine whether you will enjoy full-time research or if you might prefer an alternative career path that still incorporates science, for example, in policy, consulting or business — or a hybrid research job that combines scientific and non-scientific skills.

I will be forever grateful that I chose to do research in a non-academic environment for a year between my undergraduate and PhD programs. It gave me the chance to get a feel for doing nothing but research for a full year. Working at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in the Space Division, I was the manager of an optics lab, performing spectroscopic experiments on rocks and minerals placed in a vacuum chamber. While my boss determined the overall experimental design, I was able to make my own suggestions for experiments and use my own discretion in how to perform them. I presented this research at two national conferences as well — a first for me. I was also able to learn about other research being performed there, determine which projects excited me the most, and thus narrow down my criteria for a PhD program.

4. Your current area of study does not dictate what you have to study in graduate school.

You might be studying the function and regulation of membrane proteins or doing a computational analysis of the conductivity of different battery designs, but that doesn't mean your PhD project must revolve around similar projects. The transition between college or another research job to a PhD program is one of the main transitions in your life when it is perfectly acceptable to completely change research areas.

If you are doing computation, you may want to switch to lab-based work or vice versa. If you are working in biology but have always had an interest in photonics research, now is the time to try it out. You may find that you love the alternative research and devote your PhD to it, you might hate it and fall back on your previous area of study — or you may even discover a unique topic that incorporates both subjects.

One of the best aspects of the PhD program is that you can make the research your own. Remember, the answer to the question "Why are you doing this research?" should not be "Well, because it's what I've been working on for the past few years already."While my undergraduate research was in atomic physics, I easily transitioned into applied physics and materials science for my PhD program and was able to apply much of what I learned as an undergraduate to my current research. If you are moving from the sciences to a non-STEM field such as social sciences or humanities, this advice can still apply, though the transition is a bit more difficult and more of a permanent commitment.

5. Make sure the PhD program has a variety of research options, and learn about as many research groups as possible in your first year.

Even if you believe you are committed to one research area, you may find that five years of such work is not quite what you expected. As such, you should find a PhD program where the professors are not all working in the same narrowly focused research area. Make sure there are at least three professors working on an array of topics you could imagine yourself working on.

In many graduate programs, you are supposed to pick a research advisor before even starting. But such arrangements often do not work out, and you may be seeking a new advisor before you know it. That's why many programs give students one or two semesters to explore different research areas before choosing a permanent research advisor.

In your first year, you should explore the research of a diverse set of groups. After touring their labs, talking to the students, or sitting in on group meetings, you may find that this group is the right one for you.

In addition, consider the importance of who your research advisor will be. This will be the person you interact with regularly for five straight years and who will have a crucial influence on your research. Do you like their advising style? Does their personality mesh with yours? Can you get along? Of course, the research your advisor works on is critical, but if you have large disagreements at every meeting or do not get helpful advice on how to proceed with your research, you may not be able to succeed. At the very least, you must be able to handle your advisor's management of the lab and advising style if you are going to be productive in your work. The Harvard program I enrolled in has professors working on research spanning from nanophotonics to energy materials and biophysics, covering my wide range of interests. By spending time in labs and offices informally chatting with graduate students, I found an advisor whose personality and research interests meshed very well with me. Their genuine enthusiasm for this advisor and their excitement when talking about their research was the best input I could have received.

6. Location is more important than you think — but name recognition is not.

The first consideration in choosing a PhD program should be, "Is there research at this university that I am passionate about?" After all, you will have to study this topic in detail for four or more years. But when considering the location of a university, your first thought should not be, "I'm going to be in the lab all the time, so what does it matter if I'm by the beach, in a city, or in the middle of nowhere." Contrary to popular belief, you will have a life outside of the lab, and you will have to be able to live with it for four or more years. Unlike when you were an undergraduate, your social and extracurricular life will revolve less around the university community, so the environment of the surrounding area is important. Do you need a city atmosphere to be productive? Or is your ideal location surrounded by forests and mountains or by a beach? Is being close to your family important? Imagine what it will be like living in the area during the times you are not doing research; consider what activities will you do and how often will you want to visit family.

While many of the PhD programs that accepted me had research that truly excited me, the only place I could envision living for five or more years was Boston, as the city I grew up near and whose environment and culture I love, and to be close to my family.

While location is more important than you think, the reputation and prestige of the university is not. In graduate school, the reputation of the individual department you are joining — and sometimes even the specific research group you work in — are more important. There, you will develop research collaborations and professional connections that will be crucial during your program and beyond. When searching for a job after graduation, other scientists will look at your specific department, the people you have worked with and the research you have done.

At the Asgard Irish Pub in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Andy Greenspon talks with fellow graduate students from Harvard and MIT at an Ask for Evidence workshop organized by Sense About Science. He grew up near Boston and chose to go to graduate school there.

7. Those time management skills you developed in college? Develop them further.

After surviving college, you may think you have mastered the ability to squeeze in your coursework, extracurricular activities and even some sleep. In a PhD program, time management reaches a whole new level. You will not only have lectures to attend and homework to do. You will have to make time for your research, which will include spending extended periods of time in the lab, analyzing data, and scheduling time with other students to collaborate on research.

Also, you will most likely have to teach for a number of semesters, and you will want to attend any seminar that may be related to your research or that just peaks your interest. To top it all off, you will still want to do many of those extracurricular activities you did as an undergraduate. While in the abstract, it may seem simple enough to put this all into your calendar and stay organized, you will find quickly enough that the one hour you scheduled for a task might take two or three hours, putting you behind on everything else for the rest of the day or forcing you to cut other planned events. Be prepared for schedules to go awry, and be willing to sacrifice certain activities. For some, this might be sleep; for others, it might be an extracurricular activity or a few seminars they were hoping to attend. In short, don't panic when things don't go according to plan; anticipate possible delays and be ready to adapt.

8. Expect to learn research skills on the fly – or take advantage of the training your department or career center offers.

This may be the first time you will have to write fellowship or grant proposals, write scientific papers, attend conferences, present your research to others, or even peer-review scientific manuscripts. From my experience, very few college students or even PhD students receive formal training on how to perform any of these tasks. Usually people follow by example. But this is not always easy and can be quite aggravating sometimes. So seek out talks or interactive programs offered by your department or career center. The effort will be well worth it when you realize you've become quite adept at quickly and clearly explaining your research to others and at outlining scientific papers and grant proposals. Alternatively, ask a more experienced graduate student or your advisor for advice on these topics. In addition, be prepared for a learning curve when learning all the procedures and processes of the group you end up working in. There may be many new protocols to master, whether they involve synthesizing chemicals, growing bacterial cells, or aligning mirrors on an optical table. In addition, the group may use programming languages or data analysis software you are unfamiliar with. Don't get discouraged but plan to spend extra effort getting used to these procedures and systems. After working with them regularly, they will soon become second nature. When I first started my job at Johns Hopkins, I felt overwhelmed by all the intricacies of the experiment and definitely made a few mistakes, including breaking a number of optical elements. But by the end of my year there, I had written an updated protocol manual for the modifications I had made to the experimental procedures and was the "master" passing on my knowledge to the next person taking the job.

9. There are no real breaks.

In a stereotypical "9-to-5" job, when the workday is over or the weekend arrives, you can generally forget about your work. And a vacation provides an even longer respite. But in a PhD program, your schedule becomes "whenever you find time to get your work done." You might be in the lab during regular work hours or you might be working until 10 p.m. or later to finish an experiment. And the only time you might have available to analyze data might be at 1 a.m. Expect to work during part of the weekend, too. Graduate students do go on vacations but might still have to do some data analysis or a literature search while away.

As a PhD student, it might be hard to stop thinking about the next step in an experiment or that data sitting on your computer or that paper you were meaning to start. While I imagine some students can bifurcate their mind between graduate school life and everything else, that's quite hard for many of us to do. No matter what, my research lies somewhere in the back of my head. In short, your schedule is much more flexible as a PhD student, but as a result, you never truly take a break from your work.

While this may seem like a downer, remember that you should have passion for the research you work on (most of the time), so you should be excited to think up new experiments or different ways to consider that data you have collected. Even when I'm lying in bed about to fall asleep, I am sometimes ruminating about aspects of my experiment I could modify or what information I could do a literature search on to gain new insights. A PhD program is quite the commitment and rarely lives up to expectations – but it is well worth the time and effort you will spend for something that truly excites you.

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Andy greenspon.

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6 September 2023

7 minutes read

PhD without a Masters in the USA: A Comprehensive Guide

Dirghayu Kaushik

Key Takeaways:

Direct Entry to PhD: Many U.S. universities now offer programs allowing students to pursue a PhD directly after completing their bachelor’s degree, bypassing the master’s.
Time and Cost Efficiency: This pathway saves time and money, reducing the overall duration and cost of higher education.
Research Focus: Direct PhD programs emphasize intensive research, allowing students to delve deeply into their field of study from an early stage.
Stringent Criteria: Admission to these programs is competitive, with a strong emphasis on undergraduate academic performance and research experience.
Varied by Field: Availability and norms of direct PhD programs can vary significantly across different academic disciplines and universities.

In recent years, a paradigm shift has been evident in the academic landscape. The USA, known for its rigorous academic structure, has begun to adapt and transform. Many universities now offer candidates the chance to pursue a PhD without a master’s degree.

Such an option seems tempting for those looking to save time and dive directly into research. This direct entry, or “bachelor’s to PhD,” program is a welcome change for many aspiring scholars.

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Why the Sudden Shift?

The educational field is dynamic, and constantly evolving based on societal needs and scientific progress. As global challenges become more complex, there’s a demand for in-depth, specialized research.

This means a longer time spent on research rather than course completion. The direct PhD route facilitates just that – more time on research, and less on course study.

Universities Leading the Way

Several top-tier universities are at the forefront of this transition. For instance, a student aiming for a PhD in Computer Science or Bioengineering might find the direct PhD path available, whereas it might not be the case for someone seeking a degree in History or Philosophy . Always ensure you check specific departmental guidelines.

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Why Consider a PhD Without a Master’s Degree?

The lure of diving straight into research after an undergraduate program has several enticing advantages.

Duration and Costs

The primary advantage for many is the saved time. Traditionally, students spend two years in a master’s program, followed by 4-6 years for a PhD. By opting for a direct PhD, one might shave off a couple of years from their academic journey. This not only translates to saved time but also reduced tuition and associated costs.

Early Start to Research

Starting research early means a more extended period for deep study and the potential to make significant breakthroughs. Additionally, diving directly into research post-bachelors can lead to early publications, making the candidate’s academic profile stronger.

Admission Criteria: Candidates for direct PhD programs must demonstrate academic excellence, particularly in their major-specific courses, and have significant undergraduate research experience.

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Eligibility and Admission Criteria

Jumping from a bachelor’s program to a PhD isn’t a walk in the park. Admission criteria are often more stringent for direct PhD applicants.

Demonstrating Academic Excellence

Universities typically expect a stellar undergraduate academic record, emphasizing strong grades in major-specific courses. It’s also not just about grades – active participation in relevant seminars, workshops, and other academic events can enhance a candidate’s profile.

Research Experience and Recommendations

An essential criterion is demonstrable undergraduate research experience. Potential PhD candidates must have participated in significant research projects and ideally have some publications or research reports to showcase.

Furthermore, having recommendation letters from known figures in the field or previous research supervisors can considerably strengthen an application.

Program Availability: The availability of direct PhD programs varies across disciplines and institutions. For example, fields like Computer Science and Bioengineering at institutions such as MIT and Stanford offer direct PhD options, while other fields and universities might not.

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Universities Offering Direct PhD Programs

As the appeal of direct PhD programs grows, many universities across the USA have adopted this approach, allowing students to delve into intensive research immediately after their bachelor’s.

However, the offerings and requirements vary from one institution to another, and often from one department to another within the same university. Here’s an expanded look into some of the universities leading the charge and their specific programs:

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT has always been at the forefront of innovation, and its approach to graduate studies is no different. Several departments within MIT allow for a direct PhD pathway:

Biology: The department seeks candidates with a strong foundation in biology and other sciences. Undergraduate research experience is a significant plus.
Electrical Engineering & Computer Science: This department often values a blend of academic excellence and demonstrable skills, such as coding or design projects.

Stanford University

Stanford is another top-tier institution where certain departments entertain direct PhD applications:

Chemistry: Aside from a stellar academic record, the department values candidates with laboratory experience and those who’ve contributed to research publications.
Physics: A strong foundation in physics, proven through coursework, and undergraduate research, often sets successful candidates apart.

University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

UC Berkeley has a wide array of programs, some of which allow candidates to transition directly from their bachelors:

Molecular & Cell Biology: Here, the emphasis is on in-depth knowledge of biology and related disciplines. Candidates with research papers or projects often have an edge.
Environmental Science, Policy, & Management: This interdisciplinary program values candidates with a broad perspective on environmental issues and ideally some fieldwork or research experience.

Princeton University

At Princeton , the blend of traditional academic values with forward thinking has led to the adoption of direct PhD programs in select departments:

Mathematics: A profound understanding of advanced mathematics, as well as participation in relevant seminars, workshops, or Olympiads, can be beneficial.
Neuroscience: The department seeks individuals keen on exploring the frontiers of brain science. Laboratory experience, especially with techniques such as fMRI or electrophysiology, can be a plus.

Caltech (California Institute of Technology)

Caltech , renowned for its research contributions, also offers some direct-to-PhD programs:

Aeronautics: Candidates with a background in engineering, physics, or applied mathematics and a penchant for aerospace studies stand out.
Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics: Those with a deep understanding of chemistry and biology, complemented by laboratory experience, are often favored.

Tips for Aspirants

Before diving into the application process:

Research Thoroughly: Understand the specific requirements of your desired program and department. Some might prioritize academic grades while others may emphasize research experience.
Engage with Current Students: Connecting with PhD students can provide a clearer picture of what to expect and how to strengthen your application.
Seek Guidance: From academic advisors to professors, gathering feedback can fine-tune your application, making it more aligned with what the department seeks.

While the option of direct PhD programs is increasingly available, it’s essential to understand that each university and department will have its specific criteria.

Being well-researched, prepared, and proactive can make a significant difference in the application process. The journey might be intense, but the rewards, both intellectual and professional, are profound.

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Need-to-Know Before Applying

Before embarking on the application journey, it’s essential to ensure you’re a good fit. Thoroughly research the program, faculty, available resources, and funding opportunities. Getting in touch with current PhD students or alumni can provide invaluable insights.

Challenges of a Direct PhD Path

Pursuing a PhD immediately after obtaining a bachelor’s degree is undoubtedly a unique and commendable academic route. While there are significant advantages to this path, it’s not without its hurdles.

Let’s delve deeper into the challenges that candidates may face when choosing a direct PhD path and ways to navigate these challenges effectively:

The Intensity of the Learning Curve

Entering a PhD program straight from an undergraduate degree can be a bit of a culture shock for many:

Depth Over Breadth: While bachelor’s programs typically offer a broad understanding of a field, PhDs require intense specialization. This transition from a general to a highly specialized focus can be demanding.
Advanced Coursework: Direct PhD students may find themselves in advanced courses with peers who have a master’s under their belt. This can make the initial semesters particularly challenging as they grapple with complex topics without the cushioning of intermediary subjects.

Adapting to the Research Rigor

PhD programs are research-intensive, which is a significant transition from undergraduate studies:

Research Autonomy: Unlike structured undergraduate lab exercises, PhD research is often self-directed. This requires independent problem-solving, a skill that takes time to cultivate.
Publication Pressure: There’s an emphasis on producing publishable results in PhD programs. Navigating the world of academic publishing, from selecting suitable journals to responding to reviewer comments, can be a steep learning curve.

Potential Missed Networking Opportunities

A master’s program is more than just academic coursework. It often provides students with a chance to network and form connections:

Limited Alumni Connections: Going straight to a PhD might mean you miss out on two sets of alumni networks – one from your master’s and one from your PhD.
Fewer Peer Collaborations: Master’s programs often involve group projects and collaborations, which can lead to long-lasting professional relationships. Direct PhD candidates might need to be more proactive in seeking such collaborative opportunities.

Social and Emotional Adjustments

The personal adjustments and sacrifices inherent in any PhD program can be particularly accentuated in a direct PhD route:

Younger Peer Group: Being younger than many of your peers might lead to feelings of isolation or imposter syndrome.
Lack of Break: Many students use the time between a bachelor’s and a PhD for personal development, travel, or gaining industry experience. Jumping straight into a PhD means you’re back in the academic grind without a significant break.

Navigating Financial Complexities

While getting to the finish line faster might seem cost-effective, there are financial considerations:

Funding Challenges: Some funding opportunities or scholarships might be tailored specifically for master’s students. Direct PhD students need to be more resourceful in seeking financial support.
Longer Commitment: If you’re self-funding, remember that a PhD is a long-term financial commitment. Ensure you have a clear understanding of costs and potential financial strain.

Strategies for Overcoming Challenges

Mentorship: Seek out mentors early on, both within and outside your department. Their guidance can be invaluable.
Networking: Attend conferences, workshops, and seminars to broaden your network and gain exposure to various facets of your field.
Self-Care: Recognize the signs of burnout and stress. Engage in activities outside academia to maintain a balanced life.
Open Communication: Discuss your challenges with your PhD supervisor. They can offer guidance, resources, or even adjust your research load if needed.

Opting for a direct PhD path is a commendable and ambitious decision. However, it’s imperative for candidates to be aware of the potential challenges. With foresight, preparation, and the right support system, these hurdles can be effectively navigated, leading to a rewarding academic journey.

Adjusting to the Research Intensity

A PhD program is undeniably intense. The depth of research, long hours in the lab or library, and the pressure to publish can be overwhelming. Candidates who haven’t experienced the intermediary step of a master’s might find this transition especially taxing.

Networking and Building Relationships

One often overlooked benefit of a master’s program is the networking opportunities it presents. Direct PhD students might need to put in extra effort to establish connections in their field, attend conferences, and collaborate on research.

The prospect of pursuing a PhD without a master’s degree in the USA is both exciting and challenging. It offers a unique pathway for ambitious students eager to delve into research.

However, it’s essential to consider all aspects, from advantages to inherent challenges, before making a decision. Research thoroughly, engage with current students, and reflect on your long-term goals to ensure this path aligns with your academic and professional aspirations.

Schedule Your Expert Call Now: Ready to navigate the college application process with ease? Schedule a call with our mentor at your convenience. We’re here to offer personalized solutions and expert guidance.

Is it common to get accepted into a direct PhD program without research experience?

While it’s possible, it’s relatively rare. Research experience is often a significant criterion for acceptance.

Do all universities in the USA offer a direct PhD after a bachelor’s?

No, while the trend is growing, not all universities or departments offer this option. Always check the specific department’s guidelines.

How can I enhance my chances of acceptance for a direct PhD?

Strengthen your profile with solid undergraduate research, obtain strong recommendation letters, and demonstrate clarity in your research goals through your statement of purpose.

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Share across your social media if you found it helpful

• Why the Sudden Shift?
• Why Consider a PhD Without a Master’s Degree?
• Eligibility and Admission Criteria
• Universities Offering Direct PhD Programs
• Challenges of a Direct PhD Path
• Conclusion

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A PhD Without A Masters Degree

The PhD usually came after the Bachelor’s degree for many years in the United Kingdom. There was no real need to successfully gain a Master’s degree before embarking on this mammoth task of empirical research. Whilst some undergraduate degrees still lead to a Master’s qualification, and many people still complete Master degrees, it is possible to do a PhD without a Masters degree .

Firstly, your creative ideas are novel which allows for innovative, fresh approaches, in addition to exerted interest and enthusiasm for an area of study. Secondly, a Master’s degree can be quite expensive and although there are bursaries and schemes available they often still require costly personal financial contributions. Thirdly, pursuing a PhD without a Master’s degree reduces the amount of time on your studies, allowing you to follow a desired career path that motivates and excites you.

Disadvantages

The Master’s degree exists to show that the student can study at a higher level and this qualification allows you to practice the necessary research skills. This also determines if committing to a large research project is right for you. Additionally, the Master’s dissertation forms a part of the PhD in several British universities, so you are potentially gaining one to two extra years to make your original contribution to the field of study.

Applications

As with any PhD application , it is important to check your eligibility with the universities you have chosen to apply to. Different institutions have varying regulations, and in some cases, a Master’s degree might be compulsory. Also, make sure you have lots of evidence in your application about why you would make a good doctoral student by presenting concrete examples of your work at the equivalent of Master’s degree level. Additionally, be clear that you are motivated and determined to add to a body of knowledge through innovative, empirical research that requires stamina, hard work, determination and collaboration.

Coping strategies

The first few months can be overwhelming, but it is important to remember that you have been accepted as a doctoral student. This confirms that a panel of experts believe that you can achieve such a prestigious degree.

In your first term try and reread your research proposal once a week and review it critically. The nature of research is that it changes but it is also useful to remember what you proposed to do. Critical thinking is essential throughout the process.

Avail of the PhD support within the university. Regularly meet with supervisors and other doctoral researchers as support is necessary during this journey, especially in year one. Sign up to university workshops about PhD research – many run one-day skills sessions covering everything from communication to project managing. As a PhD student, you are part of a community of other doctoral researchers and this can be a great source of advice and wisdom, plus a great way of meeting new people.

In your first term, you should have regular and consistent supervision meetings. This allows your research team to set clear time goals and confirm milestones which you can work towards.

And remember, with consistent hard work, dedication, determination, collaboration and a critical mind, you will achieve your PhD .

Find your PhD here .

What is a PhD and Why Should YOU do one?

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Dr Denise White FRSA is a multi-award-winning intellectual disability and music expert. Having over 25 years’ experience in the field of early years, primary, post-primary, special educational needs, further and higher education, Denise is known for her innovative and creative teaching methods that transforms lives. She is an advocate for inclusive and community-based ethical learning and teaching models.

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Can you do a PhD without honours?

Study tips Published 24 Jun, 2024 · 3-minute read

Wondering if your academic experience qualifies you for a Doctor of Philosophy? Here’s a guide to help you determine which pathway to a PhD is right for you – with or without an honours degree.

Some people know immediately that they love research. For them, studying an honours degree is an obvious choice, because it provides the most straightforward path to eventually completing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

But what about those of us who discover our passion for research later? What if you've already finished a bachelor’s degree that didn’t have an honours year built into it?

Well, don't give up on your research dreams too quickly. You may be able to complete a 1-year honours degree as an extension of your bachelor’s degree. For example, UQ offers standalone honours degrees to complement almost all of our undergraduate study areas – from communication and commerce to midwifery and mathematics.

And a standalone honours year isn’t your only way forward, either. Because you can do a PhD without completing an honours degree. In fact, having an honours degree on your transcript is only one of multiple pathways available.

Let’s explore all your options for getting PhD-ready.

PhD pathway #1: bachelor’s degree with honours or a standalone honours degree

If you’ve completed a bachelor’s degree with built-in honours by research* or a standalone honours degree, and you achieved first class or second class (division A) honours or higher, most universities will consider you for their PhD program. This is because an honours degree provides the research experience to prepare you for what’s in store.

*If your bachelor’s degree included an honours year, this will only help qualify you for a PhD program if the honours component was a research project.

At UQ, you’ll need your honours to be in an area related to your proposed PhD topic , and you’ll need to have completed it within the last 10 years.

PhD pathway #2: master’s degree

You could be eligible for a PhD program if you’ve completed a research master’s degree (typically a Master of Philosophy ) or a coursework master’s degree* with a relevant research component. Just like with an honours degree, your master’s degree will need to be relevant to your PhD topic and completed no more than 10 years ago.

*At UQ, you’ll need to have maintained a grade point average (GPA) of 5.65 or higher in your coursework master’s degree to be considered for a PhD.

PhD pathway #3: research experience

Whether you can do a PhD without having completed an honours degree or a master’s degree ultimately comes down to demonstrating your ‘research preparedness’.

You may be considered for a PhD if you can provide evidence of considerable research experience (at least 2 years). This proof should demonstrate that you’re capable of planning and executing a body of research with some independence. Examples include:

substantial contributions to scholarly papers in recognised academic journals
significant contributions to research or technical reports for industry, government or business (the reports must adhere to academic publishing conventions)
a portfolio of published creative work alongside critical, scholarly discussion of that work
industry or work experience in which you’ve planned and executed a research project with a high level of independence.

Even with demonstrated research experience, you’ll also need an approved degree, such as a bachelor’s degree or a postgraduate diploma.

Learn more about UQ’s PhD entry requirements

Which PhD pathway is best?

There really isn’t a ‘best’ path to getting into a PhD program. It just depends on what stage of your academic journey you’re at when you realise you'd like to pursue a higher degree by research.

The factor that all pathways have in common is that you need demonstrated experience in conducting research. Because a PhD isn’t suited to someone learning the ropes and testing the waters – it's for proven scholars who have already discovered their passion for research.

Thinking about applying for a PhD soon? Want some tips for finding a supervisor or writing your proposal? Explore all aspects of starting your research degree in our comprehensive guide: How to get a PhD .

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Entering the PHD Program without going through a Master's Program

Are there any PHD (engineering) students here who don't have a master's and applied directly after they finished their undergrad degree? If so what is the experience of entering the program without a Masters. Edit: Masters automatically changed to Master's

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Department of Geography

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. is a different kind of degree from the master’s degree. A doctoral candidate in geography must be capable of making original contributions to knowledge and scholarship. For the students to make such contributions, they must concentrate on a narrow and clearly defined field of study. We require, however, that doctoral candidates know more of geography than their particular specialties; thus, any aspirant for a doctorate must obtain master’s training or its equivalent before being admitted to doctoral candidacy. In short, admission to doctoral candidacy is official recognition that a student’s general foundation in the breadth of geography is satisfactory. Students then devote their attention to developing depth in chosen specialties.

The general requirements for a doctoral degree in geography are more rigorous than those for a master’s degree. At the same time, the greater flexibility of the doctoral program allows advanced students to pursue programs of study tailored to their special interests and needs.

Progress through the degree is marked by:

Successful performance in a verbal qualifying exam;
Four-day written comprehensive exam, with a verbal portion after the written answers have been assessed by the committee;
Formal dissertation proposal; and
Verbal defense of a completed dissertation.

The four-year Ph.D. program is reserved for students who have a master’s degree from another graduate program. That can be another geography program at another university, a non-geography program at another university, or a non-geography program at Penn State.

Students entering the four-year Ph.D. program must take the doctoral qualifying exam in their first year. A committee from three of the four fields of geography and formally appointed by the Graduate Program Officer will administer the qualifying exam. The qualifying exam can take place any time during the year, but students in the four-year Ph.D. program typically take it during spring semester.

Students in the four-year Ph.D. program complete a comprehensive exam and defend their dissertation proposal in the second year. Depending on the needs of their research, and in agreement with their doctoral committee, students can fulfill these two requirements in either order. Once students have successfully passed their comprehensive exam and defended their proposal, they typically take two years to research, write, and defend their dissertations.

Our online Graduate Student Handbook explains the program requirements for all degrees.

Olympic Breakdancer Raygun Has PhD in Breakdancing?

Rachael gunn earned a zero in breakdancing at the paris 2024 olympic games., aleksandra wrona, published aug. 13, 2024.

About this rating

Gunn's Ph.D. thesis, titled "Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: a B-girl's Experience of B-boying," did cover the topic of breakdancing. However ...

... Gunn earned her Ph.D. in cultural studies. Moreover, a "PhD in breakdancing" does not exist as an academic discipline.

On Aug. 10, 2024, a rumor spread on social media that Rachael Gunn (also known as "Raygun"), an Australian breakdancer who competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, had a Ph.D. in breakdancing. "This australian breakdancer has a PhD in breakdancing and dance culture and was a ballroom dancer before taking up breaking. I don't even know what to say," one X post on the topic read .

"Australian Olympic breakdancer Rachael Gunn has a PhD in breakdancing and dance culture," one X user wrote , while another asked, "Who did we send? Raygun, a 36-year-old full-time lecturer at Sydney's Macquarie University, completed a PhD in breaking culture and is a lecturer in media, creative arts, literature and language," another X user wrote .

The claim also spread on other social media platforms, such as Reddit and Instagram .

"Is she the best break dancer? No. But I have so much respect for going on an international stage to do something you love even if you're not very skilled at it," one Instagram user commented , adding that, "And, I'm pretty sure she's using this as a research endeavor and will be writing about all our reactions to her performance. Can't wait to read it!"

In short, Gunn's Ph.D. thesis, titled "Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: A B-girl's Experience of B-boying," indeed focused on the topic of breakdancing. However, Gunn earned her Ph.D. in cultural studies, not in breakdancing. Furthermore, it's important to note that a "PhD in breakdancing" does not exist as an academic discipline.

Since Gunn's research focused on the breakdancing community, but her degree is actually in the broader field of cultural studies, we have rated this claim as a "Mixture" of truths.

Gunn "secured Australia's first ever Olympic spot in the B-Girl competition at Paris 2024 by winning the QMS Oceania Championships in Sydney, NSW, Australia," the Olympics official website informed .

Gunn earned a zero in breakdancing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and clips of her routine went viral on social media, with numerous users creating memes or mocking dancer's moves. "As well as criticising her attire, social media users mocked the Australian's routine as she bounced around on stage like a kangaroo and stood on her head at times," BBC article on the topic read .

The website of the Macquarie University informed Gunn "is an interdisciplinary and practice-based researcher interested in the cultural politics of breaking" and holds a Ph.D. in cultural studies, as well as a bachelor of arts degree (Hons) in contemporary music:

Rachael Gunn is an interdisciplinary and practice-based researcher interested in the cultural politics of breaking. She holds a PhD in Cultural Studies (2017) and a BA (Hons) in Contemporary Music (2009) from Macquarie University. Her work draws on cultural theory, dance studies, popular music studies, media, and ethnography. Rachael is a practising breaker and goes by the name of 'Raygun'. She was the Australian Breaking Association top ranked bgirl in 2020 and 2021, and represented Australia at the World Breaking Championships in Paris in 2021, in Seoul in 2022, and in Leuven (Belgium) in 2023. She won the Oceania Breaking Championships in 2023.

Gunn's biography further revealed that she is a member of the Macquarie University Performance and Expertise Reasearch Centre, and has a range of teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate levels "across the areas of media, creative industries, music, dance, cultural studies, and work-integrated learning."

Moreover, it informed her research interests included, "Breaking, street dance, and hip-hop culture; youth cultures/scenes; constructions of the dancing body; politics of gender and gender performance; ethnography; the methodological dynamics between theory and practice."

Gunn earned her Ph.D. from the Department of Media, Music, Communications, and Cultural Studies within the Faculty of Arts at Macquarie University. Below, you can find the abstract of her paper, shared by the official website of Macquarie University:

This thesis critically interrogates how masculinist practices of breakdancing offers a site for the transgression of gendered norms. Drawing on my own experiences as a female within the male-dominated breakdancing scene in Sydney, first as a spectator, then as an active crew member, this thesis questions why so few female participants engage in this creative space, and how breakdancing might be the space to displace and deterritorialise gender. I use analytic autoetthnography and interviews with scene members in collaboration with theoretical frameworks offered by Deleuze and Guttari, Butler, Bourdieu and other feminist and post-structuralist philosophers, to critically examine how the capacities of bodies are constituted and shaped in Sydney's breakdancing scene, and to also locate the potentiality for moments of transgression. In other words, I conceptualize the breaking body as not a 'body' constituted through regulations and assumptions, but as an assemblage open to new rhizomatic connections. Breaking is a space that embraces difference, whereby the rituals of the dance not only augment its capacity to deterritorialize the body, but also facilitate new possibilities for performativities beyond the confines of dominant modes of thought and normative gender construction. Consequently, this thesis attempts to contribute to what I perceive as a significant gap in scholarship on hip-hop, breakdancing, and autoethnographic explorations of Deleuze-Guattarian theory.

In a response to online criticism of her Olympics performance, Gunn wrote on her Instagram profile: "Don't be afraid to be different, go out there and represent yourself, you never know where that's gonna take you":

We have recently investigated other 2024 Paris Olympics' -related rumors, such as:

Lifeguards Are Present at Olympic Swimming Competitions?
Hobby Lobby Pulled $50M in Ads from 2024 Paris Olympics?
2024 Paris Olympics Are 'Lowest-Rated' Games in Modern History?

Gunn, Rachael Louise. Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: A B-Girl's Experience of B-Boying. 2022. Macquarie University, thesis. figshare.mq.edu.au, https://doi.org/10.25949/19433291.v1.

---. Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: A B-Girl's Experience of B-Boying. 2022. Macquarie University, thesis. figshare.mq.edu.au, https://doi.org/10.25949/19433291.v1.

Ibrahim, Nur. "Lifeguards Are Present at Olympic Swimming Competitions?" Snopes, 8 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/lifeguards-paris-olympics-swimming/.

"Olympic Breaking: Criticism of Viral Breakdancer Rachael Gunn - Raygun - Condemned by Australia Team." BBC Sport, 10 Aug. 2024, https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/c2dgxp5n3rlo.

ORCID. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1069-4021. Accessed 12 Aug. 2024.

Paris 2024. https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024/athlete/-raygun_1940107. Accessed 12 Aug. 2024.

Saunders, Grant Leigh, and Rachael Gunn. "Australia." Global Hip Hop Studies, vol. 3, no. 1–2, Dec. 2023, pp. 23–32. Macquarie University, https://doi.org/10.1386/ghhs_00060_1.

Wazer, Caroline. "2024 Paris Olympics Are 'Lowest-Rated' Games in Modern History?" Snopes, 1 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/paris-olympics-lowest-rated-games/.

---. "Hobby Lobby Pulled $50M in Ads from 2024 Paris Olympics?" Snopes, 8 Aug. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/olympics-hobby-lobby-ads/.

By Aleksandra Wrona

Aleksandra Wrona is a reporting fellow for Snopes, based in the Warsaw, Poland, area.

Article Tags

Phd-Study-In-Uk

Applying for a PhD in the UK

Written by Mark Bennett

Planning on applying for a PhD in the UK? This guide covers what’s required to get onto a UK PhD programme and how to submit your application.

PhD Study in the UK - Key Details
	164
	(1096)
	550,000
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	£4-5,000 (domestic rate)
	September to June

UK universities

There are over 150 universities in the UK. The vast majority are public universities , meaning that they receive funding (including budgets for PhD studentships) from the UK Government. All British universities are free to pursue their own research objectives, but the amount of funding each institution receives is partly based on regular assessments of its performance as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) .

A small number of private universities also operate in the UK. They tend to specialise in specific subjects, such as Business or Law.

UK countries

The four parts of the UK each have slightly different higher education systems:

England is home to the majority of the UK's universities, including the two oldest ( Oxford and Cambridge )
Scotland is home to 15 of the UK's universities, including four 'ancient universities' ( St Andrews , Glasgow , Aberdeen and Edinburgh ) dating from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries
Wales has eight universities, all of which are public institutions, dating from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries
Northern Ireland has two universities, each of which operates multiple campuses

The governments of each part of the UK have powers to decide on higher education policy, including fees and funding. But, in practice, PhD research works pretty similarly across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The country that's best for you will depend on the research opportunities available at specific universities.

UK university groups

Some UK universities are organised – officially or unofficially – into different groups. Here are some of the more common ones you may come across, together with what they mean:

The Russell Group is an association of 24 universities across the UK. The group is self-selecting (it decides on its own members) and positions itself as representing the country's leading research universities. In practice this is broadly accurate as the Russell Group includes some of the best ranked British universities and – perhaps more importantly – awards the majority of UK PhDs.
The ancient universities are a group of seven institutions that date from the sixteenth century or earlier, including Oxford , Cambridge , St Andrews , Glasgow , Aberdeen and Edinburgh as well as Trinity College Dublin (in Ireland ). 'Membership' of this group isn't based on anything other than chronology (unsurprisingly, new universities can't join) and the ancient universities don't collaborate as such, though some are members of the Russell Group. Of more importance is the fact that some ancient universities award their doctorates as a DPhil rather than a PhD. The degree and its recognition are fundamentally the same.
The red brick universities are another informal grouping based on history rather than collective organisation. They include nine civic universities founded during the nineteenth-century industrial revolution with the aim of providing education and training for their cities. In contrast to the medieval buildings of the ancient universities, their campuses were built largely from red brick – hence the name.
The term 'post-92' is sometimes used to describe universities that were originally polytechnics (higher education institutions focussing on teaching and training rather than research) before being granted full university status in 1992. Many of these 'ex-poly' universities actually have long and proud histories and are now some of the UK's most innovative research centres.

There are a few other formal and informal groups, including 'plate glass' universities (founded in the 1960s – the UK has a thing for associating universities with building materials) as well as membership organisations for newer universities such as MillionPlus and GuildHE.

You don't generally need to worry about which group your prospective university is or isn't part of. It's true that some groupings confer a degree of prestige, but universities are invited into the Russell Group because of their research performance and reputation, not the other way around. There are also many excellent universities which haven't chosen to join particular associations.

Accreditation and research quality

The UK takes quality assurance for universities very seriously, with several levels of official recognition and accreditation.

The right to use a university title is protected by law in the UK and can be granted by royal charter, Act of Parliament or similarly official means.

The right to award degrees is also protected. A university must either be a 'recognised body', in which case it can award its own degrees. Or it must be a 'listed body' in which case a recognised body must award degrees on its behalf (listed bodies are often newer universities or specialist colleges with qualifications accredited by more established neighbouring universities).

You can use the UK Government website to quickly check if a university is officially recognised .

UK universities' research quality is separately monitored through an exercise known as the Research Excellence Framework (REF) . This examines the research a university is producing as well as its impact on society in general. The environment and support provided for PhD students is also considered as part of this process. The most recent REF results were published in 2021.

UK university cities

There are excellent universities located across the UK, from London and the South of England to the Scottish Highlands and Islands . With that said, here are a few of the UK's most popular student cities:

Study in London
Study in Edinburgh
Study in Manchester
Study in Cardiff
Study in Birmingham
Study in Sheffield

How to apply for a PhD in the UK

You should apply directly to a university for a place on a UK PhD project or programme. There are two ways to do this:

Some PhD projects are advertised by universities with set aims and objectives. These are most common in STEM subjects and often have funding attached. You can browse UK PhD adverts here on FindAPhD.
Other PhD projects are designed by students who put forward a research proposal for the work they would like to do. These are more common in Arts, Humanities and some Social Science subjects. You can browse UK PhD programmes to apply within here on FindAPhD.

It's often a good idea to contact a prospective PhD supervisor before applying, but this isn't usually a necessary step. Universities will usually pair students with the most appropriate supervisor for their project.

We’ve written dedicated guides to applying for a PhD in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences , as well as STEM subjects.

Admissions requirements

You will normally need the following to be accepted for a PhD in the UK:

A suitable undergraduate degree (equivalent to a UK 2.1 or higher). A Masters may also be required in some subject areas.
Evidence of language proficiency (if English is not your first language).
Evidence that you possess the necessary materials to gain a UK student visa (for international students).
Other application materials including a research proposal , personal statement or references .

Actual requirements vary between projects and programmes.

Not all UK PhD applications require a formal interview , but this is more common for funded positions or programmes with limited space.

Interviews can often be conducted online. You may be asked to answer some questions about your application and / or give a short presentation on your intended research.

Inidan qualifications in the UK

In July 2022, the UK and Indian governments signed a memoradum agreeing to automatically recognise undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in each other's countries. This means that if you studied your Bachelors or Masters in India and are now applying for a UK PhD, your qualifications will recognised as equivalent to British ones.

It also means that it will be easier for you to seek work in India with a PhD from a UK university!

Find a PhD in the UK

Why not get started browsing some UK PhDs ? Alternatively, you can look at our other guides to studying a PhD abroad .

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Can someone without a doctorate or an undergraduate degree do research?

Whether in history, math, computer science, physics, law or other sciences can someone without a doctorate or an undergraduate degree do research in any of them? I am an undergraduate student in math and I am interested in other sciences as well but I have found some difficulty getting my degree. I think my memory and problem-solving ability are not bad; I think they are okay. I thought of a path for myself to have at university, but eventually I figured out that I think I do not want it. I want to contribute in sciences.

research-process
independent-researcher

11 It may also help to specify the problem. Is your concern about finding a paid, full-time research position? About publishing as a "layman"? About finding PIs who will let you contribute for free? But check our archives, most of these have already been asked-and-answered. – cag51 ♦ Commented May 7, 2023 at 21:47
1 Comments have been moved to chat . Many of the now-moved comments reiterate my comment above: it is unclear what you are asking. Normally I would close the question until the OP clarifies, but there are already five answers, so I'll leave that to the community. In any case: before posting a comment below this one, please review the purposes of comments . – cag51 ♦ Commented May 9, 2023 at 2:42
What about money? – yarchik Commented May 9, 2023 at 11:20
I think you actually meant being paid for doing it or occupying a professional position. – stackoverblown Commented May 9, 2023 at 13:43

9 Answers 9

An undergraduate degree gives you background understanding in a lot of different areas. It's a foundation to build all your other knowledge on.

A PhD is a specialized degree in training for research. It includes learning both how to conduct research as well as training in the academic norms in your field, such as how to communicate your work with others. If you can't communicate your work, there's little point in doing it besides self-satisfaction.

While technically you may not need a particular degree to do research, research is exceptionally difficult. Many people with all the training still struggle. No one should expect themselves to be able to be successful without the training. I'm not saying there are no counterexamples, I'm saying that a few counterexamples out of billions of humans is not a very convincing argument.

I would focus on at least what is blocking you from getting an undergraduate degree. Without an undergraduate degree, your job prospects will be very limited. I don't think you should assume that the world on the other side is any easier.

Life-long academic jobs are extremely limited for people with degrees. For the vast majority, without a degree you aren't even approaching consideration.

Even so, there are certainly jobs where you can contribute to the overall production of research without advanced degrees. Many of these jobs come with low pay but they are absolutely critical for research to function. Animal care technicians are one example.

In industry, there may be more opportunities but a lack of degrees will still limit you. I worked in industry R&D for awhile and many of my coworkers did not have bachelors degrees (most at had at least a 2-year degree, though). This tended to limit their responsibilities, though: their job titles were typically "Technician" and they would work under the guidance of someone with at least a bachelors degree and some years experience. They would have input in conversations about research directions, but most of the job was following instructions and performing repetitive tasks. Certainly many of the people with those jobs were capable of doing more, especially as they gained experience, but it was difficult to advance without a degree. It was often fun work, though, and people could see directly the impact of their work in products used in health care, including their own family members.

In the US, some more technical jobs are available with a short 2-year training program. That would include histology (that is, preparing tissues on microscope slides for observation; most jobs are in hospitals doing diagnosis, but research positions exist as well), counseling and nursing jobs (again, these jobs are typically focused towards patient care, but these roles are needed in research administration as well), various mechanic jobs (relevant to maintenance of machines used in research), etc. Again, these are not the traditional "academic research" careers, but they are important ways to contribute.

All of my examples have biomedical research in mind, because that's the area I've worked in, but if you want to explore this or other areas, I would try to get in contact with people currently working in that area, and ask them what sorts of jobs people do with or without a degree in that field. That may help you find a target that suits you. I suspect you'll have more opportunities in areas where research is a group effort among many people, because those areas are often in need of extra hands, whereas in areas where research is primarily an individual effort, you would need to rely on your own personal credentials and history of research output to be funded, and you won't be able to obtain those without following the traditional education path.

I don't think a 2-year nursing degree will get you very far in nursing/hospital research and administration. – Azor Ahai -him- Commented May 11, 2023 at 3:32
@AzorAhai-him- Not into designing and running studies but there are lots of roles in research to be filled. – Bryan Krause ♦ Commented May 11, 2023 at 3:43

The answer to the literal question you ask is "yes". If you have a good idea and follow it to a good conclusion and it's interesting enough to attract attention in the field then you have "done research".

In practical terms, without formal education in a field you will not be able to do "research": because you will not know what is known. Even knowing that, "memory and problem solving ability" may not be sufficient to address the unknowns and create new knowledge.

It's hard for me to imagine how you might carry out significant research without the basic knowledge you get at university.

You can always contribute as a citizen scientist ,

8 There are other things one might do without a degree in the field, e.g. various citizen science projects, or becoming so expert in some niche that researchers ask you about that niche. An example of the latter is this AI paper: arxiv.org/abs/2009.04374 One of the authors, V. Kramnik, is a former world chess champion that presumably doesn't have a degree in AI. Of course, it's way easier to get a degree in AI than to become world chess champion ... – Allure Commented May 8, 2023 at 9:46

This depends, to some extent, about what you think "do research" means.

If your meaning is that a person that "does research" holds a tenure-track faculty position where a certain amount of their time is for research endeavors, then I think there are some obstacles, at least one of them may be insurmountable. Many job descriptions demand an advanced degree -- a PhD or equivalent. Establishing equivalence to a PhD for someone with no advanced degree may well be a bridge too far for many university HR departments, who may simply refuse to hire you. Deans and Trustees may also have issues with the idea. Funding organizations may also need to buy in. IMO, the goal of establishing a career doing completely independent research funded by granting institutions will be difficult to reach without a PhD.

However, if "do research" means sort of a spare time side gig where you do some work and get it published, this is probably feasible.

To others "do research" might simply mean "earning a career while working in a lab" (as opposed to directing a lab). This is also approachable. There are certainly lab managers without advanced degrees that have a ton of responsibility -- but the ultimate authority about what research they get to do often belongs to someone else.

Further, a lot of surprising career directions can happen in industrial environments, where your job history and performance can eventually get you placed where you want to be, but you wouldn't necessarily be applying for such a position -- they just happen because you're the natural person to take on the role (because you've made yourself that person). This isn't a very predictable career path, though, it just happens sometimes.

There have been examples, especially in Mathematics, of "amateurs" being consistently productive. But I cannot think of an example were the amateur was not accomplished in the field in which they made their living. The "amateur" scientist is usually working in a field where no extensive knowledge or equipment is needed, such as graph theory where some questions are very difficult, but an answer is not based on the work by others. Some scientific work is now crowd-sourced. Think for example of the bird population counters which are local bird-watchers or amateur astronomers who occasionally find a new comet.

If you have trouble getting a degree, you probably have no future as an "amateur" researcher, as you would be lacking the training and the knowledge, but sometimes you can still help with research.

1 Think for example of the bird population counters -- In light of some recent bad weather in my area (damaging storms 12-13 hours ago, and a tornado came within 1 km of where I live on March 31 ), a similar example that occurred to me is that of storm spotters . – Dave L Renfro Commented May 8, 2023 at 11:15
1 IIRC, Darwin was technically an amateur. – Buffy Commented May 8, 2023 at 14:10
18 @Buffy Darwin had an extensive university education and had close relationships with several research mentors before producing any useful research himself. While he did some of his work "on the side", his Beagle position for example was a paid scientific position. He also worked in a time when most of the well-known names in the field were "amateurs" of a sort, with personal wealth freeing them to scientific pursuits. So, perhaps, "technically", but with important caveats for anyone who thinks to mirror that path today. – Bryan Krause ♦ Commented May 8, 2023 at 14:51
1 @Buffy The backdrop of bioscience in Darwin's time was alchemy ... where people literally believed that life was spontaneously created. This was before Louis Pasteur's discovery of micro-organism. Any random modern child would know more biology than the general public back then if said child is taught to wash their hands and not eat dirt. – Nelson Commented May 9, 2023 at 5:09
1 @Nelson so then it is important that: you could, but all the low-hanging fruit has already been done, and it's not usually very useful to duplicate what someone else has already done – user20574 Commented May 9, 2023 at 10:57

You mentioned law specifically. As a practicing lawyer (Nevada) that does some academic research on the side I can address that part directly.

Theoretically, the answer is yes, you can do research in law without needing any qualifications whatsoever. Arguably, the barriers to entry are in fact lower than many other fields since (despite the way it can seem sometimes), most academic legal researchers and most judges actually make some effort to write in a way that is broadly accessible.

However, as a practical matter, the answer is generally no. If you do not have some sort of relevant credentials, you will find it very difficult to get the attention of anyone in the legal academic research community.

Notably, I mean "some sort of relevant credentials" somewhat broadly in the legal field and does not necessarily mean a J.D.. Mike Masnick for instance is a writer and editor who has made something of an impact in legal academia. I have personally cited his work more than once in more than one law review journal article. However, while he does not hold a J.D., he does hold an MBA and while he absolutely does work that can be called legal research, I do not believe he has published in any traditional law review journals. But while it does not necessarily have to be a J.D., I suspect someone without some sort of serious credentials will find it very difficult to break into legal research in a meaningful way.

I think having no undergraduate degree is really pushing it for STEMS. I don't know about history or law since they are softer fields but I do not imagine it is much different. Once you finish your undergraduate degree you realize how little it actually teaches you. It's not even the theoretical or practical fundamentals.

Even having an undergraduate degree would be like an elementary school student learning the four basic arithmetic operations. You cannot expect them put it to practical use by doing something like filling out tax forms, and research would be more like understanding and writing tax law.

I have only a Bachelors and assist in private research funded by a private patron. In this position, I have participated on research led by someone without a degree and led by someone with a PhD. Let me tell you, the difference is very pronounced. The PhD doesn't know everything they need; It is research after all, so you can imagine the gaps in knowledge and questionable approaches of the other. There's virtually no low hanging fruit remaining.

I want to contribute in sciences.

From my above real world example, it is clearly possible to do research without an undergraduate degree. You just need money.

Thus, the primary barrier to the "doing" part is how to get funding when you have no qualifications or history. I hope you're really charismatic and meet the right people, but I'm guessing you don't really want to be a snake oil salesman which is basically what you would be selling with no qualifications, experience, or history.

But merely doing is not the same as doing effectively , and actually contributing ? In my experience, I think you might be asking too much for too little without an undergraduate degree, or even without a masters. Or in the absence of a degree, without in-depth, long-term practical experience in what it is you are researching on.

Yes, science is all about falsifiability and peer review.

If you practice sound, reproducible science and can communicate it well, then that is legitimate research which is to be taken seriously.

Degrees technically don't matter.

2 I mean, you can also be a tightrope walker with no training whatsoever, so long as you can walk across a thin wire suspended high in the air. The problem is that you can't get to that level without training. This seems like saying even someone who never practices can be a violin virtuoso, if they just play the right notes. – Nuclear Hoagie Commented May 9, 2023 at 15:52
1 @NuclearHoagie I have seen people do legitimate research without formal training simply by having a high IQ and arguing from first principles. – csstudent1418 Commented May 10, 2023 at 12:33

To use a sports analogy, I guess if a kid in college started playing basketball for the first time and demonstrated that he had what it took to go to the NBA be being physically big and strong enough, and he was skilled enough, then yeah, he's going to The League. But I'm pretty sure this has never happened. College teams get the best high school talent, and the NBA the best college talent. In other words, your competitors have been playing literally since they were like 4 years old.

In the academic case, people have usually been in their fields in some stripe since they were 18 or in their early 20s. They've spent and spend all day thinking about their with (sometimes), almost always with the backing of a professional university and years of training to help them do research. They think about these things in the shower, while they walk their dogs, while they get their nails done, it is literally what makes some researchers so good at their craft, years of training and experience.

If you can compete with them without having a degree (if you wanna go for tenure), then go ahead, but it's super unlikely. Presumably other avenues of doing research exist, it just wouldn't appear in academic journals more often than not.

Yes. One does not need even expensive equipment. It is about the content you produce. In my university in Slovakia, every doctoral student is expected to publish one paper without any help from a supervisor. To lower the burden, one may publish in other languages than English.

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COMMENTS

PhD without previous academic degree: truth or myth?
It was possible in some departments of German universities to start studies after a high-school diploma ("Abitur") directly with the PhD as target degree.The German Wikipedia page about the PhD degree discusses that point. Unfortunately the English version doesn't mention it. While that possibility was abolished about 25 years ago, there's still people around who got their PhD in that way.
Things to do when applying for a PhD without a full bachelor's degree
If I have incorrectly assessed your situation and you're planning on enrolling in this PhD program before you even finish your bachelor's, the answer is simple: don't. Just wait. No university will accept you for a PhD when you don't even plan on finish your undergraduate degree. Maybe biology is different, but in my field (mathematics), it's ...
Can You Get a PhD without a Masters?
Yes, it's possible to get a PhD without first having a Masters degree. The conventional route for someone who earns a PhD is to pursue a Bachelor's degree, followed by a Masters degree and then a PhD. However, several students opt to bypass a Master's degree by enrolling onto a doctoral programme as soon as they complete their ...
Starting PhD without Bachelors
11. You can join a PhD program without getting a Bachelors degree. Dr. Jane Goodall does not have a bachelors degree. She has one non-honorary doctorate. However, if you are at a decent school and the professors like you and you like them, then getting a bachelors degree will be no sweat.
Do You Need a Masters to Get a PhD? What You Need to Know
Can you get a PhD without a Masters in the USA? In the USA, it's fairly common for students to go straight from their undergraduate degree to a PhD. This is because universities will usually award PhD candidates a Masters degree on their way to achieving their final doctorate. American PhD programmes typically have a large taught element during ...
Do You Need a Master's to Get a PhD? Not Necessarily
The first way you can study a PhD without a master's is by applying to a program that allows a direct route from bachelor's to PhD. There are a number of doctoral programs, especially online ones, that only require you to have an undergraduate degree to apply.
Can You Get a PhD without a Master's? Yes, but Here's Why You Shouldn't
And finally, doing a Master's at the same university where you want to pursue your PhD is one of the smartest moves you can make. It shows loyalty to the university and gets you the right contacts among teachers. It's almost a sure pass to a doctoral programme. 3. A Master's is the only way to a PhD in a new field.
Can you do a PhD without a master's degree?
It's possible to get into a PhD program with a graduate diploma (and no bachelor's or master's degree), but you'll need extensive documentation proving former research experience to support your application - plus a decent GPA. This type of application is assessed on a case-by-case basis by some universities and can be extremely ...
Can you get a PhD without a master's degree?
Similarly, you can get a PhD in the Ohio State University's chemical engineering programme without having done a master's. Across the pond, the University of Cambridge can accept students without a master's degree, where they'll be placed in a probationary year before progressing into their dissertation. As you can see, various routes ...
Can You Get a PhD Without a Master's?
Ask the Academic. The most definitive answer you'll receive for whether you can get a PhD without a master's will be by contacting supervisors directly. Often as soon as you start a conversation with potential supervisors they'll ask to look over a copy of your CV.
9 things you should consider before embarking on a PhD
9. There are no real breaks. In a stereotypical "9-to-5" job, when the workday is over or the weekend arrives, you can generally forget about your work. And a vacation provides an even longer respite. But in a PhD program, your schedule becomes "whenever you find time to get your work done."
PhD without a Masters in the USA: A Comprehensive Guide
Direct Entry to PhD: Many U.S. universities now offer programs allowing students to pursue a PhD directly after completing their bachelor's degree, bypassing the master's. Time and Cost Efficiency: This pathway saves time and money, reducing the overall duration and cost of higher education. Research Focus: Direct PhD programs emphasize ...
Ready for a Doctorate? Clarifying Your PhD Requirements
Standard PhD requirements in the UK are a Bachelors degree with at least an upper second class honours degree (2.1). You may also need a Masters degree with a Merit or Distinction grade. All your previous qualifications must be in a field of study relevant to the PhD you are applying for. Typically, Arts and Humanities PhDs are more likely to ...
PhD without a Master's degree? Discover if you can get one [2024]
Yes, it is possible to get a Ph.D. without having a Master's degree first. Conventionally, if you wanted to pursue a Ph.D., you would first get your Bachelor's degree, then your Master's degree, and then apply for a PhD. However, there are a few unconventional ways of getting a Ph.D. Firstly, you can opt to bypass your Master's degree ...
Is it possible to write a thesis and obtain a doctoral degree without
Additionally, it would help you assess if the PhD path, especially mid-career, would be suitable for you. Of course, you may also pursue your PhD without obtaining your master's, but completing your master's would really help. And don't worry, there are others who have been in a similar situation. You may read of one such researcher here ...
Applying for grad school without undergraduate background
I agree with the other answers — admitting a student without formal academic background is very risky. As a first step, I suggest contacting graduate programs asking if they allow non-degree students to take their classes. If so, taking classes as a non-degree student will let you build up a formal academic background and strong recommendation letters in your chosen field, making your case ...
Do PhD programs accept undergraduates without a masters degree?
The longer answer is that PhD is not a continuation of a Masters degree. A PhD typically is a research degree and a Masters degree is typically a practical application degree. Some programs may require a masters, it may depend on the school and the area of concentration. 1. Reply.
A PhD Without A Masters Degree
The PhD usually came after the Bachelor's degree for many years in the United Kingdom. There was no real need to successfully gain a Master's degree before embarking on this mammoth task of empirical research. Whilst some undergraduate degrees still lead to a Master's qualification, and many people still complete Master degrees, it is possible to do a PhD without a Masters degree.
Can you do a PhD without honours?
PhD pathway #3: research experience. Whether you can do a PhD without having completed an honours degree or a master's degree ultimately comes down to demonstrating your 'research preparedness'. You may be considered for a PhD if you can provide evidence of considerable research experience (at least 2 years). This proof should demonstrate ...
Entering the PHD Program without going through a Master's Program
shackleton__. • 3 yr. ago. Depending on the field, master's degrees are often not required to enter a PhD program (at MIT and elsewhere). As far as I'm aware, science and engineering fields rarely require a separate master's degree before applying for a PhD. Check the website for the department you're interested in. 23.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
The Ph.D. is a different kind of degree from the master's degree. A doctoral candidate in geography must be capable of making original contributions to knowledge and scholarship. For the students to make such contributions, they must concentrate on a narrow and clearly defined field of study. We require, however, that doctoral candidates know more of geography than their particular ...
Do You Need a Master's to Pursue a PsyD?
Fully online PsyD programs tend to require that applicants hold a master's degree. Online PsyD programs without a master's degree requirement may be fully online but are sometimes offered as hybrid programs (that is, they contain both online and in-person components). CalSouthern's Doctor of Psychology program is 100% online. Applicants ...
Olympic Breakdancer Raygun Has PhD in Breakdancing?
What's True. Gunn's Ph.D. thesis, titled "Deterritorializing Gender in Sydney's Breakdancing Scene: a B-girl's Experience of B-boying," did cover the topic of breakdancing.
Is it possible to get a PhD position with only a Bachelor's degree?
In the UK a PhD (or DPhil) typically starts after a 4-year undergrad program: so yes, it's normal to do a PhD right after your undergrad. At a top-level research institution in the USA (at least in the sciences, and biology is what you said you want to pursue) a Masters is something that you would normally only get if you dropped out of a PhD program: so yes it's normal to do a PhD right after ...
Applying for a PhD in the UK
A suitable undergraduate degree (equivalent to a UK 2.1 or higher). ... what you can get and how to apply successfully. Read more . PhD Loans for Doctoral Students - A Guide for 2024. United Kingdom Student Loans Funding. You may be able to get a PhD loan of up to £27,892 for a UK doctorate. Our guide explains eligibility, applications and ...
Top Online Doctorate and PhD Programs in Homeland Security in 2024
Just as you'll find online master's degrees in homeland security, you'll also find doctoral programs that can be completed 100% online — like Kansas State Online's PhD in Security Studies. A fully online PhD or doctoral program in homeland security offers many benefits.
Is it possible for someone to get into a PhD without a thesis in
You can still pursue a PhD after doing a non-thesis master's degree. Contrary to popular belief, the thesis master's degree is not the only path to doctoral studies and the world of academia. Although there are a few exceptions, you can enrol in many PhD programs after completing a non-thesis master's degree.
August 4, 2024
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Can someone without a doctorate or an undergraduate degree do research?
I would focus on at least what is blocking you from getting an undergraduate degree. Without an undergraduate degree, your job prospects will be very limited. I don't think you should assume that the world on the other side is any easier. Life-long academic jobs are extremely limited for people with degrees. For the vast majority, without a ...