• Question: what is a PhD student?

    Asked by anon-335578 to Magdalena on 7 Oct 2022.
    • Photo: Magdalena Hudek

      Magdalena Hudek answered on 7 Oct 2022:

      PhD stands for doctor of philosophy. People who are called doctor, but aren’t medical doctors usually have PhD. To get PhD you need to conduct original research for 3-4 years normally, and write a thesis (size of a book).

Comments

  • Photo: Justin

    Justin commented on :

    A PhD is a 3-4 year long qualification that you can do after you finish your first degree which is normally a BSc or a MChem. The difference between these two qualifications in the UK is that whilst for a BSc/MChem you pay fees and have to support yourself, a PhD student is effectively employed (with a small salary called a stipend) and their fees are paid for. It is hence rather more like a 9-5 job, and these “jobs” are competitively awarded (which means you need to get a good mark in your first degree and be the best person at an interview). Not all chemists or polymer scientists by any means need to have a PhD but it is usually essential for people who are more senior in research.