I'm not sure whether to do a PhD after my master's
Test whether a PhD fits what you want and, if it does, plan your applications in good time.
In short
Start here, today. Write down three reasons you might want a PhD and three reasons you might not. Next to each, note whether it's about the research itself, a career goal, money, other people's expectations or timing. Show the list to one person you trust. This takes about 20 minutes.
After that, work through these steps. Choose one to jump to it.
Step by step
Tick each step as you finish it. Open a step for the how.
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Be clear about what you'd use it for
Some careers expect a PhD, including most university faculty posts and many research scientist roles. Many others value a master's and experience just as much. Look at job postings for roles you'd like in ten years and see what qualifications they ask for, then record what you find and what you conclude in the Decision Log.
Talk to people at different stages
Ask two or three current PhD students what they enjoy and what they find hard. Then ask someone who finished a PhD and someone who decided not to start one. Ask about funding, workload, supervision and what they would do differently.
Test the research fit
If you haven't done much independent research, try it before you commit: a thesis, a research assistant job or a substantial independent study. Notice whether you enjoy the slow, uncertain parts of research, not only the interesting results.
Look at funding and timing
Find out how PhD programs in your field are funded, whether funding is guaranteed and for how long, and which external scholarships you could apply for. Scholarship and application deadlines can fall up to a year before you'd start, so check the dates for your field and country now. Working for a year or two between degrees is common and can make your application stronger.
Find potential supervisors early
If you decide to apply, identify a few supervisors whose work fits yours, read their recent papers and contact them several months before the deadlines. Ask their current students about the supervision style and the group's culture before you commit.
Keep the door open if you're unsure
If you can't decide yet, you don't have to. Finish your master's well, stay in touch with your supervisor and ask whether they'd support a future application. Record your strongest work in Wins and Accomplishments so it's easy to find later, since many people return for a PhD after a few years of work, often with a clearer question.
Words you can use
Is this you? Signs to look for
- Your supervisor has suggested a PhD, and you can't tell whether you want one or just feel flattered.
- You enjoy your research but don't know what a PhD would lead to.
- PhD application deadlines are coming up and you haven't decided.
- You worry that not doing a PhD now means never doing one.
Why this happens
A PhD is a commitment of several years to one research project, often on a modest stipend, and it suits some people and goals much better than others. The question isn't only “Am I good enough?” It's also “Do I want this kind of work, and what would I use the degree for?” A strong master's thesis shows you can do research. It doesn't tell you whether you'd enjoy doing it for four or more years.
TU Delft's Career Centre puts the warning signs plainly in its quick guide to choosing a PhD. If the main reason is that a supervisor asked you, or you haven't yet tested whether research suits you, it suggests stopping to think. If you're unsure about your career direction, it recommends exploring other options before committing.
It also helps to go in with your eyes open. Nature's 2019 survey of more than 6,000 graduate students, reported by Chris Woolston, described doctoral research as turbulent. Many people find a PhD deeply rewarding, and many find it harder than they expected. Honest conversations with current PhD students are the best way to learn what it would be like where you'd go.
Worth a look (6)
- Quick guide: PhD choice, TU Delft Career CentreA short checklist of questions to ask yourself before committing to a PhD.
- “PhDs: the tortuous truth”, Chris Woolston, Nature (2019)Nature's report on its 2019 survey of more than 6,000 graduate students about doctoral study.
- Graduate Supervision Guidelines for Students, University of Toronto School of Graduate StudiesIncludes questions to ask a potential PhD supervisor about completion times, funding and research culture.
- Versatile PhDHelps PhD students and graduates explore careers beyond academia, with real career stories, job search guides and forums. Access is usually through your university's subscription.
- THEunijobsUniversity jobs around the world from Times Higher Education, including academic, research and professional roles, which you can filter by country and field.
- UN Young Professionals ProgrammeAn entrance exam that can lead to a first professional job at the UN, for young graduates from countries on that year's participating list. Exam subjects and countries change every year.
More on careers in and beyond academia in the resource library
When to bring someone in
Your supervisor and other faculty in your field can tell you how competitive PhD admissions are and which programs fit your interests. A career centre appointment can help you compare a PhD with other paths, and many centres have advisors who work with graduate students. If you're deciding under pressure from family or finances, talking it through with someone outside your department can help you hear your own view.
Find the right person, or talk to Ify