The exact requirements and mode of study for the award of PhD vary around the world but generally speaking, the following criteria is standard:

• Write a thesis of publishable standard based on own research

• Submit and orally defend your thesis

• Study for at least two and a half years full-time

However, if you are thinking of studying a PhD overseas then read on to find out admission criteria and course structure specific to your country of interest.

PhDs in Europe

France

What do I need to gain admission to a PhD in France?

• A Master's degree with high grades
• Demonstrable French and English Language ability

In general, there are no examinations required to pass during the three years of study for a PhD. The minimum time needed to complete a 'doctorat' is two years and the maximum is six.

Germany

What do I need to gain admission to a PhD in Germany?

• A Master's, Diploma, Magister or Staatsexmen degree

Italy

In Italy, the equivalent academic degree to a PhD is the dottorato di ricerea (doctorate of research).

What do I need to gain admission?

• A Master's degree

A dottorato di ricerea usually take three to five years to complete.

United Kingdom

What do I need to gain admission to a PhD in the UK?

• A Bachelor's degree with first or upper second class honours
• Or a Master's degree

A PhD in the UK usually takes three to four years to complete but a thesis must be submitted within seven years.

In the UK, there has been a recent introduction of vocation doctorates most notably in the fields of engineering, (Eng.D.) Education (Ed.D.) Clinical Psychology (D.Clin.Psychol.) and Business Administration (D.B.A.). These usually have a more formal taught components as well as a research component roughly equivalent to that of a PhD.

PhDs Outside Europe

Australia

What do I need to gain admission to a PhD in Australia?

• Bachelor's degree with an honours component
• First class or upper second class honours

In most disciplines, honours involves an extra year of study including a large research component in addition to coursework, however, in some disciplines such as engineering, honours is automatically awarded to high-achievers of the normal four-year undergraduate program.

If you don’t have a second or first class honours, you may apply for a research Masters course and upgrade to a PhD after the first year pending significant improvement.

Canada

What do I need to gain admission to a PhD in Canada?

• A Master's degree in a related field
• High grades and proven research ability
• Demonstrable English-language ability (at English and French-speaking universities).
  

What will my PhD involve?

• First two years of coursework culminating in comprehensive examinations
• Once exams are passed, own research leading to thesis
• Defence of your thesis

At most Canadian universities, the time needed to complete a PhD ranges from four to six years.