- The length of a PhD degree depends on various factors, including what you’re studying and where you’re based.
- On average, most programmes take 3 to 7 years.
- Read on to learn more about what factors influence the PhD length and how long it takes around the world.
Considering a PhD? You’re probably wondering how long it takes, as you’ll be investing your valuable time, money, and energy into this degree. We have a long and a short answer to how long a PhD takes.
- Short answer: Most PhD programmes take between 3 and 7 years.
- Long answer: Your field, the country you study in, and whether you’re a full-time or a part-time student all affect your PhD’s length.
In this article, we’ll detail the factors affecting the PhD length, compare how programmes differ across countries, and share tips to help you know what to expect.
What factors influence the PhD length?
Let’s take a closer look at different reasons why a PhD can take longer or shorter:
Type of PhD
- Some PhDs include coursework in the first couple of years, while others only focus on research.
- Research-only programmes are usually faster since you won’t spend extra time on coursework.
Discipline
According to a survey by the National Centre for Science and Engineering Statistics in the USA, it took 5.7 years on average for students to finish their research doctorates in the USA.
The survey also shows how long PhDs typically take in different fields of study. Here are some examples:
- Health Sciences: 5 years
- Engineering: 5.3 years
- Computer Sciences: 5.6
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences: 5.7 years
- Psychology: 5.8
- Social Sciences: 6 years
- Humanities and Arts: 6.8 years
We can see that PhDs in Humanities fields took longer to finish than STEM fields. This is likely because dissertations in these fields are longer and more extensive.
Country and university requirements
PhDs in the UK tend to be shorter than in most countries, as students start research right away. In the USA, PhDs often take longer since you’ll need to complete coursework before you can start your research.
Full-time vs part-time study
Students may choose part-time study because of work, family, or other commitments. In this case, they’ll complete their PhD in a longer time.
Full-time PhDs take shorter as students uniquely focus on completing the programme.
Extenuating circumstances
Things don’t always go as planned. You may have trouble getting the data you need for your research, or experiments don’t work out as expected. Extenuating circumstances like these can result in your PhD taking longer.
Supervisor
Having a supervisor who sets clear goals and gives detailed feedback can help you finish your PhD faster.
Typical length of a PhD
Most students finish their PhDs in 3-7 years. Besides the discipline, country, and the university, individual factors also play a big role.
These individual factors may include whether you study full-time or part-time, the clarity and support of your supervisor, and how well your research goes.
How long do PhDs take around the world?
Here’s how long PhDs usually take in some popular study abroad destinations:
Country | Typical PhD duration for full-time students | Notes |
UK | 3-4 years | Often shorter because students start research right away. |
USA | 5-7 years | Usually includes 2-3 years of coursework before dissertation research. |
Germany | 3-5 years | Many programmes include placements in companies or research institutions. |
Australia | 3-4 years | Research-focused, with no or minimal coursework. |
Canada | 4-6 years | A combination of coursework and research, similar to the US. |
Start by planning ahead for your PhD
Becoming an expert in a topic, making valuable industry connections, and opening up new job opportunities — a PhD can be incredibly rewarding. That said, it’s a big commitment, as you’ll be spending 3-7 years on research and writing.
The best way to prepare is to plan ahead: think about your career goals, where you’ll study, and whether you’ll study full-time or part-time.
Check out 19,000+ programmes on PhDportal to compare PhD duration in different countries.
