It really depends on the university, the department and sometimes even the project and the supervisor.
On the application side alone, some institutions may formally request that you have a master’s degree related to the subject of the doctoral project before you can start their doctoral program.
Masters:
Almost all master’s degrees require a basic bachelor’s degree to enroll. They all usually have the same requirement to complete a dissertation or thesis.
If you get a master’s degree through a teaching program, you will have a Master of Art (MA), Master of Science (MS) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil). For those who earn their Master’s degree through research, they are awarded a Master of Research (Mre) in a tailored field of study. Degree-specific master’s programs are also available such as the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Education (M.Ed). 5- 7 years (USA), 3-5 years (countries requiring a master’s degree) Structure Mostly coursework, usually culminating in a final project/dissertation/exhibition, sometimes referred to as a “capstone project” 2 years coursework in the United States. States to come up with a master’s degree and 3-5 years of independent work on a thesis Cost Varies widely by country, university and program; Master’s degrees from American universities can cost between $30,000 and $120,000, while degrees from other English-speaking countries are much cheaper (Master’s or PhD: Which Should You Choose? You’ve got the right master’s if you… career or you have a specific profession i.
looking and trying to develop the practical skills necessary for it you aim to become a university professor or spend your career on research in other companies/institutions you are ready for more money invest up front (because there are fewer scholarships and Masters opportunities) so you can start your professional life earlier You are passionate about a particular subject or subject and still feel passionate about it in 10 years You have a job and you want to study part-time to earn a living or at the same time gain professional experience You are motivated, available Gen have strong soli organizational skills and that they are ready for unexpected challenges
Although the time it takes you to do a PhD or Masters varies greatly between institutions and countries, we focus here on this American system. Of course, doctorates take much longer as they are actually a combination of both degrees and involve a long period of independent research which can be longer than expected depending on the subject, equipment or the support available and many other factors.
How to apply for a PhD
Prospective students should generally submit a research proposal to the faculty where they wish to study. Some faculties encourage students to discuss their ideas with the first scientific work in the field. The proposal will outline what they plan to study with their research, how it relates to other research in their field, and the methods they plan to use to conduct their research. However, some doctorates, particularly in the natural sciences, are advertised as scholarships where the research objectives are more prescriptive.
A PhD usually lasts three years (four years for a New Way PhD – see below), or any available funding is usually sufficient for this period. Students may take more time to complete their thesis, but this will usually be at their own expense. For part-time self-funded students, it can take up to seven years.