Ph. D.s are sometimes regarded as the pinnacle of academic success since they prepare you for a career in academic research and academia, which may eventually lead to the title of “Professor.” To obtain a PhD, one must put in years of arduous labour, usually accompanied by personal problems and thoughts of quitting. Student forums and discussion groups routinely question whether or not obtaining a PhD via a “shortcut” is conceivable.
It is standard practice to pursue a master’s degree after receiving a bachelor’s degree in order to prepare for a doctorate, however, this is not always essential. Despite the fact that not all fields or countries provide this option, there are still many options if you wish to save time and money in your studies.
Can I obtain a PhD without a degree?
You will be eligible for consideration as a candidate in Australia if you have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree linked to your proposed research topic. While some universities enable students to pursue a PhD without first earning a bachelor’s degree, this is not the case at all. Assume you graduated from high school and immediately began your profession. You’ve worked hard throughout your career to become an expert in your field. After some time, you decide to pursue a degree or certificate in order to advance your knowledge and open new doors in your industry. So you’ve chosen to go back to school for a master’s degree.
Many Australian universities will consider applicants for postgraduate study (typically graduate certificates) who can demonstrate extensive professional experience and other postsecondary studies (certificates from TAFE, for example) in a relevant field as an alternative to the more traditional requirement of a bachelor’s degree. If you don’t already have a bachelor’s degree but have a lot of industry and research experience in your area, you’ll nearly always need to start with a graduate certificate and work your way up to a master’s and eventually a PhD.
To get into a PhD programme with simply a graduate credential (and no bachelor’s or master’s degree), you’ll need extensive documentation of past research work and an acceptable GPA. This type of application is assessed on a case-by-case basis at some universities.
No, a master’s degree is not required to obtain a PhD
No, a master’s degree is not necessary to apply for a PhD, as previously claimed. A PhD does not need an MPhil, so don’t assume we’ve got your back on this one. On the surface, pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy after completing a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) may seem logical (PhD).
Is it feasible to get a bachelor’s degree to a PhD in one year?
Yes. Most institutions need a bachelor’s degree with honours (typically at least IIA) before accepting a student’s application. Certain universities may accept a bachelor’s degree without honours followed by an applicable graduate certificate or diploma provided the applicant has several years of relevant research experience. Following your bachelor’s degree, there are various advantages to furthering your education to better prepare you for a PhD. While it may be tempting to speed through your PhD studies, remember that being well-prepared will help you to get the most out of your time in the lab.
If you don’t want to commit to a master’s programme after your bachelor’s degree but still want to pursue a PhD in your chosen field of study, talk to your course convener. Following your undergraduate degree, acquiring a graduate certificate or certification in the field of study in which you intend to pursue a PhD may provide you with a better idea of potential research subjects. It is difficult to decide whether to pursue a PhD without a master’s degree and finding an appropriate supervisor may take time. With a master’s degree, you can even go ahead of the competition as a PhD candidate.
