How to complete your PhD in 3 years | the ULTIMATE ROADMAP!

[@robertjamesstove]

Yep, I finished my PhD in just under three years. Which is how long my scholarship funding lasted. Amazing how the threat of poverty concentrates the mind.

[@Joe_from_Rio]

In France, the expected length of a PhD in science is 3 years. Year 1 is the "buildup" (bibliography and building your tools/models/tests), year 2 is "the work" testing/analyzing/writing your first paper/going to conferences. Year 3 is the "expert" year where your research topic is becoming your specialty. This is usually the year where you make discoveries and start to "teach" your supervisor on the topic, while writing additional papers. The 6 last months are dedicated to writing your thesis and preparing your defence.

[@Bati_]

Can you please elaborate a bit more on the buildup in year 1? Would you need to know how to analyze every kind of method you will be employing or learning them along the way would count as well?

[@Joe_from_Rio]

@@Bati_ I guess it depends how flexible your test tool and analysis tool are and how fast you can produce the results. The idea is build and validate your tool (by testing it with reference cases and with extreme cases), build your protocol, run the tests and analyze the results. If you change your tool along the way your results might not be comparable/pooled with the previous ones. So you'd better be sure that you have explored everything to avoid starting all over again.

[@Bati_]

@@Joe_from_Rio Thank you so much for your answers, so does that mean that I should be proficient in analyzing data using a specified framework/method before starting my PhD and there is no room for learning data analysis/programming along the way?

[@Joe_from_Rio]

@@Bati_ yes there is at the beginning (3-6 months). You do not need to be an expert as long as you have enough theoretical knowledge to learn fast and to be able to understand and criticize the tool (the jury may ask : why did you chose this method over another ? what are the limits of this method etc..)

[@jrh00002508]

I'm soon to start my PhD and your channel is already helping me tremendously. Thank you kindly!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

You're very welcome!

[@DeeCee1234-b7m]

A year later, so, how is the PhD going?

[@chemistryphysics716]

@@DeeCee1234-b7m LOL. if he watches this shmuck for advice he already quit grad school

[@takiyaazrin7562]

What is your area of study?

[@ayodejimatuluko]

This is really good advice. Finishing a PhD in 3 years is achievable. However, I think it is important to acknowledge that different PhD students have different journeys. In particular, for those halfway through (or even at other stages) their PhD when the pandemic hit, there have been unexpected disruptions to research plans (especially for non lab-based research involving the recruitment of human participants) and some universities, especially in the UK have provided extensions of time and funding to cushion the effect of the pandemic. In normal circumstances, I am also aware that for some universities in the UK there is no tuition fee charged in the 4th year (ideally for writing up), just a small continuation fee. Overall, doing a PhD is about adaptability, resilience and getting things done in as good a time as possible, as you have highlighted.

[@ObsidianWisdom]

Great job! I completed my MS Thesis and PhD at Purdue University in 3.5 years during the height of the pandemic. It was a lot of fun but I definitely had to finesse my way into getting a lot of work done in a shorter amount of time. Also, I used a dissertation coach during the last 6 months of my PhD.

[@roonieh9619]

I'm at Purdue also, fellow Boilermaker! May you please tell me which discipline you were in and how you accomplished this? My PhD advisor in English told me it's "impossible" but I told her that word doesn't exist in my vocab.!

[@ObsidianWisdom]

@@roonieh9619 I got my PhD in Engineering Education and got a MS in Technology, Leadership, & Innovation along the way. The MS is through the Polytechnic Institute while the PhD was in the College of Engineering. There was a lot of overlap in course requirements so that made getting the MS an easy decision. Also, I had a solid idea of what I wanted to study for my MS already and established a great partnership with an amazing nonprofit to do the study. I had NSF fellowship funding which made it very easy to find free time to work on my own research projects. Lastly, I had an extremely supportive MS advisor and a PhD advisor who gave me free reign on my thought leadership. I'm highly entrepreneurial so taking initiative is my Modis Operandi.

[@anthonyenriquez6309]

@@ObsidianWisdomincredible

[@ShwetaSharma-su3il]

hi can i connect to you by any chance. i am in the first year of my phd and willing to complete it in 3 years not more.

[@GeoffreyEngelbrecht]

I will save this video to watch later but I failed to do this in 3 years but gave some advice to a colleague who did succeed in doing this in Switzerland where most PhD’s end up being considerably longer than 3 years. The first thing I told him was to keep focused on his work. If his supervisor was anything like mine you would go in with one question and come out with five more. Which is what a good supervisor should do but you need to recognise that answering all those questions might not progress your research aim and some may distract you and send you in directions that are not relevant. The other was not to accept a full time job half way through your PhD, a mistake I made. For 3 years after that I had no life working all day at my job and every evening and weekend on my PhD. But I did eventually make it through though it ended up adding a few more very stressful years than had I not done this.

[@abrin5508]

Will be impossible in some countries (Germany, USA). In UK from my experience it was just good personal project management to get it done in 3 years (I was a geek and had a Gantt chart). Map out the schedule for the 3 years early on, adjust and take action to keep it on track when things change, simply be organized on a weekly, monthly and yearly level and have a plan. For engineering it was get my equipment basics right - no point carrying on with the experiments if there is something flawed with the kit fundamentals - take the time to get it fixed, lost a few months doing that producing no results but saw my PhD colleagues waste a year or more getting variable results (needing repeats) because their equipment was flawed. Was done with the research in 2 years so could have realistically done it in 2.5 years but expanded the write up to a full year and enjoyed myself travelling for half of that.

[@htetnaing007]

How can someone dislike such an informative video? Thank you so much for these videos.

[@crystaltharrell]

I am a Ph.D. student in the US at Yale and have seen Ph.D. students graduate in 3 years. I finished two master's degrees in 3 years, so it's definitely possible. Yes, every academic journey is different, but there is always a way to accomplish something with A LOT of aligned work and focused action. My advice to any Ph.D. student in the US wanting to finish early is to (1) ask students who have finished early and figure out what they did, (2) ask a lot of questions and guidelines and requirements, and (3) don't try to do it alone. Best of luck!!

[@dawnhunter538]

Your content is so valuable and clearly presented. I have just enrolled in my PhD, which is partly funded so I need to finish it in three years to avoid more fees. Luckily I have already worked with my supervisors for the past three years and we have a great working relationship. It's going to be a tough few years, but your tips and advice have already helped so much with my project planning and knowing what to expect for the next few years.

[@emi62507]

I'm finishing up my masters and will be starting my PhD next year so this was really helpful - I want to spend three years on it and not 4.

[@enavigatorE]

In the US PhD in Chemistry usually takes 4-5 years or even more. Usually, students graduate with 4-5 publications. Can't imagine finishing it in under 3 years. I know a couple of Cambridge PhDs graduated with no publications. Here no publications mean no jobs in Chemistry.

[@salmakhaled2397]

Thank you so much. I am from Egypt and your channel helped me write a research proposal. Currently accepted in Australia for PhD with scholarships. I completed two months and was worried about my progress. But it seems fine from this video. Thank you

[@TriptiRaman]

This is really hard to do in the US. I've read the average is 5 for stem and even more for nonstem or humanities. You did a good job and I was inspired. Still would be hard. Thanks for putting something positive out for phds.

[@andrewareva4605]

There's a huge difference if you join a lab and you are expected to create protocols from literature vs adapt a protocol vs following a protocol from a kit to being shown how to do a protocol by another member in the lab. You could struggle for a month on one small thing not understanding why it doesn't work when someone with expertise could show you how it's done in a few hours. Also if your boss insists on doing an assay that may not work, but you don't realize it because you are a new student could make you waste years.

[@jothamnjoroge]

One of the best videos I've seen in a really long time! I can see myself applying these rules to other sectors of life and work. Thanks a mil Andrew! (and great beard man!)

[@meltossmedia]

In undergrad and already starting on my thesis, I'm bouta speedrun my PhD

[@NishanthVikraman]

Interesting thought, I'm an undergrad too!

[@melanies8263]

I'm starting my PhD in Health Sciences in July, I'm so excited! Here in Switzerland it is now the norm in many fields to do a cumulative dissertation, meaning that I'll have to publish at least three peer-reviewed papers. Your videos are very helpul nonetheless!

[@MegaEpicLlama]

Great video! It seems to summarise a few of your older videos into a single concise unit.

[@tatejosephoyinbrakemi8284]

You're GOLDEN Andy! Thank you so so much. I'm in my 6th month and honestly not feeling the vibes of learning new skills just yet. Got to work on building those relationships and learning all relevant instruments.

[@shanewhite352]

PhD in 3 years? --> a joke in Australia in this pandemic, with having no access to the university labs and supervisors asking you to produce papers so they can put their names as first authors and supervisor naming you as a low contributor although you know you did all the work and they just commented on your paper. And university deans supporting this academic misconduct as they get more grants from the Australian government. Australia: The place where most academic misconducts happen. Most supervisors and deans should be in jail in Australia.

[@Martin-sr8yb]

This is the reality

[@anammaccoi7846]

It's same everywhere ...

[@boertschman]

Not only in Australia 🇦🇺 unfortunately also in Austria 🇦🇹

[@skjamaludin]

All these publications KPIs ruin the value of research. I think back in the 80s or 90s, people (academicians) did research for the sake of gaining knowledge, but now, it's all about publications. This is why in my opinion, researches now are mostly in lower quality than in 90s..

[@takiyaazrin7562]

My man don't badmouth your country. This happens all over the world

[@tapashyarasaily1373]

Had I not found you....I d just stay in the burnout zone... seriously thanks so much👍

[@Drganguli]

Very difficult to complete the PhD in 3 years in USA, India and some other countries. The course requirement is too much. But true for UK and Europe I think which are based mostly on research.

[@tapashyarasaily1373]

True👍 they required us to do a rigorous coursework with huge assignments ...it's really hard to do it in 3 yrs but thts wt I ll still aim for..just to get out of academia once I'm done wid this😂..

[@iambond233]

That is why i want to do my PhD in europe

[@Drganguli]

@@iambond233 yes European is streamlined

[@iambond233]

@@Drganguli yes.. i am currently in final year bsc .. And trying to do good msc so that I will get the opportunity to work at European university.☺️

[@shanewhite352]

It's the same in Australia, shit can't be completed within 3 years

[@mmcguireiphone]

I have an opportunity to do a PhD in a subject I'm already specialist in and wouldnt need as much research early in so this makes me think about doing it sooner

[@Luie4406]

I start my PHD program tomorrow. This video has helped to calm my nerves.

[@Katadori09]

It might make sense if you’re trying to go to industry next, but for government or academic jobs, they’re going to be interested in how big your publication and oral presentation lists are. If you are efficient enough to get done in 3 years. you could probably double your output in 5, and that would be preferable if you wanted to enter into these fields, I would imagine. A lot of time limit countdowns for things like grant eligibility, early career awards, eligibilities for certain jobs, etc. turn on when you get your PhD, so it’s actually advantageous to pad your CV before then as much as you can, up to the 5 year mark imo. More time than that could count against you, though it’s field-dependent, but I don’t think you would get any special advantage for being a candidate who generated an average graduate’s CV in 3 vs an above-average graduate’s CV in 5. Of course, this can all be disregarded if you’re looking for an industry job for sure.

[@09onammtaamut]

Thankyou 👍 I just submitted for registration and one year is getting over !

[@asifjahan5379]

It's simply a beautiful piece of presentation, precisely focusing on the ingredients that could really make it happen, Kudos to you dear Andy sir!

[@digitalmadrasa4219]

This is one of the most important videos that I ever read in your channel. Thank you

[@severnsevern1445]

Great video! But the reality is that PhD isn't linear process, there are many down and up. Thank you!

[@vxchrxs7931]

Love your content! Going to start a PhD in Oct and your videos get me pumped 😄 could you do a video on tips for the first (and second) year of a ‘1+3’ programme please?

[@ian020881]

You might need to explain that a bit better. I think I know what you mean because I've lined up a PhD which could fit that description. It's 1 year training with a Center for Doctoral Training, followed by 2 years embedded in Industry.

[@vxchrxs7931]

@@ian020881 ahh I thought it was a common thing, maybe just in the UK- what I'm talking about is similar (also a CDT programme) but in the first year you do a some rotational projects either in the department or with an industry partner. This is followed by 3 years of your actual PhD research project with your department (so like a normal 3 year PhD). Sometimes I believe it's called an MRes+ PhD or MPhil+PhD programme, where MRes is the first rotational year and PhD is the normal 3 year that follows

[@michaweidemann8256]

All your tips are quite usefull and much appreciated!... nevertheless, they do not apply to any research that depends on extensive field work within any given social framework. When your data depends on social interaction, time does not depend on your planning but on the specific social context, problematics and interaction.... And this can be quiet exhausting, considering your dependency on healthy relationships, if focussed on overall schedules and deadlines...

[@minofex]

Great guidance! One a different note, your beard has become absolutely brilliant!! Keep up the great work on your channel!!

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Thank you! Will do!

[@iambond233]

@@DrAndyStapleton i thing birds are looking for a place for making a nest and here it is in your beard.. 🤣 Just kidding andy .

[@sayektiharits7386]

I really appreciate your content as I preparing myself for PhD. It is really inspiring.

[@annewrites...8385]

Thank you, Andy. Such valuable information.

[@rakkeez]

I'm starting my PhD in two weeks, and you channel helped me a lot, can you also produce videos focusing on fields like Business Management which is a bit different from STEM fields.

[@onosdenzel]

Thanks 👍 for the great videos you put out there. Very insightful and helpful

[@guebbouh2020]

Thank you, your experience is very inspiring.

[@joyahwatkins4550]

This is great! Thanks for the useful content!

[@homa_ghaiedi2626]

Please do a tutorial on XRD and AFM.

[@ayeshatoobakhan6097]

Hi Andy! Your videos are indeed helpful👍🏻 I shall be grateful if you can make a video on effective documentation of literature review and the research work 🙏🏻

[@ABHISHEKJHA-uw7dn]

Thank you for these videos. It is really helpful.

[@haridev7675]

Wow It’s really very impressive for those who newly stated PhD students and I want to take some suggestions from you that I’m from faculty of Management which is the best topics for me in such levels

[@englisheverydaywithmrsb7647]

Your videos have helped me to carry on. Thanyou so much 😊

[@rowlandgoddy-worlu3382]

Thanks Andy, but you didn't factor in coursework in the video, please how does that fit in?

[@yanasazalli1694]

2nd yr dig in my 80/20

[@nicky_bee]

I'm making notes!

[@omerashahnawaz6933]

Another amazing video. Thanks Andy

[@DrAndyStapleton]

My pleasure! Thank you for supporting the channel!

[@halimabama4747]

I'm in my 2nd year, i hope i saw this before 😭

[@lolaperez6350]

Thank you, Andrew for all the content in your channel 🙏 🙌 👏 👍!!! I'm planning to do my PhD PT, what do you think about PT PhD? I need to continue working FT. Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response!

[@kevinmarrs3372]

I plan on starting my PhD Sept 2022 in Sustainable chemistry (waste materials into fuels and chemicals) after working 1.5 years in industry. Any advice for people going back to PhD after getting industry experience? I have masters already and work as a chemist at a pharma company

[@agathaturyagyenda7900]

Can you have on a visitor that was working while studying, that perspective would be helpful. thanks

[@funky_gold_medusa]

PhD in Nursing is 4-5 years in Canada.

[@takiyaazrin7562]

Great advice

[@hkanemat]

Thank you so much for the video Andy, very helpful. I have enrolled in a PhD program in April (last month) while working a full time job. So far I don't think I can complete it in 3 years, but I would appreciate any advice you can give me.

[@madhavilatha8758]

Good video! Do you have any video on literature review?

[@nayanriv93]

I want to finish my PhD in 3 years (just starting the 3rd one now) but I also feel guilty because my peers are asking for a 4th year... does it make me a bad PhD student not wanting to stay longer in my lab? One of the major reasons is I can't deal with my supervisor anymore 🥲🥲🥲, but also, I think 3 years is enough... very confusing times. Advices from anyone here are highly appreciated ! Regards from Paris :)

[@StorytellingHeadshots]

No, it doesn’t. Get out as soon as you can. Think of the opportunity cost financially alone of staying in the program longer just to please your peers! It’s not worth the cost. If you can graduate in three years, do it!

[@MissOrostegui]

I love your videos!

[@jdjadav]

Thanks a lot

[@aditisiddharth6472]

I need to get quicker and better at my academic writing. Any tips for that?

[@realalsingh-ramharrack8762]

Every time you read a paper try writing a summary of the paper in 2000 words or less, depending on the university you're enrolled at there's assistance within the literature department that can go over your work for you

[@pl5094]

When an experiment fails or if a student has technical problems, is it more appropriate to turn to labmates for help instead of supervisors? I found that supervisors can't help much. But labmates usually have no time to help. What kinds of help exactly should a student expect from his/her supervisor? Thanks.

[@ShytFerBraynes]

4 years in the US is ooofff

[@jimin4life797]

Dear Andy, thanks for the information. after watching your video i have some questions, Around the very beggining of my phD my supervisor immideately pushed me into paper research where i found some models for my research and had a meeting where they pushed for a model that had supposedly already decided for. By june of that year i had my ethical and by november i had the approval to go ahead for my experiments. Meaniwhile these months i was researching for some plans that were supposed to be on my third year. From november until now i have finished my pilot study and am doing lab training for the third year project. im being really pushed by my supervisor to produce some results for the third year goal and im stuck. Im not sure how to organize my self. I try to do reading and catching up on all the things i did but because my lab training didnt start until october of last year and i was just wandering around asking people their knowledge i feel very lacking. Right now im learning statistics and r programming language and have been signed up for a poster presantation and oral presantation in two congresses. i'm also learning LC-MS and that is the part im having a lot of trouble and making mistakes. Do you have nay advice on how to pace my self better because i feel like im all over the place and at the same time nowhere.

[@MissAsdfb99]

But PhD is already 3 years in EU

[@pavlovkuki6616]

PhD in Philosophy.. Can you please talk about it??

[@UKEducatedLady]

I'm approaching the halfway point in my humanities Ph.D. and I'm aiming to complete it within three years But what do you mean by finish, do you mean submit the thesis or have the viva within three years?

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Submit the thesis. My thesis examination took 6 months, although normally it is quicker. I started my job and worked for a bit while it was being examined.

[@AsanMasraf]

How can I get PhD funded scholarship in Electrical Engineering? Any advice

[@rubeniamanzanares1495]

Thank you so much for these videos, they are extremely helpful! I have a question, when you say "your supervisor " do you mean an advisor?

[@DrAndyStapleton]

Yes, correct. Advisor, supervisor, PI, they are all used to describe the person you are working under.

[@tanned06]

I don't think anyone could manage themselves to finish their PhD in a North American system with a two-year coursework plus a PhD qualification exam set in the middle. Four years are considered super-quick, 5 to 6 years are norm, more than 6 years is not uncommon especially in the humanities field. I completed mine in 4.5 year and was the quickest among all the former students to finish it in my lab.

[@natelee4884]

I am 5th year and my advisor is not optimistic if I can finish it in my 6th year. I am so concerned and need to increase my speed but not sure what should I do

[@latetodagame1892]

I was told to publish as an undergrad.

[@clivekingshott4323]

Plymouth massive!! That made me laugh, being a Penzance boy in China!

[@deemajebreel4976]

I’m a first reserve candidate for a PhD scholarship. What is my chances?

[@kinanauk5012]

hi Andy, thanks for the content. I m in year 3, last 6 months! would u plz tell us how u created nice schematic draws in ur thesis?

[@DrAndyStapleton]

I did them in word (bad) if I were to do it now I'd use inkscape. It's free and quick to pick up after watching a few KZbin videos.

[@valevan14]

Hi, this is a really nice video, but it's not saying why three years and not four years etc. (if you have a choice/funding, that is)

[@getyoinked3937]

Do you have any advice for people in the USA on their PhD?

[@soumiaelbyere7396]

Amazing video I will share it with my Lab mates God willing , so interesting thank you so much for the scheduale too. I hope I can understand how to work with the principal of Pareto 20/80. Peace from Morocco

[@noreddine]

There's a book called 80/20 it will help you

[@soumiaelbyere7396]

@@noreddine Oh really? thank you so much, it's really helpful.

[@noreddine]

@@soumiaelbyere7396 it's my pleasure 😊

[@tridipasehanobis2497]

How to balance work life and phd?plz help

[@dhanushirodrigo7755]

Thanks for your videos, very insightful! would be even greater if shorter! :)

[@Maariu01]

Hi i am in the process of writting my proposal and gaining entry into a phd ive decided to do one by publication i wondered if its possible to cover one on youtube or not it would be helpful

[@iambond233]

here i am doing bsc and watching this vedio anyone from bsc???

[@Zakariah1971]

AI/ ML could knock out a dissertation in 3 weeks. 👀

[@rambo1525]

Spending my time looking at videos on how to succeed instead of doing the stuff i need to do in order to succeed...

[@vespeneprotoss4346]

Did you not have to take any graduate-level coursework for your phd?

[@DrAndyStapleton]

No, Australia and the UK do not have a coursework component to their PhD programs.

[@vespeneprotoss4346]

@@DrAndyStapleton That's the part that really has me wondering whether I should go for a phd right away instead of a master's 1st, even though in theory I'd just want a master's 1st. Here if you get a master's, then go for a phd in a different school or department, you'd have to re-take aaaaaaall of those graduate-level courses all over again. It doesn't make sense to me: "Typically a full-time master’s program will require 2 years of study. Many new doctoral students find that their master’s coursework doesn’t transfer. If you enroll in a master’s program recognize that it will likely not make a dent in your required doctoral coursework. Your PhD will likely take an additional 4 to 6 years after earning your master’s degree. " At least that's how I understand it. I haven't seen too many videos really going over that. The big problem in addition to the extra time to re-take graduate coursework would seem to be the $$ it costs to redo all the credits.

[@Soulmates_JL]

anyone from south korea

[@di3486]

Only if you are in a direct admit and don’t have an insane load of coursework and required NIH training courses 😭😭 welcome to the USA.

[@whoareyou98]

Can you do a video on bachelors vs masters.

[@perseoeridano4182]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@galia8921]

need to change the title to How to complete your PhD in 3 years if it's not a global pandemic

[@zadilkhwaja]

17:16 🤣🤣

[@Manx123]

Yes, how to complete your PhD in three yours so you can work 30 years in post-doc hell. Sign me up! /s

[@chemistryphysics716]

No one any good values anyone who got a PhD in 3 years.

[@francishunt562]

I think Stephen Hawking completed his PhD in 3 years from Cambridge University. I believe he was 'valued'. Other notable 3 year PhD's are Roger Penrose (recent Nobel Laureate), Andrew Wiles(proved Fermat's last theorem) , Richard Taylor, Dorothy Hodgkins. I could go on, but I think I've made my point.

[@chemistryphysics716]

@@francishunt562 these were 3 year PhD's in theoretical physics or math 40 years ago. This guy is a chemist that does 'experiments'. they take time. a 3 year PhD in an experimental science is a joke. especially chemistry. I could go on, but I think I've made my point. This is from a tenured professor in Chemistry who studied at Harvard. This guy Andy Stapleton is giving all the wrong advice.

[@MuzixMaker]

@@chemistryphysics716what’s your advice, Doctor?

[@chemistryphysics716]

@@MuzixMaker get a PhD from a top 5 USA university in chemistry. Work with a prof that is a member of the national academy of Sciences and below age 60. Get Postdoc at top 5 university with prof that is a national academy of science member under age 60. Get a Damon Runyon Postdoc fellowship and or a Burroughs Wellcome Award as postdoc. Voila. Faculty positions will rain down on you when you apply. If you don't meet these criteria then make youtube videos how you think the system is unfair. I gave you the keys. Being a prof at a R1 school is for the best of the best. Please look at the top 50 chem departments in the USA. You will notice that almost every single prof that was hired in the last 20 years is from a top 5 program for either PhD or Postdoc or both. This is winner take all business.

[@yanasazalli1694]

1st yr reproducing

[@tainicon4639]

3 years… this video doesn’t apply to Americans haha Average time to PhD is like 6.5 years. I know Many who took like 7-8.

[@chemistryphysics716]

If you want to win you don't take advice from losers.

[@zhengbei2251]

Many PhD students would be asked to be mentor of master students or laboratory practice, this is sometimes annoying and costs much time, do you have any ideas how to deal with it?