Can you have fun as a PhD student?

If they want to, PhD students absolutely can and do have a social life! Just like how university graduates who go on to have “normal” jobs still go out and have fun, so can PhD students.

Do PhD students play games?

Yes, of course. Many PhD students in our lab are gamers, and I (and some other faculty) sometimes discuss videogames together with them. A PhD is a demanding endeavor, but it doesn’t mean you stop having any leisure. In fact, you should better have some.

Do you get holidays during PhD?

You are entitled to take holiday as a PhD student and if you feel in need of a break it’s not going to do your productivity any good. PhDs are a great time to make the most of opportunities, and this includes taking breaks to go on holiday.

How important are PhD programs in the field?

In many fields (see below), top programs are a MUST for securing a job in the field post-graduation. On the other hand, go beyond the rankings to explore the real dynamism of, and specialities in, a department (particularly once you’re talking about the specific subfields PhD students are concerned with).

What does the Times Higher Education ranking mean for PhD students?

A strong focus on research and citations means the THE ranking also reflects the wider research framework that supports and enables a university’s PhD work. The Times Higher Education ranking uses some metrics related to PhD study, but it definitely isn’t a PhD ranking.

Is it worth it to do a PhD at a university?

But it’s not necessarily that useful for PhD students. At least not on its own. You’ll obviously benefit from the overall quality and reputation of your university, but you’re going to rely much more on the skills and expertise of your supervisor (and other academic staff) as well as the quality of a specific set of facilities and resources.

How can I find out more about PhD programmes available?

By selecting a university you can use our listings to see exactly what kinds of PhD projects and programmes it currently has available. The information in this table is based on the 2021 university rankings published by Times Higher Education, QS and the Academic Ranking of World Universities.