Possible to do PhD straight from Bachelors?

Hello, So this question has been sought after for a couple of weeks now by me.

I've been reading various sources that say I don't. Although many do say I would need a first or a very strong 2.1 with a good background in research type stuff, I'm not sure if i'm able to do it off the rip with a first in bachelors?

I know different universities are different with this. Some absolutely require a masters degree, but some don't. So is it actually worth trying to apply off the rip with a first degree after bachelors?

Thanks for the help.

Hello, So this question has been sought after for a couple of weeks now by me.

I've been reading various sources that say I don't. Although many do say I would need a first or a very strong 2.1 with a good background in research type stuff, I'm not sure if i'm able to do it off the rip with a first in bachelors?

I know different universities are different with this. Some absolutely require a masters degree, but some don't. So is it actually worth trying to apply off the rip with a first degree after bachelors?

Thanks for the help.

Hello, So this question has been sought after for a couple of weeks now by me.

I've been reading various sources that say I don't. Although many do say I would need a first or a very strong 2.1 with a good background in research type stuff, I'm not sure if i'm able to do it off the rip with a first in bachelors?

I know different universities are different with this. Some absolutely require a masters degree, but some don't. So is it actually worth trying to apply off the rip with a first degree after bachelors?

Thanks for the help.

Its university / department dependent, so impossible to answer with any kind of certainty unless you say where you plan to apply. For many of the higher ranked institutions however, you can guarantee that you would be in competition with people who do have a masters if you apply with only a BSc.

Hi @ateben,

As you say, it will vary from university to university, but some will accept you onto a PhD programme with a 1st or a 2:1. We do at the University of Suffolk, our application guidance states:
“Applicants for postgraduate research degrees are expected to hold a Bachelors (Honours) degree, graded at 1 or 2:1, awarded by an institution or body with degree awarding powers in the UK or equivalent from a recognised overseas institution.” (https://www.uos.ac.uk/content/phd-application-process)

Here’s a link to our Doctoral College, where you can find out more about postgraduate research with Suffolk: https://www.uos.ac.uk/phd-study

Are you thinking about applying to particular university? It’d be an idea to contact them directly to find out their admissions requirements, but I think it’s definitely worth exploring!

I’m a PhD student with Suffolk, so if you have any questions about PhD study, please ask 😊

Hope that's helped,

Amy
Official University of Suffolk rep

I'd say apply, what have you got to lose? If a strong university accepts you for PhD you're probably good enough

That's true, I will try some top universities, some mid and then some safties (this goes along with some masters deg.).

If you are a PhD student, did you do a masters before applying for PhD? or Did you apply straight for a PhD? If the latter, I heard that "research experience" is helpful, but I don't know where to begin with that?

That's true, I will try some top universities, some mid and then some safties (this goes along with some masters deg.).

If you are a PhD student, did you do a masters before applying for PhD? or Did you apply straight for a PhD? If the latter, I heard that "research experience" is helpful, but I don't know where to begin with that?

I was asked by my uni to skip my integrated Masters year and apply for their Doctoral training program - I did and have a place, I'll graduate in the summer with a BSc and start my doctorate in the autumn.

My uni is one of the top in the country and highly regarded worldwide for my field of study so it is possible. The difference here may be the university already knows me.

I have not been a PhD student for quite a while now . FYI Imperial mandates a Masters for PhD applicants unless they bring "special" skills with them, e.g. several years of relevant industrial or national lab experience.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/help-centre/postgraduate-admissions/-what-are-the-entry-requirements-and-what-qualifications-do-you-accept.php

I was asked by my uni to skip my integrated Masters year and apply for their Doctoral training program - I did and have a place, I'll graduate in the summer with a BSc and start my doctorate in the autumn.

My uni is one of the top in the country and highly regarded worldwide for my field of study so it is possible. The difference here may be the university already knows me.

Hi @ateben,

I did do a masters before applying for my PhD, but found out from a fellow PhD student that it wasn't a requirement to have a masters to be accepted onto Suffolk's PhD programme. I didn't have a great deal of research experience before applying (only from my undergrad & masters dissertation modules), but I did have experience in my chosen topic of education (I was a primary school teacher). It'd be worth contacting the universities you're interested in to find out their requirements.

For research experience, are there any projects/studies that you could be a participant in? Sometimes students ask on Facebook/Twitter etc for participants, I see a few in the education & teacher groups I belong to. Are there any groups/pages linked to your intended area of study you could join?

Amy
Official University of Suffolk Student Rep

Well yh, I will also apply to my current university because it's a nice backup. (University of Leicester)

I have decided to start emailing my professors and lectures about the possibility to shadow their work or somehow gain experience in research from them.

Good choice. The professors there would know you well and it may help you. As long as you get along with them, that is

Nice initiative. Only thing, make sure your schedule is still good enough to fit the things you want.

I have decided to start emailing my professors and lectures about the possibility to shadow their work or somehow gain experience in research from them.