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> But you don't really do 'classes' as a PhD student. In the US almost all programmes begin with a two year long Ph.D. student period at the end of which, assu
by barry-cotter 7y ago
> But you don't really do 'classes' as a PhD student.
In the US almost all programmes begin with a two year long Ph.D. student period at the end of which, assuming you pass your qualifying exams you can drop out with a Master’s. Once those are done you absolutely must focus on research though if you haven’t started on it already you’re behind. After the Master’s you’re a Ph.D. candidate. Somewhere in this period, if you’re doing it right you’re very likely to become the world’s leading expert on your particular, extremely narrow field. Then, or while becoming that expert you write up your thesis, defend it and get the degree.
In the UK it’s still possible to go directly from Bachelor’s to Ph.D. candidate and be done in three years but the trend is away from this, at least in the exact and social sciences.