Is PhD at Cambridge hard?

A Cambridge PhD is intellectually demanding and you will need to have a high level of attainment and motivation to pursue this programme of advanced study and research.

Is a Cambridge PhD prestigious?

According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, the University of Cambridge is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, ranked as the leading higher education institution in Europe.

How hard is it to get a PhD at Oxbridge?

However, entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a first-class degree or the equivalent. For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.6 out of 4.0. However, most successful applicants have a GPA of 3.7 or above.

How long does a PhD take in Cambridge?

The Cambridge PhD is a three to four-year full-time (five to seven-year part-time) programme of individual research on a topic agreed by the student and the Department, under the guidance of a staff member as the student's supervisor.

What is the completion rate for PhDs at Cambridge?

Oxford University comes out average for English universities, with 78% of students finished within seven years, while at Cambridge, the figure is 80%. The study, by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, is the first to compare institutions' records of how long students take to complete PhDs.

20 PhD students reveal what a PhD is REALLY like

How competitive is Cambridge PhD?

Cambridge University is one of the most prestigious and competitive universities in the world, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of around 18-19%, and a postgraduate acceptance rate of 34%. At Cambridge, acceptance rates vary significantly by subject and college.

What is the failure rate for PhDs in the UK?

There is a difference between dropping out of a PhD (i.e. non-completion) and failing (i.e. not passing a viva or thesis submission). Outright failing a PhD is actually quite low; in the UK Discover PhDs found this to be just 3.3% of students.

Can I do a PhD at Cambridge without a Masters?

May I be eligible to apply to PhD in Oxford/Cambridge without a Master? I have a dual BSc (6 years, 378 ECTS), and two years of research experience: one in Academia and another one in a top pharmaceutical company. Yes. If you've two years of research experience then you won't need a master's.

Do you need a masters to do a PhD at Cambridge?

Various routes to the PhD are possible and, if you are made an offer of admission, it will be made clear whether you are required to study for a master's degree or certificate in the first instance, or will be admitted directly to the probationary year for the PhD.

Do you have to live in Cambridge for PhD?

Terms of residence

You are expected to live in Cambridge throughout your graduate studies unless you have been given permission to live elsewhere or have Leave to Work Away or during periods of holiday agreed with your supervisor, not normally exceeding 8 weeks in a 12-month period.

What is the hardest year of a PhD?

It depends: if by the 3rd year you have a viable idea, then the 1st year of Phd is the hardest. If no workable idea by the 3rd year, then 4th year is the hardest.

Why is getting a PhD so difficult?

It requires dedication, hard work, and plenty of motivation to stay on track. Getting a PhD can be a very challenging process that requires several years of intensive research, coursework, and writing.

What is the hardest PhD in the world?

Some of the most difficult PhD programs include those in the fields of mathematics, physics, and engineering. These programs require a high level of mathematical and analytical skills, as well as a strong ability to think abstractly and creatively.

Is Cambridge PhD fully funded?

Anyone who applies for a postgraduate course at Cambridge can also apply to be considered for funding to help cover their fees and costs. Students can be fully, partially or self-funded and there are several ways to find funds through the University and from external sources (see box below).

What is the most prestigious degree at Cambridge?

What is the most competitive degree at Cambridge?

What are the most competitive courses at Cambridge? Although the average Cambridge acceptance rate is 15.7%, this rate is inevitably lower for its most competitive courses. These courses include Medicine, Computer Science, Architecture, Economics, Engineering, and Law.

Can I apply to both Oxford and Cambridge for PhD?

Yes! The restriction on applying to both universities only applies to undergraduate admissions. For information on applying to Oxford, please visit www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/graduate.

Is Cambridge difficult to get into?

Cambridge's acceptance rate hovers around 20%. Widely recognized as one of the most competitive universities globally, this low rate reflects the institution's uncompromising commitment to academic excellence and rigorous selection process.

Is it easy to get into Cambridge postgraduate?

Cambridge acceptance rate for postgraduate is 30.9%.

Is it harder to get a PhD without a Masters?

Disadvantages of Applying to a PhD without A Masters

Not having a Master's degree may prove to be a hindrance during your application process. This is because many other students will also apply to the same research projects, and it's likely that the majority will hold a Masters.

What do you need to do a PhD at Cambridge?

Can you do a part-time PhD at Cambridge?

Our part-time programmes offer a more flexible way to study for a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge - meaning you can fit your studies around your career and other commitments.

Is it hard to fail a PhD?

A study of 26,000 PhD candidates across 14 universities found that only 16.2% of students dropped out, and 3.3% failed.

Do most people pass their PhD?

Getting a doctorate could be one of your biggest life achievements—provided you can make it to the finish line. Drop out rates vary by discipline, but as many as 50 percent of students don't complete their doctorate.

Is it common to drop out of PhD?

Dropping out of the PhD: the problem of attrition. If you ever faced this kind of thoughts, you are not alone. Not at all. In the research literature about students dropping out of doctoral programs (or “attrition”, as they call it), very often the ballpark of 40–60% attrition rate is mentioned ¹.