PhD success rate AND FINISHING TIME UK

G

Hi, If someone know please let me know that success rate of PhD completion in UK and how much time usually succesful applicants take to complete full time PhD.

G

I read somewhere that about 50% of the PhD's drop out at some time in the UK and that the average students takes about 4 to 6 years in completing their PhD.
Quite dramatic figures don't you think?

G

That sounds a bit too dramatic; at my uni (Sussex)you are required to finish your PhD within 4 years- I know nowbody at my institute who took much longer than this (and that was due to sickness).
Likewise only one PhD student droped out out of about 20 PhD students (finished or almost finished).

G

it's difficult not to finish within three to four years. being unsuccessful is also rare. if you follow your supervisor's instructions carefully and your supervisor approves of your work, then this shouldn't happen.

G

I'm at Sussex too and have found that most people complete their practical work in 3 years and spend 3-6 months writing up.

G

Okay, those are much more hopefull figures!
The drop-out figure I posted earlier I actually got from this website in PhD-life under Questions to ask...
I'm glad the reality appears to be better, because I'm thinking about trying to find a PhD job in the UK as well. (I am not from the UK, so it's quite hard to find one that is fully funded)

G

"Nearly three out of 10 full-time PhD students have still not completed their doctorates seven years after starting their studies, research revealed today." From an article in Guardian this month. You can read it at education.guardian.co.uk

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