The Journey to a Doctoral Degree: Key Considerations for Your Path

Dr. Elena Zhirukhina

A PhD is a long and often lonely journey. You will spend years immersed in your project—how many depend on the country where you pursue your degree. In the United Kingdom, a PhD typically takes three to four years; in other academic systems, it can stretch to seven. It is a serious commitment, and before embarking on this path, you need to ask yourself: Why do I need this? How will it help me achieve my long-term goals?

I understand the importance of these questions now. But when I was applying for PhD programs—and even when I started—I was trusting my instincts that this was something I needed to do. Unlike many of my colleagues, I had little idea what the process would demand of me or where it would ultimately lead. I moved forward like a blind kitten, relying purely on intuition. Thankfully, my instincts led me in the right direction. Yet, with the benefit of hindsight, I would strongly advise those considering a PhD to think strategically. Why do you need it? Where do you want to go that you cannot reach without it? Are there other ways to get there? This journey will take years of your life and, in many ways, a part of your soul. Make sure it is indeed what you want and need.

I received my PhD as a Marie Curie Fellow at the School of International Relations at St Andrews University in Scotland, UK. It was one of the best times of my life, a life-changing experience that divided my life into before and after. I am eternally grateful for these years. However, it was challenging. Here are some considerations I wish I had known to make the most of my PhD program.

Before

Project Idea

To apply for a doctoral program, you need a rough project idea—a research proposal. In technical terms, this means checking whether the university has a specific template or guidelines for structuring your proposal. But more importantly, you need a research idea that can sustain you through three or four years of work—something you are passionate about enough to pursue even on bad days, in terrible weather, or when everything seems to be going wrong. Despite the inevitable struggles, you should still profoundly desire to find your answer. It is not necessary to have a fully developed vision from the start—your project will evolve as you refine your ideas, gain new insights, and get creative. However, you need a solid foundation— a core concept or a significant research question that remains relevant throughout your PhD. It should address a gap in your field that has not been answered yet but is worth exploring.

Choosing University

The first thing I learned about St Andrews was that it had an ancient cemetery covered by picturesque fog and that Prince William had studied there. I discovered these facts only after signing the contract. I had no idea what to expect from Scotland—or St Andrews in particular. And yet, I could not have chosen a better place. It turned out to be ideal for both my professional and personal growth. I was fortunate to end up there. It was a twist of fate that changed my life. It was a leap of faith—and I jumped. While serendipitous decisions can sometimes work out, it is usually best to research and choose your university wisely and strategically. You may be as lucky as I was, but you can improve your chances by doing your due diligence.

What should you consider? Look into the academic environment - are there regular seminars, workshops, and meetings with professors and peers; does the university host guest lectures by leading academics and practitioners; how good is library access; is there administrative support for students; what about student unions and communities; does university life feel vibrant and engaging. Furthermore, when choosing a university, one should consider the strength of peer networks. The connections you build during your PhD can become the foundation of your future career, as you and your PhD colleagues will grow professionally together.

Supervisor

Choosing the right supervisor is half the battle won. Your supervisor will guide you through the PhD process. Naturally, a supervisor is not there to babysit you—you are an adult, and this is your project. However, a good supervisor will help you move forward, catch you when you feel overwhelmed by the multitude of ideas and options, guide you in making critical decisions, and, most importantly, tell you when it is time to wrap up and submit.

If you ask me, finding such a person is pure luck. I was incredibly fortunate with mine—I could not have wished for a better supervisor. Yet, when I signed my contract and moved to Scotland, I had only my intuition to rely on. Thankfully, my instincts did not fail me. Looking back years later, I realize just how lucky I was. Many of my colleagues had difficulties with their supervisors—some struggled to reach them during critical moments, while others received little to no guidance or vague, unhelpful advice. The experience can vary greatly.

That is why I strongly recommend researching potential supervisors before committing. The best approach is to contact their former students and ask about their experiences. People are generally open and willing to help—I have advised prospective students to consider my supervisor. I recommended him wholeheartedly because I witnessed firsthand the incredible dedication he brought to his role. I will always be grateful for his wisdom and support. Once you have identified a few potential supervisors, reach out to them. Their interest in your project is a necessary step for your PhD application.

Funding

There are different ways to fund your PhD—you can apply for scholarships or finance it yourself. Based on my experience and my PhD colleagues, I strongly recommend securing a good funding scheme. The PhD journey is already challenging enough without the added stress of financial insecurity or juggling part-time work alongside your dissertation. It is worth waiting a few years to secure a scholarship rather than diving in immediately and hoping to make ends meet along the way.

I was fortunate to receive a Marie Curie Fellowship, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It covered university fees and living expenses and provided a budget for training and conferences—an invaluable addition to my academic development. Of course, it is a highly competitive scheme, and it took me several years to secure it. But in the end, the effort was worth it. There are many other excellent funding opportunities out there. A good starting point is creating a scholarship database available for PhD students at your target universities. Most funding schemes have annual application cycles, so planning your applications in advance can significantly increase your chances of success.

During

Process

In the UK, a PhD typically takes three to four years. At first, this may seem like plenty of time, but that is an illusion. A doctoral dissertation is not something you can write overnight before the submission deadline—it requires sustained effort over an extended period. The sooner you establish a consistent, disciplined work routine, the less stress you will face as the deadline approaches. My advice: start working seriously from day one. My supervisor often reminded me: ‘It is just three years—time will pass before you know it.’ Having walked that path, I could not agree more. My second supervisor frequently used the word ‘assiduously’ to describe the approach needed for success. That word was displayed on my office desk as a daily reminder. Interestingly, the closer you get to your final submission, the faster time seems to fly. By my final year, my weeks felt like a blur—one moment, it was Monday morning, and the next, the entire week had gone. Once you begin, always remind yourself that the finish line is closer than it seems.

Training

During your doctoral program, you will have plenty of opportunities to receive training that can significantly enhance your career prospects. Start by exploring the courses offered by your university and those provided by external institutions to identify what might be helpful for your research and professional development. If you have a research budget, certifications for external training programs may be considered eligible expenses, so take advantage of that where possible.

My university offered a wide range of training opportunities. I attended courses on statistical methods (some multiple times, as my brain stubbornly resisted statistics) and sessions on leadership, networking, and job interviews, among many others. These trainings were invaluable in developing both my research skills and broader professional competencies. I strongly recommend inquiring early about available courses and strategically selecting those that will benefit your PhD project and future career.

Networking

The importance of networking cannot be overstated. It is a skill in itself—one that requires time, effort, and dedication. Coming from a post-Soviet background, I struggled to grasp this concept for quite some time, and as a result, I missed many opportunities at St Andrews to connect with people and engage with my field. It took me a while to find my own approach to networking, but eventually, I realized that you can always tailor it to suit your personality so that it feels authentic rather than forced.

That said, networking is essential. You need to be visible in professional circles to advance in your career. Fortunately, during your doctoral program, you will have plenty of opportunities to build connections—through seminars, workshops, conferences, and various academic events. Please make the most of these moments, as they can open doors you never knew existed.

Publications

Publications are another crucial aspect to consider seriously during your doctoral program. I was under the illusion that I could focus on publishing only after completing my thesis—as if the dissertation was my Mount Everest, the sole challenge I needed to conquer over three years. However, when I started applying for postdoctoral positions, I quickly realized that the most competitive candidates needed a strong publication record or clear potential to publish in reputable journals soon.

I still remember receiving a rejection from a potential postdoctoral supervisor, who explained that the baseline requirement for applicants was publications in well-established, peer-reviewed journals. That moment made it clear: to secure a top postdoctoral grant, you should start thinking about publishing as early as possible. The sooner you begin, the stronger your chances of success.

Teaching

Most doctoral programs allow tutoring alongside research, which can be a valuable opportunity to gain teaching experience. However, it is vital to know that tutoring is time-consuming—it involves class preparation, running sessions, holding office hours, and grading assignments. Balancing these responsibilities with your research can be challenging.

I had two semesters of tutoring undergraduates at St Andrews, but I enrolled only after submitting my thesis—first while waiting for my viva and then while working on minor corrections. This approach worked well for me, as I found it challenging to juggle both thesis writing and developing an entirely new skill, like teaching, at the same time. If teaching is part of your PhD experience, consider strategically timing your involvement to ensure it complements, rather than disrupts, your research progress.

Submission

Surprisingly, you may be reluctant to let go of your paper baby - your doctoral project - as you approach the finish line. You might think you are not ready, that it is not quite perfect yet, and that another year (or two or more) would make all the difference. Of course, your work must be good enough to pass the threshold for your degree. Yet, it may not be perfect or the best seen. You can refine it further, perhaps even shaping it into a publishable-quality manuscript during the next step of the academic journey.

There is a real danger in endless polishing—tweaking, revising, and improving without ever submitting. That is where the external pressures can be a blessing: a supervisor who tells you that it is time, a funding scheme that requires submission within a set period, or a university policy that enforces a strict deadline. If you have none of these constraints, it is crucial to discipline yourself to move on—do your best, submit, and let it go. A PhD thesis is ultimately an examination for a degree—no less, but no more.

Having said that, I sometimes wish I had had an extra six months to apply more advanced statistical modeling and elevate my findings further. But my funding scheme left me no choice but to submit, defend, and move forward. Looking back, I am grateful. I was already on the brink of burnout, and if I had indulged in endless perfectionism, I would have risked pushing myself beyond my limits.

Viva

The viva, or doctoral examination, varies across countries. In the UK, it is a closed, intense discussion between the PhD candidate and two examiners—an internal examiner (from within the university) and an external examiner (an expert from another institution whom the candidate has never met). This conversation can last several hours, and even the supervisor cannot attend. The viva determines whether the candidate meets the standard to be awarded a doctorate, with no pre-examination or prior indication of the outcome. Success depends on both the quality of the thesis and the candidate's preparation. Possible outcomes include passing with no corrections, minor corrections, major revisions requiring resubmission, or failure in rare cases. I was awarded a pass with minor corrections, which meant I had three months to address the examiners' comments and suggestions.

The supervisor's role is crucial in preparing for the viva. A supervisor can help identify examiners aligned with your research approach, ensuring a likelihood of productive discussion rather than an intellectual standoff. The last thing you want is for your thesis to become collateral damage in a battle between opposing academic schools of thought.

I had an online viva, which may seem unremarkable in the post-COVID era but was quite unusual at the time. Traditionally, the viva is conducted in person and followed by a celebratory dinner, offering a unique networking opportunity with the examiners, the supervisor, and a few guests. It is the moment for the new Dr. to shine. An online viva, however, lacks this aspect: if the external examiner participates remotely, you may never meet him or her in person. Examiners often play a key role in writing reference letters for postdoctoral funding applications, so it is valuable to establish a personal connection.

That said, any viva offers something rare: a focused conversation with two people who have read your work in its entirety. While it is undoubtedly an extremely stressful experience, one can also try to appreciate it as an opportunity. At its best, the viva provides valuable strategic advice on publishing, research impact, and career direction—assuming the discussion is constructive.

After

Celebration

You are a Dr. now. Take the time to celebrate and internalize your achievement. That is especially important if you tend to overlook successes and focus only on failures like me. For years, I felt as though my PhD had just happened to me—falling from the sky like rain—rather than being the result of years of hard work. I failed to acknowledge the countless hours, the sacrifices, the weekends lost to research, and the sheer mental and physical exhaustion that came with it. I forgot how I nearly collapsed on the day of submission. I forgot that passing the viva was not guaranteed, and things could have gone differently. I forgot how much I fought to see it through. Once you cross that borderline, please take a moment to reflect, celebrate, and appreciate the closure of this chapter. You have earned it. And then, when you are ready, step forward into your next great challenge.

A few final thoughts

After conquering your personal Mount Everest, try to avoid falling into the illusion that a red carpet will automatically lead you to your next great opportunity. It may happen—and fabulous if it does —but a more realistic approach is to prepare for another challenging phase, as securing your next position may take time, effort, and persistence. Even graduates from the world's top universities can find themselves job-hunting for months after completing their PhD. If that happens, do not let it undermine your achievements—it simply takes time to find a position that genuinely fits your skills and aspirations, especially if you have not prepared for it in advance. Your options are diverse: applying for postdoctoral fellowships, securing other academic positions, transitioning into industry, or even starting your own business. Career pathways are endless. Should you choose to apply for postdoctoral programs, though, be aware that many of them have eligibility time limits—often requiring applications within a specific number of years after your viva or graduation. To maximize your chances, simply compile a dataset of postdoctoral programs, noting their eligibility criteria and deadlines. Thinking strategically about your next steps will save you stress, uncertainty, and missed chances. While life often unfolds unexpectedly, developing a clear, strategic mindset will only benefit you in the long run during your PhD journey and beyond.