Phillips and Pugh’s How to Get a PHD - Seventh Edition - Revised and Updated

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Aria

A handbook by Estelle M. Phillips and Colin G. Johnson guiding students and supervisors through the full PhD journey, from becoming a research student to meeting the standards of doctoral education. It addresses entering the research system, choosing an institution and field, selecting supervisors, and understanding eligibility, funding, and overseas procedures. The book also explains the meaning of the doctorate, doctoral skills, expectations for teaching, and how to evaluate progress, offering practical guidance for supervision and thesis success.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages298

Reading Time12 h 31 min

AccessFree to download

About the authors

Preface to the seventh edition

ON BECOMING A RESEARCH STUDENT

Action summary

The nature of doctoral education

The psychology of being a research student

The aims of this book

GETTING INTO THE SYSTEM

Action summary

Choosing the institution and field of study

Making the initial contact

ATAS certificates for overseas students

Eligibility

Grants and research support

Centres for Doctoral Training

Distance supervision?

Selecting your supervisors

Starting out as a research student

Myths and realities of the system

THE NATURE OF THE PHD QUALIFICATION

Action summary

The meaning of a doctorate

Becoming a fully professional researcher

Acquiring doctoral skills

How do I know if I am meeting the standard?

What can I expect to be taught during my PhD studies?

7TH EDITION PHILLIPS AND PUGH’S HOW TO GET A PHD A Handbook for Students and their Supervisors Estelle M. Phillips Colin G. Johnson How to get a PhD A handbook for students and their supervisors Seventh edition How to get a PhD A handbook for students and their supervisors Seventh edition revised and updated Estelle M. Phillips and Colin G. Johnson Open University Press McGraw Hill Unit 4, Foundation Park Roxborough Way Maidenhead SL6 3UD email: [emea_uk_ireland@mheducation.com](emea_uk_ireland@mheducation.com) [world wide web: www.openup.co.uk](world wide web: www.openup.co.uk) First published 1987 Second edition published 1994 Third edition published 2000 Fourth edition published 2005 Fifth edition published 2010 Sixth edition published 2015 First published in this seventh edition 2022 Copyright © Estelle M. Phillips, Colin G. Johnson All rights reserved. Except for the quotation of short passages for the purposes of criticism and review, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher or a licence from the Copyright Licensing Agency Limited. Details of such licences (for reprographic reproduction) may be obtained from the Copyright Licensing Agency Ltd of Saffron House, 6–10 Kirby Street, London EC1N 8TS. A catalogue record of this book is available from the British Library Commissioning Editor: Sam Crowe Editorial Assistant: Hannah Jones Content Product Manager: Ali Davis ISBN-13: 9780335249510 ISBN-10: 0335249515 eISBN: 9780335249527 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data CIP data applied for Typeset by Transforma Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, India Fictitious names of companies, products, people, characters and/or data that may be used herein (in case studies or in examples) are not intended to represent any real individual, company, product or event. Praise Page “The 7th edition…! How to get a PhD isproving its status as a must read for PhDs and supervisors. The book still contains brilliant chapters like ‘How not to get your PhD’, and ‘Managing your supervisors’. But it is also enriched with wonderful chapters like ‘Writing a PhD’ and the action summaries that open each chapter. The authors are also not afraid to take on challenging positions that put PhDs and supervisors on edge. Although the book is written from a British context, it has an international feel. PhDs, supervisors and graduate programme directors all over the world will find inspiration!” Dr Hans Sonneveld, Netherlands Centre of Expertise for Doctoral Education “Afresh update to a true classic. This is one of the most reassuring and useful books you will ever read about doing your PhD, no matter your topic-or where you are enrolled. Just about every concern you can imagine is addressed inside, including what an ‘original contribution to knowledge’ really means and the difficult art of supervision management. I’ve been using this book in my work with PhD students more than 15 years and cannot recommend it more highly.” Professor IngerMewburn, Director of Researcher Development, Office of the Dean of Higher Degree by Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia “This myth-busting, pragmatic map of the researcherjourney includes the insider how-to information for someone weighing up the decision tostart a PhD and looking for detailed first steps. Answering ‘what I wish I’d known at the beginning’ questions, this book will also be relevant to those in mid-candidature who need a no-nonsense practical guide for getting their thesis back on track. Final chapters are aimed at supervisors andinstitutions, emphasising the social and structural aspects so intrinsic to PhD success. Focussed on the UK, but relevant for all Commonwealth systems, this classic gives inclusive advice for full

FAQs

Who is this handbook written for?

It is written for both PhD students and their supervisors, addressing responsibilities and expectations across the doctoral process.

What topics are covered in the early stages of a PhD?

The book covers becoming a research student, understanding doctoral education, choosing an institution and field, making initial contact, and selecting supervisors.

How does the handbook explain the PhD qualification and progress?

It outlines the meaning of a doctorate, becoming a professional researcher, acquiring doctoral skills, and how to judge whether the standard is being met, including what can be taught during PhD studies.

Sep 18, 2026

Uploaded by Aria