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• Master’s vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Master's vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Published on November 27, 2020 by Lauren Thomas . Revised on May 10, 2024.

The two most common types of graduate degrees are master’s and doctoral degrees:

• A master’s is a 1–2 year degree that can prepare you for a multitude of careers.
• A PhD, or doctoral degree, takes 3–7 years to complete (depending on the country) and prepares you for a career in academic research.

A master’s is also the necessary first step to a PhD. In the US, the master’s is built into PhD programs, while in most other countries, a separate master’s degree is required before applying for PhDs.

Master’s are far more common than PhDs. In the US, 24 million people have master’s or professional degrees, whereas only 4.5 million have doctorates.

Table of contents

Master’s vs phd at a glance, which is right for you, length of time required, career prospects, costs and salaries, application process, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about master's and phd degrees.

The table below shows the key differences between the two.

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A PhD is right for you if:

• Your goal is to become a professor at a university or some other type of professional researcher.
• You love research and are passionate about discovering the answer to a particular question.
• You are willing to spend years pursuing your research even if you have to put up with a lot of dead ends and roadblocks.

A master’s degree is the better choice if any of the following apply:

• You want to continue studies in your field, but you’re not committed to a career as a professional researcher.
• You want to develop professional skills for a specific career.
• You are willing to pay a higher upfront cost if it means finishing with your degree (and thus being able to work) much faster.
• You want the option to study part-time while working.

The length of time required to complete a PhD or master’s degree varies. Unsurprisingly, PhDs take much longer, usually between 3–7 years. Master’s degrees are usually only 1–2 years.

Length of a master’s

Master’s degrees are usually 2 years, although 1-year master’s degrees also exist, mainly in the UK.

Most of the degree consists of classes and coursework, although many master’s programs include an intensive, semester-long master’s thesis or capstone project in which students bring together all they’ve learned to produce an original piece of work.

Length of a PhD

In the US, a PhD usually takes between 5 and 7 years to complete. The first 2 years are spent on coursework. Students, even those who choose to leave without finishing the program, usually receive a master’s degree at this point.

The next 3–5 years are spent preparing a dissertation —a lengthy piece of writing based on independent research, which aims to make a significant original contribution to one’s field.

Master’s degrees tend to prepare you for a career outside of academia, while PhDs are designed to lead to a career in research.

Careers for master’s graduates

There are two types of master’s degrees: terminal and research-intensive. The career prospects are different for each.

Terminal master’s degrees are intended to prepare students for careers outside of academia. Some degrees, known as professional degrees, specifically prepare students for particular professions; these include the Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees.

Other master’s degrees, usually Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Sciences (MS or MSc) degrees, do not necessarily lead to a specific career, but are intended to be a final degree. Examples include an MS in Communications or MS in Data Analytics.

In research-intensive master’s programs, students take coursework intended to prepare them for writing an original piece of research known as the master’s thesis . Such programs are usually intended to prepare for further study in a doctoral program.

Careers for PhD graduates

As research degrees, PhDs are usually intended to lead to an academic career. A PhD can be thought of like an apprenticeship, where students learn from professional researchers (academics) how to produce their own research.

Most students aspire to become a university professor upon the completion of their degree. However, careers in academia are highly competitive, and the skills learned in a doctoral program often lend themselves well to other types of careers.

Some graduates who find they prefer teaching to producing research go on to be teachers at liberal arts colleges or even secondary schools. Others work in research-intensive careers in the government, private sector, or at think tanks.

Below are a few examples of specific fields and non-academic careers that are common destinations of graduates of those fields.

• Computer Science
• Lab Sciences

Many government jobs, including economists at a country’s central bank, are research-intensive and require a PhD. Think tanks also hire economists to carry out independent research.

In the private sector, economic consulting and technology firms frequently hire PhDs to solve real-world problems that require complex mathematical modeling.

Graduate students from the humanities are sometimes hired by museums, who can make use of their research and writing skills to curate exhibits and run public outreach.

Humanities PhDs are often well-suited to research and grant-writing roles at nonprofits. Since so much of research is funded by grants, PhD students often gain a lot of experience applying for them, which is a useful skill in the nonprofit sector.

There are a wide range of non-academic research jobs for lab scientists with doctorates in subjects like chemistry, biology, ecology and physics.

Many PhD graduates are hired by pharmaceutical companies that need to perform research to create and test their products. Government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also hire lab scientists to work on research projects.

Job prospects after graduation vary widely based on the field. In fields like management, computer science, statistics, and economics, there’s little underemployment—even graduates from less well-known programs can easily find jobs that pay well and use the skills they’ve gained from the PhD.

However, in other fields, particularly in the humanities, many PhD graduates have difficulty in the job market. Unfortunately, there are far more PhD graduates than assistant professor roles, so many instead take on part-time and low-paid roles as adjunct instructors. Even non-academic careers can sometimes be difficult for PhDs to move into, as they may be seen as “overqualified”  or as lacking in relevant professional experience.

Because career options post-PhD vary so much, you should take the time to figure out what the career prospects are in your field. Doctoral programs often have detailed “placement” records online in which they list the career outcomes of their graduates immediately upon leaving the program. If you can’t find these records, contact the program and ask for them—placement information should play an important role in your choice of PhD program.

Although PhDs take far longer to complete, students often receive a living stipend in exchange for being a teaching or research assistant. Master’s degrees are shorter but less likely to be funded.

Both master’s degrees and PhDs lead to increased salaries upon graduation. While PhDs usually earn a bit more than those with a master’s degree, in some fields, the wages are identical, meaning that no financial benefit is gained from going on to a PhD.

Cost of a master’s

The upfront cost of a master’s degree is usually higher than a doctoral degree due to the lower amount of financial aid available. However, increased salaries also arrive faster than with a doctoral degree, because people graduate much earlier from a master’s program.

Some master’s students do receive stipends for their degrees, usually as compensation for being a teaching or research assistant. In addition, many people complete master’s degrees part time while working full-time, which allows them to fund their living costs as well as tuition.

The cost varies significantly by school and program. Public schools are usually cheaper than private ones. Some master’s degrees, such as MBAs, are notoriously expensive, but also result in much higher wages afterwards that make up for the high cost.

The master’s wage premium , or the extra amount that someone with a master’s degree makes than someone with just a high school diploma, is 23% on average. Many universities provide detailed statistics on the career and salary outcomes of their students. If they do not have this online, you should feel free to contact an administrator of the program and ask.

Cost of a PhD

PhDs, particularly outside the humanities, are usually (though not always) funded, meaning that tuition fees are fully waived and students receive a small living stipend. During the last 3–5 years of a PhD, after finishing their coursework (and sometimes before), students are usually expected to work as graduate instructors or research assistants in exchange for the stipend.

Sometimes students can apply for a fellowship (such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program in the United States) that relieves them of any obligations to be a teaching or research assistant. Doctoral programs in the US tend to be better funded than in the rest of the world.

Sometimes, PhD degrees can be completed part-time, but this is rare. Students are usually expected to devote at least 40 hours a week to their research and work as teaching or research assistants.

The main cost of doctoral programs comes in the form of opportunity cost—all the years that students could be working a regular, full-time job, which usually pays much better than a graduate school stipend.

The average wage premium for PhDs is 26%, which is not much higher than the master’s degree premium.

In the US, the application process is similar for master’s and PhD programs. Both will generally ask for:

• At least one application essay, often called a personal statement or statement of purpose .
• Letters of recommendation .
• A resume or CV .
• Transcripts.
• Writing samples.

Applications for both types of programs also often require a standardized test. PhDs usually require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which tries to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative, critical thinking , and analytical writing skills. Many master’s programs require this test as well.

Applying for a master’s

Master’s degrees programs will often ask you to respond to specific essay prompts that may ask you to reflect upon not just your academic background, but also your personal character and future career ambitions.

Northwestern University’s Kellogg Business School requires Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) applicants write two essays, one about a recent time they demonstrated leadership and the second about their personal values.

Who you should ask for your letters of recommendation varies by program. If you are applying to a research-intensive master’s program, then you should choose former professors or research supervisors. For other programs, particularly business school, current work supervisors may be a better choice.

Some professional master’s programs require a specific test. For example, to apply to law school, you must take the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT. For business school, you must take either the GRE or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

Applying for a PhD

When applying for a PhD, your resume should focus more on your research background—you should especially emphasize any publications you’ve authored or presentations that you’ve given.

Similarly, your statement of purpose should discuss research that you’ve participated in, whether as an assistant or the lead author. You should detail what exactly you did in projects you’ve contributed to, whether that’s conducting a literature review, coding regressions, or writing an entire article.

Your letters of recommendations should be from former professors or supervisors who can speak to your abilities and potential as a researcher. A good rule of thumb is to avoid asking for recommendations from anyone who does not themselves have a PhD.

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A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

This depends on the country. In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD  with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program.

Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD.

This varies by country. In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5–7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3–5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation.

In the rest of the world, students normally have a master’s degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3–5 years.

A master’s degree usually has a higher upfront cost, but it also allows you to start earning a higher salary more quickly. The exact cost depends on the country and the school: private universities usually cost more than public ones, and European degrees usually cost less than North American ones. There are limited possibilities for financial aid.

PhDs often waive tuition fees and offer a living stipend in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. However, they take many years to complete, during which time you earn very little.

In the US, the graduate school application process is similar whether you’re applying for a master’s or a PhD . Both require letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose or personal statement , a resume or CV , and transcripts. Programs in the US and Canada usually also require a certain type of standardized test—often the GRE.

Outside the US, PhD programs usually also require applicants to write a research proposal , because students are expected to begin dissertation research in the first year of their PhD.

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Home > Blog > Tips for Online Students > Tips for Students > Master’s vs PhD — These are the Main Differences

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Master’s vs PhD — These are the Main Differences

Updated: June 19, 2024

Published: October 31, 2019

The consideration between earning a master’s vs PhD is not always an easy choice. While many careers and personal aspirations may be complete with just an undergraduate degree (Associate’s or Bachelor’s), a lot of people continue their higher education to obtain graduate degrees. These include a master’s and/or a PhD.

Neither a master’s degree nor a PhD is considered to be a walk in the park. Therefore, it’s useful to understand why you would earn either and then decide how far to go.

Photo by  Good Free Photos  on  Unsplash

Definitions: master’s vs phd.

Bost a master’s and PhD are defined as postgraduate degrees, but they require different commitments and styles of learning.

1. Master’s Degree:

Mostly all master’s degrees will require the completion of an undergraduate bachelor’s degree to enroll. They generally all share the same common requirement for a thesis or dissertation to graduate.

Earning a master’s degree through a taught program will result in the completion of a Master of Art (MA), Master of Science (MS), or Master of Philosophy (MPhil). For those who earn their master’s degree through research, they will earn a Master of Research (Mre), in a tailored field of study. There are also degree-specific master’s programs like Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Education (M.Ed).

After earning a master’s degree, the next step is a PhD, which entails both working and performing research at an institution. A PhD is an abbreviation for “Doctor of Philosophy.” It is the highest academic degree one can achieve. As such, it is a time-consuming pursuit that requires a lot of studying and research.

You may be wondering, “Do you need a master’s to get a PhD?”

Technically, the answer is not always. Some students skip a master’s and go straight for their PhD, but they may lack research experience. While it could save money, the transition between a bachelor’s and a PhD is incredibly sharp. It may be harder to complete a PhD without the experience from a master’s.

Yet, some institutions may allow for the possibility to earn both your master’s and PhD in conjunction with one another. This will alleviate the transition between skipping a master’s and going straight to earning a PhD.

Should You Get a Master’s or PhD?

There are many considerations to factor when deciding between a master’s of PhD. For starters, it’s useful to consider the amount of time it will take, the cost, and the benefits and disadvantages of each. It is also of utmost importance to explore your own personal goals and reasons for wanting a graduate degree.

If your desired career of choice requires a PhD, like becoming a university professor, then you have your answer. If you want to start a business and benefit by networking while in school, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) could be a good idea. Consider what you want to pursue as a career and find out the requirements first.

Another useful thing to note is that a master’s degree can be used for a shift in careers. For example, if you attended college and earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities, but now you want to pursue science, you can still earn your master’s degree in a scientific discipline. On the other hand, a PhD is tailored to your field of study and specialty, so it will require that you are sure of your direction when you first earn your master’s degree.

Length of Time

A typical master’s degree program takes about two years full-time. However, there are accelerated programs that can be completed in just a year or so.

A PhD, in general, requires five to six years of studying, teaching, and research. However, it may even take some students up to eight or nine years to graduate. With this significant investment in time, it’s necessary to know if a PhD is right for you before starting.

The cost of both programs varies by institution and enrollment status of part-time versus full-time. However, since a PhD takes longer to complete, it will end up costing more. With that said, if you look into your return on investment, a PhD could end up yielding a higher salary, and therefore end up “costing less.”

Additionally, there is also the possibility of being paid to complete your PhD. Some students may receive an academic stipend, a university fellowship or apprenticeship or a reduced fee to earn their PhD while completing research (or teaching) at an institution. It’s also possible to get financial aid through a scholarship or grant.

As tuition rates continue to rise, it’s useful to look into alternative institutions for affordable education. For example, the University of the People offers a tuition-free master’s program in Business Administration and Education. This means you can study 100% online and graduate for less than the cost of most programs.

Weighing the Benefits

When comparing the two degree types, here are some benefits of each:

• Career-oriented
• Can open the door for more job opportunities
• Costs less than a PhD
• Takes less time than a PhD
• Helps you stand out from those with only an undergraduate degree
• You can perform research in your field of choice
• You become an expert in your field
• The prefix Dr. is added to your name
• You can teach in academia at the highest level

Required Commitment and Reasons to Pursue

Both a master’s and a PhD require a huge amount of hard work and utter commitment. You must be dedicated and motivated to complete either degree. Since most careers only may require a bachelor’s degree, having a master’s or PhD will set you apart from the competition. However, this should not be the sole reason to pursue either.

You may be wondering why would you earn either degree. Here’s a look at some motivational factors:

Reasons to Study for a Master’s

• Your career requires it (see next section)
• You want to advance your subject knowledge
• You want to experience graduate school and network with peers

Reasons to Study for a PhD

• You want to contribute new research to your field of choice
• Your career requires a PhD
• You want to earn the title of Dr.

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Required degrees by career.

Most people are motivated to pursue higher education because their desired careers require they do so. Here, we will break down those fields that require the completion of a master’s degree as it’s high on the list of reasons why to get one.

• Education Administration: To work as an administrator in an educational institution, you need to hold an advanced degree. A Master’s in Education (M.Ed) will provide you with the necessary knowledge and required skills to succeed in the field.
• Executive Level Business: A Master’s in Business (MBA) will not only place you ahead of the competition to land high-level positions in the field of business, but it can also be the jumping off point for becoming your own boss.
• Environmental Science: With issues in climate change and technological advancement, careers in Environmental Science are growing. As with most scientific careers, it requires a master’s degree where you will learn Applied Ecology, Environmental Policy, Environmental Chemistry, and more.
• Mental Health: To become a licensed practitioner and assist in mental health counseling, you will continue your education through a master’s degree in the field.
• Physical Therapy: Employers of physical therapists often prefer them to obtain a master’s degree in the discipline as the field is highly specialized.

Of course, some careers require a PhD. These careers are easy to spot because they have the prefix Dr. in front of them or the suffix like J.D. (Juris Doctor). To become a lawyer, doctor of medicine, veterinary medicine or psychologist/psychiatrist, you must obtain a PhD in the respective field.

Salary Differences Between Master’s and Ph.D. Graduates

According to a study performed by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce , the overall evidence shows that the higher the degree you have, the higher your salary potential. However, the differences vary by subject level and field.

In general, the expected lifetime earnings of those with each degree level is as follows:

• High School Diploma: $973,000
• Bachelor’s Degree: $1.3 million
• Master’s Degree: $2.7 million
• Doctorate Degree: $3.3 million

The Bottom Line

Aside from the financial cost and length of time, the opportunity to earn a master’s and a doctorate degree can offer several benefits.

However, it is an undertaking that requires a lot of dedication and motivation on behalf of the student. As such, it’s important to perform research on your desired career’s requirements, as well as your personal interest in pursuing either a Phd vs master’s.

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ACS Student Magazine

Master’s or Doctorate? Five Key Things to Consider When Choosing a Chemistry Graduate Degree Path

By wynne parry.

You’ve decided to continue your education at an advanced level, and maybe you already have it set in your mind that you want a doctorate from a US institution. But are you certain that’s the degree you want to pursue? How do you know which program is best for you, and what do you need to consider to make a final decision? Here are five important strategies and considerations to think through. 

1. Get research experience, and ask lots of questions while you’re engaged in it

ACS Career Counselor Greglynn Walton-Gibbs gets asked a lot about graduate degrees, but students often haven’t taken an important initial step, she says. “The first thing I ask them [is]: ‘Well, do you have any research experience?’”

Working in a lab will help you figure out what field of chemistry interests you and what aspects of research you enjoy the most. This is your opportunity to get insights about the graduate journey of scientists working in real-world lab environments. Talk to your professors and your department to learn about opportunities around you. Walton-Gibbs also strongly recommends investigating on your own, especially if you are a student from a country outside the US as you may not be eligible for some programs. (See the sidebar for places she suggests looking.) 

“Sometimes students will find that they really enjoy a particular class, but the class experience is sometimes quite different [than] what is done in a research lab,” Walton-Gibbs cautions. If benchwork is not for you, you will be better off figuring that out sooner rather than later.

You can start looking for research opportunities at any point. There are options available for third- and fourth-year students, such as the National Institutes of Health intramural training programs and the US federal government’s Pathways Program . 

Research, Internships & Other Opportunities:

ACS Get Experience NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates

The National Laboratories Careers

Walter Reed Army Institute of Research Education and Fellowships

FDA Internship, Fellowships and Trainee Programs

USDA Internships and Careers

Smithsonian Internships

USA Pathways and Other Federal Hiring Programs

NIH Office of Intramural Training & Education  

2. Where do I see myself?

Along with your professors, ACS Career Consultants are resources with whom you can dig deeper into your goals. The ACS ChemIDP tool is also a good resource. The self-assessments it offers can help you get a handle on how your combination of skills, priorities, and values translates into a career path. 

ACS Career Consultant Adam Myers has had many conversations with undergrads about their goals. “What I really bring things back to is, what do they want to do? What's their target job?” he says. “[That is] the biggest question they need to answer for themselves. And once they do that, then we can sort out a path.” 

Sometimes the position you are aiming for leaves little question as to the degree you need. If you want to become a tenure-track professor at a university in the US, for example, you’ll need a PhD. But, depending on what interests you and where you want to go, your options can be more nuanced. 

As a rule, a PhD prepares you to lead scientific research either on your own or with a team of other scientists, technicians, and possibly students. This path makes sense if you enjoy investigating the unknown and pulling together experimental data to lead cutting-edge work.

Graduates of Georgia Institute of Technology’s PhD program often leave their field of expertise and head into something new, says Kenyetta Johnson Taylor , Georgia Tech’s director of graduate studies.

Typically, though not always, a PhD will lead you to a technical career. Ironically, it may ultimately pull you out of the lab. It’s not uncommon for a lead researcher to spend more time with data and administrative issues than working with chemicals. If you love benchwork, but are less excited by research itself, a master’s degree may be a better choice. A master’s will usually focus your career on a particular field. It can also give you foundational knowledge you can use outside the lab or on the business side of a company.

A PhD is often seen as a qualification for leadership, but that doesn’t mean a master’s will prevent you from growing professionally. Depending on your company, you may be able to rise quite high on the career ladder, but it may take you longer and require some extra initiative.  

3. Do you have the time, money, and resources?

Don’t underestimate the time and financial commitment graduate school requires. A PhD typically takes 5 years—sometimes more, sometimes less. You can expect to spend 2 or 3 years getting a master’s degree. 

Then there’s the money. “A person really needs to look at, well, what is my life and my support right now? And how would that align with the demands of what a graduate program would expect of me?” says Sam Pazicni, a professor of chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  

A PhD program in chemistry should cover your tuition and provide a small income, which you earn by teaching or working in a lab. That income is quite modest, much less than what you’d earn in industry and inadequate to support a family. What’s more, some programs discourage or even bar students from seeking outside work. 

Some master’s degree programs come with funding, but depending on your program, you may need to pay tuition plus living expenses, which can get quite expensive.

If you’re wondering what the difference in pay between a PhD and a master’s might be, according to the results of the ACS Salary Survey in 2021 , new PhD holders earned on average $75,583, while those graduating with master’s degrees earned $50,493, about $16,000 more than those with bachelor’s degrees.

4. Understanding requirements of degrees

Understanding what will be required of you based on the degree program may help you finalize your decision. The structure and demands of individual programs vary, but they generally follow a few basic templates. 

PhD : Doctoral programs begin with coursework, then move into research that culminates in a thesis, which you formally defend. “Few PhD chemistry programs are exactly alike,” says Pazicni, adding that some programs have their own requirements, such as candidacy exams and teaching.

Master’s : These programs come in more flavors than do PhDs, with some focusing on research and others on work experience or coursework. 

Some master’s degree programs prepare students to work within a specific field. For example, Keck Graduate Institute’s Master of Engineering in Biopharmaceutical Processing focuses on the manufacture of therapies, such as vaccines, antibodies, and stem cells, derived from biological sources. Graduates go to work at both large companies and small startups, developing effective processes for making these therapies or working in their full-scale manufacture. 

Other master’s programs can offer an introduction to graduate school for students who may be interested in—but perhaps intimidated by—the prospect of working toward a PhD. The ACS Bridge Program helps enroll students into a 1- to 2-year Bridge Experience in a postbaccalaureate or transitional master’s program that provides research experience, advanced coursework, mentoring, and coaching to enable students to transition into a doctoral program.

PSM: Likewise, programs known formally as Professional Science Master’s (PSMs) like the forensics program at Florida International University, the applied chemical sciences program at Rice University, and the industrial chemistry program at the University of North Texas prepare students to enter the workforce by offering training in professional skills such as leadership, ethics, and financial management. Students enrolled in a PSM program may also complete an internship instead of a thesis.  

As you consider your options, keep in mind too that studying chemistry is not a life commitment to working in a lab. These degrees can open doors elsewhere. A master’s could support a career in patent law or public policy. A PhD may help you segue into a business leadership position. A master’s or even a bachelor’s degree can prove useful in adjacent fields, such as technical writing, regulatory affairs, or sales and marketing, says Joe Martino , an ACS career consultant. 

5. What if I’m not sure? Or if I change my mind after enrolling in a program?

If you’re stumped, or just need a break, you may be considering going straight to work after graduation, while considering your graduate school options. This approach, sometimes known as a gap year, has pros and cons, according to Joe Martino, an ACS Career Consultant .

It may give you a new perspective on the field and bolster your résumé, he says. You’ll also likely be earning more than you ever have before. But when it comes time to go back to school, say for a PhD, “all that goes away,” he adds.

If you’re already working, it’s possible that you won’t have to leave your job. Many employers help their employees obtain master’s degrees, and occasionally PhDs. However, these programs can come with strings. Evonik , the specialty chemicals company for which Myers works, offers a tuition reimbursement for employees pursuing master’s degrees relevant to their careers at the company. However, employees are generally expected to continue working full-time.  

Just as a master's degree can be a step toward a PhD, it can offer an off-ramp too. Students who don’t complete a doctorate may leave the program with a master’s degree instead.

If you’re struggling to come to a decision, that’s okay. Choosing a path for your future is a big decision, so don’t beat yourself up if the answer doesn’t pop out at you, Pazicni says. 

“I wish the students who were thinking more deeply about it or having that uncertainty would just realize that that's perfectly fine,” he says. “Just as it's perfectly fine that their friend knows what they want to do.”   

Wynne Parry is a journalist and writer who covers science, health and tech. She spends her free time exploring the woods of Pennsylvania.

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• The Difference Between Masters and PhD Study

Written by Sarah Hastings-Woodhouse

The main difference between a Masters and a PhD is the purpose of each degree. A Masters degree involves expanding your understanding of existing scholarship in a particular subject area. The purpose of PhD study, on the other hand, is to make an original contribution to your field.

So, the biggest adjustment to expect as you progress from Masters to PhD study is a higher degree of independence (and responsibility). Beyond widening your expertise and improving your research skills, you’ll be expected to break new academic ground.

But exactly how will your academic life change as you make the leap from Masters student to PhD candidate? In this guide, we’ll provide a quick overview of how PhD and Masters study compare, including applications, course structure, assessment and more.

Applications

If you’ve already completed an undergraduate and a Masters degree, you might consider yourself something of a university applications veteran. How different can applying for a PhD really be?

There are quite a few similarities between the Masters and the PhD application process. Both will tend to require:

• A personal statement
• Your academic transcript
• Details of at least two referees

As at Masters level, you’ll submit each application directly to your chosen institution, usually through the university’s own applications portal.

The process of applying for a predesigned PhD will more closely resemble that of applying for a Masters. But if you’re planning on designing a self-proposed project , you’ll be in slightly more unfamiliar territory. Rather than responding to an advertised PhD project in your application, you’ll essentially be writing that project specification yourself in the form of your research proposal .

An academic CV is only occasionally required for a Masters application, but almost always required for a PhD application. Its purpose is to summarise your professional and academic experience, in order to demonstrate that you’re well-qualified to complete the project.

It’s useful to think of applying for a PhD as similar to applying for a job. While an application for a taught programme (such as a Masters) involves communicating why you want to study the course and how you feel it will aid your academic and professional development, the focus of a PhD application should be what you can do for the institution. Remember that, if successful, you’ll become a valued member of an academic department, and that those reviewing your application are your prospective colleagues!

Applying for a PhD also requires an extra step that you won’t have encountered at Master’s level – contacting prospective supervisors . It’s often preferable to complete this stage before you submit your final application (though this can vary from institution to institution). Reaching out to supervisors can be an intimidating and confusing process, especially since you won’t have had to do anything similar for previous applications. Our handy list of dos and don’ts will help ensure you’re familiar with all the relevant etiquette before you click send!

Applying for a PhD

Want to know how to apply for a PhD in more detail? Have a read of our step-by-step doctoral application guide.

The MPhil to PhD upgrade

As we’ve said, the main difference between a Masters and a PhD is that the latter requires you to contribute original material to your field. This might be a daunting prospect, but luckily the first phase of a PhD usually acts as something of a ‘transitional’ period which should help you adapt to the demands of doctoral study.

In the UK, most PhD students are initially registered for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree, before being ' upgraded ’ to the status of full PhD candidate (this will occur after 9-18 months for full time students, or after 15-24 months for part-time students).

This first stage of your PhD will largely be spent writing up your upgrade report . The largest component of this will usually be a literature review . You’ll likely have written a literature review as part of your Masters dissertation , so this part shouldn’t be too unfamiliar. You’ll need to demonstrate a comprehensive and critical understanding of existing scholarship in your field and situate your own research within this wider academic context.

This time round, however, you’ll need to illustrate how your research will contribute something new to the field. Don’t panic, though – now isn’t the time to present any original findings in detail (save that for your final thesis). You just need to identify a gap in the academic market and indicate how you plan to fill it.

The rest of the upgrade report should illustrate how you plan to progress with your project. You will be required to include a research question, planned methodology and a rough timetable of future work. Sometimes, you’ll also submit a sample of work you’ve already done towards your thesis.

You’ll then complete an oral presentation known as the PhD upgrade viva . It’s uncommon to ‘fail’ a PhD upgrade, though you may be asked to repeat the process if there is any concern about your progress. The important thing to remember is that you won’t progress to the status of full PhD candidate until the department is satisfied that you’re ready to (and you’ll often be given a couple of shots at demonstrating this).

Course structure

The most obvious difference between a Masters and a PhD in terms of overarching course structure is length. Whereas a Masters is completed in 1-2 years, a PhD will usually take 3-4 years (if studied full-time) or 5-6 years (if studied part-time).

3-4 years may sound like a long time, but by the end of a PhD you’ll not only researched, written and defended your thesis but also amassed significant additional experience. This might include:

• Publishing papers
• Presenting at academic conferences
• Administration within your department

Despite having longer to complete it, you can expect to work at a similar level of intensity for your PhD as you did for you Masters – and to undertake a much wider variety of activities in the process.

At undergraduate and Masters level, you’ll have grown used to each year of study being structured similarly. While the complexity of material will increase as the course progresses, each academic year will have followed a similar format (a series of taught modules culminating in assessment through examination or coursework).

A PhD, by contrast, moves through a series of phases. In your first year, you’ll usually write up a comprehensive overview of existing scholarship in your field in the form of a literature review and draw up a plan for the completion of your project. Your second year will typically be dedicated to completing the bulk of your research , before you write up your final dissertation over your third and fourth years. You can find out more about each stage in our guide to the PhD journey .

PhD candidates aren’t assessed in the same way as Masters and undergraduate students – so yes, you can wave goodbye to regular coursework and exams! You’ll only be formally ‘examined’ at two points during your programme – your PhD upgrade viva (as explained above), and your final viva voce , in which you’ll defend your final thesis in an oral examination.

This doesn’t mean it will be a complete free-for-all between these two milestones, however. Most universities will monitor your progress to make sure that you are continuing to meet the standards of the department year-on-year.

It’s common for PhD candidates to be monitored through progression reviews (which are generally annual for full-time students). You may have to submit a report outlining how your thesis has progressed to date and what your plan is for the following year, as well as any training or other university work (such as teaching) you have undertaken. If the department feels that you haven’t made sufficient progress, you may be required to register for a lower award, or to leave the university altogether.

At Masters level, you’ll have been given a grade out of 100 for each examination or piece of coursework (if in the UK) and graduated with a degree classification ranging from a Distinction to a Fail. At PhD level you won’t be ‘graded’ as such – it’s better to think of your viva examinations and progression reviews as a series of checkpoints that you’ll need to pass in order to earn your doctorate.

Ultimately, the outcome of your final viva will either be that you are awarded a PhD or that you are not (or that you might be after you’ve made some tweaks – see our full guide to viva voce results ). There’s no such thing as a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ PhD in the same way that you can receive different classifications of Masters degree.

Hopefully this guide has given you some idea of how PhD and Masters study compare, and helped you feel a little less apprehensive about making the leap!

To find out more about PhD study, have a browse of the many detailed guides in our advice section .

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Sarah hastings-woodhouse.

Sarah joined FindAPhD as a Content Writer in 2021 and produces polished and thoroughly researched pages to inspire and inform prospective postgraduate students. In her time at FindAPhD, she has gained a comprehensive understanding of the postgraduate journey and has engaged with hundreds of prospective postgraduates while manning the advice stand at our popular study fairs.

What happens during a typical PhD, and when? We've summarised the main milestones of your PhD journey to show you how to get a PhD.

The PhD thesis is the most important part of a doctoral degree. This page will introduce you to what you need to know about the PhD dissertation.

This page will give you an idea of what to expect from your routine as a PhD student, explaining how your daily life will look at you progress through a doctoral degree.

PhD fees can vary based on subject, university and location. Use our guide to find out the PhD fees in the UK and other destinations, as well as doctoral living costs.

Our guide tells you everything about the application process for studying a PhD in the USA.

Postgraduate students in the UK are not eligible for the same funding as undergraduates or the free-hours entitlement for workers. So, what childcare support are postgraduate students eligible for?

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Survey of Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry

By Joel Shulman

How does your chemistry Ph.D. program compare to others in terms of department size and student demographics? Requirements for the degree? Graduate student progression and support? Developing skills that go beyond knowledge of chemistry? Answers to these questions and many others can be gleaned from the Survey of Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry recently reported by the ACS Committee on Professional Training (CPT) . Highlights of the survey are given here.

View the full report

The primary objective of the CPT is to facilitate the maintenance and improvement of the quality of chemical education at the postsecondary level. Not only does the Committee develop and administer the guidelines that define high-quality undergraduate education, but it also produces resources such as the ACS Directory of Graduate Education and publishes data on undergraduate and graduate education. Approximately every ten years, CPT fields a survey of Ph.D. programs. The latest survey solicited data from all 196 Ph.D. programs in chemistry and received usable information (base year, 2007) from 139 of these programs.

Figure 1. Size Distribution of Ph.D. Programs

Program size and demographics of students

The 139 reporting Ph.D. programs are divided for purposes of comparison into three groups of approximately equal size according to the total number of graduate students in the program: 44 small (defined as 0 to 40 total graduate students), 46 medium (41 to 105 graduate students), and 49 large programs (106+ graduate students). The number of students in Ph.D. programs ranges from 0 to 394 (see Figure 1) with a total of 13,280 students. Eighteen departments have more than 200 students, accounting for more than one-third (4,460) of the total graduate students in chemistry. The 30 largest programs account for almost 50% of graduate students. The average program size is 96 students (and 23 faculty), while the median program size is 67 students.

Of the doctoral students in responding programs, 27.4% are women, 5.2% are underrepresented minorities, and 42.3% are international students (Table 1). Small programs tend to have a higher percentage of underrepresented minority students (averaging 7.8%), while large programs have a higher percentage of women (28.5%) and a lower percentage of international students (37.3%).

Table 1. Demographics of Graduate Students by Program Size

Requirements for degree (Table 2)

Of course, a doctoral dissertation is required by all Ph.D. programs. Most (71%) graduate programs require entering graduate students to take placement exams, although this requirement tends to be less prevalent as program size increases. The average program requires a minimum of 20 credits (semester hours, corrected for programs on the quarter system) of coursework, a number that does not vary significantly by program size. In addition to course work and dissertation, 96% of programs require at least one of the following: cumulative examinations (58%), an oral preliminary exam (54%), a comprehensive oral exam (50%), and/or a comprehensive written exam (31%). All four of these exams are required by 7% of programs; 17% of programs require three; 43% of programs require two; and 28% require only one. Large programs require cumulative exams less often and oral exams more often than small or medium programs. Only four programs (3%) require students to pass a language exam for the Ph.D.

Table 2. Requirement in Ph.D. Program

Graduate Student Progression and Support (Table 3)

The mean time to the Ph.D. is 5.1 years, a number that varies neither by program size nor by public vs. private institution (data not shown). Most programs place a limit on the amount of time allowed to achieve a Ph.D. (average of 7.8 years) as well as on the number of years of departmental support allowed a student (average of 5.9 years). More than 80% of students choose a research advisor within six months of entering graduate school. A significant number of programs either require or permit laboratory rotations before a final advisor is selected.

Monetary support for Ph.D. students comes from teaching assistantships more often than from research assistantships at small and medium programs, while the reverse is true in large programs. There is wide variation in TA stipends, depending on both program size and geographic location. Most programs have a range of stipends, which on average run from $18,000 to about $20,000 per year. Teaching assistants at larger programs are more likely to teach discussion (recitation) sections than those in small or medium programs.

Table 3. Student Progression and Support in Ph.D. Programs

Developing Student Skills

In addition to chemistry knowledge and laboratory skills, it is important that all Ph.D. chemists develop skills in areas such as critical thinking, oral and written communication, and teamwork. Toward this end, 74% of all programs require students to create and defend an original research proposal (Table 2). All but six programs require students to make presentations (exclusive of the thesis defense) to audiences other than their research group; the average number of required presentations is 2.4, with little variation by program size. When asked whether any graduate students receive student-skills training outside of formal course work, 67% responded that at least some students receive specific training in communications; 59% in ethics/scientific integrity; 43% in grant writing; 37% in mentoring; 37% in intellectual property/patents; and 18% in business/economics. Students in large programs are more likely to receive some training in these skill areas than are students in other programs.

The data from this CPT survey provide a snapshot of graduate student demographics, requirements for the degree, and progression and support in chemistry Ph.D. programs. Survey results highlight similarities and differences among small, medium, and large programs across the country.

Dr. Joel I. Shulman retired as The Procter & Gamble Company's Manager of Doctoral Recruiting and University Relations in 2001 and is now an adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. He serves the ACS as a consultant for the Office of Graduate Education and the Department of Career Management and Development and as a member of the Committee on Professional Training.

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Graduate Journey Resource Center

Discover valuable resources to assist you in your program search and decision-making process.

Master’s vs. Ph.D.: What’s the Difference and Which One to Choose?

If graduate school is on your radar, one of the first things to consider is what type of degree you should pursue . While a bachelor’s degree is required for any postgraduate study, many people think you need a master’s to pursue a Ph.D., but that isn’t always the case. While there are benefits to receiving your master’s degree before your Ph.D., it’s not always necessary or required. However, there are important differences to note when deciding which type of program to apply to.

Master’s degree

A master’s degree usually takes about two years to complete full time. There are programs that allow a student to attend on a part-time basis, but that of course extends the completion time. Many master’s programs require a thesis to be completed, but not all. A thesis is a research project that is completed during the final year of a master’s program under the guidance of your program chair or advisor.

Under the master’s umbrella, there are quite a few specific degrees you can obtain. Your professional path will determine which of these you pursue.

• Master of Arts (MA) is given for disciplines in the arts and social sciences.
• Master of Science (MS) is given for sciences, health, engineering and statistics.
• Master of Research (MRes) is focused on training students to become researchers. This is advantageous to a student if they’re pursuing a research-based career or planning to apply for a Ph.D. program.
• Master by Research (MPhil) is similar to a MRes but is more advanced and focuses on research topics to be explored in depth. It’s often considered a precursor to a Ph.D. program.

Specialized master’s degrees

There are numerous specialized master’s degrees that are categorized by profession. These are often (not always) preceded by some professional experience prior to undertaking these types of advanced degrees.

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Library Science (MLS, MLIS, MSLS)
• Master of Public Administration (MPA)
• Master of Public Health (MPH)
• Master of Social Work (MSW)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Master of Education (MEd, MSEd, MIT, MAEd, MAT)
• Master of Engineering (MEng)
• Master of Architecture (MArch)
• Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
• Master of Divinity (MDiv)

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

There are many Ph.D. programs and, in general, it’s considered the most advanced type of research degree you can obtain. Ph.D. candidates are required to complete a dissertation to obtain their degree. Unlike a thesis, a dissertation is longer and consists of original research conducted throughout the entire doctoral study. In some cases, students may be awarded a stipend, or pay, to complete the doctoral program and dissertation.

Ph.D.’s take a considerably longer time to complete than a master’s, five to eight years on average, and they carry a rather high rate of noncompletion due to time and financial commitments. Many Ph.D. programs have stipends available, so it’s important to inquire about that when researching a particular program.

Specialized doctorate programs

As with master’s degrees, there are several specialized doctorate programs specific to different disciplines and areas of study:

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Engineering (EngD/PhD)
• Doctor of Education (EdD/D.Ed)
• Doctor of Social Science (DsocSci)
• Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf)
• Doctor of Architecture (DArch)
• Doctor of Theology (Th.D)
• Doctor of Divinity (DD/DDiv)
• Doctor of Science STEM (Dsc/ScD)
• Doctor of Science Arts & Humanities (DLitt/LitD)

When deciding which one to get, consider your immediate or long-term career goals — which degree would serve you best? In some cases, you can obtain a Ph.D. with just a bachelor’s degree, but often it’s recommended you get a master’s first for the research experience that will be required for a Ph.D.

As with anything, there are exceptions. Students in law school obtain a J.D. (Juris Doctor) but can then further obtain a master’s in a sub-specialty like tax or immigration law. The health care occupations of physical therapist and pharmacist are also doctorate programs obtained post undergrad.

Making your choice

As with any decision, weigh your options, list pros and cons, and go from there. Once you’ve narrowed your options , you’ll have a precise list of programs and institutions generated for your specific goals.

Graduate School

General Information

Program offerings:, director of graduate studies:, graduate program administrator:.

The Department of Chemistry provides facilities for students intending to work toward the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The Department of Chemistry is a vital, expanding hub of scientific inquiry with deep historic roots and a ready grasp on the future.

Housed in the world-class Frick Chemistry Laboratory, faculty and students work at the frontiers of science where the lines between chemistry and other disciplines merge. They conduct collaborative, interdisciplinary research with the potential to produce anything from new molecules and forms of energy to advanced models of catalysis and innovative materials. They also are immersed in the classic pursuit of chemistry -- to examine the composition of substances and investigate their properties and reactions.

Graduate students are invited and encouraged to pursue individualized programs. Their experience is enhanced by strong faculty mentoring and access to world-leading intellectual and physical resources. The Ph.D. is awarded primarily on the basis of a thesis describing original research in one area of chemistry. Graduate students begin this research during their first year of graduate work; it becomes one of their most important activities in the second year, and thereafter they devote almost all of their time to it. The final public oral examination consists of the defense of a student’s original research proposal as well as a defense of the thesis dissertation. The chief objectives of the requirements are stimulation of interesting discussion based upon original inquiry and coordination of information by candidates in a number of fields that challenge their interests.

A Master of Science is offered to select industry-sponsored candidates who are employees of companies that are members of the  Industrial Associates Program . The program may be completed on a part-time basis under one of the following three plans: two consecutive academic years with full-time study one term each year; two consecutive academic years with half-time study both terms of each year; two consecutive academic years with full-time study one term of one year and half-time study in two other terms during the two-year period. For additional information about eligibility and application procedures for the Master of Science, please contact the department directly.

Additional departmental requirements

Ph.D. applicants are required to select an area of research interest when applying.

The M.S. degree is only open to employees of firms with active membership in the department’s industrial associates program.

Program Offerings

Program offering: ph.d..

Departmental Coursework Requirement

Students are required to take six courses and to perform satisfactorily, obtaining a minimum of a 3.0 average. Students may choose P/D/F enrollment for one of these six courses. Students may pursue coursework in the following subfields: chemical biology, inorganic chemistry, catalysis, and organic synthesis, physical experimental, theoretical and computational, or materials chemistry.  Course selections and enrollment decisions are made in consultation with their faculty adviser to best meet their needs and research interests.

Additional pre-generals requirements

Departmental Breadth Requirement The Department of Chemistry requires that students demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in the field of chemistry. The breadth requirement is generally completed by successfully passing the qualifying exams in a minimum of three of the following subfields: organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical physics.  Students, with approval by the DGS, may also satisfy the breadth requirement by replacing one or more examination with equivalent graduate-level coursework. This coursework would count within the six courses mandated by the course requirement.

General exam

The general examination consists of two written proposals and the student’s oral defense of each. The first proposal is based on the student’s chosen area of thesis research. The second consists of an independent research proposal that is in the student’s general area of research but which is not a part of the student’s thesis research. These proposals are considered together with a review of the student’s overall academic record and research progress. Of students who pass the general examination, only those who have shown some degree of distinction in their work proceed toward the doctorate.

Qualifying for the M.A.

The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree is normally an incidental degree awarded on the way to full Ph.D. candidacy and is earned after a student successfully completes the general examination. It may also be awarded to students who, for various reasons, leave the Ph.D. program, provided that this requirement has been met.

Students are required to teach at least six contact hours per week for one term or three contact hours per week for two terms; this requirement is most often fulfilled during the second year of enrollment.

Post-Generals requirements

Third Year Seminar In the third year of study, students present a thirty-minute seminar on their research progress.  To foster understanding of the different chemical disciplines, third-year students are required to attend all such seminars.

Out-of-Field Proposal Prior to the defense of the thesis at the Final Public Oral, the student must generate an original research proposal, not directly related to the thesis research, and defend the proposal before the advisory committee. While this milestone should be completed well in advance of the Final Public Oral, it must be completed no later than two weeks in advance.

The “out of field” research proposal must be written and circulated among the advisory committee before the oral presentation date.  The student is responsible for organizing the committee members to meet for this oral exam and informing the Graduate Administrator prior to the date agreed upon. The student is required to circulate a final version of the proposal for the committee to review a minimum of two weeks in advance of the oral exam.  The committee records a grade for the written proposal and its oral defense. Grading is on a scale from Excellent to Fail.

Dissertation and FPO

The Ph.D. is awarded after the candidate’s doctoral dissertation has been accepted and the final public oral examination sustained.

Permanent Courses

Courses listed below are graduate-level courses that have been approved by the program’s faculty as well as the Curriculum Subcommittee of the Faculty Committee on the Graduate School as permanent course offerings. Permanent courses may be offered by the department or program on an ongoing basis, depending on curricular needs, scheduling requirements, and student interest. Not listed below are undergraduate courses and one-time-only graduate courses, which may be found for a specific term through the Registrar’s website. Also not listed are graduate-level independent reading and research courses, which may be approved by the Graduate School for individual students.

CBE 526 - Surface Science: Processes and Probes (also CHM 527/MSE 526)

Chm 500a - responsible conduct of research in chemistry (half-term), chm 500b - responsible conduct of research in chemistry (half-term), chm 500c - responsible conduct of research in chemistry (half-term), chm 501 - basic principles of quantum mechanics, chm 502 - advanced quantum chemistry, chm 503 - introduction to statistical mechanics (also cbe 524/mse 514), chm 504 - molecular spectroscopy, chm 509 - topics in physical chemistry, chm 510 - topics in physical chemistry (also phy 544), chm 515 - biophysical chemistry i, chm 516 - biophysical chemistry ii, chm 521 - organometallic chemistry, chm 522 - advanced inorganic chemistry (also mse 592), chm 524 - topics in inorganic chemistry, chm 529 - topics in inorganic chemistry, chm 530 - synthetic organic chemistry, chm 532 - mechanistic and physical organic chemistry, chm 534 - modern methods for organic synthesis, chm 536 - topics in organic chemistry, chm 538 - topics in biological chemistry, chm 539 - introduction to chemical instrumentation, chm 541 - chemical biology ii (also qcb 541), chm 542 - principles of macromolecular structure: protein folding, structure and design (also mol 542), chm 544 - metals in biology: from stardust to dna (also env 544), chm 599 - curriculum practical training in chemistry, mse 504 - monte carlo and molecular dynamics simulation in statistical physics & materials science (also cbe 520/chm 560/phy 512), mse 512 - phase transformations in materials: theory and simulation (also chm 511), mse 515 - random heterogeneous materials (also apc 515/chm 559), mse 518 - fundamentals of quantum materials and their applications (also chm 518), qcb 515 - method and logic in quantitative biology (also chm 517/eeb 517/mol 515/phy 570).

Chemistry and Chemical Biology

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Chemistry and Chemical Biology is one of the programs in the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences, which facilitates collaboration and cross-disciplinary research. Visit HILS for additional application instructions .

This program builds strong interpersonal connections between faculty and students, as well as effective bridges between disciplines, allowing you to thrive at the frontiers of research in the chemical and life sciences. You will gain rich training in the unique tools of chemical inquiry and a commitment to scientific investigation at the molecular level.

Our award-winning faculty, which includes Nobel Prize and Welch Award laureates, will help you explore key aspects of life and study the problems of intrinsic interest and importance at the frontiers of chemical science. You will have access to the latest instrumentation and will have the opportunity to interact with top institutions like the Broad Institute and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Examples of student research include developing new ways of gene editing and creating a better imaging system to study organisms at the microscopic level.

Graduates of the program have secured faculty positions at prestigious institutions like Harvard University, MIT, and Stanford University. Others have careers with companies like Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, and AstraZeneca.

Additional information on the graduate program is available from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology , and requirements for the degree are detailed in Policies .

Areas of Study

Chemical Biology | Chemical Physics* | Inorganic | Organic | Physical | Theory

*Candidates will be admitted to the Committee on Chemical Physics.

Admissions Requirements

Please review the admissions requirements and other information before applying. You can find degree program-specific admissions requirements below and access additional guidance on applying from the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology .

Academic Background

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology offers a PhD in chemistry and a PhD in chemical physics. Applicants should have a record of classroom and laboratory training in biological, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry as well as a strong grounding in chemistry and be thoughtful enough about the discipline of chemistry to communicate their desire to pursue doctoral research.

Statement of Purpose

For applicants to chemistry and chemical biology, the statement of purpose should include two sections. Please clearly delineate the two sections within the same document using the headers "statement of purpose" and "research accomplishments.”

• Statement of Purpose : Statement of your scientific and professional interests and objectives, not to exceed 300 words.
• Research Accomplishments : Statement of your research accomplishments and/or current projects, not to exceed 500 words. In the event that undergraduate research opportunities have not been available to you, please discuss other science projects, reading projects, etc., that you have undertaken.

Personal Statement

Standardized tests.

GRE General: Required

Theses & Dissertations

Theses & Dissertations for Chemistry and Chemical Biology

See list of Chemistry and Chemical Biology faculty

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Questions about the program.

Department of Chemistry

• PhD Requirements
• Pathways to Your Career
• Professional Societies
• Student Groups
• Chemistry-Biology Interface Program

Johns Hopkins University was the first American institution to emphasize graduate education and to establish a PhD program in chemistry. Founding Chair Ira Remsen initiated a tradition of excellence in research and education that has continued until this day. The Hopkins graduate program is designed for students who desire a PhD in chemistry while advancing scientific knowledge for humankind.

The graduate program provides students with the background and technical expertise required to be leaders in their field and to pursue independent research.

Graduate students’ advancement is marked by entrance exams, coursework, teaching, seminars, oral examinations, and an individual research project that culminates in a thesis dissertation. The thesis research project represents an opportunity for graduate students to make a mark on the world. Working in conjunction with a faculty member or team, individually tailored thesis projects enable students to think independently about cutting-edge research areas that are of critical importance. Thesis research is the most important step toward becoming a PhD scientist, and our program provides an outstanding base with a proven track record of success.

Graduate students make up the heart of the Chemistry Department, and the department strives to support students’ individual needs. Each student is carefully advised and classes are traditionally quite small. Multidisciplinary research and course offerings that increase scientific breadth and innovation are hallmarks of the program.  In addition to academic and technical development, our department also offers several outlets for professional and social development.

For more information, contact the Director of Graduate Studies. Dr. Art Bragg Office: Remsen 221 410-516-5616 [email protected]

PhD Program

Professor Wender discusses chemistry with his graduate students.

Doctoral study in chemistry at Stanford University prepares students for research and teaching careers with diverse emphases in basic, life, medical, physical, energy, materials, and environmental sciences.

The Department of Chemistry offers opportunities for graduate study spanning contemporary subfields, including theoretical, organic, inorganic, physical, biophysical and biomedical chemistry and more. Much of the research defies easy classification along traditional divisions; cross-disciplinary collaborations with Stanford's many vibrant research departments and institutes is among factors distinguishing this world-class graduate program.

The Department of Chemistry is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development.  This advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement with mutual respect by both the adviser and advisee.

• The adviser is expected to meet at least monthly with the graduate student to discuss on-going research.
• There should be a yearly independent development plan (IDP) meeting between the graduate student and adviser. Topics include research progress, expectations for completion of PhD, areas for both the student and adviser to improve in their joint research effort.
• A research adviser should provide timely feedback on manuscripts and thesis chapters.
• Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.
• If there is a significant issue concerning the graduate student’s progress in research, the adviser must communicate this to the student and to the Graduate Studies Committee in writing.  This feedback should include the issues, what needs to be done to overcome these issues and by when.

Academic advising by Stanford faculty is a critical component of all graduate students' education and additional resources can be found in the  Policies and Best Practices for Advising Relationships at Stanford  and the  Guidelines for Faculty-Student Advising at Stanford .

Learn more about the program through the links below, and by exploring the research interests of the  Chemistry Faculty  and  Courtesy Faculty .

Chemistry, PhD

Zanvyl krieger school of arts and sciences.

Johns Hopkins University was the first American institution to emphasize graduate education and to establish a PhD program in chemistry. Founding Chair Ira Remsen initiated a tradition of excellence in research and education that has continued until this day. The Hopkins graduate program is designed for students who desire a PhD in chemistry while advancing scientific knowledge for humankind.

The graduate program provides students with the background and technical expertise required to be leaders in their field and to pursue independent research.

Graduate students’ advancement is marked by entrance exams, coursework, teaching, seminars, oral examinations, and an individual research project that culminates in a thesis dissertation. The thesis research project represents an opportunity for graduate students to make a mark on the world. Working in conjunction with a faculty member or team, individually tailored thesis projects enable students to think independently about cutting-edge research areas that are of critical importance. Thesis research is the most important step toward becoming a PhD scientist, and our program provides an outstanding base with a proven track record of success.

Graduate students make up the heart of the Chemistry Department, and the department strives to support students’ individual needs. Each student is carefully advised and classes are traditionally quite small. Multidisciplinary research and course offerings that increase scientific breadth and innovation are hallmarks of the program.  In addition to academic and technical development, our department also offers several outlets for professional and social development.

Admission Requirements

Application materials include:

• Academic transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• We encourage (but do not require) applicants to report scores for the GRE general and GRE chemistry subject tests. Applicants who feel that GRE scores support their case are welcome to include them. Our application review process is holistic, and the Graduate Admissions Committee believes that standardized test scores represent only one piece of a candidate’s profile. Applicants for whom taking the GRE presents a burden or who feel it does not represent their skills are free to not include them.
• The application fee is $75. However, fee waivers may be requested for applicants that have documentation showing they are a part of SACNAS, MARCC, oSTEM and many other organizations. To access the full list to see if you qualify, go to the  Krieger Graduate Admission and Enrollment  page.

Assistance with the application process is available. Candidates with questions about the application process should contact the department's administrative staff ([email protected]).

There are no fixed requirements for admission. Undergraduate majors in chemistry, biology, earth sciences, mathematics, or physics may apply as well as all well-qualified individuals who will have received a BA degree before matriculation. A select number of applicants will be invited to visit campus to tour our facilities and interact with our faculty members and their lab members over a weekend in March.

For further information about graduate study in chemistry visit the Chemistry Department website . 

Program Requirements

Normally, the minimum course requirement for both the M.A. and the Ph.D. degrees is six one-semester graduate courses in chemistry and related sciences. Exceptionally well-prepared students may ask for a reduction of these requirements.

Requirements for the Ph.D. degree include a research dissertation worthy of publication, and a knowledge of chemistry and related material as demonstrated in an oral examination. Each student must teach for at least one year.

Below is a list of the core Chemistry courses for graduate level students.

Chemistry Graduate Program

Master’s Program

Master’s Program (MACS)

PhD Program

Chemistry PhD Program Areas of Specialization Detailed PhD Degree Requirements Apply Now Chemistry & Biochemistry Graduate Program Home Page

About the Chemistry Ph.D. Program

Ph.d. in chemistry faq's.

Get answers to frequently asked questions.

The Chemistry PhD program is designed towards developing within each student the ability to do creative scientific research. Accordingly, the single most important facet of the curriculum for an individual is their own research project. In keeping with the goal of fostering an atmosphere of scholarly, independent study, formal course requirements are minimal and vary among disciplines; advisor's tailor course requirements to best prepare the student for the chosen research field.

The Doctoral program includes the following concentrations, each of which has specific degree requirements:

• Physical Chemistry : In general, the Physical Chemistry Graduate Program encompasses analytical, nuclear, biophysical, and theoretical chemistry.
• Synthetic Chemistry : The Synthetic Chemistry Graduate Program includes emphases in either organic or inorganic chemistry
• Chemical Biology : The Chemical Biology Graduate Program covers a range of research areas at the interface of Chemistry and Biology.

Research. A graduate student spends a good deal of time during the first week of the first semester at Berkeley talking to various faculty members about possible research projects, studying pertinent literature references, and choosing an individual project. New graduate students meet shortly after their arrival with a faculty adviser. From the faculty adviser the student obtains a list of faculty members whose research may interest the student. After visiting these and additional faculty, if necessary, the student chooses a research director, with the consent of the faculty member and the graduate adviser. By the end of the first semester most students have made a choice and are full-fledged members of research group. Students in the Chemical Biology Graduate Program will select their thesis advisor after completion of three-ten week rotations. Thereafter, all students become involved in library research on their projects and many begin actual experimental or theoretical work.

Independent Study. A student who chooses to specialize in physical chemistry is normally expected to take two courses per semester during the first year and one or two additional semesters of coursework sometimes during the second year. These may include topics such Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, Group Theory, Interactions of Radiation with Matter, and many more. At the other extreme, a student specializing in inorganic chemistry will concentrate more heavily on special topics seminars and take fewer courses. The course offerings in the University are varied so that individual students have the opportunity to take other courses which serve their own needs. Such as, a student working on nuclear chemistry will probably elect additional graduate physics courses, while a student working on biophysical or bio-organic problems may take courses offered by the Biochemistry Department. Students in the Chemical Biology program will take courses from both Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology departments.

Seminars. Because of the size and diversity of the Berkeley faculty, there are many seminars on a variety of topics which students may choose to attend. There are regular weekly seminars in several major areas, including biophysical, physical, nuclear, organic, theoretical, solid state, and inorganic chemistry. These seminars are presented by members of the Berkeley faculty, as well as distinguished visitors to the campus. These seminars allow the students to become aware of the most important current research going on in the field. In addition to these regular seminars, there are several regular department seminars devoted to presentations by graduate students. One of the doctoral program requirements is that each student delivers a departmental seminar known as a graduate research conference during the second year. Individual research groups also hold regular research seminars. The format of these small, informal seminars varies. In some cases, graduate students discuss their own current research before the other members of the research group. On other occasions, the group seminars may be devoted to group discussions of recent papers which are of interest to the particular research group. In any event, small group seminars are one of the most important ways in which students learn by organizing and interpreting their own results before their peers.

Qualifying Exam. Sometime during the second year of graduate work at Berkeley, each student takes a qualifying examination. The examining board, a committee of four faculty members, is appointed to examine the student for general competence in the area of interest. The qualifying examination is centered around the defense of the individual research project. Upon satisfactory completion of the oral qualifying examination, the student is advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. After advancement, the student completes an original, scholarly contribution to science and writes a dissertation on the subject. Most students complete their work and received their degree within five years.

Teaching. An integral part of the graduate education at Berkeley is teaching. The department requires that each doctoral candidate assist in the instructional program of the department as a teaching assistant for two semesters during their graduate careers. The faculty regard the teaching experience as highly valuable for all graduate students, especially those who plan to teach as a career.

Financial Aid. All students admitted to our graduate program receive a stipend for the duration of study in the form of teaching and research assistantships as long as they are in residence and demonstrate good progress toward the degree. Students also receive full tution, health, dental and vision insurance. Most funds for this support derive from research contracts and grants.

For more information see the Berkeley Bulletin

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• College of Liberal and Professional Studies

• PhD Program

Chemistry PhD Program

The University of Pennsylvania is an internationally renowned research institution that attracts the best students from the United States and around the globe. The Graduate Program is designed for students who wish to earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry while undertaking cutting edge research. The program provides students with the necessary theoretical background and hands-on training to become independent and highly successful scientists.  Graduate students achieve mastery of advanced chemistry topics through courses in different subdisciplines. Broad exposure to current research also occurs via four weekly departmental seminar programs and many interdisciplinary, university-wide lecture series.

Currently, faculty, students, and postdoctoral associates in Chemistry work in the fields of bioinorganic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, chemical biology, biophysical chemistry, bioinformatics, materials science, laser chemistry, health related chemistry, structural and dynamical studies of biological systems, X-ray scattering/diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, applications of computing and computer graphics, as well as investigations of chemical communication and hormone-receptor interactions. Many research groups combine different techniques to explore frontier areas, such as nanomaterials applied to biology, photoactive biomolecules, and single-molecule imaging. Novel synthetic procedures are under constant development for targets ranging from super-emissive nanoparticles to highly specialized drug molecules and giant dendrimers, which are being explored, for example, as drug-delivery systems. The Research Facilities in the Department of Chemistry provide a strong technology base to enable the highest level of innovation. Graduate students are a driving, integral force at Penn Chemistry.

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PhD vs Master’s: Which to Choose?

If choosing between a PhD or a Master’s has you frazzled, don’t panic. We weigh the pros and cons of both in terms of time, money, and career prospects.

Published September 30, 2020

Sandesh earned his Ph.D. in Biotechnology in 2020, from the  Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai . He is currently a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), Memphis , US. His research interests include immunology, pharmacognosy, food bioscience, and functional foods and he is passionate about scientific writing.

PhD vs Master’s Programs: Key Differences

1. time vs money, 2. prestige, 3. future career, 4. taught vs research master’s, 5. do you need either.

• A.C. Coldron. How Rare (or Common) is it to have a PhD?  (accessed August 25, 2020).
• FindAMasters/FindAUniversity Ltd. Taught vs Research Masters – Which is Right for Me?  (accessed August 28, 2020).

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Education & Training

Graduate programs, list of subjects.

• ◎ : Undergraduate and graduate mutual recognition courses
• Depending on the year of the requirement, course classification, course name, and mutual recognition may vary.

Course Overview

Masters and ph d programs.

This course introduces the postulates and wave equations of quantum mechanics and covers the theoretical and computational methods used to solve for free particles, angular momentum, and hydrogen atoms by applying the time-independent wave equation and basic approximations to determine the electronic structure of atoms and molecules.

This course covers the fundamental concepts and ensembles of classical mechanics, quantum mechanics and thermodynamics, and classical and quantum statistical mechanics for the understanding and application of the principles of statistical thermodynamics and their applications to solids, liquids, gases, surfaces, etc.

This course aims to provide graduate students from other disciplines who do not specialize in physical chemistry with an understanding of the core concepts of physical chemistry and its applications. Topics covered include quantum chemistry, computational chemistry, spectroscopy, chemical reaction kinetics, and surface and solid-state chemistry.

This course covers the chemical bonding of organic compounds, conformational analysis, stereochemistry nucleophilic substitution, elimination and addition, and organic reaction mechanisms.

After introducing the fundamental concepts of conformational analysis in organic synthesis, this course covers alkylation, umpolung, aldol, cuprate reactions and free radical reactions used for carbon-carbon single bonds, and Wittig reactions, sulfone chemistry, Shapiro reactions, and Claisen transitions for the formation of carbon-carbon double bonds.

This course is a continuation of Organic Synthesis I and covers cyclization reactions using Diels-Alder reactions, cycloaddition and radical reactions, and utilization and redox reactions in the organic synthesis of organoboron, organosilicon and organotin, and transition metal complexes.

This course covers at an advanced level the fundamental knowledge of the structure, electrical and magnetic properties of inorganic compounds, the interaction of transition metals with ligands, and inorganic spectroscopy necessary to understand recent research.

This course discusses the bonding and structure of organometallic compounds, their synthesis, characterization, and reactivity, and how they are organized by type of metal and ligand and the form of chemical reaction. In particular, the applications of organometallic compounds in various catalytic reactions, including organic, polymer synthesis, and small molecule activities, are extensively covered.

This course provides an in-depth study of the biosynthesis of biopolymers, including replication, gene expression, and protein synthesis. We discuss the features and functional aspects of protein and nucleic acid structures.

This course provides a general understanding of chemistry. Students will learn about the principles of protein catalysis, protein kinetics, thermodynamics, and structure. Based on this, they will learn about the link between structure and activity, the mechanisms of protein stability and folding, and recent developments in protein engineering in terms of applications.

This course is a continuation of Quantum Chemistry I. It covers a wide range of applications of quantum mechanics to chemistry, including the latest electronic structure calculations, molecular spectroscopy, and the use of time-dependent wave equations.

This course is a continuation of Statistical Thermodynamics I. Practical applications of statistical thermodynamics include the electromagnetic properties of cooperative phenomena and relaxation times.

This course introduces the basic physical and chemical processes of reacting molecules. It introduces methods for selecting or identifying reactant states, excitation methods, lifetimes and states of excitons, and state-to-state chemistry of reaction products at the molecular level.

This course focuses on recent experimental and theoretical studies on the geometry, electronic structure, thermodynamics, diffusion, physical adsorption, chemisorption, and chemical reactions of gases on solid surfaces. It also introduces the basic concepts of surface analysis methods.

This course introduces the basic theory of electrode reactions and covers the principles of various methods for studying the electrochemical properties of compounds such as potentiometric, voltammetric, cyclic voltammetric, and alternating current methods, their applications in synthesis, and electrochemistry as an essential tool for chemical analysis.

This course covers the methods and practical applications of NMR and X-ray crystallography to determine the molecular structure of biopolymers.

The course focuses on the structural determination and synthesis of bioactive and toxic substances, proteins, alkaloids, steroids, and carbohydrates, taking into account their stereochemistry and physiological functions.

This course covers the nature and synthesis of heterocyclic compounds, their effects on the reactivity of heteroatoms, and their practical applications in organic synthesis using heterocyclic compounds.

This course provides in-depth and systematic coverage of various organic reactions, including carbon-carbon bonding reactions, isomerization reactions, and redox reactions using organometallic compounds, including transition metals.

The course covers the reaction background of organic solid-state chemistry, determination of relative stereochemistry, purity determination of optical activity, mechanisms of asymmetric organic reactions, and applications to asymmetric organic synthesis.

This course introduces metal ions and metal-containing enzymes/proteins found in living organisms and the various biological processes that involve them. Metal enzyme reactions, metal ion transport and storage, and the role of metal ions in vivo will be discussed, and methods for characterizing enzyme active sites through functional and structural synthetic model compounds will be introduced.

This course introduces chemistry graduate students to the fundamental concepts of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis and their applications. Topics include heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, adsorption and catalysis, catalytic activity points, multifunctional and molecular zeolite catalysis, the role of catalyst carriers, characterization of catalysts using instrumentation, and case studies of catalytic processes in use in Korea.

Based on the basic concepts of inorganic chemistry, this course introduces the latest trends in the research of new materials such as organometallic catalysts, molecular materials, nanostructures, and hybrids, and systematically covers the synthesis, analysis, and application of materials.

This course focuses on the kinetics and reaction mechanisms of addition and condensation polymerization, covering addition co-polymerization and emulsion polymerization, discussing the stereochemistry and properties of polymers, and introducing new polymerization reactions.

This course is about the synthesis and properties of optical and electronic functional polymers, covering conductive polymers, photoconductive polymers, photo-responsive polymers, nonlinear optical polymers, polymer batteries, photoresists, etc.

This course is a thermodynamic analysis of polymer structure and properties. The thermodynamics of polymer structures, thermodynamics of polymer solutions, rubber elasticity, phase equilibrium, friction properties, and transport processes are explained thermodynamically.

This course focuses on industry-friendly fields that meet the needs of the industry by understanding the basic theories and properties of organic thin-film transistors, organic electroluminescence, organic solar cells, and related electronic materials, which are the core of the next-generation display industry, and lectures on the structure, synthesis, and device applications of organic and polymeric electronic materials.

This subject is widely applied to semiconductor microchips, displays, MEMS devices, etc. The physics of the lithography process, resist materials, resist processes, and new lithography techniques such as nanoimprint lithography, interference lithography, impregnation lithography, and scanning probe lithography are discussed.

This course is a continuation of Advanced Biochemistry, taught in the spring semester, and covers a variety of biochemical processes that occur in cells. It will discuss the structure, expression, and regulation of genes, and key aspects of immunology and neurobiochemistry will be introduced.

This course discusses recent developments in research areas of need and interest in physical chemistry, gases, and liquids through specialized lectures and seminars.

This course provides specialized lectures and seminars to discuss recent developments in research areas of need and interest in physical chemistry solids and surfaces.

This course discusses, through specialized lectures and seminars, recent results in research areas of need and interest in physical-chemical theory and computation.

This course covers new organic reaction mechanisms and molecular dynamics determination methods, chemical structures and reactivity, and new MO calculations in specific areas of physical and organic chemistry.

This course focuses on recently published research papers to acquaint students with various synthetic strategies applied to the synthesis of organic compounds such as terpenes, macrolides, alkaloids, carbohydrates, and heterocyclic compounds, and to develop creativity and application skills necessary for organic synthesis. The lecture method can be combined with the seminar method to actively induce student participation.

This course examines the changes in chemical properties due to changes in the electronic arrangement of organic chemicals belonging to various groups of compounds or various structural modifications, and in particular, it examines in depth the mechanisms of action of various biological substances in the environment around us, and explores strategies for the creation and development of new compounds accordingly.

Special topics in the field of inorganic chemistry that are of interest due to recent research results are selected and discussed in-depth through specialized lectures and seminars so that students can acquire broad knowledge in areas other than their specific majors.

In-depth lectures on specific areas of inorganic chemistry (e.g., crystal structure, inorganic tectonics, etc.) may be offered through this course and may take the form of seminars and case studies in addition to specialized lectures.

This course presents recent and interesting developments in polymer chemistry, with a selection of new topics and current research trends. A wide variety of advanced materials will be covered in detail, with a focus on synthetic metals, liquid crystals, optically characterized polymers, degradable polymers, and thermostable polymers.

This course covers analytical methods for molecular weight and molecular weight distribution, crystallinity, steric regularity, and microstructure, which are important in determining polymer properties, and the relationship between these factors and chemical structure and polymer properties.

This course presents selected topics in nucleic acid biochemistry and discusses recent findings through lectures and seminars. Topics include the nature and structure of nucleic acids, gene structure and function, gene expression, gene recombination technology, and applications of gene recombination technology.

This course provides a selection of topics in the field of protein biochemistry, with lectures and seminars on recent research findings. Topics include physical and chemical properties of proteins, protein structure, protein purification, formation of protein-ligand complexes, enzyme kinetics, and mechanisms of enzyme action.

GRADUATE APTITUDE TEST IN ENGINEERING 2025

अभियांत्रिकी स्नातक अभिक्षमता परीक्षा २०२५, organising institute: indian institute of technology roorkee.

Notifications

Gateway to excellence, gate   2025.

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a prestigious national-level exam that assesses candidates for comprehensive understanding in various undergraduate-level subjects in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, Humanities.

GATE 2025 is being organised by Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR).

GATE   ORGANISATION

IIT Roorkee is the Organising Institute for GATE 2025. GATE 2025 is being conducted by IISc Bengaluru and seven IITs comprising IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and IIT Roorkee, on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India.

OPPORTUNITIES

Candidates who qualify in GATE can seek admission with possible financial assistance to Master’s programs and direct Doctoral programs in Engineering/ Technology/ Architecture/ Science/ Commerce/ Arts/ Humanities; and Doctoral programs in relevant branches of Engineering, Science, and Humanities, in Institutions supported by Ministry of Education (MoE) and other Government agencies. GATE score is also used by some colleges and Institutions for admission to postgraduate programs without MoE scholarship. Several Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) have also been using GATE score for recruitment.

GATE TEST PAPERS

GATE 2025 will have a total of 30 test papers comprising full papers and sectional papers. Candidates have the option to appear for one or two test papers from the allowed two-paper combinations. The GATE score obtained by the candidates will remain valid for a period of THREE years from the date of announcement of results.

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)

Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a national-level examination that primarily tests the comprehensive understanding of various undergraduate subjects in Engineering/ Technology/ Architecture/ Science/ Commerce/ Arts/ Humanities. GATE 2025 will be a computer-based test (CBT) and is being organized by Indian Institutes of Technology Roorkee. The examination will be conducted by IISc Bengaluru and seven IITs (IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras and IIT Roorkee), on behalf of the National Coordination Board - GATE, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education (MoE), Government of India (GoI).

GATE 2025 will have a total of 30 test papers comprising full papers and sectional papers. For more details Click here .

Apply Online

Multiple Opportunities

Exam Cities

Eligibility Criteria

Important Dates

Let's watch and explore about gate 2025.

IIT Roorkee will activate the portal for GATE 2025 application most likely by the end of August 2024.

Exam Center Cities

To know about exam center cities.

IISc Bengaluru

IIT Guwahati

IIT Kharagpur

IIT Roorkee