What are the Criteria for a PhD?

A PhD is not just about writing a long thesis. It is about showing that you can work on your own, understand your subject, and make new discoveries. Universities want to see that your research is clear, organised, and adds something valuable. Meeting these criteria is important if you want to move from your proposal to your viva and get your doctorate.

Doing a PhD can feel like entering a whole new world of research, expectations, and deadlines. In this guide, I will explain what PhD students have to write and the requirements you need to meet. I’ll also go through what your research must achieve and give you some simple tips to help you achieve that pass at doctoral level!

There are a couple of different things that are assessed during a PhD. Some universities will require students to track their skill development throughout their degree, highlighting areas of improvement. This will usually mean that the student will be expected to take part in a few training opportunities, outreach events or even short-term internships. The most important thing, however, is the completion of a thesis.

What do you have to write for a PhD?

Your PhD thesis is the most substantial piece of written work you'll produce during your PhD, and will usually be between 70,000 and 100,000 words.

The outcome of your thesis will determine whether or not you pass your PhD viva.

A thesis can be marked as a pass, in need of corrections, resubmission, downgrade or fail. Though you should aim for a pass, most students will be required to make some form of corrections. These can be major or minor. Minor corrections ask the student to tweak grammatical or technical errors. Usually there is no issue with the research, but merely its presentation.

Alternatively, students might receive major corrections. This means that some rewrites and additional research will probably be needed. Usually, an additional six-month period is granted for these changes.

But how do you actually write a good thesis? The first way is to write well. Like any piece of written work, grammar and structure will be assessed.

PhD requirements and criteria

The main requirements for a PhD thesis are originality and whether it makes a significant contribution to knowledge. Both these terms are quite vague and can often be confusing to students. Which brings us on to our next point...

Original research is the study of primary evidence. Primary evidence will take different forms depending on the subject. In History, for example, it could be a document or diary. In a STEM discipline it might be the results of a study or experiment.

Your research of primary evidence is what will be written up as the PhD thesis.

You should look to define the purpose of your study, outline your methodology, detail the results of your research and discuss the potential implications of these results.

The most important thing to ensure your research will be original is to articulate your own ideas and conclusions, based in wider literature. You must not just regurgitate what other academics have already said.

That does not mean you are not allowed to express agreement with existing theories and arguments, but you must explain why you agree with them in terms of your own evidence and conclusions.

A significant contribution does not mean changing your whole field. It means adding something new and worthwhile. This could be a fresh idea, new evidence, or a small step forward that helps develop current academic discussion.

To judge the value of your project, ask yourself:

• What question is my research answering and why does it matter?

• How do my conclusions add to existing debates?

• What are the limits of my research?

Examples of a contribution include testing a theory in a new way, studying an overlooked source, presenting new data, or bringing together existing ideas in a fresh way. A strong PhD shows depth rather than trying to cover too much.

You can also show the importance of your work outside the thesis. This might be through presenting at conferences, publishing articles, or taking part in outreach activities. These chances allow you to share your findings, receive feedback, and improve your work through wider discussion.

Meeting the criteria for a PhD can feel daunting, but there are ways to make it manageable. I’ve cooked up a few tips for you to ace the criteria:

• Make sure you know exactly what your university expects: You can look closely at the PhD requirements and criteria, so you know what counts towards a successful thesis and a PhD pass. Ask questions where you aren’t sure and it will help you in the long run.
• Plan your research and writing in stages: Breaking your work up into chapters or sections and setting realistic deadlines can help reduce the workload and avoid you from becoming overwhelmed. You’ll be able to stay on track too.
• Keep in regular contact with your supervisor: Feedback is essential for meeting the criteria, and asking for guidance early can prevent any small problems from becoming bigger ones.
• Keep checking your work against the PhD requirements: Make sure each piece of work is clear, well-structured, and contributes to your field.  You’ll be able to focused on what examiners are looking for and before you know it will become muscle memory when you are editing or proofing your work.

Finally, keep going. PhD research can be slow and sometimes frustrating, but persistence and steady progress are key to meeting the criteria and passing your viva!