3-year vs 4-year PhD projects: What Do Students Have to Say?

Are three-year projects realistic?

Over recent years, the expectations associated with a PhD have increased. Meaning that while three-year projects come with three years of funding, people usually take longer than this to submit. This means that while you may have finished your lab work in this time, your final few months of writing are normally unpaid. This can add further strain to an already stressful time!

What is the trade-off for the fourth year?

Four-year PhD projects come with the obvious benefit of an additional year of funding. That said, you are also expected to engage in activities beyond your main PhD research.  

An example of the additional training in my Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), the Food Biosystems DTP, is Tiger Teams Training, where groups are given a real-world challenge by an industry partner and asked to develop a novel solution. This provides experience of working with external organisations and offers the chance to explore research outside of your project. These additional activities require careful time management alongside your PhD!

Note: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) now provides funding through Doctoral Focal Awards and Doctoral Landscape Awards. Some universities still hold awards which use the older terminology of DTPs and Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs).

You may also have to participate in a training placement. These are designed to help you gain real-world experience, develop transferable skills and explore new career pathways. You could be working with an employer outside of your research area or with an industry partner, if you have one as part of your PhD.

What do other PhD students think?

“Being on a four-year programme meant I got to do a placement. I really enjoyed it as I did science communication. It opened my eyes to other options outside of academia and the breadth of options where science can be applied.” 

“If you do a four-year project and you are on a DTP, there is a central training fund, meaning there is more money available for you to follow training courses that you are interested in.”  

“If you don’t love your project, then being on a four-year project is another year of your life as a student stuck in the same research area. Being on a three-year project means people are expecting less from your project and you get it done sooner” 

“An additional year of funding means another year where I don’t have to enter the real world! There is also less time pressure during the project, which reduces my stress.” 

“I think it depends, as a three-year project has different funding. It’s not usually funded by a DTP, so it has a different focus. A DTP means you get that extra year for training. I think its better as you get extra time to do additional training opportunities, like I spent some time lecturing in China.”  

“Definitely being on a four-year project takes the pressure off if you have to make any changes, as you have time to redirect your research. Being on a DTP gives you opportunities outside your PhD and you can be part of committees and develop your CV.” 

Overall, there are pros and cons to both three- and four-year projects. As a, fourth year student, I may be biased but I am also aware and very grateful to have the extra year, seeing as my funding would now be finished with some research and writing up still to go!

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