PhD Qualification Equivalencies

Figuring out if your degree counts as a PhD qualification equivalent can be tricky. Different countries use different systems, so it can feel like comparing apples and oranges – only the apples are French and the oranges American.

Most European countries now follow the Bologna Process. This system has three stages: Licence (undergraduate), Masters (postgraduate), and Doctorate (PhD). It is often called the Licence–Masters–Doctorate, or LMD, model. The UK system is similar, though without the French style.

In the UK, universities usually want at least a 2:1 undergraduate degree. Most applicants also have a Masters. In France, a Masters or an equivalent like a Diplôme d’Ingénieur is needed. In the US and Canada, you usually need a GPA of 3.3 or higher and a Masters before starting a PhD.

There isn’t a single official list for PhD qualification equivalencies. Each university decides if your qualifications are suitable. If you need some more guidance, our country-specific guides are a good place to start. You can also contact the UK’s National Academic Recognition Information Centre (UK ENIC). They give free advice and can issue an official “letter of comparability” for about £40 if you need one for work.