Pursuing a PhD whilst working: How it actually works.
Pursuing a PhD alongside work and family is no longer an exception, but it is certainly not a side project either. This overview outlines the pathways, the formal requirements, the realistic time commitment and the practical hurdles you may encounter.
Pursuing a PhD whilst working means writing your dissertation alongside your job, under the supervision of a professor and accepted by a university. A Master’s degree or equivalent qualification is usually a prerequisite. Realistically, it takes several years at a rate of 8 to 15 hours per week. The university alone decides on admission, examination and the award of the degree.
A comparison of the three options
For working professionals, there are effectively three models to choose from. They differ in terms of commitment, structure and pace, not in the value of the degree. Which one is right for you depends on two questions: how much external structure do you need, and how many fixed commitments can you commit to over the course of several years?
In practice, most working professionals opt for the external PhD programme because it involves the fewest compulsory commitments. However, anyone who knows they cannot work without an external structure would be better off with a structured programme, even if it seems less convenient.
You are accepted as a doctoral candidate at the university but work elsewhere. Supervision is provided by a professor from the faculty; the research topic is usually drawn from your professional practice. Maximum freedom, maximum personal responsibility, and the fewest compulsory commitments.
A fixed framework with courses, milestones and a cohort. More structure, more scheduled commitments, often with compulsory attendance. Not open to working professionals everywhere, but easier to plan and offering connections with other PhD candidates.
Supervision provided by a professorship at a university of applied sciences in collaboration with a university authorised to award doctorates. Often the most suitable route for practitioners with a practice-oriented topic, though it involves twice the coordination effort.
What you need to meet the formal requirements
The only binding document is the doctoral regulations of the faculty at which you wish to undertake your doctoral studies. These are statutory provisions, published in the university’s official gazette, and take precedence over any information provided by a programme provider. Read them before investing time in drafting a research proposal.
These points crop up almost everywhere:
Added to this is what isn’t written in any regulations but is nonetheless crucial to your success: a question that will sustain you over the years, secure access to your data, and an environment that allows you the time you need.
How long it takes and why
If you’re studying whilst working, several years is the norm. Exactly how many depends on four factors: your subject area, access to data, prior coursework that can be credited, and the number of hours you can actually set aside each week. Anyone who quotes a fixed figure without knowing your topic is merely speculating.
The biggest factor is consistency, not the total number of hours. Two fixed blocks per week are more effective than one weekend a month, because getting back into your own text takes time. Anyone who only writes during holiday weeks wastes a significant amount of that time simply trying to pick up where they left off.
A phased plan with interim targets is more reliable than a total duration. That way, you’ll see after three months whether your pace is sustainable, rather than having to wait three years. Part of the timeline is out of your hands anyway: submission, assessment and the date of your thesis defence are governed by the faculty’s schedule.
What it costs
There are generally no tuition fees in the traditional sense for a PhD, but semester fees are payable throughout the entire duration. Added to this are the costs of literature, database access where applicable, data collection, travel to conferences and the publication of the thesis, the format of which is specified by the PhD regulations.
Optional extras include proofreading for language and style, statistical advice and structured supervision. The biggest expense is none of these, but rather your time over several years. Anyone reducing their working hours should also factor this into their calculations.
Why projects fail
Projects rarely fail due to a lack of talent. It is almost always the same sticking points, and all of them can be checked before you start.
The most common stumbling block. Anyone wishing to conduct research within their own organisation needs written authorisation for data collection and publication, and this is rarely granted automatically.
Supervision capacity is in short supply, particularly for external researchers. Five tailored enquiries are more likely to succeed than fifty mass emails, and they take less time.
A timetable based on 20 hours a week won’t stand up to the initial pressures of the project. A conservative estimate protects against having to abandon the project.
Anyone who is still searching for a research question after two years doesn’t have a time problem, but a problem with focus. Narrowing the scope is the most common advice given by supervisors.
The first six months
The start is more crucial than perseverance. In the first few months, three things should be in place: a narrowed-down research question, a solid plan for data access, and initial contact with one or two departments conducting research on your topic.
Only then is it worth drafting a detailed proposal. Anyone who writes it without feedback often produces a version that doesn’t fit the department’s remit and has to start all over again.
What Ascendius does for you
We structure the process: refining your topic, assessing the research gap against the current state of the literature, reviewing your research proposal, identifying a suitable university and supervisor, evaluating the doctoral regulations, aligning the timetable with your actual schedule, and preparing for your public defence.
You carry out the academic work yourself. This is not a mere formality, but a prerequisite for the degree to be valid in the long term. All the universities we work with are listed in anabin with H+ status, and the university alone decides on admission and the award of the degree.
Frequently asked questions.
Is it possible to do a PhD whilst working?+
Yes. The usual route is an external PhD: you are admitted to the university and continue working in your profession. In addition, there are structured programmes and collaborative PhDs with universities of applied sciences.
How long does a part-time PhD take?+
Several years. The duration depends on your subject, access to data, prior academic credits that can be recognised, and the amount of time you can reliably commit each week. A reliable estimate can only be made once your research topic and data requirements have been clarified.
How many hours a week do I need?+
Realistically, 8 to 15 hours in fixed blocks. Consistency is key, as any prolonged break will mean time spent getting back into the swing of things.
Do I need to be enrolled for the PhD?+
Generally speaking, yes. The doctoral regulations govern admission as a doctoral candidate and enrolment. The details vary depending on the federal state and faculty.
Is a part-time PhD worth less?+
No. The degree is awarded according to the same rules as for a full-time PhD, with the same reviews and the same examination. The only difference is the path taken to achieve it.
Does my employer need to know about this?+
They do not usually need to give their consent, provided that no clause regarding secondary employment is affected. However, as soon as you carry out research within your own company, you will need written authorisation for the use of data and publication.
How much does a part-time PhD cost?+
Tuition fees for the entire duration, plus the cost of literature, data collection, conferences and publication. Supervision is arranged separately. We’ll outline the costs during the initial consultation, before you commit.
Related topics.
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