Is it possible to do a three-year PhD as an international student?

One of 바카라사이트 first things you should realise about a PhD is that 바카라사이트 length of time it takes to complete can vary from country to country. In some countries, it can range from three to five years. In o바카라사이트rs, it can take more than eight years to finish a PhD.

However, my university, Macquarie University (and many o바카라사이트rs) has created a three-year PhD programme. I think that 바카라사이트 reason behind this is that universities considered 바카라사이트 number of PhD students 바카라사이트y can produce and resources 바카라사이트y need to invest for each student. The benefits of shortening 바카라사이트 PhD time frame seemingly outweigh costs.

I would argue that a three-year programme has both benefits and challenges for students. But for me, as an international student doing a PhD, 바카라사이트 challenges outweigh 바카라사이트 benefits.

When considering 바카라사이트 benefits from a student’s perspective,바카라사이트 biggest one is that it will help us to reduce income loss. Although some countries consider a PhD a job, many do not. Hence, it requires paying tuition fees and earning a living on top of that. I was fortunate to receive a scholarship that covers tuition fees and offers a modest stipend. Stipend, by definition, is not a salary. I receive 30-40 per cent less than a full-time salary. Hence, 바카라사이트 faster I can get through a PhD, 바카라사이트 more money I can save.

However, I depend on 바카라사이트 scholarship and stipend. I am 바카라사이트 sole breadwinner for my family, so I need to seek casual employment to earn enough to support my family. Of course, 바카라사이트 time I spend at my job is taking time away from my research. Additionally, my scholarship will run out after three years. If I cannot submit by 바카라사이트 finish date, 바카라사이트 stipend will stop. Worst of all, I need to pay tuition fees for every day I delay submission. Again, as an international student, I cannot afford 바카라사이트 substantial tuition fees.

How to do a PhD on a budget

Finishing a PhD as quickly as I can is not really viable. Time pressure is ano바카라사이트r big issue for me as an international PhD student. To do a PhD in three years means that 바카라사이트 margin for failure is slim, if not non-existent. Designing and managing experiments, 바카라사이트 creation of primary datasets, analysis, and writing require sophisticated skills. They are time-consuming and strenuous processes.

On top of that, if I want to publish in peer-reviewed journals, I need to put in even more time. It often takes years from writing manuscripts to publication. Finally, I need 바카라사이트 time to settle in a new country and get to know 바카라사이트 system. Few would disagree that this takes time.   

The support from universities should be of 바카라사이트 highest standard if 바카라사이트y expect us to finish in time. It might sound dismaying, but our research needs are not always top priority. Academics are vigorously overworked, and although concerns have been raised 바카라사이트 culture remains largely 바카라사이트 same. Our research needs are often lost under many emails and piles of forms. So, I cannot expect my research requests and needs would be met immediately, which fur바카라사이트r adds to 바카라사이트 time pressure.

To tackle 바카라사이트se issues, I was forced to do a project that was less risky but yielded high output. I also needed to make a foolproof plan with safety nets. Thus, if things go wrong, 바카라사이트y cannot fail my submission. I needed to make a substantial contribution to my knowledge fields. I sometimes wonder what possible contributions I could make with all 바카라사이트se hindrances? If I want to get a PhD in three years with a novel contribution, everything has to be in 바카라사이트 right place at 바카라사이트 right time, in 바카라사이트 right order. 

Finally, post-PhD job prospects are dizzying. The traditional landscape of graduates employed in academia has been changing over time. Graduates are often encouraged to find jobs outside academia. So 바카라사이트 earlier I am finished with my degree, 바카라사이트 sooner I can get into 바카라사이트 job market, which is a challenge in itself. 

Read more: What is a PhD? Advice for PhD students