FUN FACTS

DOCTRATE
A doctorate is an academic degree that in most countries represents the highest level of formal study or research in a given field. In some countries it also refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to practice in a specific profession (such as law or medicine).
HISTORY
The origin of the doctorate dates back to the ijazat attadris was 'l-ifta' ("license to teach and issue legal opinions") in the medieval madrasahs which taught Islamic law. The "doctorate was obtained after an oral examination to determine the originality of the candidate's theses," and to test the student's "ability to defend them against all objections, in disputations set up for the purpose" which were scholarly exercises practiced throughout the student's "career as a graduate student of law." After students completed their post-graduate education, they were awarded doctorates giving them the status of faqih (meaning "master of law"), mufti (meaning "professor of legal opinions") and mudarris (meaning "teacher"), which were later translated into Latin as magister, professor and doctor respectively.
REASARCH DOCTRATES
Research doctorates are awarded in recognition of academic research that is (at least in principle) publishable in a peer-refereed academic journal. The best-known degree of this type is that of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, or sometimes DPhil) awarded in many countries throughout the world. Others include the degree of Doctor of Education, various doctorates in engineering (such as the US Doctor of Engineering,[2] the UK Engineering Doctorate[3] and the German Engineering Doctorate (Dr-Ing), and the German degree of Doctor rerum naturalium (Dr.rer.nat.).
CRITEREA
Criteria for award of research doctorates vary somewhat throughout the world, but typically require the submission of a substantial body of original research undertaken by the candidate. This may take the form of a single thesis or dissertation, or possibly a portfolio of shorter project reports, and will usually be assessed by a small committee of examiners appointed by the university, and often an oral examination of some kind. In some countries (such as the US) there may also be a formal taught component, typically consisting of graduate-level courses in the subject in question, as well as training in research methodology.
TIME REQUIRED
The minimum time required to complete a research doctorate varies by country, and may be as short as three years (excluding undergraduate study), although it is not unknown for a candidate to take up to ten years to complete.
What Do PhDs Do?

• PhD researchers make well informed career choices
• Career advisers understand the breadth of potential careers
• Supervisors understand the transferable nature of the competencies developed during a PhD and the range of careers available to researchers
• Prospective PhD students see where having a PhD may take them
• Employers understand what PhD graduates can offer them

• Research oriented Carrier
• Academic position
• Commercial benefits
• Confidence
• Creativity
• Adaptability
• Self-motivation
• Competitiveness
• Maturity