Pre PhD Preparation Programme

Academic entry requirements onto a PhD vary between countries and institutions within countries but a number of general statements may be made. In the UK a good honours degree is standard but some universities also require a relevant masters with a pass at Distinction or Merit and/or 60% in both taught modules and dissertation. A research proposal is mandatory. In the USA a relevant undergraduate degree is required. A masters is not normally required and may be studied during the PhD. It is not unusual for submission of a specific research proposal also to be integral to the PhD. There is requirement for candidates to have studied for a minimum of 16 years before applying for a PhD, so for example, four years in addition to 10+2). US institutions also require a standardised test, GMAT for business and management and GRE otherwise, sometimes only the general test, but a specific subject test may also be required. In Canada a relevant masters is often required although a candidate with a first class honours might be considered, especially where a research project was undertaken during the final year of the degree). GMAT or GRE subject scores are also required. In Australia a good honours degree (first or 2:1) is standard but where a masters is required it should be with at least Merit and achievement of 60% in taught modules and dissertation. GRE subject scores are sometimes required for particular study areas, for example, Economics.)

English language entry requirements are similar everywhere. The standard requirement is between IELTS 6.5 (with different universities requiring either 6.0 or 5.5 in each skill) and IELTS 7.0 (with as much as 7.0 in Writing and at least 6.5 in the other skills) or TOEF iBT between 92 and 100 with higher requirements in Writing and Reading (at least 24-30) than in Speaking and Listening (from 20 to 30).
As you can see, practice is varied and so research at an early stage into the particular requirements of your chosen specialism, country of study and the institutions in which you are interested is strongly recommended.