Doing a PhD part-time is becoming an increasingly popular option for students who want to pursue doctoral research without putting the rest of their lives on hold. Whether you’re balancing a career, family commitments, or returning to academia later in life, a part-time PhD can offer enough flexibility.
Still, many prospective applicants ask the same questions: Can you do a PhD part-time while working? How long does a part-time PhD take? Is a PhD part-time worth it? This guide answers those questions honestly, with a particular focus on the part-time PhD UK system.
Can You Do a PhD Part-Time?
First of all, is it possible to do a PhD part-time? Yes, you absolutely can do a PhD part-time. Most UK universities offer part-time doctoral routes across a wide range of disciplines, particularly in the humanities, social sciences, education, and professional fields.
That being said, approval depends on several factors:
- Whether the university allows part-time registration for your subject
- Supervisor availability and support
- The feasibility of your research project on a part-time basis
Keep in mind that when universities assess whether you can do a PhD part-time, they are less concerned with how busy you are and more concerned with whether your research plan is realistic.
What Is a Part-Time PhD?
A part-time PhD is academically identical to a full-time doctorate. The qualification, thesis requirements, and examination process are exactly the same. The key difference lies in its pace and structure, not academic expectations.
When you study for a PhD part-time, you spread the research and writing over a longer period, and therefore you are able to manage other commitments alongside your doctoral work. Universities still expect part-time PhD students to make steady progress, attend supervision meetings, and meet annual review requirements, just at a reduced intensity compared to full-time study.
Importantly, your final degree certificate does not state whether your PhD was completed full-time or part-time.
Can You Do a PhD Part-Time While Working?
One of the most common questions is whether you can do a PhD part-time while working. In practice, many part-time PhD students are employed, sometimes even full-time.
Working alongside a PhD part-time is certainly possible, but it requires careful planning and a good time management skills in general. Jobs with flexible hours, predictable workloads, or relevance to your research area tend to work best. Some students also take on teaching or research-related roles to keep their work aligned with academia.
If you’re exploring employment options alongside your doctorate, this guide to part-time jobs suitable for PhD students may be helpful.
When applying for a part-time PhD, however, your supervisor and admission panels will ask you to demonstrate how you plan to balance work and study, especially if funding is involved.
How Many Hours Per Week Should You Do During a Part-Time PhD?
But in practice, how many hours per week should you work if you’re doing a PhD part-time? While this varies by discipline and stage, most universities estimate:
- Around 15 to 25 hours per week during early research stages
- Slightly higher workloads during intensive data collection or writing phases
Unlike taught programmes, a PhD does not follow a fixed timetable. Your weekly hours may fluctuate significantly depending on deadlines, conferences, or supervisory feedback. What matters most is consistency over time rather than rigid weekly schedules.
How Long Does a Part-Time PhD Take?
So, how long does a part-time PhD take? In general, it will take double the time of a standard PhD. This, in the UK, typically means:
- Between six and eight years to complete
- With a maximum registration period set by the university
Completion time depends on:
- Your discipline
- Research design and data collection demands
- Interruptions such as caring responsibilities or health issues
Many universities allow pauses or extensions, which can be particularly important for part-time students managing complex lives alongside research.
Doing a Part-Time PhD in the UK: What Makes It Different?
A part-time PhD in the UK follows the same formal milestones as a full-time doctorate. These typically include:
- Annual progress reviews
- Training requirements
- Confirmation or upgrade stages
- A final viva examination
However, part-time PhD students may have reduced access to funding and scholarships, as many funding bodies prioritise full-time study. Tuition fees are usually charged at a reduced annual rate but are exactly the same, only spread over more years.
Is a PhD Part-Time Worth It?
Whether a part-time PhD is worth it always depends on your goals.
For many students, the benefits include:
- The ability to maintain income while studying
- Reduced financial pressure
- Greater work-life balance
However, there are obviously some trade-offs. A part-time PhD takes longer, requires sustained motivation over many years, and can feel morel isolating than a traditional PhD if you are less present on campus.
If your goal is an academic career, a PhD part-time is still respected, but you may need to be more proactive about publishing, networking, and conference participation.
At the end of the day, the question “Is a PhD part-time worth it?” comes down to whether the structure supports your long-term academic and personal priorities.
Can You Switch from Full-Time to Part-Time During Your PhD?
Yes, it is often possible to switch from full-time to part-time during your PhD. Many students make this transition due to changes in finances, health, caring responsibilities, or employment.
You should always check with your supervisor and with your graduate office, but switching usually requires:
- Formal approval from your department
- Agreement from your supervisor
- Adjustments to timelines and funding
If you are considering a temporary break rather than a permanent change, this guide on taking time off during your PhD provides useful context.
Doing a PhD Part-Time as a Mature Student
Doing a PhD part-time is particularly common among mature students. Many return to doctoral study after years in professional practice, bringing valuable experience but also additional responsibilities.
A part-time route can make academic re-entry more manageable, especially when balancing family or financial commitments. If this applies to you, you may find this resource helpful.
Universities increasingly recognise the strengths that mature, part-time PhD candidates bring to research environments.
Common Challenges of Doing a PhD Part-Time
While flexible, doing a PhD part-time comes with challenges:
- Maintaining momentum over several years
- Feeling disconnected from academic communities
- Protecting research time alongside work and family life
Successful part-time PhD students often treat their research as a long-term project with protected weekly hours, clear milestones, and regular supervisor communication.
How to Strengthen a Part-Time PhD Application
Part-time PhD applications require particular clarity. Admissions panels want to see that your project is feasible at a reduced pace and that you understand the commitment involved.
If you are applying to a part-time PhD programme you should explain:
- Why part-time study is necessary for your situation
- How research time will be managed
- Why the project suits the proposed timeframe
This is especially important in competitive UK departments, where feasibility can be the deciding factor.
Get Expert Help with Your PhD Application
If you’re serious about doing a PhD part-time but need expert help with your application, our structured support package covers every aspect of the process.
From personalised consultation sessions and a tailored university shortlist with supervisor suggestions, to bespoke research proposals, customised letters of introduction, and professional CV and personal statement edits — we’ll work with you step-by-step to build a compelling application that reflects your research potential. You’ll also receive tailored funding guidance and a final one-to-one tutorial to prepare for interviews or fine-tune your documents.
Explore our comprehensive PhD Applications Service and start your journey with confidence
FAQs About Doing a PhD Part-Time
Do universities view part-time PhD students differently from full-time students?
No. In the UK, part-time PhD students are assessed against the same academic standards as full-time candidates. The final qualification, examination process, and expectations for originality and contribution to knowledge are identical. Admissions panels are primarily interested in the quality and feasibility of your research project rather than your mode of study.
Is it harder to stay motivated during a part-time PhD?
For some students, yes. Because a part-time PhD takes longer, maintaining momentum can be challenging, especially when research time competes with work and personal commitments. Build strong routines, set short-term goals, and schedule regular supervisory check-ins to stay accountable.
Can part-time PhD students access university resources and training?
Most UK universities give part-time PhD students full access to libraries, online journals, research training programmes, and academic skills workshops. However, some in-person events may be scheduled during working hours, so part-time students often rely more heavily on online resources and flexible training options.
Is funding available for part-time PhD students in the UK?
Funding is more limited for part-time PhD students, but it does exist. Some universities offer internal scholarships, fee reductions, or professional doctorate funding routes. Employer sponsorship and self-funded study are also common pathways for part-time doctoral candidates.
Can you publish academic papers while doing a PhD part-time?
Yes. Part-time PhD students are encouraged to publish in the same way as full-time students. While publication timelines may be slower due to reduced research hours, many part-time candidates successfully present at conferences and publish journal articles during their doctorate.
What happens if your circumstances change during a part-time PhD?
UK universities recognise that part-time students often juggle complex responsibilities. If your circumstances change, you may be able to apply for temporary interruptions, extensions, or even switch study modes.
