How to complete your PhD in 3 years | the ULTIMATE ROADMAP!

In this video, I go through everything you need to know about making sure that your PhD stays on track and you managed to finish within three years.

0:00 – why three years?
2:45 – two important foundations
5:21 – year one
16:18 – year two
20:48 – year three
23:30 – summary

[robertjamesstove]

Yep, I finished my PhD in just under three years. Which is how long my scholarship funding lasted. Amazing how the threat of poverty concentrates the mind.

[Joe_from_Rio]

In France, the expected length of a PhD in science is 3 years. Year 1 is the "buildup" (bibliography and building your tools/models/tests), year 2 is "the work" testing/analyzing/writing your first paper/going to conferences. Year 3 is the "expert" year where your research topic is becoming your specialty. This is usually the year where you make discoveries and start to "teach" your supervisor on the topic, while writing additional papers. The 6 last months are dedicated to writing your thesis and preparing your defence.

[jrh]

I'm soon to start my PhD and your channel is already helping me tremendously. Thank you kindly!

[ObsidianWisdom]

Great job! I completed my MS Thesis and PhD at Purdue University in 3.5 years during the height of the pandemic. It was a lot of fun but I definitely had to finesse my way into getting a lot of work done in a shorter amount of time. Also, I used a dissertation coach during the last 6 months of my PhD.

[htetnaing]

How can someone dislike such an informative video? Thank you so much for these videos.

[digitalmadrasa]

This is one of the most important videos that I ever read in your channel. Thank you

[joyahwatkins]

This is great! Thanks for the useful content!

[MegaEpicLlama]

Great video! It seems to summarise a few of your older videos into a single concise unit.

[annewrites...]

Thank you, Andy. Such valuable information.

[jothamnjoroge]

One of the best videos I've seen in a really long time! I can see myself applying these rules to other sectors of life and work. Thanks a mil Andrew! (and great beard man!)

[ayodejimatuluko]

This is really good advice. Finishing a PhD in 3 years is achievable. However, I think it is important to acknowledge that different PhD students have different journeys. In particular, for those halfway through (or even at other stages) their PhD when the pandemic hit, there have been unexpected disruptions to research plans (especially for non lab-based research involving the recruitment of human participants) and some universities, especially in the UK have provided extensions of time and funding to cushion the effect of the pandemic. In normal circumstances, I am also aware that for some universities in the UK there is no tuition fee charged in the 4th year (ideally for writing up), just a small continuation fee.
Overall, doing a PhD is about adaptability, resilience and getting things done in as good a time as possible, as you have highlighted.

[onosdenzel]

Thanks 👍 for the great videos you put out there. Very insightful and helpful

[ABHISHEKJHA-uwdn]

Thank you for these videos. It is really helpful.

[abrin]

Will be impossible in some countries (Germany, USA). In UK from my experience it was just good personal project management to get it done in 3 years (I was a geek and had a Gantt chart). Map out the schedule for the 3 years early on, adjust and take action to keep it on track when things change, simply be organized on a weekly, monthly and yearly level and have a plan. For engineering it was get my equipment basics right - no point carrying on with the experiments if there is something flawed with the kit fundamentals - take the time to get it fixed, lost a few months doing that producing no results but saw my PhD colleagues waste a year or more getting variable results (needing repeats) because their equipment was flawed. Was done with the research in 2 years so could have realistically done it in 2.5 years but expanded the write up to a full year and enjoyed myself travelling for half of that.

[melanies]

I'm starting my PhD in Health Sciences in July, I'm so excited! Here in Switzerland it is now the norm in many fields to do a cumulative dissertation, meaning that I'll have to publish at least three peer-reviewed papers. Your videos are very helpul nonetheless!

[sayektiharits]

I really appreciate your content as I preparing myself for PhD. It is really inspiring.

[dawnhunter]

Your content is so valuable and clearly presented. I have just enrolled in my PhD, which is partly funded so I need to finish it in three years to avoid more fees. Luckily I have already worked with my supervisors for the past three years and we have a great working relationship. It's going to be a tough few years, but your tips and advice have already helped so much with my project planning and knowing what to expect for the next few years.

[tatejosephoyinbrakemi]

You're GOLDEN Andy! Thank you so so much. I'm in my 6th month and honestly not feeling the vibes of learning new skills just yet. Got to work on building those relationships and learning all relevant instruments.

[asifjahan]

It's simply a beautiful piece of presentation, precisely focusing on the ingredients that could really make it happen, Kudos to you dear Andy sir!

[guebbouh]

Thank you, your experience is very inspiring.