Obtaining a PhD degree is a dream that many scholars wish to accomplish. It means that you will establish your expertise in the respective field of your study. It requires a lot of motivation to survive through a rigorous PhD course as perpetually there needs to be a hunger and drive to know more and more. There are quite many advantages of obtaining a PhD degree but before you actually finalise the university and topic for your course, you must ask yourself some questions, essentially:
What is your need to take up a PhD: There are many reasons to take up a PhD and it is not necessary that all scholars would have the same reason for becoming a doctor in philosophy. Some may be hungrier for higher level of knowledge and for some it may be just an essential degree for their profession. You must have your reason well placed when you set out to obtain your degree.
Time duration required for completion of the course: Completion of the doctorate degree is not easy. Though a strong perseverance is necessary for completion of the course, how much ever long it be. The average time for each university varies as a lot of variables determine how much time you would take in the course.
The topic you must chose for your course: Being passionate about your topic is the only thing that would survive you through the long and otherwise mundane journey. Spend time with your peers, professors, family friends to help you decide about your passionate topic. Spend time and wisdom in choosing your topic, as it may be nearly impossible to change it at a later stage and a hasty choice may lead to a lot of frustration, lack of interest or dissatisfaction in the course of the study.
What is the right time to begin the course: some students want to enrol in a course right after their masters and some wish to earn some experience before actually becoming a research scholar so that they could fund their research work easily. It is a subjective decision and depending upon your financial comfort and your objective to complete to do the PhD, you must chose the most appropriate time for your course.
Know that if you feel that your only objective of doing a PhD is to get a high paying job then it would be difficult to stay motivated for long. Have passion and drive along with strong motivation to learn about the subject and topic you wish to do your PhD in, to be able to complete the programme.