- A Doctorate (or Doctoral degree) is the highest-level academic qualification.
- Doctorate degrees focus on original research, professional practice, or clinical training, depending on the type of doctorate you’re pursuing.
- Learn how a Doctorate can help you start an academic career or advance your industry-related job.
A Doctorate, also known as a Doctoral degree, is the highest-level academic degree. The most famous Doctorate degree is arguably the PhD, which stands for Doctor of Philosophy, focusing on in-depth research on a very specific topic.
Note that a PhD is only one type of Doctorate — there are also professional doctorates like the DBA (Doctorate in Business Administration) and EdD (Doctorate in Education), designed for professionals looking to advance their industry-related careers. There are also specific doctorates for healthcare professionals, which include coursework, research, and clinical practice. Some examples are MD (Doctorate in Medicine), PharmD (Doctorate in Pharmacy), and DNP (Doctorate in Nursing).
- Interested in pursuing a Doctorate? Check out on-campus Doctorate programmes on PhDportal. Depending on your field, you’ll also find online Doctoral degree programmes to complete remotely.
Why study a Doctorate?
If you’re aiming for high-level positions in the industry or academia, you’ll highly benefit from a Doctorate. For example, university professors, deans, and associate deans need a PhD, which is a type of academic doctorate. Similarly, employees looking to advance in the corporate world often turn to a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), as it studies real-life business issues through research.
Obtaining a Doctorate degree will equip you with the following:
- Expertise and speciality in your field
- Advanced research and analytical skills in your field
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Leadership and project management skills
- Commitment, dedication, and the ability to work independently
Popular types of Doctorate degrees
While a PhD is one of the most common Doctorate degrees, there are many other career-focused Doctorates you can pursue. Here are some examples:
Doctorate in Pharmacy
In countries like the USA, you need to hold a Doctorate in Pharmacy (PharmD) degree to become a pharmacist. These programmes usually take between four to six years, combining coursework with internships. Find the best programmes for Doctorate in Pharmacy
Doctorate in Nursing
A Doctorate in Nursing (DNP) can help you become an expert in a certain field of nursing or unlock a new career path as a nurse executive. The latter involves leading other nurses and maintaining safe and efficient practices across the organisation. Find the best programmes for Doctorate in Nursing
Doctorate in Business Administration
A Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) is a good fit for mid or senior-level business professionals looking to transition into executive-level roles. They are offered in many business-related subjects, such as Marketing, Finance, and HR. Find the best programmes for Doctorate in Business Administration
Doctorate in Medicine
A Doctorate in Medicine (MD) is the degree awarded upon completing medical school in the USA, allowing graduates to practise as medical doctors. In countries like the UK, however, a Doctorate in Medicine is a research degree aimed at medical professionals. Find the best programmes for Doctorate in Medicine
Doctorate in Psychology
A Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) is a practice-focused degree for students aiming to become licensed clinical psychologists. Common in countries like the UK and the US, this doctorate combines supervised clinical training with applied research. Find the best programmes for Doctorate in Psychology
Doctorate in Education
With a Doctorate in Education (EdD), educational professionals can pursue leadership roles in their field, including school director, education policy advisor, or university administrator. Find the best programmes for Doctorate in Education
Doctorate in Social Work
A Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) prepares social workers for leadership, teaching, and research roles. Graduates may become executive directors of NGOs, heads of social service agencies, or academic researchers. Find the best programmes for Doctorate in Social Work
Doctorate in Cyber Security
Cyber security professionals play key roles across different industries, from finance to retail. A Doctorate in the field, whether it’s a PhD or a Doctorate in Science (DSc), will demonstrate advanced knowledge and research skills. Find the best programmes for Doctorate in Cyber Security
Popular destinations for a Doctorate
Whether you're pursuing a research-heavy PhD or a career-oriented professional doctorate, the structure, length, and focus of these programmes will depend on the country you’re in. Here is what to expect in some of the most popular study abroad destinations in the world.
Doctorate in Germany
Germany has two types of Doctorate degrees: traditional, which includes supervised research and no coursework, and structured, which combines coursework, training, and research. The former takes two to five years, and the latter three. Find Doctorate programmes in Germany
Doctorate in Canada
Canadian universities offer a wide range of Doctorate programmes, including Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA), Doctorate in Education (EdD), and more. Programmes typically take four to six years. Find Doctorate programmes in Canada
Doctorate in the UK
In the UK, there are research-based PhDs for students aiming to pursue an academic career. Professional, career-based Doctorates like Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) and Engineering Doctorate (EngD) are common as well. Find Doctorate programmes in the UK
Doctorate in Australia
Australia’s Doctorates include research-based PhDs and professional doctorates like a Doctorate in Education (EdD), Doctorate in Creative Arts (DCA), and Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). Professional doctorates often combine coursework with a research thesis, and take 3-4 years full-time. Find Doctorate programmes in Australia
Doctorate in Switzerland
Doctorates in Switzerland typically last 3 to 5 years and may involve a combination of research, coursework, and teaching. For professional doctorates, you’ll want to check both universities and business schools, as the country has high-quality institutions specialising in hospitality, tourism, marketing and more. Find Doctorate programmes in Switzerland
Doctorate vs PhD: What’s the difference?
Doctorate and PhD are often used interchangeably, but a PhD is just one type of Doctorate. Here is more information about both:
| Doctorate | PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) | |
| What is it? | The highest academic degree awarded by a university | A type of Doctorate degree |
| Focus | Varies by type — there are academic, professional, and clinical doctorates | Research, as it’s an academic doctorate |
| Types | PhD, EdD, DBA, MD, PsyD, etc. | You can pursue a PhD in a wide range of topics |
| Research type | Can include original research, business-based research, or clinical research | In-depth, original academic research |
| Career paths | Academia, research, executive positions, leadership | Typically, academia and research |
In conclusion…
Whether you're aiming to become a researcher, educator, clinical expert, or industry leader, you can find a Doctorate programme that can help you get there — there’s the Doctorate in Business Administration for aspiring CEOs, Doctorate in Psychology for future clinical psychologists, a Doctorate in Education for educational leaders, and so on.
- Use PhDportal to find on-campus Doctorate programmes. Since most programmes focus on independent research, flexible online Doctorates are also common.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is an honorary Doctorate degree
An honorary Doctorate is a degree awarded to someone as a recognition of their achievements or contributions to a field or society, without completing academic requirements.
2. How long is a Doctorate?
Most Doctorate degrees take 3 to 6 years, depending on the country, type of doctorate, and whether you study full-time or part-time.
3. How to get a Doctorate
To apply for a Doctorate, you’ll usually need a relevant Master’s degree, a strong academic background, and sometimes professional or clinical experience depending on the programme.
4. Can I get a Doctorate part-time?
Yes, many Doctorate programmes offer flexible part-time options, especially professional and practice-based doctorates like the DBA or EdD.
5. How much does a Doctorate cost?
Tuition fees vary by country, university, and programme type. Some Doctorates are fully funded, especially research-focused ones like PhDs, while others require full tuition.
6. Can I study for a Doctorate online?
Yes, you can find many online Doctorate degrees in areas like Business, Education, and Healthcare, offering flexibility for working professionals.
