What does it mean to obtain a doctorate?
The dictionary defines obtaining a doctorate as: the process of obtaining a doctorate degree.
This includes both the research phase and the official doctoral defence ceremony.
Do you want to have your thesis printed soon?
Download our information booklet for more information.
Request the information book
What does a doctoral candidate do?
A doctoral candidate conducts scientific research and records the results in a thesis. While they perform their research and write their thesis, the doctoral candidate receives help from a professor. The professor often has a stake in the doctoral candidate’s work as well. During the research and writing phase, this professor is referred to as the ‘intended supervisor’. Shortly before the official doctoral defence ceremony, the professor is appointed as supervisor.
The doctoral candidate often also has a regular supervisor who assists them on a day-to-day basis. In most cases, this day-to-day supervisor is a university lecturer. They can also serve as official co-supervisor during the defence ceremony, even if they are not a professor.
Thesis
The doctoral candidate records their research and its results in a doctoral thesis or thesis. The thesis is reviewed by a manuscript committee. During the doctoral defence ceremony, the doctoral candidate is asked to defend their thesis. A thesis can also consist of a series of articles. Note: these must be previously unpublished.
Titles
You have seen the term ‘doctoral candidate’ several times by now. This title is used to refer to someone who is working on their doctoral research and thesis.
Once a doctoral candidate has successfully defended their thesis and received their doctoral degree, they may use the title of ‘doctor’.
How do you prepare to be a doctoral candidate?
It is highly advisable for you to be well prepared – in both a practical sense and in terms of your mindset – before you get started.
For example, it is all too easy to vastly underestimate just how much time the whole process will take. If you are aware of this early on, you can plan your life accordingly to free up sufficient time for conducting research and writing your thesis. Be sure to start freeing up as much time as you can as soon as possible; you do not want to find yourself falling behind after just a few months.
As a doctoral candidate, you will need to have a strong mindset. Are you working on an existing research proposal? If so, it is important to avoid the common pitfall of not being critical enough and just going with the flow. As a doctoral candidate, you will face many new situations. You will constantly be doing things you have never done before. Writing a doctoral thesis is one big learning process. This can make you feel uneasy and cause you to stay in your comfort zone.
Before you get started, promise yourself that you will push your own boundaries every chance you get. Make the most out of every learning opportunity. Speak your mind. That is how you tap into your passion, which you will be needing to become a successful doctoral candidate!
Do you want to have your thesis printed soon?
Download our information booklet for more information.
Request the information book