The minimum period required to complete a conventional
PhD is three years – maximum 7.
First year : a doctoral candidate
is usually classified as a M.Phil student and
is expected to identify a topic and survey as
much related literature as possible so as to prove
the originality of the research. This is also
a period of formulating hypotheses and discussing
methodology.
Second year : this year is dedicated to proving
hypotheses and formulating specific conclusions
Third year : usually occupied with “writing
up” the thesis. The whole thesis normally ranges
from 80,000 to 100,000 words.
Finally, in the viva voce, the candidate is
required to defend his/her thesis orally before
a panel of academics.
