Twelve tips for prospective doctoral students

Levels of university degrees

There are four levels of university degree: Associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral. Most people understand the bachelor’s and master’s degrees. An associate degree takes less time than a bachelor’s, usually two to three years. It is roughly equal to an advanced diploma at level three or higher in other countries.

What a doctoral degree is

A doctoral programme is the highest level of academic study and marks the end of classroom learning. It gives you the chance to build in depth knowledge of a topic in your discipline through research, coursework or both. The word philosophy in Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) does not mean you will study philosophy. It refers to research.

On completion, you receive the title Doctor, shortened to Dr. Most doctoral degrees take three to eight years. The time depends on whether you study full time, part time or in a hybrid mode. It also depends on how quickly you progress through each stage.

Ways of earning the title Dr

The title Dr can be earned in several ways:

• Taught doctorate: A coursework programme called a doctorate.
• Doctor of Philosophy: A research programme, known in Latin as philosophiae doctor.
• Hybrid or integrated doctorate: A programme that combines a taught and a research component.
• Professional doctorate: A hybrid or integrated programme focused on practice, such as a Doctor of Social Work.
• Doctorate by publication: You publish a set of articles instead of writing a single thesis.
• Honorary doctorate: Awarded in recognition of an individual’s work.

Research doctorates usually require a thesis of 70,000 words or more, often in seven or more chapters. Medical doctors use the title Dr by convention. In many countries their first medical qualification is a bachelor’s degree, while in others, such as the United States of America (USA), it is a professional doctorate.

Some people are called Dr because of their experience or knowledge of a subject, for example Indigenous healers. Fake doctoral degrees also exist. People buy them or receive them without doing the work. They carry no recognition in academia, the professions or science.

Who can apply

In social work, development and related disciplines, you can usually apply with a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree with honours. Some universities also accept a bachelor’s degree with a strong research component, or a first class bachelor’s degree. If you have strong practice experience, you may qualify with a bachelor’s degree alone.

The tips below are for prospective research doctoral students in social work and related fields, with a focus on Africa.

Twelve tips

1. Show that you know the supervisor’s work

In your first email or meeting, show that you have read the potential supervisor’s work. Choose an area of study that interests you and is relevant to the work of the supervisor and their department.

2. Address the supervisor properly

Never address an email or letter to “Prospective supervisor” or “Potential supervisor”. Use their name. Some white supervisors may prefer to be called by their first name, but most black supervisors will find this disrespectful. Use their full name or family name with their title. Avoid “Hi”. Use “Dear”, “Greetings” or “To” instead.

3. Write to one supervisor at a time

Do not send one email to two or more potential supervisors, even if you use blind carbon copy (BCC). These emails often go to spam or are blocked. Do not write to two or more supervisors at the same university at once. Write to them one at a time.

4. Look for opportunities at home first

There are doctoral opportunities in every country. Do not be desperate to leave yours. If you study abroad, plan to return after your studies to serve your family, community, country and continent.

5. Show respect for your country and culture

In your application or proposal, do not run down the policies or programmes of your country, or African culture. Do not assume that academics and universities in your country are inferior. If you are applying to study outside Africa, learn about colonisation, decolonisation and indigenisation. These shape both the application process and the doctoral experience. Be proud of being African or black, and stay proud in foreign settings.

6. Use African literature, theories and models

Do not assume that western literature, theories and models will attract supervisors. The opposite is often true. A proposal that draws on African literature, theories, models and concepts is more likely to stand out.

7. Be aware of eye contact in interviews

If you are invited to an interview, in person or online, think about eye contact. Western settings expect direct eye contact. In many African cultures, too much direct eye contact is seen as disrespectful. Be aware of both expectations.

8. Keep religion out of formal communication

People hold different beliefs. You may put a potential supervisor off by quoting a Bible verse or using phrases such as “by God’s grace”, “by Allah’s grace” or “in Jesus’ name”. Check how you sign off your emails and letters, and what your email signature contains. An African proverb is a better choice than a Bible verse.

9. Publish before you apply

Publishing before you apply can help. If you are a first time writer, target good journals that welcome new authors, such as the Journal of Social Issues in Non-Communicable Conditions and Disability, Conclusions Africa and People Centred: The Journal of Development Administration. This builds your academic writing experience. Remember to prioritise African literature.

Avoid fake or predatory journals. They operate in many countries, including in Asia and Europe. If you are unsure about a journal, email asw@africasocialwork.net and the team will check it for you.

10. Send only what is asked for

Do not attach personal or other documents unless you are asked for them. Leave out your passport, birth certificate, transcripts and certificates until they are requested. This keeps your email small and lowers the risk of your documents being misused by scammers.

11. Write a strong proposal

Take time to write a good proposal. It should not read like a first year assignment. It needs a relevant topic, a clear gap and the main questions, usually three, that you will ask about that gap. The gap should come from local realities rather than global trends or outside interpretations. Make it relevant to your family, community, country and continent.

Show that you can write in a well structured and well referenced way. This matters a great deal at this stage. Keep in mind that the ideas in your proposal can change once you are admitted.

12. Be clear about funding from the start

If you need a scholarship, say so from the start. This saves you and the potential supervisor from processes that lead nowhere. Beware of scammers who promise a scholarship and then ask you to pay a registration or similar fee in advance. Be careful with partial scholarships. They often serve the university’s interests more than yours.

How the application process works

The process usually follows these steps:

1. Decide to do a doctorate.
2. Identify three or more areas of interest relevant to your discipline.
3. Find universities that offer doctoral programmes.
4. Search for academics at those universities whose interests match yours.
5. Write each one a short email of no more than two paragraphs, with no attachments, explaining your interest and why you chose them.
6. They will reply with a regret or, if interested, ask for a proposal, proof of qualifications or a curriculum vitae (CV).
7. Submit what they ask for.
8. If they are satisfied, they will find a second supervisor and ask you to apply for admission, and for a scholarship if you need one.

Admission and scholarship applications are usually separate processes, each with its own requirements. Securing a supervisor is an important step, but it does not guarantee success in either. Two other factors matter: The quality of your application and the number of applications received. Less competition improves your chances. A strong application, prepared as described above, can still succeed when competition is high.