The part-time PhD option allows for a much greater degree of flexibility in order to balance career and other commitments. Students who want to gain a PhD but do not have the option to leave their careers for three or more years will definitely benefit from a part-time option. Furthermore, if the employment is in the same field as the research degree, there is a higher probability that the employer may support the part-time PhD, either by facilitating a greater flexibility in the student’s schedule or even financially.

Having said that, there is a strong consensus among PhD students and academics alike that it is considerably more difficult to complete a full course of doctoral study on a part-time basis. It is a fact that more part-time PhDs are put on hold or abandoned than it is the case with full time PhDs. Studying a PhD as a part-time option requires a high level of commitment, dedication and motivation. When considering a part-time PhD it is important that you chose a research topic and question that you are absolutely passionate about. Only those subject matters that you feel excited and extraordinarily curious about will be able to hold your attention throughout the highs and the lows of your course of study. Studying a PhD or doctoral degree part-time is often made more difficult by other day-to-day demands and if you have a tendency to procrastinate in your academic work, you will find it tougher to complete the degree on a part-time basis.

As a part-time student, you are required to study with greater discipline and independence as the course is not as strictly structured in terms of a first year coursework schedule than it may be the case for full-time students. Meetings with supervisors and / or the supervisory team may be somewhat infrequent and access to informal networks can be limited for some part-time students. Part-time study makes it somewhat more difficult to make full use of all research and departmental facilities the institution has to offer and this may sometimes prove to be an obstacle to an integrated socialization into the discipline. As a part-time student you will need to make an effort to liaise and engage with professors and fellow students in the department in order to be able to benefit from knowledge that is exchanged through informal networks in the field and have the same opportunities for participation in conferences as full-time students have.

Studying part-time is often impeded by the discontinuous nature of this study mode. In a PhD course of study there is very little room for improvisations or impromptu research. As a highly methodological degree, it requires a certain academic rigour that can often only be achieved by fully immersing yourself in the topic. Part-time PhD students have to find a way to bridge the interruptions of concentration that are demanded when the student is engaged in full time employment or has other outside commitments. Outstanding time management skills and careful planning are required to meet the demands of a part-time doctoral degree.

Many part-time students choose this mode of study so that they can work and pay bills while studying. While this is a sensible approach, it is also very difficult to accomplish. Typically, full-time employment while studying a part-time PhD is only practicable if the employment is in the same field as the research project. If both, employment and study go hand in hand, it is often a great benefit to both the employer and the student. If employment and field of study are in a completely different area you will find it significantly more burdensome an undertaking to juggle the two without compromising either.

Whether part-time PhD study works well also depends on the supervisor and the institution. If the institution demonstrates a high commitment to accommodate part-time students, part-timers will receive greater support in their course of study throughout. The same is true for the supervisor. The more committed the supervisor is to your research project, the most he or she will be able to lend you the necessary support and provide you with a more structured framework for your part-time study. In this, it helps if he or she is highly interested in the research project you have chosen.

In summary, part-time study is considerably more demanding and challenging that studying a doctoral degree full time. Passion for the topic chosen and outstanding time management skills are a must for every part-time PhD student. The better you can align your non-academic life, i.e. employment, with your course of study, the easier you will find to balance part-time study with all your other commitments. And be prepared for your degree to take longer than you might have hoped. A part-time PhD degree takes on average no less than six years. In order to stake your claim in the field before your Viva, it is important to publish and present as much of your findings as possible as you go along in your programme. With dedication and focus, part-time study can be a highly rewarding experience.

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