study plan sample for phd

Planning your PhD research: A 3-year PhD timeline example

Planning out a PhD trajectory can be overwhelming. Example PhD timelines can make the task easier and inspire. The following PhD timeline example describes the process and milestones of completing a PhD within 3 years.

Elements to include in a 3-year PhD timeline

The example scenario: completing a phd in 3 years, example: planning year 1 of a 3-year phd, example: planning year 2 of a 3-year phd, example: planning year 3 of a 3-year phd, example of a 3 year phd gantt chart timeline, final reflection.

Every successful PhD project begins with a proper plan. Even if there is a high chance that not everything will work out as planned. Having a well-established timeline will keep your work on track.

What to include in a 3-year PhD timeline depends on the unique characteristics of a PhD project, specific university requirements, agreements with the supervisor/s and the PhD student’s career ambitions.

For instance, some PhD students write a monograph while others complete a PhD based on several journal publications. Both monographs and cumulative dissertations have advantages and disadvantages , and not all universities allow both formats. The thesis type influences the PhD timeline.

Furthermore, PhD students ideally engage in several different activities throughout a PhD trajectory, which link to their career objectives. Regardless of whether they want to pursue a career within or outside of academia. PhD students should create an all-round profile to increase their future chances in the labour market. Think, for example, of activities such as organising a seminar, engaging in public outreach or showcasing leadership in a small grant application.

The most common elements included in a 3-year PhD timeline are the following:

• Data collection (fieldwork, experiments, etc.)
• Data analysis
• Writing of different chapters, or a plan for journal publication
• Conferences
• Additional activities

The whole process is described in more detail in my post on how to develop an awesome PhD timeline step-by-step .

Many (starting) PhD students look for examples of how to plan a PhD in 3 years. Therefore, let’s look at an example scenario of a fictional PhD student. Let’s call her Maria.

Maria is doing a PhD in Social Sciences at a university where it is customary to write a cumulative dissertation, meaning a PhD thesis based on journal publications. Maria’s university regulations require her to write four articles as part of her PhD. In order to graduate, one article has to be published in an international peer-reviewed journal. The other three have to be submitted.

Furthermore, Maria’s cumulative dissertation needs an introduction and conclusion chapter which frame the four individual journal articles, which form the thesis chapters.

In order to complete her PhD programme, Maria also needs to complete coursework and earn 15 credits, or ECTS in her case.

Maria likes the idea of doing a postdoc after her graduation. However, she is aware that the academic job market is tough and therefore wants to keep her options open. She could, for instance, imagine to work for a community or non-profit organisation. Therefore, she wants to place emphasis on collaborating with a community organisation during her PhD.

You may also like: Creating awesome Gantt charts for your PhD timeline

Most PhD students start their first year with a rough idea, but not a well-worked out plan and timeline. Therefore, they usually begin with working on a more elaborate research proposal in the first months of their PhD. This is also the case for our example PhD student Maria.

• Months 1-4: Maria works on a detailed research proposal, defines her research methodology and breaks down her thesis into concrete tasks.
• Month 5 : Maria follows a short intensive course in academic writing to improve her writing skills.
• Months 5-10: Maria works on her first journal paper, which is based on an extensive literature review of her research topic. At the end of Month 10, she submits the manuscript. At the same time, she follows a course connected to her research topic.
• Months 11-12: Maria does her data collection.

Maria completed her first round of data collection according to plan, and starts the second year of her PhD with a lot of material. In her second year, she will focus on turning this data into two journal articles.

• Months 1-2: Maria works on her data analysis.
• Months 3-7: Maria works on her second journal paper.
• Month 7: Maria attends her first conference, and presents the results of her literature-review paper.
• Month 8: Maria received ‘major revisions’ on her first manuscript submission, and implements the changes in Month 8 before resubmitting her first journal paper for publication.
• Month 9: Maria follows a course on research valorisation to learn strategies to increase the societal impact of her thesis.
• Months 9-12: Maria works on her third journal paper. She uses the same data that she collected for the previous paper, which is why she is able to complete the third manuscript a bit faster than the previous one.

Time flies, and Maria finds herself in the last year of her PhD. There is still a lot of work to be done, but she sticks to the plan and does her best to complete her PhD.

• Month 1: Maria starts a second round of data collection, this time in collaboration with a community organisation. Together, they develop and host several focus groups with Maria’s target audience.
• Month 2: Maria starts to analyse the material of the focus group and develops the argumentation for her fourth journal paper.
• Month 3: Maria presents the results of her second journal paper at an international conference. Furthermore, she helps out her supervisor with a grant application. They apply for funding to run a small project that is thematically connected to her PhD.
• Months 4-9: Maria writes her fourth and final journal article that is required for her PhD.
• Month 10: Maria writes her thesis introduction .
• Month 11: Maria works on her thesis conclusion.
• Month 12 : Maria works on the final edits and proof-reading of her thesis before submitting it.

Combining the 3-year planning for our example PhD student Maria, it results in the following PhD timeline:

Creating these PhD timelines, also called Gantt charts, is easy. You can find instructions and templates here.

Completing a PhD in 3 years is not an easy task. The example of our fictional PhD student Maria shows how packed her timeline is, and how little time there is for things to go wrong.

In fact, in real life, many PhD students spend four years full-time to complete a PhD based on four papers, instead of three. Some extend their studies even longer.

Furthermore, plan in some time for thesis editing, which is a legitimate practice and can bring your writing to the next level. Finding a reputable thesis editor can be challenging, so make sure you make an informed choice.

Finishing a PhD in 3 years is not impossible, but it surely is not easy. So be kind to yourself if things don’t work out entirely as planned, and make use of all the help you can get.

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See our sample curricula below to help plan your degree. Each sample features a different concentration, although if an alternative concentration were selected that coursework would also be completed within the first year.*

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How to Prepare Actionable PhD Research Plan Template

“Where PhD is highly uncertain, an actionable PhD research plan would give you calculative and tentative outcomes. And even more, the ready-to-use template makes things even better. Let’s take a close look at the research plan + template.”  

Before moving forward, it’s important to understand the process and steps in research . Then only you can make an actionable plan for your PhD research. It’s literally like driving without breaks— that you don’t want.

In a broader sense, when you plan something, it shows two things: first, you are actually serious about the work you are planning and second, you are expecting some outcomes. And by a plan, you are heading towards it. 

I know, plans may not work 100% all the time, but they may create a definite path to achieve at least 80% success in the work you are doing. This is also true for a PhD— in which you would constantly try to justify a single sentence– your research title. 

So– Yes, the research process is undetermined and so the results too! but here is the catch and perhaps answer why you have to have a research plan. In this article, I will explain the importance of a research plan, an actionable research plan and a ready-to-use template for you. 

How to prepare an actionable research plan? 

Importance of phd research plan , wrapping up.

An actionable research plan is what you have to rely upon. So it should be perfect and approved. how can you prepare your own? Let’s see.

 Understand the steps in the research and closely follow them. 

Define the objectives and scope of your study. 

Define each goal of your study– For example, sample collection, wet lab work, standardization, experimentation, data collection and interpretation, etc. 

Enlist what types of problems you may face for each goal– For example, transportation for sample collection, Lack of facilities in wet lab work, etc.

Find a solution for each problem you have enlisted– For example, appoint an expert for sample collection and transport samples in a cold chain. If your lab doesn’t have some instruments or chemicals, priorly contact other labs and ask them for help. 

Draw a rough road map for your work— the route using which you will achieve your research goals. Also, make a backup. What if the route or process you selected would not work? Check out this drawing to understand my point. 

Now prepare a timeline— in how much time a particular goal should be achieved. For example, 6 Months for sampling (Including, ethical approval, approval from sampling authority, consent, preparation and arrangement for utilities). 

Another is sample collection— 3 Months which isn’t covered in the 6 months of sampling objective, like this. Take a look at the drawing here. 

Note: This timeline must match with your GANTT chart for PhD timeline because you are making an actionable plan.

Now your plan is reading. You are now aware of each objective, goal and problem. Some you probably solved, and some you can manage later. This you can print and stitch in your logbook or can save on your desktop. 

Take a look at the advantages, and why it’s important to prepare an action plan. 

Related article: How to Prepare a PhD Research Plan/Schedule?

Let’s start with two real-world examples first. 

One of my friends, after sample collection and initiating the testing, found out that she also has to perform hormone assays for samples. The samples she collected are 3 months old— not possible to assess quantitative analysis. 

Another colleague after sample collection– when he started working in the wet lab, came to know that one important instrument is not there in their lab. His guide is very serious about the goal that they have to do it anyhow. 

He sent applications to various universities and research centers to work on that particular instrument. From approval to real testing, it tools all almost 8 months including, approval, training, transportation, etc. 

Wasted much time! 

• An actionable research plan saves your time— which is a crucial factor in PhD. 
• It makes you aware of the pros and cons of your study. 
• It makes you aware of the problems and limitations of the research you conduct. 
• It gives you a broad roadmap to achieve your PhD in “some” tentative time. 
• It gives you the flexibility to achieve goals and enjoy your time at the same time. 
• You can make real-time monitoring of how your research is going and how much work is left. 
• It makes you aware of what should be your next move and the preparations you required.

However, keep in mind that once you prepare a plan, review it from your guide, take their advice, enlist major objectives and techniques you would use for the study and stick to it. 

Before preparing that, read the literature regarding your topic and understand the way in which your research should be headed. 

Check out our fully customizable, ready-to-use and actionable research plan template. 

Download a research plan template

These things look a bit old school but it works, really works well. Most students don’t do it and end up messing things and at last, came to know that they wasted their time. At least, the research plan will tell you where you are stuck (probably) and you can find a solution.

We know how hard it is to predict the future of PhD or how it would go. But let me tell you, with an actionable plan, many do well. And you can too. Take your doctorate seriously from day one. And do accordingly. 

Remember your goal should be to complete your degree in time.  

Dr. Tushar Chauhan is a Scientist, Blogger and Scientific-writer. He has completed PhD in Genetics. Dr. Chauhan is a PhD coach and tutor.

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Department of Physics

Study plan for phd students.

The framework for doctoral education is given by the general syllabus for the subject. The education at this level is highly specific to the research programme conducted by the doctoral student. Therefore, each doctoral student must have an individual study plan (ISP). In connection with the annual revision of the study plan, the doctoral student has a development review.

At approximately the half-way point in the PhD programme, you should meet the requirements for a Licentiate degree of 120 credits, with a course- and dissertation-part corresponding to 30-60 and at least 60 credits, respectively.

Licentiate seminar

Read more on the general study plans for the subject

Annual development review

Once a year the supervisor group, comprising one or several supervisors and a mentor, and the PhD student should have a development meeting. Any one of these persons can call this meeting and the student may call any other person to the meeting, e.g. the director of postgraduate studies or another PhD student. The mentor has a right to participate. The first development meeting should take place as soon as possible after admission to PhD studies in order to have a first ISP ready within 2 months of the starting date. The procedure for the development review and revision of the individual study plan is found below.

Development meeting template

The individual study plan (ISP)

The first ISP should be completed within two months from the start of the education and revised annually. The study-plan can be accessed by logging in to disp.su.se The new/revised individual study plan contains planning of courses, research projects, and study funding as well as the following attachments (free text):

• a research plan, with a list of finished projects and a description of planned projects that form part of the dissertation work and
• a time schedule for the coming year (research work, courses, teaching, conferences, vacations etc.)
• a document showing how the education fulfills the general goals for a PhD in Sweden (download the form at the link below).
• The students summary of the Annual development review

Students, who wants to report on the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, can use the following attachement:

Students, who wants to report on prolongation due to special commitments, are encouraged to append:

Instructions on how to complete the ISP can be found here:

The new/revised individual curriculum, with attachments, consisting of the agreements that have been made during the meeting, should be signed by the supervisors, the PhD student and the mentor and handed in to the subject responsible (Sten Hellman) for approval, who will forward it to the director of postgraduate studies for the archive.

Read more and download relevant forms (in Swedish) .

Note that doctoral positions are prolonged for one/two years at a time. In order to get the appointment prolonged for another year it is required that the individual curriculum has been updated. Therefore, don’t forget to remind your supervisor about the development conversation in due time before your appointment expires.

Last updated: February 21, 2024

Source: Department of Physics

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• PhD Program Plans

[Part of the Policies of the CHD, August 2019]

Prospective Ph.D. Program Plan: Spring of G1 year

By mid-semester of the Spring of the G1 year, students should submit a Prospective Ph.D. program plan.  The Ph.D. program plan specifies the ten SEAS graduate-level half-courses, or acceptable alternatives, be taken to satisfy the course requirements for the degree.  The plan should contain a Proposed Dissertation Topic / Area of Research.  The plan should be supplemented by a statement to explain the area of interest and the educational rationale for the courses included in the program.  A major test of a program's intellectual validity is the possibility of providing a rational and persuasive argument in its favor.  Supporting statements by the student's advisor(s) may also be necessary.  The explanatory statement should be as brief as is consistent with clarity and completeness.

After consultation with their first-year advisor, the student will submit the Ph.D. program plan form by the announced deadline, usually in March of the G1 year.  If necessary, the Application for Academic Credit for Graduate Work Done Elsewhere form also should be completed and attached to the prospective plan.

After reviewing the prospective program plan, the CHD may suggest or require modifications.  It is in the best interest of the student that the prospective program plan be submitted as early as possible, during the first semester if possible; in no case may submission be delayed beyond April of the G1 year.  An approved prospective program plan is normally a condition for registration for a third semester.

At any time after approval of the prospective program plan, changes to it are subject to approval by the CHD.        

Ph.D. Program Plan (including qualifying exam committee): Fall of the G2 year

In consultation with the research advisor, the student will submit the Ph.D. Program Plan form by mid-November, preferably earlier.   The final program plan serves two purposes: (1) it updates the prospective program plan by noting any revisions to the ten courses to be taken, and (2) it serves to form the qualifying exam committee.  The committee includes the research advisor and nominations by both the student and the research advisor of one member each.  The CHD reviews the final program plan and, on behalf of the Dean, nominates a fourth member for the qualifying committee, who is a SEAS faculty member

An approved final program plan is normally a condition for registration for a fourth semester.

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How to Write a Study Plan for a Scholarship

Last Updated: October 25, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed. . Alexander Ruiz is an Educational Consultant and the Educational Director of Link Educational Institute, a tutoring business based in Claremont, California that provides customizable educational plans, subject and test prep tutoring, and college application consulting. With over a decade and a half of experience in the education industry, Alexander coaches students to increase their self-awareness and emotional intelligence while achieving skills and the goal of achieving skills and higher education. He holds a BA in Psychology from Florida International University and an MA in Education from Georgia Southern University. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 237,271 times.

If you are asked to write a study plan for a scholarship, you may not know where to begin. Basically, a study plan describes what you'll be studying and why. One common scholarship committee that asks for study plans is the China Scholarship Council (CSC). Start by establishing your main educational goals, and then talk about how you plan to achieve them. Conclude your study plan, and spend time refining your writing.

What to Write About

• For instance, maybe your main goals for studying in China are to gain a bachelor's degree in business and learn Chinese because it's becoming a global language. You could write, "My main two educational objectives are to gain a bachelor's degree in business and to learn to speak Chinese. Chinese is becoming a global language, so I feel it's necessary to learn it."

• For instance, you might write, "I was born in the United States, but my grandparents on both sides are Chinese. I chose this business program because I want to connect with my heritage, improve my Chinese, and eventually, help establish better relations between China and the U.S. by improving trade relations."

• For example, you might say, "As a PhD candidate, I plan to conduct research on how ancient tradition and ritual influence contemporary Chinese culture, which will include a literature review and extensive interviews with historians and a small sampling of the Chinese population."

• It can help to draw a conceptual model. Start with the antecedents (the causes) and the mediators (the processes that change the antecedents). Finish with the outcomes. Draw lines between them to help you see which variables are more central to your problem.
• Consider asking peers or professors to look at your research proposal. They may be able to help you narrow.

• For instance, you might say, "One of my long-term goals is to open an import business from China to the United States, and learning about business in China will be essential to making my endeavors a success."

Explaining Your Plans

• For instance, if you plan on doing a PhD where you'll need participants, discuss how you'll find people for your study. You might say, "I plan to put out an ad to gain participants for a focus group, as well as contact historians by phone and email for interviews."

• For example, you might write, "I anticipate the language barrier will be an issue at first. However, I plan to work hard early on to learn the language, and I am already taking intensive classes now."

• To help you choose, do a thorough literature review. Look at the research that has been done in the area you plan to study. Note the primary methods used to do the research and the pros and cons of each. Choose a method based on what you think will work best for your research. [6] X Trustworthy Source American Psychological Association Leading scientific and professional organization of licensed psychologists Go to source

• For instance, you might use simple random sampling or systematic sampling when the whole population is similar based on the variables for your study. On the other hand, a stratified random sample is often used when you have people who are different from each other based on your variables.

Concluding and Refining Your Writing

• For example, you might write, "Thank you for considering me for this scholarship. If I receive this award, I can focus solely on my studies. I will work hard to implement my goals of learning Chinese and gaining a business degree at a Chinese university, and your trust in me will not be wasted."

• You don't need to write as if you're talking to a child. However, you should write so someone outside of your discipline can easily understand your plan.

• The space for the study plan on the CSC application is only a couple of lines. However, the application suggests you attach more paper as needed.

Scholarship Study Plan Template

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You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://www.ecpi.edu/blog/how-to-set-educational-goals-and-meet-them
• ↑ https://bangalorestudy.com/blog/factors-to-consider-while-choosing-a-school
• ↑ Alexander Ruiz, M.Ed.. Educational Consultant. Expert Interview. 18 June 2020.
• ↑ http://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2005/03/methods.aspx
• ↑ https://www.collegedata.com/resources/money-matters/10-ways-to-stand-out-when-applying-for-scholarships
• ↑ http://www.natco1.org/research/files/SamplingStrategies.pdf

About This Article

If you’re unsure how to go about writing a study plan for a scholarship, focus on explaining your educational goals and discussing how you’ll achieve them. Begin by briefly stating what you want to study and why. For example, you might say you want to study business management in China so you can learn Chinese, because it will soon be a global language. Then, provide some personalized reasons as to why you chose the school you want to go to, such as research interests or long-term goals. After laying out your goals, show the scholarship committee how you’ll achieve them. If you’ll be carrying out research, for instance, write about how you’ll find participants for your study. You should also try to mention possible obstacles and how you’ll overcome them, since the committee will be impressed to see you’re thinking ahead. For tips on how to proofread your study plan before sending it off, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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Study Plan for Scholarship Application

The process of preparing the necessary documents needed in applying for a scholarship is arduous. There is also that unending worry of whether you can pass or not. Despite that, you are here because you know that this effort is nothing compared to the opportunities it can offer you in return. In addition to filling in scholarship applications and writing career essays , learn how to devise a study plan for scholarship application and secure the scholarship that you want.

4+ Study Plan for Scholarship Application Examples

1. sample study plan for scholarship application.

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2. Sample Study Plan for Scholarship Application

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3. Bachelors Study Plan for Scholarship Application

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4. Masters Study Plan for Scholarship Application

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5. Study Plan for Abroad Scholarship Application

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What Is a Study Plan for Scholarship Application?

A study plan is one of the required documents that the committees will ask for you to submit when you apply for an undergraduate, master’s degree, Ph.D., or abroad scholarship. This document will detail the strategies you will employ to study effectively. In addition, it presents your academic goals and the methods you will take to achieve them.

How to Devise an Impressive Study Plan for Scholarship Application?

There are probably hundreds of other hopeful students like you who are also aiming to get the scholarship. If you are one of many, rousing the committee will be a difficult task. One weakness or mistake, and your application documents might end up in the paper shredding machine. Ensure to avoid this unfortunate fate by showing off your essay writing skills with your study plan.

1. Highlight Your Achievements

The first thing you should consider in composing your study plan is to outline your academic achievements and academic background. Yes, you are writing this to impress, but you should also remember to include only honest facts of yourself. If you have received any award certificates for particular programs, you should detail them in your essay. Don’t forget to discuss how these attainments contributed to your decision in choosing their school, the scholarship, and the program/degree.

2. Set Your Academic Goals

The next step in your essay writing process is to talk about your long-term and short term academic goals . The committees will give extra attention to this segment. They will evaluate this as a determining factor to determine whether you are deserving of the scholarship or not. You should also align your academic goals to the degree or program you chose to take.

3. Provide a Timeline

Now that you have presented your goals, you should set aside a schedule or a timeline for each item you listed in your objectives. It is important to stay realistic and to know your limits. Do not set a career timeline you cannot follow. It will put you at a disadvantage in the long run. 

4. Detail Your Strategic Study Methods

After discussing what you want to achieve and the period to accomplish it, you should answer the how question. That said, you should enumerate a detailed list of the fruitful study strategies and habits you are willing to implement to achieve what you have written in your study plan. If your applying for an overseas scholarship, you should also include how you plan to learn their language.

How is a study plan essay from a study timetable?

The glaring difference between a study plan essay and a study timetable lies in their formatting. A study plan follows an essay structure, while a study timetable is a visual presentation of your daily or weekly study schedule . In addition to that, a study plan is a scholarship essay that presents your academic goals for the whole duration of your studying in a particular school, while the latter aims to achieve a daily or weekly goal.

What are examples of academic goals for a study plan?

Setting your academic goals in your study plan can be considerably influenced by the type of scholarship you want. If you are applying for a scholarship for a post graduate school program, you can include publishing a educational research in your goals. On the other hand, if you want to apply for an undergraduate scholarship, you can enhance your leadership and communication skills by joining extracurricular clubs and activities. You can also aim to achieve a certain GPA that you think is reachable for you.

What are some productive study methods?

The first tip that you should consider is to look for a study-friendly place. If you have not discovered what type of learner you are, then you should conduct a self-assessment. Doing this will help you know what kind of methods are appropriate for you. In addition, based on the results of your assessment, you should prepare learning materials accordingly. If you learn better when you write, you can prepare notebooks for your notes. On the other hand, if you are an auditory learner, you should opt to prepare audiobooks. To make studying a routine, you can also construct a five day study plan .

It’s a no-brainer that underprivileged students do not have the same chances of getting a quality education as students from a well-off family. Despite that, there are sponsors, organizations, and universities willing to help open the doors of opportunities to these students. That said, once you come across this situation, exhaust all your efforts by composing an outstanding study plan for scholarship application. 

Text prompt

• Instructive
• Professional

Create a study plan for final exams in high school

Develop a project timeline for a middle school science fair.

How to Write a Study Plan

A Study Plan or Research Proposal states in details what you are going to do with the scholarship in China. It must include such information as the major you want to study in or the field of your research interest. It is of vital importance for those applicants for graduate studies or senior scholar programs, so please make sure your study plan or research proposal states those information as specific as possible

Study plan for Undergraduate applicants (no less than 800 words)

Reasons for your interest in the program you applied, including why you wish to study the program, your personal goals and ambitions and evidence of any previous activities or experiences (including voluntary activities) which demonstrates your commitment to those goals and ambitions.

Study/Research plan for Postgraduate applicants (no less than 800 words)

Reasons for your interest in the program you applied, including why you wish to study this program, research plan and research field which relate to your future study plan in China, working experience, academic papers and self achievement that you have achieved before. Your personal goals and ambitions and evidence of any previous activities or experiences (including voluntary activities) which demonstrates your commitment to those goals and ambitions, your future target and goals after graduation also have to be mentioned.

Try to include the following points

a) your reasons for wanting to study at your preferred host institution or country b) how this institution or scholarship will help you achieve your study goals c) how the knowledge and experience gained at your preferred host institution will impact and influence your plans for the future upon your return to your country d) a brief description of any extra-curricular activities of which you are/ have been in charge.

Usually, a study plan refers to your future career goals. You could talk about what you plan to do with the knowledge you will gain from your proposed studies. Both short-term (within five years after completion of program) and long-term (after five years). Specifics are appreciated. Don’t use cliches like “life-long learning”.

SAMPLE COPY

If you would like to study in China, If you need assistance to apply for scholarships in China then you can directly contact us through Email or WhatsApp/ WeChat.

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