bsc msc and phd

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD - what do they all mean?

BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD (and more) are abbreviations of British degrees.

They reflect the specific level and discipline of a qualification achieved at university.

While most courses are conducted on a full-time basis, there are options for part-time, distance learning and other flexible learning arrangements.

Here is a breakdown of some of the most common qualifications and ones that Aberystwyth University offers.

• BA = Bachelor of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences;
• BSc = Bachelor of Sciences;
• BENG = Bachelor of Engineering (Software, Robotics and Physics);
• LLB = Bachelor of Law.

Achieved after 3 to 4 years of study. The extra year (for a 4 year course) can be from a year studying abroad or a year working in industry.

Integrated-Masters:

• MARTS = Masters of Arts;
• MBIOL = Masters of Biology;
• MCOMP = Masters of Computer Science;
• MENG = Masters of Engineering;
• MMATH = Masters of Mathematics;
• MPHYS = Masters of Physics;
• MSCI = Masters of Sciences and Humanities.

4 years course (3-year Bachelors, 1 year Masters) that enables you to secure a loan for the full duration rather than having to fund a Masters degree separately.

• MA = Masters of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences;
• MSc = Masters of Sciences;
• MBA = Masters of Business Administration;
• MPhil = Masters of Philosophy: Advanced research Masters degree;
• MRes = Masters of Research: Contains some taught and research elements;
• LLM = Masters of Law.

Achieved after graduation from Bachelors level, usually 1-2 years duration.

• PhD = Doctor of Philosophy: for a range of disciplines.

Achieved after graduating from Masters level, usually 3-8 years duration.

A wide range of Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Further-Research courses – across the Arts and Sciences – are available at Aberystwyth.

Difference Between a BSc & MSc

Both a BSc (bachelor of science) and an MSc (master of science) are higher education degrees awarded in scientific subjects. Undergraduates who attend college or university and major in a scientific subject will typically be awarded a BSc degree, while MSc qualifications are reserved for those who complete additional postgraduate study. An MSc is a higher level of qualification and is often used as a stepping stone toward the acquisition of a doctorate.

Bachelor's degrees (sometimes referred to as baccalaureate degrees) are awarded to college students who complete a full 4-year undergraduate curriculum. Most students enter a bachelor's degree program immediately after graduating from high school, although mature students may begin studying for the qualification in later life. To enroll into a BSc program, students must usually possess a high school diploma or GED, SAT or ACT test results, a high school transcript, letters of recommendation and relevant application essays. BSc degrees can be completed at state universities, private colleges and via distance learning programs.

A BSc will be awarded to students majoring in a modern subject like computer sciences and a classic science subject like chemistry. Mathematics majors are also awarded a BSc. Students majoring in analytical, practical, experiment- based subjects earn a BSc, while those majoring in theoretcal, essay-based or artistic subjects such as philosophy, art or history earn bachelor of arts (BA) degrees.

Students who've completed a BSc degree may decide to continue studying for an MSc degree for a variety of reasons. Many wish to further broaden their understanding of their chosen academic field or seek to specialize in a more specific area than they could while completing their BSc. Others choose further study as a way to improve future job prospects, enable a career change or develop job-specific skills, while there are even some who opt to stay on at university to avoid having to join the workforce.

Students seeking to enroll into an MSc degree program must possess a BSc in a relevant field. An MSc can be awarded in subjects ranging from traditional theoretical scientific study to practical subjects such as engineering or agricultural science and offers a far greater depth of training than a BSc. MSc courses feature far less classroom teaching than BSc courses with the emphasis instead placed on original research and the development of personal ideas. To complete an MSc, students must usually complete a thesis focusing on their chosen area of study.

Academic or Professional?

MSc programs may be tailored toward improving a student's professional prospects, but some are designed to simply act as a bridge between the BSc and eventual doctoral study. Students must choose a program carefully with this in mind. Those who wish to eventually study for a doctorate must choose a specially designed MSc program, while those seeking to improve their career prospects should opt for a program designed to improve their practical skills.

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• Which research degree...

Which research degree should I do—MSc, MD, or PhD?

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• Shehan Hettiaratchy , research fellow
• Division of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, USA

Got a career or related problem that needs answering? Can't find the right person to point you in the right direction? Log on to the Advice Zone ( www.bmjcareers.com/advicezone ) for reliable medical careers advice. You can post a question or see if one of our 300 advisers has already answered a similar question. Here is a selection of questions and answers posted on the site.

You should think carefully about what kind of research degree you want. If you want only a taste of research or are doing it only to improve your chances at a specialist registrar interview, go for the MSc. This is usually a one year taught course with an experimental project and is a good way of learning the basics of science. If you wish to do more detailed science and are considering a career in academic medicine, then think about a PhD. This will mean more time commitment (at least three years) and more intellectual commitment. The compromise degrees are the MD or MS. These usually require two years of work and therefore permit more in-depth research than the MSc. The MD or its equivalent is popular among medics. When deciding which degree to go for you should check all the various regulations and also the fees that may be entailed.

At the end of the day the choice is up to you. The key questions are: why are you doing research and how much time and energy do you want to commit to it?

Navigating the transition from BSc/MSc to PhD

Feb 21, 2024

By Alexandra Shattock, a third-year PhD student.

Author Biography:

Alex completed her BSc in Biomedical Science at the University of Birmingham and then went on to gain her MSc in Reproduction and Development from the University of Bristol. She is now in the final year of her PhD focused on improving canine assisted reproduction to expedite canine Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) translational research, at the Royal Veterinary College.

Completing a PhD can be a challenging time in anyone’s career and a time when you are committed to a job and location for up to 4 years (UK). Here is a compilation of advice for navigating the transition from BSc/MSc to a PhD from a third-year PhD student. Disclaimer: every PhD is very different; this is just one experience of a UK lab-based PhD.

Gaining experience before a PhD:

A useful tip, mainly for lab-based PhDs, is not to dismiss the usefulness of 4-6 week lab projects that your university may offer over summer periods or for your dissertation during your BSc/MSc. In these projects, you’ll usually work closely alongside a PhD student or be taught techniques by a supervisor in a much more hands-on way than you will usually get during a PhD, especially generic lab skills such as pipetting or tissue culture that will be invaluable to you during a PhD. You can also gain insight into how different lab groups function; and start to work out what type of supervisor-student relationship you’d work best with. I didn’t realise how useful the skills and techniques I’d learnt during these projects would be until I needed to use one of these techniques during my PhD that no-one in my immediate group had experience with.

Choosing a project:

As every PhD is different, it can also be challenging to work out if a particular project is for you. Finding a suitable PhD project is a very personal choice based on what career path you  want to go into. If your goal is to work in a niche field, you may prioritise a PhD based on the relevance of the project title. On the other hand, if you’re wanting to leave academia and head into industry, you may prioritise the skills that you will gain during the project (e.g., learning a range of lab techniques, or learning a specific technique that is highly regarded in industry/other fields, such as bioinformatics).

Another important thing to consider is whether you will fit in well with your primary supervisor’s style of supervision, and with the existing team. I’m a firm believer that your colleagues make or break a job, and a PhD is, at the end of the day, a job. This is obviously very difficult to assess before starting the PhD, but is something that you can try to gauge by asking questions in the interview. A colleague of mine asked in their interview if they could contact any current members of the group to gauge whether they would fit for both the existing team and supervisor. I think this is a fantastic way to work out how well you’ll fit into a group before committing to a move.

Skills to acquire during your PhD:

Another skill I didn’t realise could be so important during a PhD is networking and asking for help, particularly asking for help from academics that are outside of your research group. I’ve always been quite bad at this, but it’s been a skill that I’ve had to work on during my PhD, as it is an essential path to learning new techniques and skills. I’ve also found that most academics, regardless of how senior and/or scary they may seem, are very happy to collaborate and to share their expertise in the field with people that want to learn. A great example of this is SRF’s mentoring scheme, where a range of senior academics have offered their time and expertise to any SRF member that would like advice on how to advance their career (see the mentoring page for more information: https://srf-reproduction.org/srf-mentoring-scheme/ ).

A final note:

On a final piece of personal advice, try not to link your self-worth with your PhD. I’ve found this instrumental in reducing the pressure I put on myself and being able to pick myself up again when something in the lab doesn’t work.

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• FindAMasters
• The Master of Science (MSc) Degree – A Guide

Written by Mark Bennett

The Master of Science (MSc) is the standard Masters qualification for taught courses in Science and Technology subjects. It's one of the most popular postgraduate degrees, awarded worldwide.

The equivalent degree in Arts and Humanities subjects is the MA . Engineering degrees can be MSc programmes, but many award specialised MEng degrees .

This page offers a quick overview of the MSc qualification. You can read what to expect from MSc study, how long it’s likely to be and how many credits it’s worth.

If you want to know more about the differences between the two, you can read our detailed guide comparing the MA and the MSc .

What is an MSc?

The MSc is is the most common qualification awarded for taught courses in Science, Technology and Mathematics subjects. It stands for Magister Scientiae , which means ‘Master of Science’ in Latin.

These types of taught Masters have been studied for centuries. Originally, the Masters degree was the highest level of academic qualification achievable. The degree entitled (and in some cases obliged!) graduates to teach as a university ‘Master’.

The MSc still represents a considerable level of achievement and expertise. But the qualification is now a ‘ second cycle ’ degree. This means you’ll usually study an MSc after a related undergraduate Bachelors, but before a higher research degree such as the PhD .

The meaning of 'MSc'

What does 'MSc' actually mean? MSc stands for Magister Scientiae , which is Latin for 'Master of Science'.

Which subjects award MSc degrees?

Unsurprisingly, the MSc tends to be awarded on Science Masters. As a general rule this includes most ‘ STEM ’ (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects. In comparison, you'll usually study an MA in an Arts or Humanities subject.

It’s not quite so simple though. These disciplines tend to award more of their own specialised degrees than the Arts and Humanities.

This is particularly likely to be the case in subjects that relate to chartered professions . Such qualifications often need to be specific degree types that meet accreditation standards.

In Engineering, for example, many students study a four year integrated Masters known as the MEng (Master of Engineering) . This is an undergraduate, rather than postgraduate, qualification, but is equivalent to a Bachelors plus a Masters. Some MSc programmes in Engineering are labelled as MSc (Eng) degrees to show that they meet the same accredited standard as an MEng.

Masters-level degrees in Medicine may also form part of a professional qualification pathway, with their own qualifications. Others will be more self-contained ‘academic’ programmes, providing specialist expertise and awarding an MSc.

MSc degrees outside ‘the sciences’

Don’t make the mistake of thinking an MSc is always a ‘hard science’ degree. Universities are free to organise their own qualifications and will often award a Master of Science in other subjects.

If an Arts or Humanities programme includes lots of quantitative analysis and technical expertise, it may award an MSc instead of an MA. Linguistics is a good example. Programmes focussing on the ‘science’ of language systems will usually award MSc degrees.

Other subjects award MA or MSc degrees depending on the focus of a given course. A good example would be an Archaeology degree. A programme focussing on carbon data and excavation techniques would probably award an MSc. One focussing on historical and cultural contexts would probably award an MA.

The same applies across the Social Sciences. Courses that favour quantitative over qualitative analysis are likely to award an MSc qualification rather than an MA (and vice versa).

For example, MSc subjects could include:

• Agriculture
• Architecture, Building and Planning
• Biochemistry
• Computer Science
• Environmental Sciences
• Financial Management
• Food sciences
• Linguistics
• Social Work

What is the difference between an MSc and other degrees

The distinction between MSc and MA (Master of Arts) qualifications is relatively recent – in academic terms, at least! As scientific subjects became a staple of university curricula, degrees were named according to their discipline.

Masters degrees in technical subjects, with a basis in mathematical logic and analysis, were labelled as MSc qualifications. Degrees in more qualitative subjects, with a basis in creative practice and / or philosophical analysis, continued to be labelled as MAs.

The difference isn’t absolute and universities are generally free to label their programmes as they see fit.

Both degrees are also completely ‘equal’. Whether you study for an MSc or MA , your qualification has exactly the same academic standing.

Students can also move between the ‘Arts’ and ‘Science’ branches as they complete successive degrees. Provided your degree is relevant, there’s nothing to stop you studying an MSc after a BA or an MA after a BSc.

MSc vs MRes

The main distinction between an Msc and MRes is that an MSc is a taught qualification whereas an MRes is research-based degree.

A taught programme usually involves lectures, seminars and coursework and will end in a final dissertation submission. A research degree on the other hand relies more on your independent research.

There are still likely to be some mandatory teaching on an MRes, but for the bulk of the degree, you'll be working on your own independent research project.

MSc vs MPhil

An MPhil is another kind of research degree, however, unlike an MRes the MPhil is purely research based.

If you're studying an MSc, your course will be structured to include lectures, seminars and coursework and will end in a final dissertation project. An MPhil, on the other hand, only focuses on independent research.

Many students who are enrolled onto an Mphil can transfer to a PhD after a year (if their research meets a particular standard) which is not an option for MSc students. You'll have to finish your MSc degree and then apply for a PhD separately.

What are the entry requirements for an MSc?

To study an MSc you’ll normally need an appropriate undergraduate degree. This doesn’t have to be a Bachelor of Science (BSc) but it should be in an appropriate subject. Most programmes will expect you to have earned the equivalent of a 2.1 or higher .

You may be able to study an MSc without an undergraduate degree or with a lower degree result . This is more likely if you have other relevant experience. If in doubt, find an MSc course as normal and then contact the university responsible.

Find out more about entry requirements for postgraduate courses .

Can I do an MSc without a BSc?

A BSc isn't specifically required for an MSc. You can apply with a BA, provided your undergraduate degree was in an appropriate subject.

Don’t confuse the MSc with the MSci. The latter is actually a longer undergraduate programme that eventually awards a Masters-level degree (as an integrated Masters ). It stands for ‘Master in Science’ (as opposed to ‘Master of Science’). MSci degrees are more popular in professional subjects, where a highly structured approach to training is required.

What’s it like to study an MSc?

MSc study typically consists of a series of individual modules , followed by an independent dissertation project.

As such, it is a taught Masters, rather than a research degree. An MSc will still include plenty of opportunity for you to explore your own ideas and work independently (particularly at the dissertation stage). But it will also ensure that you receive solid grounding in your subject at an expert level.

Teaching methods will vary, but will be similar to those for a BSc. You’ll attend seminars along with practical laboratory exercises and demonstrations (as appropriate). Some courses may also deliver core concepts and background knowledge through large group lectures.

Want to know more about the Masters dissertation?

The dissertation is a big part of what makes a Masters degree a Masters. Check out our full dissertation guide to learn more. We’ve also put together some helpful dissertation tips for when the time comes for you to do yours.

How long is an MSc?

The exact length of a Master of Science programme varies across countries. But most courses are between one and two years long.

In the UK , an MSc is usually a one-year full-time course. Unlike an undergraduate degree, the teaching and assessment period for a British Masters runs for a full 12 months. You will have a summer holiday during your degree, but this is when you’ll be expected to complete your dissertation (no one said postgraduate study would be easy!).

In Europe , the MSc is often slightly longer. Programmes typically last for one and a half to two years. Students often complete placements or internships during the summer between their first and second years.

Most universities offer a part-time study option for their MScs. This will usually double the length of your course, but only require you to progress at 50% intensity. So, a part-time MSc in the UK will normally last for two years.

How many credits is an MSc worth?

In the UK, an MSc qualification is usually worth 180 credits (the equivalent of 90 ECTS points).

An MSc uses the same credit system (and has the same credit value) as an MA. Each part of your course will have a credit weighting, according to its importance. A dissertation, for example, will normally be worth more than a single teaching module.

Comparing credit systems

Most countries have systems in place for recognising the credit value of international degrees. For example, a UK credit is worth two ECTS credits. This helps students move between the two systems when studying abroad.

What’s involved in an MSc dissertation?

In order to qualify as a full Masters programme, an MSc will conclude with an extended project and written dissertation. You’ll be assigned a supervisor, but will be independently responsible for researching your topic, assembling data and analysing your findings.

This will be your chance to apply the expertise you’ve acquired on your Masters whilst pursuing your own specialist interests. The experience will be a great preparation for professional research work, or even for a PhD.

Search for a Master of Science (MSc) now

Does an MSc sound like the right option for you? Find your perfect course in our directory today.

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

Want to find out about the differences between taught and research Masters degrees? Our guide covers the essentials, including fees and funding.

Exploring higher education options? Learn exactly what an integrated Masters degree is and how it can help fast-track you in your chosen field with our guide.

Some professional Masters degrees are designed to prepare students to work in specific jobs, such as Social Work, Engineering and Architecture qualifications.

This guide covers the extra costs associated with studying GEM and an overview of where to find alternative financial support.

This guide covers how funding for Graduate Entry Medicine tuition fees and cost of living support works across the UK and for International students.

The Juris Doctor is a graduate-entry degree in Law. It is the main way of qualifying as a lawyer in the USA, and is also available in a number of other countries. This guide covers entry requirements, career options and more!

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Medical Physics and Bioengineering MPhil/PhD

London, Bloomsbury

This degree is focused on a multi-disciplinary subject at the interface of physics, engineering, life sciences and computer science. The PhD programme involves 3-4 years (more for part-time students) of original research supervised by a senior member of the department.

The Research Excellence Framework (REF) in 2021 rated the department’s research, as part of UCL Engineering, as 97% "world-leading"(4*) or "internationally excellent" (3*) and UCL was the second-rated university in the UK for research strength.

UK tuition fees (2024/25)

Overseas tuition fees (2024/25), programme starts, applications accepted.

• Entry requirements

A minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or another closely related discipline, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. Knowledge and expertise gained in the workplace may also be considered, where appropriate.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2 Overall score of 7.0 and a minimum of 6.5 in each component.

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

If you are intending to apply for a time-limited visa to complete your UCL studies (e.g., Student visa, Skilled worker visa, PBS dependant visa etc.) you may be required to obtain ATAS clearance . This will be confirmed to you if you obtain an offer of a place. Please note that ATAS processing times can take up to six months, so we recommend you consider these timelines when submitting your application to UCL.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website .

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

PhD projects will be strongly multi-disciplinary, bridging the gap between engineering, clinical sciences and industry. Over 100 non-clinical and clinical scientists across UCL will partner to co-supervise a new type of individual, ready to transform healthcare and build the future UK industry in this area.

Who this course is for

As a multi-disciplinary subject at the interface of physics, engineering, life sciences and computer science, our postgraduate students have a diverse range of options upon graduation. Many choose to continue in academia through the subsequent award of a PhD studentship or a postdoctoral research post.

What this course will give you

With a Postgraduate Research degree, you will become part of a Department of leading researchers and work towards becoming an expert in your chosen field. Postgraduate study within UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering offers the chance to develop important skills and acquire new knowledge through involvement with a team of scientists or engineers working in a world-leading research group. Following a Postgraduate Research degree, our students have entered a number of varied careers. Many choose to continue in academic research with a postdoctoral post, enter the NHS or private healthcare sector, or apply their skills in industry.

The foundation of your career

Postgraduate study within the department offers the chance to develop important skills and acquire new knowledge through involvement with a team of scientists or engineers working in a world-leading research group. Graduates complete their studies having gained new scientific or engineering skills applied to solving problems at the leading edge of human endeavour. Skills associated with project management, effective communication and teamwork are also refined in this high-quality working environment.

Employability

As a multi-disciplinary subject at the interface of physics, engineering, life sciences and computer science, our postgraduate students have a diverse range of options upon graduation. Many choose to continue in academia through the subsequent award of a PhD studentship or a postdoctoral research post. Another common career route is employment in industry where newly-acquired skills are applied to science and engineering projects within multi-national medical device companies, or alternatively, within small-scale start-up enterprises. A substantial number of graduates also enter the NHS or private healthcare sector to work as a clinical scientist or engineer upon completion of further clinical training.

Supervision and mentorship are available from scientists and engineers who have collaborated nationally and internationally across clinical, industrial and academic sectors. This provides natural opportunities to work in collaboration with a variety of external partners and showcase output at international conferences, private industry events and clinical centres to audiences of potential employers. Moreover, the department holds close working relationships with a number of charitable, research council and international organisations, for example, in new projects involving radiotherapy and infant optical brain imaging in Africa.

Teaching and learning

Our PhD programme involves 3–4 years of original research supervised by a senior member of the department. At any one time, the department has around 60–80 PhD students from a variety of disciplines

A dissertation of up to 100,000 words for a PhD, or up to 60,000 words for an MPhil, is completed as a part of this programme.

Contact hours depend on the type of project and the stage you are at in your PhD. At the start of an experimental, lab-based project, you might spend most of your time working with your supervisor or other researchers. At other times, you might spend most of your time reading or writing and be more self-directed. As a rule, it’s common for students to meet with their supervisor on a weekly basis. You should treat a full-time PhD as you’d treat a full-time job and aim to spend 40 hours a week or so working on your PhD. Sometimes you may need to spend more than this (for example if you’re travelling to a conference, using equipment that has limited availability or have an urgent deadline), but this would be a reasonable average.

Research areas and structure

• Biomedical optics
• Biomedical Ultrasound
• Computing, digital image processing
• Continence and skin technology
• Functional electrical stimulation
• Implanted devices
• Laser and endoscopic surgery
• Magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy
• Medical imaging including 3D graphics
• Neurophysiology including electrical impedance tomography
• Physiological sensing
• Radiation physics

Research environment

UCL's Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering is one of the largest medical physics departments in the UK. We have exceptionally close links with major teaching hospitals, as well as excellent academic research. We offer BSc, MSc, and PhD degrees in Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering.

Our academic research rating is a top level 5, which means that we have an internationally leading reputation in medical physics and biomedical engineering research. Ours is a joint department with Medical Physics in the UCLH NHS Trust, and so our staff work side-by-side with hospital physicists, clinical doctors and other health professionals. This close liaison with clinical colleagues in this exciting field enriches our research and teaching. We develop new technologies and methods for diagnosing, treating and managing medical conditions and diseases.  A PhD at UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering will allow you to pursue original research and make a distinct and significant contribution to your field. We are committed to the quality and relevance of the research supervision we offer and as an MPhil/PhD candidate you could work with academics. Furthermore, as a research student, you will be an integral part of our collaborative and thriving research community. Student-run ‘work in progress’ forums and an end-of-first-year PhD workshop will give you the opportunity to present and discuss your research and academic colleagues. Tailored skills seminars will provide you with a supportive research environment and the critical skills necessary to undertake your research. To foster your academic development, we also offer additional department funds, which can assist you with the costs of conferences and other research activities.

The length of registration for the full-time research degree programmes is 3 to 4 years.

You are required to register initially for the MPhil degree with the expectation of transfer to PhD after successful completion of an upgrade viva 12 - 18 months after initial registration.

Upon successful completion of your approved period of registration, you may register as a completing research student (CRS) while you write up your thesis. 

Within three months of joining the programme, you are expected to agree with your principal supervisor the basic structure of your research project, an appropriate research method and a realistic plan of work. You will produce and submit a detailed outline of your proposed research to both your supervisors for their comments and feedback. We hold a PhD workshop at the end of your first year, which provides you with an opportunity to present your research before an audience of UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering Academic staff and fellow PhD students.

In your second year you will be expected to upgrade from an MPhil to a PhD. To successfully upgrade to a PhD, you are required to submit a piece of writing (this is usually based on one chapter from your thesis and a chapter plan for the remainder). You are also required to present and answer questions about this work to a panel consisting of your subsidiary supervisor and another member of the faculty who acts as an independent assessor.

The length of registration for the research degree programmes is 5 to 6 years for the part-time route.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk . Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing team .

Fees and funding

Fees for this course.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees .

Additional costs

There are no additional costs associated with this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs .

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For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website .

Deadlines and start dates are usually dictated by funding arrangements so check with the department or academic unit to see if you need to consider these in your application preparation. In all cases the applicant should identify and contact potential supervisors with a brief research proposal before making your application. For more information see our How to apply page: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/medical-physics-biomedical-engineering/study/postgraduate-research/mphilphd-medical-physics-and-biomedical-engineering/applying-doctoral

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

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Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2024-2025

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The Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence welcomes students of life sciences and medicine who would like to conduct their research for their bachelor, masters or doctoral degree at the institute. Applicants for a graduate position are strongly encouraged to apply with our Graduate School IMPRS-BI or one of the associated programs (see below).

Max Planck Institutes can not award degrees. Our students are therefore also enrolled at one of our local partner universities, the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (LMU)  and the Technical University Munich (TUM) . 

Our International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS-BI)

The faculty of the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence is part of the corresponding International Max Planck Research School – Biological Intelligence (IMPRS-BI) . Young scientists accepted into the programs will have an opportunity to participate in, and contribute to the groundbreaking research carried out by the institute, while pursuing their doctoral degrees.

Research in biological intelligence explores how animals acquire, store, apply and transfer knowledge about their environment. The new approach integrates neuroscience, behavioral ecology and evolutionary biology and bridges all scales of biological organization, from molecules to organisms and from organisms to societies and ecosystems. The research of IMPRS-BI students will be shedding light on the evolution, development and diversity of animal behavior and will, among many other questions, unravel what distinguishes natural from artificial intelligence. 

Associated Graduate Schools

Our department and research group leaders are also part of, and recruiting doctoral students through, the following graduate programs:

• IMPRS for Molecules of Life ( IMPRS-ML ), at our neighboring Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry , sharing many trainings and events with our IMPRS-BI students. 
• IMPRS for Translational Psychiatry ( IMPRS-TP ), at the Max Planck Institute for Psychiatry
• Graduate School for Systemic Neuroscience ( GSN-LMU ) at the Ludwig Maximilians University Munich.

How to apply for a PhD position in the Max Planck Society

What does BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD, DPsych, PGDip mean after a therapist’s name?

These letters refer to the therapist’s professional qualifications.

• BA  – Bachelor of Arts (BA or AB) is a bachelor’s degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts and sciences. A Bachelor of Arts is generally completed in three or four years, depending on the country and institution.
• BSc  – A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, SB, or ScB) is a bachelor’s degree awarded for programs that generally last three to five years.
• MA  – A Master of Arts (MA or AM) is a master’s degree in the field of humanities and social sciences awarded by universities in many countries.
• MSc  – A Master of Science (MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master’s degree in the field of science awarded by universities in many countries or a person holding such a degree.
• PhD  – A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, Ph.D., DPhil) is the highest university degree that is conferred after a course of study by universities in most countries. PhDs are awarded for programs across the whole breadth of academic fields. As an earned research degree, those studying for a PhD are usually required to produce original research that expands the boundaries of knowledge, normally in the form of a thesis or dissertation, and defend their work against experts in the field.
• PsyD  – Like a PhD in Psychology, the Doctor of Psychology degree (PsyD) prepares trainees to practice psychology in a wide range of clinical settings. A PsyD, however, focuses more on clinical practice and less on research.
• PGDip  – A postgraduate diploma (PgD, PgDip, PGDip, PG Dip., PGD, Dipl. PG, PDE) is a postgraduate qualification awarded after a university degree, which supplements the original degree and awards them with a graduate diploma.

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What's the correct way of writing a higher education title (MSc or M.Sc.) [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Should I write “PhD” or “Ph.D.”?

I see that PhD is written PhD while the undergraduate degree is written B.Sc.

What's the reason for this?

Should I write the Master of Science MSc or M.Sc.?

Is Scott Aaronson's CV inconsistent listing his degrees as "B.Sc." and PhD"

• abbreviations

• 1 You will find that PhD Ph.D. BSc B.Sc. MSc and M.Sc. are all found. The question linked to handles this for PhD/Ph.D. but the answer covers the rest. The only thing to add to it is to be consistent, so PhD and BSc or Ph.D. and B.Sc., but not one form together with another in the same piece of writing. –  Jon Hanna Commented Feb 3, 2013 at 1:29
• @JonHanna Thanks. Reason for asking is that this looks inconsistent (B.Sc. + PhD) scottaaronson.com/vita.pdf –  Niklas Rosencrantz Commented Feb 3, 2013 at 1:59
• I agree. If they were to ask the same question here, I'd advise them to pick on or the other unless they had a good reason for being inconsistent (I can't imagine one, but it's good not to assume). –  Jon Hanna Commented Feb 3, 2013 at 14:27

This is strictly style manual stuff. American English generally prefers using periods with abbreviations, and British English generally prefers to omit the periods. Both are "correct", but which one is acceptable is a matter of who is accepting it. It's not grammar or spelling, merely a punctuation convention.

I always omit the periods for academic degrees. If a publisher wants the periods, it has copy editors that can insert them. If it's for your university, check the university's style manual. If there's no manual that you must use, be consistent about including or omitting the periods. It's strictly personal preference unless otherwise indicated, or unless doing it one way or the other causes confusion.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged abbreviations or ask your own question .

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Phd in carbon membranes development, job description.

For a recently awarded EUROTECH PhD research grant we are looking for a PhD candidate to conduct research in the field of membrane development using experimental and modeling techniques. The PhD position will be located either at the Eindhoven University of Technology in the Inorganic Membranes and Membrane Reactor group of Professor Fausto Gallucci. The project will be in collaboration with DTU and TECNALIA.

The Partnership Sustainable Process Engineering consists of the four groups Chemical Reactor Engineering headed by Prof.dr.ir. John van der Schaaf, the group on biomass processing of Dr. Neira d’Angelo, the group Energy Intensified Chemical Reaction Engineering of Prof. Dr. Evgeny Rebrov and the Inorganic Membranes & Membrane Reactors group of Prof.dr.Eng. Fausto Gallucci. The SPE partnership consists of 3 Professors and 1UD, (all acting as PIs), 15 postdocs, more than 55 PhD students and 7 support staff.

The group's mission is to be among the world's top academic research groups in its field and to be leading in the development of novel technologies for new, highly efficient, inherently safe, and robust (micro)structured multiphase processing systems, which show the best productivity by a dedicated design of all relevant dimensions and optimum choice of dedicated operational procedures.

Research in the Gallucci group is related to the development of membranes and novel multiphase reactors, in particular membrane reactors and dynamically operated reactors. The research focuses on the interaction of heterogeneous catalysis, transport phenomena, and fluid mechanics in these novel multifunctional reactors. The SIR chair coordinates and participates in several large European Projects and works in strict collaborations with several industrial partners.

Project description

Carbon membranes are developed cia carbonization of a thermosetting polymer film. The tunability of carbon membrane structure for specific separations relies on several key factors: the careful selection of polymer precursors, which determine the functional groups and pore architecture, as well as the carbonization temperature and choice of sweep gas during the process. 

These variables collectively influence membrane porosity, pore structure, and hydrophilicity. In our research, membranes tailored for various applications have been successfully fabricated through optimization of the carbonization temperature alone. Remarkably, this single parameter optimization has yielded membranes spanning a spectrum from hydrophilic to hydrophobic.

Moreover, by precisely adjusting the carbonization procedure, membranes can exhibit selectivity towards either hydrogen or carbon dioxide. Diversifying precursor materials, exploring combinations thereof, and varying carbonization conditions offer an extensive spectrum of potential membranes for separation applications. This project seeks to revolutionize our approach to membrane design research. Our goal is to pioneer a method that combines ab-initio precursor selection, systematically scanning the entire spectrum of thermosetting precursors. By leveraging AI models, we aim to analyze these precursor combinations (restricting the search to the attainable precursors), predict potential membrane structures, assess separation efficiencies, and compile databases of optimized membrane recipes.

We are looking for a PhD candidate focusing on development of carbon molecular sieve membranes using machine learning modeling approaches.

Job requirements

We are looking for candidates with a MSc in chemical engineering or a MSc in Chemical Engineering with affinity to chemical technology/process technology.

The ideal candidate for the will have the follow skills, interest and expertise:

• Experience in membrane technology.
• Strong background in modeling of membrane properties.
• Knowledge about analytics in general is appreciated.
• Has interest in developing machine learning design of membranes.

Conditions of employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:

• Full-time employment for four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
• Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,770 max. €3,539).
• A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
• High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process .
• An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
• An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
• A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.

Information and application

Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.

The TU/e offers academic education that is driven by fundamental and applied research. We combine scientific curiosity with a hands-on mentality. Our educational philosophy is based on personal attention and room for individual ambitions and talents. Our research meets the highest international standards of quality. We push the limits of science, which puts us at the forefront of rapidly emerging areas of research.

The university is located near the central train station of Eindhoven and the Eindhoven city center. It is well connected to Eindhoven airport and Schiphol airport can be easily reached by train.

Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video .

Information

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager prof. Fausto Gallucci [email protected] .

Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact Mrs. P.J. van de Weijer, HR Advisor, email: [email protected] .

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page .

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button. Candidates possessing both suitable experience and qualifications are invited to apply. The application should include a:

• A motivation letter, including the topic of your MSc thesis project.
• A curriculum vitae (including contact details of at least two references).
• A list of BSc and MSc courses and grades.

Review of applications will start as soon as applications are received and will continue until the position has been filled.

Both national and international applications to this advertisement are appreciated. Promising candidates will be contacted by email.

You can upload a maximum of 5 documents of up to 2MB each. Only applications that are submitted in this way are taken into account.

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Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD

• Director of the  Centre for Health Leadership and Research  at Royal Roads University, Canada
• Former senior lecturer in psychology and counseling at the  University of Greenwich, UK
• Board-certified in biofeedback and neurofeedback with the  Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA)

Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD is a former writer for Verywell Mind covering addictions. Prior to her role at Royal Roads University, Dr. Hartney was the resident psychologist for a Government Mental Health and Substance Use Branch , and she was the project manager for the Birmingham Untreated Heavy Drinkers project , a longitudinal study of 500 untreated heavy drinkers and their relatives at the University of Birmingham in the UK. She has provided treatment to people with concurrent addictions and mental health problems at the Foothills Medical Centre in Alberta, Canada.

Dr. Hartney has held roles in alcohol, drug, and problem gambling prevention, community-based dual diagnosis support services, and was a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Counseling at the University of Greenwich, UK .

Dr. Hartney has authored two books, contributed to numerous government documents, and her work has been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at international conferences.

Elizabeth Hartney, BSc, MSc, MA, PhD, received her Bachelor of Science in psychology from  Middlesex University,  her Master of Science in cognitive science from University of Birmingham, and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology from the University of Birmingham. 

Dr. Hartney is a registered psychologist with the  College of Psychologists of British Columbia  and a retired registered psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. She is board certified in biofeedback and neurofeedback with the  Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA) .

About Verywell Mind

Verywell Mind, a Dotdash Meredith Brand , is an award-winning, trusted, and compassionate online resource that provides the guidance you need to improve your mental health and find balance. We take a human approach to health and wellness, and reach more than 150 million readers annually. Verywell Mind content is fact checked and reviewed by our Review Board for accuracy and integrity. Learn more about us and our editorial process .

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PhD student GreenTE

Are you an enthusiastic plant scientist who wants to study the communication of cells during seed germination, then we are looking for you! This PhD project is part of the Gravitation programme GreenTE (Green Tissue Engineering), a multidisciplinary consortium of 7 Dutch universities. Together, GreenTE will unravel how plants sense and respond to mechanical stimuli. These fundamental insights will be the basis to develop engineering interventions to improve plant regeneration, seed germination and defenses against disease. The successful applicant will be an integral member of the GreenTE community, which offers an open, diverse and inspiring environment to engage in multidisciplinary mechanobiology research at the intersection of biology, chemistry and physics, and is expected to participate in GreenTE events, training and collaborations. The subproject “How do cells communicate during seed germination?” will run under supervision of Prof dr Leónie Bentsink. You will be working in a team together with another PhD student and three post-doctoral researchers. In this PhD project, we aim for mapping the mechanical responses during seed germination. We will use a multi-point indentation technique to characterize the seeds’ mechanical properties, such as stiffness and rupture force, with a spatial resolution of a few micrometers. Further, we will use the plant-specific molecular mechanoprobes to generate high-resolution maps of the mechanical properties and turgor pressure inside the seed, using multiphoton confocal microscopy. We will link the gained knowledge to transcriptome, translatome and phosphoproteome data that will be generated by other researchers in the project team to finally create an integrated model of seed germination. The constructed models will be functionally characterized using Arabidopsis mutants. Besides carrying out the research project, you will contribute to teaching MSc and BSc students. You will work here The research is embedded within the Laboratory of Plant Physiology chair group which is led by Prof. Christa Testerink. You will be member of the Wageningen Seed Science Centre and be co-supervised by Prof dr Leónie Bentsink and Mariana Silva Artur.

Your qualities

You are / You have:

• obtained an MSc degree with a specialization in Plant Science;
• affinity and or experience with interdisciplinary research;
• creative and you work in a structured and focused way;
• experience in (plant) molecular biology approaches (including confocal microscopy);
• experience with experimental research on seeds is an advantage;
• an enthusiastic team player and have good communication and English language skills;
• willing to contribute to teaching MSc and BSc students.

We offer you

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment . A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

Do you want more information?

For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Leónie Bentsink, Personal Professor, [email protected] For more information about the procedure, please contact [email protected] Do you want to apply? You can apply directly using the apply button on the vacancy page on our website which will allow us to process your personal information with your approval. This vacancy will be listed up to and including 2nd September 2024. We hope to schedule the first job interviews on the 19th and 20th September, 2024. Equal opportunities Wageningen University & Research (WUR) employs a large number of people with very different backgrounds and qualities, who inspire and motivate each other. We want every talent to feel at home in our organisation and be offered the same career opportunities. We therefore especially welcome applications from people who are underrepresented at WUR. A good example of how WUR deals with inclusiveness can be read on the page working at WUR with a functional impairment .

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BSc, MSc, PhD vs. B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D

ODO prefers Ph.D. over PhD in US English. But at the same time, there is no B.Sc. and no M.Sc. entry in OED, which leads me into thinking that there is a mismatch: Ph.D. is typically written with periods, but MSc and BSc without in the US English. Am I right? Which forms are most widespread in the US? And in the UK?

• american-english
• british-english
• abbreviations

In the US, the Associated Press style uses periods: B.S., M.S., Ph.D., M.D. , etc. However, other sources may use a different style, (e.g. PhD).

B.Sc. and M.Sc . are not the usual degree abbreviations in the US. Instead use B.S. and M.S.

• 2 To complete the answer, add that in British usage, no periods: PhD, MSc MA BSc BA and so on –  James K Commented Mar 24, 2018 at 23:29

You must log in to answer this question.

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Gerry Melino, MD, PhD, DSc, University of Rome, Italy and DZNE, Germany

KEYWORDS: apoptosis; p63/p73; skin; DNA damage; transgenic animal models

Tak W Mak, BSc, MSc, PhD, University of Toronto, Canada

KEYWORDS: T cell activation, cell signalling, apoptosis, cancer, microarray, tumour suppressors, immunology

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What title to put on a professional business card, for a person with a PhD

Is there a correct or preferred format for indicating 'Dr' or 'PhD' (or both) on a professional business card.

Background: I am employed in the industry and I have just earned my PhD (in social science). My company wants to update my business card.

The following are two options:

• Dr Name, PhD, University Name
• Name, PhD, University Name

I am told that it may be a sign of arrogance but I am also told that if you have earned it, you deserve it.

• 6 What country are you located in and what type of company is this? –  Irwin Commented May 7, 2013 at 2:44
• Its Australia and an advocacy company. –  Javeer Baker Commented May 7, 2013 at 3:21
• 2 I read it more of a sign of insecurity rather than arrogance when one seems to feel the need to shove your degree in people's faces. As you've pointed out, there are many feelings about this. I wouldn't do it but many do. –  mako Commented May 2, 2015 at 22:32
• 7 I think that getting a PhD is an accomplishment and people's insecurities are their own issue, not the PhDs'!!!! If in our society we rethought and recognized how much we could learn from someone that is more educated then ourselves; maybe just maybe we could elevate USA right back to the number one nation in the world..... When did we chose to disrespect educated people and why? We are in peril as a country and have uneducated people leading our country, people that can't even balance a budget!!?! So I say USE YOUR PhD!!!! –  user35978 Commented Jun 17, 2015 at 9:37

5 Answers 5

"Dr Name, PhD" is redundant, so this usage is often discouraged. If you are going to indicate the degree, I'd recommend "Name, PhD" rather than "Dr Name" since it's more informative (at the very least it will keep anyone from thinking you are a medical doctor). In the U.S. it's not common to indicate the university, but I think I've seen it more often in other countries.

I'd suggest thinking carefully before indicating your degree on a business card. Some people without PhDs may respond bitterly, like you are bragging about your accomplishments or implying that your expertise is more valuable than theirs. At the same time, some people with PhDs will look down on it as well, in a status hierarchy:

Some insecure people without PhDs feel resentful and don't want to be distinguished from PhD holders.

Some insecure people with PhDs try hard not to be confused with group 1, thereby irritating those people all the more.

Some better-established PhD holders aren't worried about being confused with group 1, but now they don't want to be confused with group 2, so they pointedly denounce emphasizing your degree as being tacky and in poor taste.

As a rule of thumb, I would omit the degree from your business card unless it's important for your credibility (i.e., the skills from your PhD are professionally important and people would otherwise assume you don't have them).

The one situation in which you should absolutely not indicate a degree is if it's irrelevant. For example, if you're an accountant with a PhD in literature, then your business card should not read "Name, PhD."

• 14 This is very dependent on culture. For instance, in Germany the "Dr." is pretty much considered part of your name once you earned it, and higher-ups in industry are said to respond almost irresponsibly well to it. Furthermore, I wonder whether -- if you put your degree on the card -- you should give the field you obtained your degree in (no matter whether PhD or Masters); the distinction may be relevant in interdisciplinary contexts of if your degree is not the obvious fit for your field. –  Raphael Commented Jun 2, 2014 at 23:43
• 3 Nice answer. There's even an econ paper modeling the three-point scenario you describe by Harbaugh and To . –  Corvus Commented May 2, 2015 at 21:44
• 1 If you feel the need to wave around your degree, I might think that you are insecure but I'm not particularly worried about other people confusing me as like you. I'm not going to "pointedly denounce emphasizing your degree" but if you ask a question in an online forum about how to style your name, I'll give you my advice. :) –  mako Commented May 2, 2015 at 22:39

My time in industry is longer than in academia. I would like to provide you with my opinion.

I would suggest

Name, PhD in Discipline name, University name Job title

I think university name is optional. The discipline name is necessary because people want to know what you know. PhD in physics is very different from PhD in social science.

Please be aware of the possible negative effects of adding the PhD title.

There are quite a bit anti-academia attitude in industry. Some people dislike academics. They believe the academians know nothing but theory. They rather do business with non-academians. For me, I deeply respect academics. I believe a company can offer me good quality products if they have PhDs as some of their employees. So, I am more willing to do business with them. However, I think I am minority. Many industry people do not think that way.

If your employer is a consulting company, your title can be helpful. The PhD title can convince your clients you can offer them high value services. If your employeer is a constructing company, you might want to think twice before you update your business card.

• @scaaahu Thanks a lot. I was based in the School of Arts and my dissertation is in the Social Sciences, so is PhD (Social Science) appropriate? Or do I need to mention the specific research area as we do specialise at this level? –  Javeer Baker Commented May 7, 2013 at 5:13
• @JaveerBaker I think PhD in Social Science is enough. If anybody wants to know more, they can ask. Then it's up to you and the timing to talk about it in more details. Some may not be interested in your title, they will just ignore what area in social science. –  Nobody Commented May 7, 2013 at 5:24
• What about Bachelor resp. Master degrees if either is your highest one? –  Raphael Commented Jun 2, 2014 at 23:44
• 1 @Raphael I never saw anyone put master/bachelor title on their business card in the US or my current location(Asia). I don't know about Europe. But, that's just me. –  Nobody Commented Jun 3, 2014 at 2:12
• There are quite a bit anti-academia attitude in industry. Supporting evidence? –  Leon Meier Commented Dec 25, 2017 at 13:31

In your case, I would suggest "Yes, put Javeer Baker, Ph.D " on your card. You could optionally put "in social science" on it if you'd like.

I cannot speak about the culture in Australia, but in the United States and Canada, it is appropriate to put your title (Ph.D) on your business card if the industry generally is supportive of or respects academics, or in which high degrees are not common. I might guess Australia's culture is similar.

Industries that would want to be proud to have a Ph.D on staff especially would be non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, research think-tanks, and consulting. As you said that your employer was an advocacy group, I believe that putting your degree on your business card is beneficial.

Industries in which you would NOT put your degree on your business card would probably be software high-tech (because no one cares) or in academia (not because no one cares, but basically any assistant professor and up basically has a Ph.D and therefore it's not impressive), or, as mentioned above, a construction management company or similar.

(As an aside, a whole bunch of people at a conference I was at rolled their eyes when they saw one of the authors wrote " name , Ph.D" on a paper.)

• 1 Just a remark: I believe I've heard Sergey Brin once mentioning that Google was so successful because it hired many PhD's. –  texnic Commented Jan 28, 2016 at 15:01

In your particular case, working for a advocacy company and being asked to update your business card, you can overlook the snarky comments. I believe that only medical doctors use the Dr honorific on their business card. So John Smith, Ph.D. seems sufficient. There is no reason to to add university nor discipline. It is a nice ice breaker in a conversation when people ask "what is your PhD in?" and you can position your expertise into the context of the meeting.

As for the Dr John Smith, yes by all means that is how you should be addressed on letters and in other contexts, or even simply as Dr Smith.

You have worked hard for your PhD, so you have earned the recognition that goes with it. As for the people with insecurities, it is how you conduct yourself that makes the difference between coming across as a knowledgeable consultant or a pretentious person.

• In the U.S., even medical doctors put the degree on professional cards to let everyone know they're "real doctors." –  Bob Brown Commented Oct 27, 2016 at 11:55
• @BobBrown, thanks for the extra detail. On another forum I was razed for putting the word engineer in scare quotes. The trolls wouldn't accept that unqualified persons using the engineering designation would not want to be treated for medical conditions by persons without suitable medical training and qualifications. So then why should critical infrastructure then be built by unqualified persons without suitable oversight. –  CyberFonic Commented Nov 15, 2016 at 20:45

The style chosen is at the discretion of the one conferred with the doctorate. These are styles are common in the UK - they can include all qualifications, including professional certifications:

• Dr. Name, PhD, MSc, BSc
• Dr. Name, MD, MBChB, BSc DRCOG, MRCGP

The doctorate position and its responsibilities are accompanied with certain rights and privileges including the title and style. You can even have your passport include the Dr. It is a legal right. If you have just earned a doctorate, wear it proudly and congratulations, Dr.

• I didn't know one could include "Dr." in the passport in the UK, thought it was only the German exactness :) –  texnic Commented Jan 28, 2016 at 14:54
• 1 In the UK, post-nominals for academic degree are usually in order of level, lowest first, I.e BSc, MSc, PhD. –  rturnbull Commented Oct 27, 2016 at 9:13

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Where are u now - for those who pursued -bsc/msc/PhD in bio courses.