How old is the youngest PhD holder in the world?

The youngest person to be awarded a PhD is the German child prodigy Johann Heinrich Friedrich Karl Witte (born 10 July 1800; better known simply as Karl Witte), who received his doctorate from the University of Giessen, Germany, on 10 April 1814 at the age of 13 years 283 days.


What is the youngest age you can get a PhD?

What Is the Minimum Age for Getting a PhD? To get a PhD, you have to have graduated from undergraduate school. From there, some people can go right into a PhD program. If you graduate at the traditional age of 22, you'd be getting your PhD somewhere around age 25 at a minimum.

Can you get a PhD at 18?

And in 2009, aged 18, he received his PhD in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology from the University of Chicago. Completing this string of success, Yano achieved his MD, also from the University of Chicago, by the time he was 21 – earning him the nickname “real-life Doogie Howser.”


How old are most PhD grads?

In 2021 in the United States, 44.7 percent of doctorate recipients fell within the age bracket of 26 to 30 years old. A further 30.9 percent of doctorate recipients were between the ages of 31 and 35 years old.

Is 26 too old to start a PhD?

There's no doubt however that PhD programs can help career advancement or a career change regardless of age however there's also nothing to stop you from becoming a graduate student just for the academic pursuit! The answer here is very simple: there is no age limit for doing a PhD.


Top 5 Youngest PhD Holders In History



Is 30 too old for a PhD?

' While many people start their PhD before they turn 30, or immediately after their undergraduate education, it is absolutely normal to start a PhD in your 30s. It is OK to do a PhD in your 30s.

What is the longest PhD?

The longest PhD thesis was written by historian Joachim Schuhmacher, regarding the development of sailing. His thesis, originally contained 2,654 pages, but was shortened to 2,200 pages and is even mentioned in the Guinness World Records. The thesis was submitted at the University of Konstanz in Germany.

What is a first year PhD student called?

Although to some people these two terms might mean the same thing, future doctorate degree holders should know that there is a clear difference between the two. While earning your PhD, you will first become a PhD student before becoming a PhD candidate.


Do PhD students have a life?

If they want to, PhD students absolutely can and do have a social life! Despite misconceptions, as we just covered a moment ago PhD students aren't generally confined to living a life in the lab for the duration of their project!

Who is the youngest Harvard graduate?

Eugenie Carys de Silva is an academic known for being the youngest person to ever graduate from Harvard University. De Silva completed her masters in Intelligence Studies at age 13.

How rare is a PhD?

Less than 2% of the world's population has a doctorate. According to the US Census Bureau, only 1.2% of the US population has a PhD. This makes having a PhD very rare. But does this rarity indicate value?


How old are PhD students usually?

The majority of students who take the Ph. D. path end up graduating around the age of 26 or 27 if they take the traditional path of high schools, undergraduate, and Master's degrees. At that point, anyone looking to continue their education and obtain a Ph.

Is a PhD higher than MD?

The PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is the highest graduate degree awarded by our universities. Health professionals receive undergraduate degrees in medicine. These are professional degrees, and not really doctorates. The MD degree is not a part of graduate faculties at North American universities.

Is 24 a good age to start PhD?

Not really. Students are usually more mature in a PhD program, some having experienced the professional life. They're often in their late 20's or in their 30's. I have seen PhD students that were older than most of the professors yet they did a great job as well as a younger crowd that I myself was a part of.


What is higher than a PhD?

The Doctor of Divinity (DDiv) and the Doctor of Civil Law (DCL) are considered by Oxford to outrank all other degrees, including a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. The DDiv is usually awarded for academic accomplishments beyond the PhD level.

Are PhD holders called Doctor?

“Dr” or “Dr.” is used as a prefix for a person who has obtained a doctorate i.e. PhD.

Are PhD graduates called Doctor?

Anyone with a doctorate can be called 'doctor'. The doctor's degree was a product of the medieval universities; this higher degree simply conferred the right to teach. It could be in law, theology, philosophy or medicine (and other disciplines now).


What is the shortest PhD?

Shortest Doctoral Programs Online
  • Accounting.
  • Business Administration.
  • Counseling & Therapy.
  • Criminal Justice / Homeland Security.
  • Education.
  • Finance.
  • Healthcare Administration.
  • Human Services.


Which PhD takes shortest time?

The biological sciences tend to require the least amount of time. Is there any way I can qualify sooner? A select group of students complete their PhDs in two years, while a tiny number of elite students can get it done in 12 months.

How rare is it to fail a PhD?

Getting a doctorate could be one of your biggest life achievements—provided you can make it to the finish line. Drop out rates vary by discipline, but as many as 50 percent of students don't complete their doctorate.


Is a PhD worth the money?

Is it worth the time and cost? The answer depends on your specific career aspirations, personal goals, and financial situation, but a PhD can provide you with the credibility and knowledge to make a positive impact on society—while expanding your professional skills in the process.

Can you get a PhD at 60?

If you look closely at PhD programs, you'll find people of all ages, including PhD students in their 40s, 50s, 60's (and older!). In my own PhD cohort at Massey University, there were students from a wide age range, including two PhD students over the age of 60.

Can you get a PhD without a Masters?

Yes, you can get a PhD without first obtaining a master's degree. A number of universities offer direct entry to PhD programs from undergraduate or bachelor degree studies. In some cases, specific schools or programs may prefer that applicants hold a master's degree.