Academic degree
Doctoral degrees or doctorates, such as the Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD or DPhil) or Doctor of Education (EdD or DEd) are awarded following a programme of original research that contributes new knowledge within the context of the student's discipline. Doctoral degrees usually take three years full-time. Therefore, in the UK it may only take seven years to progress from undergraduate to doctoral level – in some cases six, since having a Master's is not always a precondition for embarking on a doctoral degree. This contrasts with nine years in the United States, reflecting differences in the educational systems.
University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies
Beginning with the academic year 1973–1974, all the institutional courses of philosophy were given in the first two years, making up the first cycle or first biennium leading to the Bachelor in Philosophy degree (PhB). The second cycle or "second biennium" would comprise the special courses leading to the Licentiate in Philosophy degree (PhL). The third cycle leads to a doctoral degree (PhD).