For many interested in the more academic side of life, a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is the ultimate recognition of educational and intellectual ability.
What distinguishes a PhD above all other degrees is the focus on research, with an extended and detailed approach that few students ever actually attain.

To gain a PhD degree a student has to do two things:
Master a single, or narrow subject field completely and Significantly extend the body of knowledge of that subject.
International PhD studies are currently at their most popular, driven by the demands of our modern, knowledge-based economy.  PhD graduates are regarded as amongst the most key knowledge workers throughout the international labour market and are prioritised by national and international policy makers.

The research PhD program prepares a person for a career as a teacher, researcher, and scholar.
Every system of education, every institution - and even every different subject area - has a different approach to PhD candidates and their applications.  One of the crucial areas common to all PhD circumstances is that of selecting and communicating to a PhD supervisor.  PhD applicants will almost always have some element of existing graduate experience, whether this is a graduate certificate, Masters degree or professional equivalent.  Entry to the PhD degree will rely not only on your existing academic credentials but also whether your research proposal , the topic that you wish to develop and study for your degree can be supervised.

What motivates a PhD applicant to choose one university over another will usually depend on the nature of their proposed research area and the quality of the academic department a student is considering. 

Who employs graduates with a PhD qualification?  The obvious answer is universities and colleges all over the world.  In many university systems now it is routine for new academic appointments only to be offered to those candidates who hold a PhD degree already.  Career academics will almost certainly have to be in possession of a completed PhD, or one that is close to completion, at the point of appointment.  However, this is not the whole truth - the variety of employment sectors that currently target the recruitment of PhD graduates is staggering.  All areas of business, industry, research and development, teaching, government and the public sector play host to PhDs, particularly where a concentration on the production of knowledge is required.

Admission is highly competitive. Reviewers evaluate the applicant’s essays, academic background and performance, research interest and potential, prior exposure to academic research, strength of recommendations and standardized test scores.
Applicants must hold a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (or expect to receive one by the time they enter the program).
GMAT and GRE
Applicants must also complete the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE). For most areas of study, applicants may take either the GMAT or GRE. Exceptions are:
For Economics — GRE is required.
For Finance — GRE is preferred; GMAT is acceptable.  For the Joint Program in Financial Economics — GRE is required.
For some courses Subject test is also taken.
Fluency in English

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of international applicants whose native language is not English.

Almost all PhD programs last between three and five years, depending on the country system in which you are studying, and centre on the completion of a significant piece of independent research.  In the arts, humanities and social science subjects this is routinely seen as the submission of an 80,000-word dissertation of publishable quality.  In the sciences, a PhD degree is regarded as the culmination of an original approach to either a theoretical or practical problem.  In some higher education systems, such as those in Australia, the UK and the USA, your research agenda is augmented by taught elements that support you through such practical areas as methodology and research techniques.  In some cases, taught elements are also included in your graduate program to develop your theoretical and practical knowledge in specific academic areas.

Most international PhD programs require the completion of both a bachelors and a Masters degree before admission is considered.  Moreover, the application process is dependent on a research proposal that is both interesting to a university and that an individual academic is able to supervise.  Many good PhD applications are rejected because there is no appropriate supervisor available at the time of application.  If you are to be a successful applicant at this level, it is essential that you research the appropriate university departments to ensure that their research specialisms match the requirements of your research proposal and that they have members of staff able to supervise you.  Most universities will expect you to have contacted members of their staff to discuss your plans before you complete a formal application form.

The cost of international PhD programs varies from country to country and is also dependent on the area in which you wish to pursue research.  Contrary to the situation with Masters students, many universities are prepared to fund PhD students through a combination of scholarships and teaching assistantships.

Studying a PhD program is most certainly not for all students but it is increasingly important for those interested in developing a highly specialized and in-depth knowledge.  With knowledge economies an integral part of all of our lives, the demand for PhD graduates is only likely to increase, making such degrees a good career choice.
Steps to take a PhD Course abroad

1. Identify your area of research
2. Apply to the universities where research programme is offered
3. Contact the Professors
4. Seek supervision
5. Work towards Admissions