These are pieces written to desribe what it is like working in science.
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The decision to carry out a PhD should not be made lightly. In the UK the standard length of a PhD is 3 years; although there are also a number of 4 year schemes which start with a year of short attachments in different labs, to help students decide what they would like to focus on. In other countries, such as the US, a PhD can take even longer to complete. If you are going to commit this amount of time to a project, you need to be interested in it, know that you enjoy working independently in a laboratory setting, be happy with what's on offer from the institute within which you want to study, and like the location in which you choose to live.
Most PhD offers require a 2:1 in a relevant degree. However, there are other routes that can lead to PhD projects, and sometimes these can result in more informed choices about what area you would like to work in or who you would like to work with. Taking a position in a lab as a technician, or carrying out a masters degree, can give you extra opportunities or time to move into a research based degree. Both of these routes allow you to find out more about the techniques and people involved in PhD studentships, along with the range of projects that are available.
Completing a PhD does not necessarily lead to a career in the same field, or even a career in science. But a PhD is a great asset if you want to work abroad, as it proves that you have the exceptional skills that many work permits require. So although doing a PhD isn't right for everyone, and although the focus of a PhD project is always very specialised, it is also an excellent opportunity to learn, develop skills (such as organisation, self-motivation and independent planning and execution) and decide on future career paths, without tying you down to a defined job when you have finished. If you decide towards the end of your PhD that you would like a career in a similar area, then you will also have an excellent grounding in your chosen subject and be an attractive candidate for future employment.