This research examined eight women’s stories about their PhD experiences to explore their lived experience of this journey and if gender was a consideration in their PhD journey. The aims of this thesis were firstly, to provide a more in-depth understanding of women’s decisions to participate in doctoral education; and secondly, to provide a more in-depth understanding of women’s experiences in undertaking doctoral degrees and the factors that increase their chances of successful completion. Using thematic narrative analysis, the study found that motivation to do a PhD is multi-faceted. In some instances the motivations were complementary, such as a personal interest in the topic and/or the discipline and wanting to begin or build an academic career. In some cases they were incongruent – being awarded a prestigious scholarship was motivation for one woman to start her degree, but the departmental pressure and expectations that went along with it were de-motivating.