QUOTE(haturaya @ Apr 8 2016, 12:08 PM)
That normally to prepare you towards the research that you'll be doing. Some uni do have compulsory class like in UPM. Some don't. That class doesn't count towards your PhD awards. It's compulsory to pass / attend to proceed the PhD study. Weird eh... heheheh
For example, in US, normally you have to attend and pass a year worth of class before you will be admitted as PhD student. Before that state, you're just PhD candidate. Anybody can be PhD candidate, but not everyone can be PhD student.
In Australia, normally you don't have viva (oral exam), just submit your thesis to be examined.
Different uni / country have different flavour of how the PhD is being conducted.

well American programs are generally longer than other English system.
generally its 2 yr worth of classes... one need to pass those class with a min of B or 80% and sit of qualifying exam. passing the exams from those classes does not automatically get U there.
oral exam in most case is just a formality even its done for most parts of the world.
in most case submit thesis and be done.
better uni expects thesis to be publish on a big international platform, then one can submit thesis.. in this case the submission is more formality. others is submit and prof felt its publishable quality then get it publish very optional.
depending on Prof there maybe a expectation on publication b4 submitting a thesis too, its very complex.. really depends on Prof in the states.
yes diff countries has very diff req. our Queen system generally easier and shorter.
then again when a student is done, does it look good with a thesis or someone with a couple or dozen of publications.