In part where PhD candidate is heading? (2,1,6)
I believe the answer is:
to a degree
'in part' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for to a degree that I've seen before include "Up to a point" , "To some extent" , "only so far" , "Where university course may lead" , "How undergraduate works" .)