If you dream of pursuing your PhD in another country, you should go for it. Although it may seem impossible to do it on your own, especially when you need to gain knowledge about the country and the university you wish you study. There are various social network platforms to give you proper guidance with the admission procedure. However, it is required for every candidate who wants to attend a PhD program abroad to know about the required qualifications for the university and the country you choose to study.
Students who seek to study in countries like America and Europe should know that they have some considerable differences. Taking up a PhD is a life choice. However, taking up a PhD program in the U.S. can be a different experience from doing a PhD in Germany, Italy or elsewhere in Europe. The major differences between a European and American PhD are whether one can apply with an undergraduate or a master’s degree.
1. Program length in America versus Europe
PhD programs in Europe take around 3 to 4 years, and students mostly go for their postdoctoral after that. However, a PhD takes up to 5 to 6 years in America. In America, students tend to go directly from academia or research jobs without a postdoc after completing a PhD.
2. Qualifications requirement to apply for a PhD program in Europe and U.S.
In Europe, it is impossible to apply for PhD programs without a master’s degree. Applicants must have a master’s degree to do a PhD in Europe. However, it is different in the U.S. One can still apply for a PhD program in America with a bachelor’s degree. But only some candidates who applied for the PhD program have entered straight from undergrads. Many applicants choose to do a master’s first before they apply for PhD program.
3. Choosing the thesis topic
In Europe, PhD scholars get to choose their thesis topic and their supervisor during the application process. The applicants must create a research proposal for their project as a part of their application. However, in America, applicants apply to a department’s PhD program rather than a specific PhD project. The U.S. PhD candidates also get to choose their topic in their second or third year.
4. PhD candidate’s funding and salary
You will be given a work contract if you’re a PhD scholar in some European countries. PhD scholars also pay for health insurance, pension, and unemployment insurance. However, in countries like U.S. and Italy, PHD scholars get to apply for university scholarships, external fellowships, or research grants for funding. The fees are lower in many European countries compared to the United States.
5. Future opportunities for PhD scholars
Some students feel that the United States offers more opportunities to PhD students in academia and jobs. The U.S. has many universities offering teaching positions and many companies offering jobs to PhD students. However, irrespective of whether you get your PhD degree from the U.S. or Europe, you may have to hustle a bit to find a great job after your PhD. For most PhD students in Us, a stipend(salary) comes directly from their supervisor without any limitation on the duration of the PhD. In Europe, the stipend comes directly from Government research organizations. And these stipends may be limited to only three years.
Applying for a PhD in Europe can be an appealing option if you have a master’s degree and a developed research idea. However, for those students who feel they need more confidence in their academic background and are committed to the PhD path, an American-style 5-year program can offer a great starting point. The course may differ from country to country. However, it depends on you; always make sure you choose the course, university and country suitable for you. It would be best if you always focused on the quality of the research group and the reputation of the professors. Always look up the top conferences about the topic of your interest because that’s your best clue as to which university and PhD program you should join.
You can further check out Admissify Edutech to understand more about their services in guiding those students planning to study abroad. They will also help you find the program that suits you.
Gaurav Kandari is a seasoned study abroad consultant with over 5 years of experience, specializing in guiding students to the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. An avid traveler, he draws on his global adventures to enrich his consulting, providing invaluable insights to aspiring scholars.
