Why International Students Choose European Countries to Do PhD?

Yes, European countries home some of the world’s leading universities that provide great research opportunities. And yes, the cost of pursuing PhD in Europe is comparatively very low. (It’s virtually free in Germany!) However, there’s much more than just these static reasons why International students choose Europe for Doctoral studies.

European countries, in addition to offering superior quality research infrastructure, also promise students a better quality lifestyle. And, in recent times, this has emerged to be one of the key factors international students consider when planning to pursue higher education abroad.

So, if you want to do get your doctoral degree from a university abroad, and you want to have a good standard of living, Europe could very well be the best option available. Better accommodation and transport, better healthcare, friendly people, and a safe environment –countries in this part of the world has it all to deliver international students a great living experience.

How to Get Started?

While as rewarding as the whole personal and professional experience could be of doing your PhD in Europe, there are roadblocks on the way you need to bypass.

The first line of requirement is that you must have your Master’s degree – something which isn’t mandatory in the US. In the US, in several cases, after completing your bachelor’s degree, you can do PhD. You don’t need Master’s degree. However, PhD in the US does take longer (6-8 years) as opposed to doing PhD in Europe (3-4 years). In the early years in the US, they cover the basics, deciding on their thesis topic only in their second or third year.

So, if you haven’t completed your Master’s, you’re going to find it difficult to get admission for PhD in Europe. The top universities will almost certainly decline your application. You need your Master’s degree in the related field that you want to do a PhD in.

During the application process for your doctoral studies, you would need to choose your thesis topic and supervisor. You would also need to include research proposal with the application for specific doctoral projects. In addition, you will be asked for your CV, 2-3 recommendation letters, as well as a statement of purpose.

After admission, you can start working on the dissertation projects almost immediately. The PhD programs in the European universities do not have coursework, or have very little coursework. Many of them also don’t require you to pass exams to progress through your PhD.

Admittedly, the process of planning to pursue your PhD in Europe, as well as applying for it, can be a long and tedious process with plenty of confusion and uncertainty. It is recommended that you get help from experts to ensure you check the right boxes and stay on the right track. So, do consider reaching out to experienced overseas education consultants and getting their help in turning your dreams of doing PhD in Europe into a reality.