Where to do my PhD Studies? on PostgraduateForum.com

Nad75 77 posts
6 years ago

From personal experience, it would be best to avoid China if you could, if your expected career will be outside of the region. (Although the Unis in the mainland and HK rarely hire their own, as a foreign degree carries more capital to attract students.) I know many who graduated from University of Hong Kong with thesis awards, glowing letters of recommendation and publications that exceed what is expected of entry-level in US & UK, however employers are hesitant at the quality of the degree. Rejected at every place, even for part-time hours. And this is for Hong Kong, which passes the world rankings for mainland universities. Academic scholarship is also tightly controlled in China, I think Cambridge University Publishers got pulled out once, as well as blackouts for some journals. This would greatly restrict your freedom of research and writing. This has happened in Universities in the mainland that have strong links to the UK unis, but unfortunately must play by the rules of Beijing. So, there are several long-term factors that may help you in your decision.

T

TreeofLife 2853 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Loubigher:
But i believe in UK the phd is more structured and more arranged to be done if the student is capable in 3 years timeline.

However in Austria or other parts of Europe it could be a bit more relaxed and avaiblilty to meet the supervisors is less so i might end up finishing my phd in 4 years rather than 3! /

I've only known a couple of students that have finished their PhD within 3 years in the UK. I'd say 90-95% (probably 99%) take 4 years to finish, even if they only have 3 years funding, so bear that in mind.

L

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Tudor_Queen:

Quote From Loubigher:

And Tudor_queen, wen i was being interviewd by Loughborough professors theys eemed super friendly and less formal than I expected. Maybe cause of the fact they arent originally british I don’t know ! But i believe in UK the phd is more structured and more arranged to be done if the student is capable in 3 years timeline.

This is normal! We are way less hierarchical / formal in academia compared to many European countries. That's what I was trying to say - it's a big positive of the UK.

And us Brits are a friendly bunch on average!

Good luck in your decision!

Thank you Tudor_Queen :)

L

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Quote From eng77:

Quote From Tudor_Queen:

And us Brits are a friendly bunch on average!

Hi. This is absolutely true. The image of Brits outside is totally wrong. You don't realise the value of the UK before you go there.
One important thing in assessing the supervisor and the PhD. The supervisor interaction with you. Will he the kind of pushy and asks every day what are doing or will he leaves you alone with minimal or no guidance? And to assess which quality is good and which is bad, are you the kind of person who works effectively independant (because I am personally not)? So if you need someone to push you, do not go with the supervisor with minimal interaction and the opposite is true if you work better independently.

Im self motivated and normally can push myself for work without supervision :) so i wouldnt mind this part wen it comes to my supervisor I guess. Most probbly I would prefer to have a supervisor who could be at least avaible when I need some direction

L

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Nad75:
From personal experience, it would be best to avoid China if you could, if your expected career will be outside of the region. (Although the Unis in the mainland and HK rarely hire their own, as a foreign degree carries more capital to attract students.) I know many who graduated from University of Hong Kong with thesis awards, glowing letters of recommendation and publications that exceed what is expected of entry-level in US & UK, however employers are hesitant at the quality of the degree. Rejected at every place, even for part-time hours. And this is for Hong Kong, which passes the world rankings for mainland universities. Academic scholarship is also tightly controlled in China, I think Cambridge University Publishers got pulled out once, as well as blackouts for some journals. This would greatly restrict your freedom of research and writing. This has happened in Universities in the mainland that have strong links to the UK unis, but unfortunately must play by the rules of Beijing. So, there are several long-term factors that may help you in your decision.

ya I think Im slipping China out of my options! Thanks for your insight Nad75 :)

L

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Quote From TreeofLife:

Quote From Loubigher:
But i believe in UK the phd is more structured and more arranged to be done if the student is capable in 3 years timeline.

However in Austria or other parts of Europe it could be a bit more relaxed and avaiblilty to meet the supervisors is less so i might end up finishing my phd in 4 years rather than 3! /

I've only known a couple of students that have finished their PhD within 3 years in the UK. I'd say 90-95% (probably 99%) take 4 years to finish, even if they only have 3 years funding, so bear that in mind.

That sounds a bit more disappointing as the tuition fees are super expensive for international students, considering the fact I will need a 4th year to finish my PhD sounds tremendous, I think I could focus and concentrate on finishing up in 3 years as much as I could. Otherwise I wont be able to afford it.

T

Tudor_Queen 2097 posts
6 years ago

I don't think there are fees for the fourth year, aka "write up year"? But yes, you'd need to be able to support yourself during that time. In my immediate cohort, 3 of 5 have finished (as in submitted) in the 3 years, and I could have too if I'd have pushed, so it is definitely do-able. May depend on your area though and some supervisors expect you to use the write up year. Something to discuss early on if you're less keen on that.

T

TreeofLife 2853 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Loubigher:

That sounds a bit more disappointing as the tuition fees are super expensive for international students, considering the fact I will need a 4th year to finish my PhD sounds tremendous, I think I could focus and concentrate on finishing up in 3 years as much as I could. Otherwise I wont be able to afford it.

Whether or not you pay tuition fees depends on what your supervisor/department agrees on. I've known international students do both - generally, if you're just writing up in your fourth year you don't need to pay fees - there's a writing up fee of £500 or something. I was only funded for 3 years and I didn't pay anything for my 4th year.

You have to make it clear from the outset what you intend to do with your supervisors.

It probably is discipline specific - I'm in Life Sciences and you are basically in the lab all day for 3 years, so it's very hard to write up during that time as well.

P

pm133 1246 posts
6 years ago

Yeah I think my uni charged students a reduced fee for write up years as well. I seem to remember people talking about £200 or thereabouts but I might be wrong.

Also, I seem to remember reading somewhere that a PhD used to take only 2 years. Changed days.

L

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Yeah i should check with my supervisors then how the 4th year would be handled.
Thanks for all your insights. :))) I’m glad to hear opinions here and there. It opens up my mind to make a better decision
Even tho, I have no clue between wich to choose. UK or Austria. But I hope I make a good decision in the end that I won’t regret.
Many thanks :)

T

Tudor_Queen 2097 posts
6 years ago

Could you visit the two cities? You might just way prefer the feeling of one of them, and kinda see yourself living there! All best!

L

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Tudor_Queen:
Could you visit the two cities? You might just way prefer the feeling of one of them, and kinda see yourself living there! All best!

Visiting the two cities sounds like a great idea. But I can’t afford it at the moment

I have never been to the UK tho, but stepped foot in Vienna, Austria before. But Graz is in the south and definetly carries different vibes.

Anyhow I delayed starting my PhD this year so I can have sometime to think. And start in Jan 2019.

The choice is still tough Loughborough or TU Graz

I truly hope I make a choice i won’t regret

Where to do my PhD Studies?

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