Offered a PhD, not fully funded. Need help to decide

S

Greetings dear advisors
I need some advise :)
I am MSc student in Computer science from university of Edinburgh. I have over 10 yr experience now in IT. I was looking to shift my field a little, I applied for a CDT in sensor and technologies from Glasgow University. I have been offered a position but funding is covered for home eu rate with stipend. I will have to cover the difference which is roughly 15k pounds per year.. I am confused as what to do. Being an overseas student, should I possibly aim for Europe?

T

Hi, Saadliaqat,

Personally, I won't take a PhD unless it covers all my tuition fees. PhD is stressful enough without financial issues. Would you consider free PhD in Germany or New Zealand?

S

Hi Tru,
Thank you for your response, I am thinking along the same lines to consider a PhD in Germany. Haven't gone through universities in New Zealand.. Any thing you recommend me looking into?

T

Quote From Saadliaqat:
Hi Tru,
Thank you for your response, I am thinking along the same lines to consider a PhD in Germany. Haven't gone through universities in New Zealand.. Any thing you recommend me looking into?


Try to match the area of research strengths of the unis with your Phd interest. Sorry, but I can't really recommend since I don't know much about your field.

T

I agree - if you can get it fully funded or free elsewhere then do that (unless you're very wealthy and/or strongly desire to study in the UK).

S

Thank you for advice :) ,
Will definitely aim for Europe.
Do universities where I do PhD actually affect career outcomes ? (as in top 100 vs top 50) ?

T

Quote From Saadliaqat:
Thank you for advice :) ,
Will definitely aim for Europe.
Do universities where I do PhD actually affect career outcomes ? (as in top 100 vs top 50) ?


I would say that who your supervisor is plays a more significant role on your career outcome than your uni rank. If possible, he/she should be well-established so he/she can write good references for you or recommend you to good labs within his/her network for future roles. This is of course on top of having funding to pay for your project and having knowledge and time to guide you in your studies. While it is hard to get all this combo in one person, you can have a couple of supervisors and spread all these factors between them. Good luck.

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