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20 Research Fellowships in Europe for Current Doctoral Students

If you are a current doctoral student looking for funding to do research in Europe, check out these programs! Many of these fellowships are open to all disciplines, including STEM subjects, creative arts, and the social sciences. There are long-term, short-term, and summer programs. If one of these sounds like a great fit for you, be sure to bookmark it to your ProFellow account! 

ASF Fellowships for Americans in the Nordic Countries

The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) offers year-long fellowships of up to $23,000 and short-term (1-3 months) fellowships of up to $5,000 to graduate students (preferably conducting dissertation research) and academic professionals interested in pursuing research or creative-arts projects in the Nordic region (Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sámpi, and Sweden). ASF’s award program for study and research abroad has been the Foundation’s most long-standing commitment to educational exchange. Awards are made in all fields.

BAEF Study and Research Fellowships in Belgium

The Belgian American Educational Foundation (B.A.E.F.) encourages applications for fellowships for advanced study or research during one academic year at a Belgian University or institution of higher learning. The B.A.E.F. will award up to ten fellowships as outright non-renewable grants carrying a stipend of $27,000 for Master’s or Ph.D. students and $32,000 for Post-doctoral Fellows. Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Applicants must also either be registered in a graduate program towards a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in the U.S., plan to register in a graduate program (Master’s or Ph.D.) in Belgium, or currently hold a Master’s, Ph.D., or equivalent degree.

Boren Fellowships

Boren Fellowships provide up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency. Boren Fellowships support both language study and (optional) research and internships in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East, with a focus on studying less commonly taught languages. Boren Fellows apply their advanced degrees to work in the federal government for at least 1 year after graduation, and receive exclusive opportunities and preferential consideration for government careers.

Chateaubriand Fellowship – Humanities & Social Sciences (HSS)

The Chateaubriand Fellowship – Humanities & Social Sciences (HSS) provides PhD candidates currently enrolled at a U.S. university the opportunity to conduct research in France in any discipline of the Humanities and Social Sciences. The fellowship lasts for 4-8 months and provides travel, health insurance and a monthly stipend of 1,500 Euros. Candidates do not have to be U.S. citizens, but they must be enrolled in an American university.

Chateaubriand Fellowship – Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)

The Chateaubriand Fellowship – Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) provides funding for PhD candidates currently enrolled in a U.S. university to conduct research in France at a French university, a school of engineering, a national laboratory or a private enterprise, with a link to a Doctoral School. The fellowship is for 4-10 months, provides travel, health insurance and a monthly stipend of 1,400 Euros. Non-U.S. nationals are eligible to apply for a Chateaubriand Fellowship as long as they are currently enrolled in an American university.

CIMI Doctoral Fellowships

CIMI offers a 3-year support grant for up to 6 students starting a PhD in one of the teams related to CIMI. The fellowships are open to French and foreign students and awarded on the basis of the quality of the academic records. The research areas should be developed within the activities at the Institut de Mathématiques de Toulouse (IMT) and the Institut de Recherche en Informatique de Toulouse (IRIT). PhD subjects with interactions between mathematics and computer science will be closely examined.

DAAD Research Grant

Research Grants are awarded to highly qualified candidates who have completed either: a Master’s degree or Diploma, a Bachelor’s degree (by the time they begin their grant-supported research), or a  Ph.D. (postdoctoral candidates). Applications for long-term grants (7-10 months) are accepted annually in November. Short-term grants (1-6 months) accept applications in November and May.

DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships

DLR-DAAD Research Fellowships in the fields of Space, Aeronautics, Energy and Transportation Research. A new program implemented by the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) and DAAD. DLR is Germany’s national research center for aeronautics and space. This special program is intended for highly-qualified foreign doctoral and postdoctoral students as well as senior scientists. DLR-DAAD Fellowships offer outstanding scientists and researchers the opportunity to conduct special research at the institutes of the DLR in Germany. Check ‘Current Offers’ for opportunities.

EDUFI Fellowships

The EDUFI Fellowships programme is open to young Doctoral level students and researchers from all countries and from all academic fields. The primary target group in the EDUFI Fellowship programme are such Doctoral level students who will be doing their Doctorate (or Double Doctorate) at a Finnish university. The scholarship period may vary from 3 to 12 months. The monthly allowance is 1,500 Euros. The scholarship is intended to cover living expenses in Finland for a single person. The programme is open for candidates of all foreign nationalities.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program for Study/Research

A U.S. Student Fulbright Grant allows for individually designed study/research projects that will take place during one academic year (9-12 months) in a country outside the U.S. Applicants design their own projects and will typically work with advisers at foreign universities or other institutes of higher education. The study/research awards are available in approximately 140 countries. For recent BA/BS graduates, graduate and doctoral students, and young professionals including artists, musicians, writers, journalists, and those in law, business, and other professional fields. Undergraduate and graduate students must apply through their institution; professionals and former students can apply through their alma mater or At Large.

Geography and Spatial Sciences Program Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Awards (GSS-DDRI)

The Geography and Spatial Sciences (GSS) Program sponsors research on the geographic distributions and interactions of human, physical, and biotic systems on Earth. Investigators are encouraged to propose plans for research about the nature, causes, and consequences of human activity and natural environmental processes across a range of scales. GSS provides support to improve the conduct of doctoral dissertation projects undertaken by doctoral students enrolled in U.S. universities. GSS gives 30-40 awards each year. Awards may not exceed $16,000. An advisor or another faculty member must serve as the principal investigator (PI) of the proposal.

Lehmann-Haupt International Doctoral Programme

The transdisciplinary “Lehmann-Haupt International Doctoral Programme” is a joint project between Ilia State University Tbilisi (ISU) and Georg-August-University of Göttingen (UGOE) which gives 12 PhD students from various scientific fields (including social sciences) the opportunity to pursue their doctoral projects within a structured Cotutelle-based framework and obtain a PhD degree by each of the two universities (double degree). Students will spend time at both universities and must be proficient in English. Full funding is included for the duration of the PhD program including additional funding for research related expenses.

NORAM Scholarship for Americans to Study in Norway

NORAM scholarships provide financial support for Americans to study or conduct research in areas of mutual importance to Norway and the United States to strengthen the ties of friendship between the two countries. Every year, NORAM offers up to 10 scholarships ranging from $1,500 – $5,000 to American students, based on merit and need. The size of the individual grants depends on the research subject, purpose and the intended length of stay in Norway. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and have completed a Bachelor’s degree before the application deadline.

Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE)

RISE stands for Research Internships in Science and Engineering. RISE Professional offers summer research internships in Germany to Master’s and Ph.D. students from North America at companies and non-university research institutions with strong relations to industry. The program is open for students in the field of biology, chemistry, physics, earth sciences, engineering or a closely related field. All participants receive a scholarship from DAAD and an additional stipend from their host company/institution to help cover living expenses. Funding is possible for a period of three months in summer or fall. German language requirements vary according to the internship placement.

Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program (RSMFP) provides support to developing country nationals who are PhD candidates from developing countries and working in academic and research institutions in a developing country who seek 6-10 months of funding to conduct PhD research in a World Bank member country other than their home country or country of residence. Research grants cover residence costs up to $25,000 USD for a 5 to 10 month period in a renowned university or research center. Fellows are expected to advance their research work mainly by using the facilities and resources provided by the host institution and by interacting with peers. Candidates must be under 35 years of age.

Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarship

Global grant scholarships fund international coursework or research at a graduate level or its equivalent for a term of one to four academic years. Global grants also may support vocational training teams, which are groups of professionals traveling abroad to either learn more about their profession or teach locals. The field of study must align with one or more of the following areas of focus: Peace and conflict prevention/resolution, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy and economic and community development. Contact your local Rotary club for more information.

Spanish National Cancer Research Centre Summer Training Fellowship

The Spanish National Cancer Research Centre Summer Training Fellowship offers university students the opportunity to gain experience in a competitive laboratory in Madrid, Spain. Fellows will be placed within a research unit to work on various oncological research projects and will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Spanish culture. The summer program, lasting from June to early August, is for upper-level graduate biomedicine or life science students of any country; there is no citizenship requirement. A stipend is provided. 

Structural Engineering Travel Fellowship

The Structural Engineering Travel Fellowship is a $20,000 award that aims to foster an appreciation of the aesthetic potential in the structural design of buildings and bridges by enabling a gifted graduate to experience works of architecture and engineering first hand. The Foundation hopes that the Fellow will in turn influence the practice and teaching of structural engineering in the future. Applicants must be graduating with a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or Ph.D. in Civil or Architectural Engineering with a specialization in Structural Engineering from a U.S. school. U.S. citizenship is not required.

Study Abroad Fellowships for UK Residents

Offering maintenance and research expenses to allow applicants to spend a period of 12-24 months on advanced study or research at a centre of learning in any overseas country (excluding the USA). Non-UK residents are not eligible. The Studentships comprise a basic annual maintenance allowance of £18,000, a partner allowance of £6,000 and return air fare. Applicants must have been resident in the UK for at least 5 years at the time of application, hold a degree from a UK institution, and either be a student at the time of application or have been registered as a student within the last 8 years.

The Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Field Research

The Lewis and Clark Fund encourages exploratory field studies for the collection of specimens and data and to provide the imaginative stimulus that accompanies direct observation. Applications are invited from disciplines with a large dependence on field studies, such as archeology, anthropology, biology, ecology, geography, geology, linguistics, paleontology, and population genetics, but grants will not be restricted to these fields. Grants will be available to doctoral students. The competition is open to U.S. citizens and residents wishing to carry out research anywhere in the world.

© Victoria Johnson 2020, all rights reserved

Related Posts:

• More Fellowships Abroad: Next Stop, Europe!
• 14 Dissertation Fellowships in the Creative Arts
• 21 Fellowships in Europe for Graduate Students
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Doing a PhD in Europe vs. the US

Are you thinking of doing a PhD abroad? There are some considerable differences between European and American PhD programs that you should know about before applying. Read on to determine which program is right for you.

Qualifications

It is often not possible to do a PhD in Europe without first earning a Master’s degree. In the US, many PhD programs accept applicants who only have a Bachelor's degree. Students usually earn a Master’s as part of the PhD program after they have completed a few years of coursework and passed certain exams. This doesn't mean that all doctoral candidates in American PhD programs have entered the program straight from undergrad. Several still choose to do a Master’s first before applying for a PhD. In some programs students who already have a Master's might not be required to take as many courses as students with just a Bachelor’s, but this isn't always the case. 

Time to Degree

European PhD programs are shorter than those in the US. For example, it takes three years to complete a PhD in France, Norway, the UK, and Germany. Across Europe, a three to four year PhD in common. In comparison, six years is the average time to degree in the US with many PhDs in the humanities taking seven or eight years to earn their degree.

Thesis Topic

PhD candidates in Europe must choose their thesis topic and supervisor during the application process. Students apply for specific vacant doctoral projects that are usually tied to a professor’s research. As part of their application, they must create a research proposal for this project. It is also possible (in the UK for example) to apply to a department rather than a specific position, but applicants must still include a research proposal and are advised to contact potential supervisors before applying. In the US, candidates apply to a department’s PhD program, rather than a specific PhD project. While they have to discuss their research interests and identify potential supervisors in their applications, students do not decide on their thesis topic until their second or third year. In fact, many science and engineering programs have students rotate between different labs in their first year before deciding on their supervisor and dissertation project.

Teaching Requirement

PhD candidates occasionally have the opportunity to teach in Europe, although teaching is not a requirement in many countries. In the US, PhD candidates are often required to teach undergraduates, often as teaching assistants for a large lecture class. A teaching assistant leads smaller tutorials for 20-30 students and grades their exams and papers. Most PhD students will TA one class each semester for two to three years. Several American PhD programs also have mandatory pedagogy courses for graduate students.

Many European PhD programs require students to do little to no coursework. Candidates start working on their dissertation projects right away. American PhD programs, regardless of the field, require students to take two to three years of courses and seminars about topics across the discipline before they being working on their dissertation.

Funding and Salary

In several European countries, PhD students are seen as employees and have work contracts. As employees, PhD students pay into health insurance, pension, and unemployment insurance. In countries where PhD students are not employees (such as the UK and Italy) students apply for university scholarships, external fellowships, or research grants for funding. Tuition fees are drastically lower in many European countries compared to the United States. Funding at American universities varies widely, as do tuition fees. Private universities have higher tuition than public state schools (though international students usually higher tuition at state schools). The top schools offer five-year funding packages which cover tuition and fees and provide a monthly stipend. They also often include health insurance and conference travel. At other schools, students must compete for fellowships at the university, state, or national level to fund their PhDs. In some departmnets students will be paid and receive partial tuition credit for take teaching assistantship or research assistantship positions.

Comprehensive Exams

Most European PhD programs do not require students to pass qualifying exams to progress through their PhDs. There are some notable exceptions, like Sweden, where PhD candidates do an oral and written exam at the halfway point of their PhD. In the US, students usually have to pass a series of comprehensive exams before they can start working on their dissertation. The exams test the student’s knowledge of the major fields within their discipline. While every university will have a slightly different exam structure, there is usually an oral and a written component. Sometimes students also have to orally defend their dissertation proposal. After the candidate has completed their coursework and passed all the required exams they are considered ABD (all but dissertation).

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PhD in Europe vs the US: What You Need to Know

All that you need to know before you decide on a university for PhD abroad.

If you’re considering pursuing a PhD, one of the most important decisions you’ll make is where to do it. Two popular destinations for doctoral study are Europe and the United States. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the differences between doing a PhD in Europe and the US, focusing on key factors such as qualification requirements, time to degree, teaching requirements, coursework, and comprehensive exams.

Qualification Requirements: In Europe, a Master’s degree is typically required to enrol in a PhD program, while in the US, a Bachelor’s degree is sufficient. Additionally, European PhD programs often have stricter admission requirements and a more competitive selection process.

Time to Degree: In Europe, PhD programs typically take three to four years to complete, while in the US, they can take longer. This is partly due to differences in program structure, as European programs typically have more focus on research, while US programs include more coursework.

Teaching Requirements: In the US, PhD students are often required to serve as teaching or research assistants to gain practical experience in their field. This is less common in Europe, where the focus is more on research.

Coursework: In the US, PhD programs typically require more coursework than in Europe, with students taking classes in their field of study as well as in related areas. In Europe, the focus is more on research, and students may take fewer courses. To know more about research and coursework needed for PhD abroad  click here.

Comprehensive Exams: In the US, PhD students are typically required to pass comprehensive exams , which test their knowledge in their field of study. These exams are less common in Europe, where the focus is more on the research project itself.

In conclusion, there are significant differences between doing a PhD in Europe and the US, with differences in admission requirements, time to degree, teaching requirements, coursework,  funding, salary,  and comprehensive exams. When deciding where to pursue your PhD, it’s important to consider your personal preferences and goals and to research programs carefully to ensure the best fit for you.

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• Spotlight on PhD Study in Europe

There’s no shortage of reasons to study a PhD in Europe and every year thousands of talented doctoral students are attracted by the region’s affordable tuition fees, excellent quality of life and world-class universities.

We've taken a closer look at six of the most popular European countries for international students, giving you an idea of what makes them unique – and a fantastic place to study a PhD!

We might as well start with the birthplace of the PhD : German institutions first introduced the doctorate in the 19th century as a way of recognising the importance of original research. Up until then, university students had concentrated on honing their knowledge of existing academic topics rather than pursuing new research.

So, Germany has a pretty impressive PhD pedigree. Fast forward to the present day and it’s one of the most popular study abroad destinations in the world. Public universities in Germany have a generous tuition-free policy, charging no fees to doctoral students regardless of nationality.

Along with its excellent universities, Germany’s networks of dedicated research centres are another reason for the country’s popularity with PhD students, offering another route to a doctorate. The Max Planck Society , for example, has produced 18 Nobel laureates since 1948 and is home to some of the most prestigious science and technology institutions in the world.

Find out more about studying a PhD in Germany or browse German PhD programmes .

France’s unique higher education system, which is characterised by large networks of smaller institutions, means that PhD students have some great opportunities to engage in truly specialist research.

French doctorates place a high emphasis on professional skills and students often take part in plenty of research courses and training sessions during their PhD programme.

Tuition fees are extremely affordable, with public universities charging €380 a year for all PhD students, regardless of nationality.

Find out more about studying a PhD in France or browse French PhD programmes .

The Netherlands

Despite its relatively small size, the Netherlands has one of Europe’s most renowned higher education systems. Historic institutions like Leiden University (founded 1575) rub shoulders with the relatively young (Wageningen University and Research, established in 1918).

The Netherlands enjoys extremely high levels of English proficiency, which means that many PhDs are conducted entirely in English. It’s a country famous for its open-minded, tolerant atmosphere, making Holland a great place to live as an international student.

A unique attraction of PhD study in the Netherlands is the fact that most doctoral students are treated by their university as an employee. This means that they receive a salary for their research – an excellent way to fund a PhD!

Find out more about studying a PhD in the Netherlands or browse Dutch PhD programmes .

Denmark has a proud record of investing in research and development, ranking in the world’s top six countries for expenditure in this area – not bad for a nation of fewer than six million people!

This investment in research makes Denmark an appealing destination for talented PhD students from around the world. Tuition is free for EU, EEA and Swiss nationals, while scholarships are often available for students who don’t qualify for free tuition.

Although many Danish doctoral programmes are conducted entirely in English, international students can access free Danish lessons to get up to speed with the language, which is a great way of immersing yourself in local life (not to mention useful if you decide to remain in Denmark after your PhD).

Find out more about studying a PhD in Denmark or browse Danish PhD programmes .

Ireland represents an excellent opportunity to study a PhD in one of the only two native English-speaking countries of the Eurozone (along with Malta). Its historic universities have long made important contributions to the Arts, Sciences and Technology, while the Irish Republic is famous for its friendliness and hospitality.

Tuition fees are broadly comparable to those in the UK, and PhD funding is available from several different sources. These include the Irish Research Council and student maintenance grants from Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).

Find out more about studying a PhD in Ireland or browse Irish PhD programmes .

As the home of the oldest university in the western world (the University of Bologna, founded in 1088) and countless influential artists and scientists, it’s no wonder that Italy is one of the most popular study abroad destinations in Europe. Hosting around 90,000 foreign students each year, Italian universities have a proud record of participation in various international research initiatives.

If you study a PhD in Italy, you’ll have the chance to follow in the footsteps of thinkers like Galileo and da Vinci. Ancient cities such as Rome and Florence ooze culture and sophistication, while the implementation of the Bologna Process has seen Italy play a key role in the standardisation of the modern higher education system across Europe.

Find out more about studying a PhD in Italy or browse Italian PhD programmes .

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The Pros & Cons of Earning a Graduate Degree Abroad

Choosing to attend graduate school overseas is a big decision. read on and let us help you weigh the pros and cons of earning a graduate degree abroad..

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Key Takeaways 🔑

• While graduate degrees abroad may come with a lower price tag, the cost of living in your host city could set you back.
• Many international universities participate in the US federal financial aid program meaning you can obtain loans for your overseas graduate degree.
• If studying in a non-English-speaking country, you'll have plenty of opportunities to gain or perfect language skills. However, you may have difficulties finding part-time work if your fluency is low.
• You can expect to experience serious personal growth abroad, but with the possibility of moments of homesickness.

Graduate school is an important step in your education and there are many options to consider. Do you pick a school close to home or go out of state? What about a graduate degree abroad As someone who has earned master's degrees in the US and Ireland, I can confidently say there are both pros and cons to earning a master's or PhD abroad.

But should you do your master's or PhD abroad? I'll walk you through the benefits of studying at a foreign university plus potential points to consider.

Can you study abroad in grad school?

If you're wondering if you can study abroad in grad school, the answer is a resounding yes! You also have several ways to do it. You can study abroad for a short period of time or earn a full degree. Many countries whose main language is not English have a wide range of graduate programs completely or partially in English. You can even get a PhD in another country!

Additionally, some US master's programs incorporate study abroad to enrich the experience. If you're a PhD student, you can do some or all of your dissertation research abroad if it fits your field of study.

Pro: Your degree may cost less

Graduate school in the U.S. can cost you a pretty penny. While you can save money attending an in-state university, the fact of the matter is that you will likely rack up debt in the process.

According to Nerd Wallet, U.S. students collectively held around 1.74 trillion dollars in loans as of 2023. Roughly one-fifth of college graduates with student loan debt work more than one job and report higher levels of financial insecurity. If these statistics have you reconsidering graduate study, thankfully, there is an alternative.

Before deciding to pursue a graduate degree abroad in Ireland, I looked at Master of Public Health degrees within close proximity of my home in the States. A nearby private university was just over $67,000 for an 11-month program, while a public university cost around $34,500 for 18 months. Even with the conversion rate from euro to USD, I found that a graduate program at University College Dublin was only around $20,800.

There are many low-cost, high-quality graduate programs overseas. In some countries like Germany, you can study anything from biology to dance studies for free (no, that's not a typo!).

Other countries with free or low tuition graduate programs in English include:

The best part is, many international universities participate in the US federal financial aid program meaning you can obtain loans for your overseas graduate degree.

Con: The cost of living could be higher than at home

You may find yourself paying nearly the same amount in a country with free tuition as a university in the U.S. when factoring in the cost of living. Cities, both large and small, across the world are experiencing rising costs for essential things like rent and food. In Dublin, a popular destination for international students, rooms in a shared house or apartment are now going for upwards of $1,000 a month.

When budgeting and comparing costs, don’t forget to factor in expenses other than tuition like rent, utilities, food, transportation, and leisure activities.

Pro: It’s the perfect opportunity for language learning

You're likely attending graduate school to improve your job prospects. You may also want to work in the country where you attend grad school, or elsewhere abroad, after graduation.

Living in a non-English speaking country presents unique opportunities to learn the local language. Aside from personal enrichment, a second or third language is an invaluable addition to your CV. Universities tend to offer free or reduced language courses for international students even if they are studying a graduate degree in English.

Con: The language barrier can limit job opportunities

A language barrier can be a hindrance when searching for jobs abroad while in grad school or after graduation.

Most student jobs are within the hospitality and retail fields. If studying overseas, you may face difficulties securing part-time work if you don't have basic proficiency in the language. English is certainly an international tongue but it will not help if you work in a field where you need to interact with local people.

Check with your campus' career development center to find out about any on-campus opportunities for English speakers. They might also have leads for outside gigs as well. If all else fails, consider advertising yourself as a tutor for basic or academic English both at the university and in your city/town.

Pro: You can network internationally by studying your subject at the source

Doing your graduate degree abroad allows you to study your chosen subject where you are guaranteed exposure to the experts and faculty engaged in active research. Imagine studying geothermal energy in Iceland and taking a class trip to the Blue Lagoon? Nothing beats hands-on experience to complement your classroom learning.

Aside from making connections with local experts and faculty, your classmates are invaluable when it comes to networking. My master's cohort in Ireland was leaps and bounds more diverse than my grad program in the US. My fellow students came from India, Tanzania, Mexico, the UK, the US, Uganda, and of course Ireland. They held advanced degrees in dentistry, medicine, nursing, nutrition, and social sciences. Making friends with these talented individuals opened many doors across the globe for me.

Furthermore, depending on the country, visas exist to allow you to stay and work legally following the completion of your studies.

Con: Missed opportunities for networking in your home country

If you’re planning to return to your home country to work after graduation, studying abroad could mean missing out on local networking. In a competitive job market, who you know is often as important as what you know.

Attending grad school abroad allowed me to connect with numerous professionals in the public health field, although those contacts were mostly limited to Ireland. If I had planned to return to the U.S. for employment, I would have missed out on easy access to local professionals who could have acted as references or even given me insider info about job opportunities.

If your interests or career goals are hyper-local (i.e. development projects in Baltimore or Detroit), it may be more beneficial to study at a university in or near that specific city in order to engage with community leaders and local stakeholders. Overseas programs can certainly offer alternative ways of looking at problems within a field, however, for certain areas of studies, networking is the most important part of getting ahead.

Pro: Grad school abroad amplifies personal growth

Grad school is challenging in itself but when undertaken overseas, you'll find yourself constantly testing your limits. Not only will you face a different style of teaching than you're used to, but living in another country with another culture will take some getting used to. If this sounds scary, consider how much you will grow after these experiences.

A study by the International Education of Students (IES) showed that 97% believed studying abroad increased their maturity level. When it came to self-confidence, 96% said they were more confident individuals after their experience overseas.

During my master's program at University College Dublin, I found that students were expected to have a much greater sense of autonomy and ownership of their studies. In some classes, we didn't receive a syllabus. Study guides were unheard of. At times I felt like I was floating by with no direction. But rather than being defeated by this perceived lack of guidance, I learned to be more organized and engaged in my own learning.

Doing a graduate degree abroad will definitely help you grow, both professionally and personally, if you just take the leap!

Con: You may experience homesickness

A day after landing in Dublin, and quickly realizing how bad the rental market was, I found myself curled up in the fetal position on my hostel bed questioning my decision to attend grad school in a foreign country. Despite having traveled and lived abroad before, I felt overwhelmingly homesick at that moment.

This dreaded condition can strike the unassuming at any time and can hit hard. Attending grad school abroad and setting up a new life from scratch is as stressful as it is exciting. Being away from familiar surroundings can be difficult – but the good thing about homesickness is that it's temporary. By pushing through those initial unpleasant feelings, you are sure to reap the rewards.

Understand foreign degree acceptance in the US

If returning to the U.S. after earning your grad degree overseas, your credentials may not be immediately recognized. Overseas degrees in fields such as healthcare, law, and education require lengthy verification in the US by individual accrediting bodies.

Private employers and governmental agencies in the US may also require credential verification which essentially proves that your foreign degree is equivalent to one in the US. There is no one official organization to perform this service. However, World Education Services is widely used and can provide degree verification, course equivalency, and authentication that is accepted by many employers and universities.

How to apply to grad school abroad

Applying to grad school abroad may seem scary but it's not all that different from applying to programs in the US. Nearly every university regardless of country lets you apply online and generally asks for the same documents: transcripts, CV, personal statement, and recommendation letters.

To get a graduate degree abroad, you usually need to follow these steps:

• Choose the country (or countries!) you want to study in.
• Narrow down your choice of universities.
• Prepare your application documents (mentioned above), including translations if needed.
• Apply online.
• When admitted, apply for the necessary student visa.

If you have any questions or doubts, always remember you can reach out to the university's international student office. They will be happy to help guide you.

Read more : How to Apply to Grad Schools in Europe as an American

Teach & Learn in Spain Graduate Program

Study or Earn Your Degree in Aix-en-Provence, France

Study Abroad: American University of Sharjah in UAE

Weigh the pros and cons to see if grad school abroad is right for you.

Earning a graduate degree abroad is an exciting journey but requires proper planning. If you determine that this route is right for you after weighing the pros and cons, jump into research to select the perfect course of study. Once the wheels of your graduate education are in motion, you are guaranteed a wild and seriously fulfilling ride!

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Study in Europe 2022 "How to do a funded PhD in Europe"

Join us on Saturday, 24 September at 4pm (Singapore) to learn how you can carry out your doctoral training in Europe and how EURAXESS can support you on this journey! 

Europe boasts a huge diversity of opportunities for doctoral training. European PhD programmes enjoy international recognition for excellence thus providing an exceptional career launch pad for young researchers.

Many European countries charge very little or no fees for PhD studies while also offering scholarships for international applicants. The European Commission’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) offer funding for thousands of PhD students each year to carry out their doctoral research across Europe.

Find out about the MSCA Doctoral Fellowships and get tips & advice for your PhD journey from ASEAN PhD students in Europe!

The webinar will be held in English.

Joseph Jing Heng Lim 

Joseph hails from Singapore and is currently pursuing his PhD as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early Career Researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Germany. He holds a BSc in Biological Sciences from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

Jeanne Svensky Ligte

Indonesian Jeanne is currently pursuing her doctoral studies in Textile Public Procurement within the MSCA Innovative Training Programme "SAPIENS Network Project" at Lodz University of Technology in Poland. She holds a B.Eng in Industrial Engineering from Universitas Hasanuddin in Indonesia and an M.Eng in Supply Chain Management (Latvia, Germany, Spain).

Manh Ha Luong

Vietnamese PhD candidate Manh Ha Luong holds a master's degree in Migration and Intercultural Relations from an Erasmus Mundus joint programme coordinated by the University of Oldenburg (Germany), and a bachelor's degree in Economics and International Business from an accredited programme between Foreign Trade University (Vietnam) and Colorado State University (USA). Ha received the Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship at the University of Bamberg (Germany) in 2021.

Dr Susanne Rentzow-Vasu is the Regional Project Coordinator for the European Commission-funded EURAXESS Worldwide network, a role she has held since 2012. EURAXESS Worldwide supports researcher mobility and career development, while enhancing scientific collaboration between Europe and the world. She is based in Singapore.

About Study in Europe

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Do European PhD programs have a qualifying exam, and if so, what form do they take?

Now, I understand that European PhDs are far from monolithic in format, and that most quals in my field (physics) can fall into two general formats, as far as North American PhD programs are concerned:

• A set of tests covering the fundamental areas of undergraduate-level education in your discipline (I know MIT and Princeton can be quite nasty in this regard for physics, but UChicago phased quals out due in part to student health concerns
• A review of the literature in your research topic and the relevant fundamental notions underlying it, which must be explained in front of a jury that will ask questions as well

My question is: are quals present in European PhD programs and, if yes, what are formats commonly in use for that purpose?

• qualifying-exam

• Option 3: some US programs have would-be PhD candidates do a small research project (not just a literature review) and give a presentation to a committee + written report as the qualifying exam. –  ff524 Commented Jan 19, 2015 at 6:39
• @ff524 That format is not as common as the other two; the only program I know about that operates that way is the UChicago astrophysics PhD –  NSERC Protester Commented Jan 20, 2015 at 3:01

5 Answers 5

Most central European universities don't traditionally have QEs. However, it seems to me as if it is getting more popular to have something after the first one or two years of your programme. Two data points:

• In my current university, PhD students need to defend their thesis proposal after (maximum) two years. This includes writing their proposal, receiving written comments by two other (i.e., not their advisor) professors of the faculty, and presenting and defending their proposal in front of the entire faculty (our faculty is pretty small). Questions are asked in this defense, but not typically about material that is not directly linked to the proposal. In theory students can fail at this step, but is is very uncommon. The goal is rather to force students (and advisors) to have a clear goal of where the thesis is going early on, something that was historically a bit of a problem.
• When I did my PhD, we did not really have any sort of entry exam or defense in my alma mater. However, since then, they have switched to a model not unlike what I explained above. The main difference is that proposals are only presented (there is no written document), and that only a small committee is responsible for giving feedback on the proposal (not the entire faculty). This defense has to be taken one year after start of the PhD. Failing this defense is again very uncommon.

Summary : the places I am well aware of don't have stressful QEs. Instead, we traditionally had pretty much nothing. Nowadays, many places have a proposal defense instead of a QE, but this is not a step that students typically have to be stressed out about.

As far as I'm aware (Germany, sciences), we don't have quals here. If you're admitted, at least one professor considers you good enough and that's it. Your next exam will be handing in your thesis and defending it.

A Master of science degree or equivalent is usually required though - maybe that's why we have no extra quals.

Plus, the defense can include an oral exam on the general field of your thesis.

However, do read the relevant documents of your target university and program (in Germany look for Promotionsordnung).

With the advent of structured PhD programs, things like having to take classes for credits and minimum grades have started to come up at some universities.

• 1 Entance exams happen on a per person basis in certain circumstances. Roughly, if someone wants to become PhD student but does not fulfil the formal qualifications (e.g. master's thesis not from university but from Fachhochschule, possibly also university MSc but not with the required minimum grade, or s.o. with BSc from an angloamerican country where you could apply for a PhD programme with that BSc) they may be required to take an exam to prove they know enough of the subject they're applying for. –  cbeleites Commented Jan 20, 2015 at 17:35

As an expat, maybe a native Dutch person here can confirm this, but as far as I know there are no quals here in the Netherlands either.

It's generally expected that you have a Master's degree (3 year BSc + 2 year MSc), but I know of people who have been admitted as PhD candidates with an Honours degree (3 year BSc + 1 year of intensive postgrad study).

Many PhD projects here are run like job applications. A professor has gained funding for a specific purpose, and the department advertises the position.

After a year of working as a PhD candidate you might have to justify how you can achieve your research goals to finish the PhD in time, but that's nothing like having to put in a whole lot of work for a PhD proposal before having even been accepted.

In Sweden there are no quals per se, but we may have something related. When you have completed 50% of the aims of your PhD (when exactly this happens is decided in conjunction with your supervisor and the Department's PhD program head), you have to write a short version of the thesis, and get a title, "Licenciate", and a raise.

The exact requirements depend with the department. At Stockholm University Physics, there is only a defence with a local opponent. In Biophysics and Biochemistry, there is also an oral exam. The topic is to be decided between the student and an examiner, and has to be related to the research at hand. For example, a colleague of mine, Biotechnologist working on statistical data analysis, was examined on a book on Machine Learning.

In any case, they are never as stressful as the US Quals. Probably because firing a student is rather hard, and no one would take that threat seriously.

• 1 This is not true for all universities and departments in Sweden, and from my experience (in biology) it is rather uncommon. You can do a "Licenciate" (and maybe not continue for a full PhD), but you don't have to. –  fileunderwater Commented Jan 19, 2015 at 12:29

For some german universities (like the one I am doing my PhD at), PhD studies are supervised by grad schools that often have their own entry exam, e.g., in the form of a presentation in front of an admission committee. This presentation has to cover your future project in terms of background, methodology and aims of your study and sometimes also a short part regarding your past work for your diploma or master degree.

At my university, the admission mostly happens after you are already employed by your group leader (and by that, already have a contract). If you indeed fail (or just do not want) the admission to this graduation school, you can still (or also) apply to a more basic grad school that has no entry exam of any kind, but is also regarded as being of a lower quality (in terms of courses, funding options, renown, etc.) than the "excellent" grad school.

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