All PhD Programmes in Europe are FREE and ALL FUNDED

Pursuing a PhD is a significant commitment, often requiring both time and financial resources.

However, numerous fully funded PhD programs are available across Europe and beyond, offering a pathway to advanced research without the burden of tuition fees and living expenses.

Here’s a detailed guide on the requirements, eligibility, and application process for these programs in various countries:

PhD in Germany 🇩🇪

• Program: DAAD Scholarship
• Requirement: Academic excellence, admission to a German university
• Eligibility: International students
• Application: Visit the DAAD website to explore opportunities and apply.

PhD in Canada 🇨🇦

• Platform: UniversityStudy.ca
• Requirement: Research proposal, admission to a Canadian university
• Eligibility: Doctoral students across disciplines
• Application: Search for funding opportunities on UniversityStudy.ca.

PhD in Belgium 🇧🇪

• Platform: ScholarshipDB
• Requirement: Admission to a Belgian university
• Eligibility: International PhD candidates
• Application: Find scholarships at Belgian universities on ScholarshipDB.

Ireland 🇮🇪 [Fully Funded PhD]

• Platform: FindAPhD
• Requirement: Research proposal, university acceptance
• Eligibility: Aspiring PhD students
• Application: Explore the FindAPhD Ireland guide for detailed information.

Fully Funded PhD in Estonia 🇪🇪

• Platform: Study in Estonia
• Requirement: Academic qualifications, research interests
• Eligibility: International students
• Application: Check the Study in Estonia website for programs and application details.

PhD in Spain 🇪🇸

• Platform: Studying in Spain
• Requirement: Academic record, project proposal
• Eligibility: International researchers
• Application: Learn about PhD studies in Spain at the Studying in Spain website.

PhD in France 🇫🇷

• Platform: Campus France
• Requirement: Acceptance from a French institution
• Eligibility: Prospective PhD students
• Application: Visit Campus France for guidance on scholarships and applications.

PhD in Poland 🇵🇱

• Platform: DoctoralStudy.eu
• Requirement: Academic excellence, research proposal
• Eligibility: International candidates
• Application: Discover programs on DoctoralStudy.eu.

Hungary 🇭🇺

• Platform: PhDPortal
• Requirement: University admission, research interests
• Eligibility: Global students
• Application: Search for programs on PhDPortal.

Sweden 🇸🇪

• Platform: Study in Sweden
• Requirement: Research proposal, university acceptance
• Eligibility: International scholars
• Application: Explore options on the Study in Sweden website.

Fully Funded Scholarships in Switzerland 🇨🇭

• Platform: Studying in Switzerland
• Requirement: Admission to a Swiss institution, research proposal
• Eligibility: Prospective PhD candidates
• Application: Find detailed information on the Studying in Switzerland website.

PhD in Austria 🇦🇹

• Platform: PhDPortal
• Requirement: Academic qualifications, research plan
• Eligibility: International students
• Application: Look for opportunities on PhDPortal.

Scholarships in Luxembourg 🇱🇺

• Platform: Research Luxembourg
• Requirement: Collaboration with research centers, academic record
• Eligibility: Doctoral candidates
• Application: Start your journey on the Research Luxembourg website.

PhD in Latvia 🇱🇻

• Platform: PhDStudies.com
• Requirement: University admission, research interests
• Eligibility: Global students
• Application: Visit PhDStudies.com for program details.

New Zealand 🇳🇿

• Platform: Study in New Zealand
• Requirement: Research proposal, university acceptance
• Eligibility: International researchers
• Application: Explore Study in New Zealand for opportunities.

Fully Funded Scholarship in Singapore 🇸🇬

• Platform: FindAPhD
• Requirement: Academic excellence, research proposal
• Eligibility: International scholars
• Application: Discover programs on the FindAPhD Singapore guide.

FAQs

Which country is best for PhD in Europe?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as different countries may have different strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for PhD students. However, some factors that could influence your choice are:

• The quality and reputation of the universities and research groups in your field of interest
• The availability and amount of funding and scholarships for PhD students
• The cost of living and tuition fees (if any) in the country
• The language and culture of the country and the academic environment
• The visa and immigration requirements and procedures for the country

Which country in Europe has the cheapest PhD?

The cost of a PhD in Europe depends on various factors, such as the tuition fees (if any), the living expenses, the exchange rate, and the funding opportunities. However, some of the countries that are known to offer low or no tuition fees for PhD students are:

• Germany: Most public universities in Germany do not charge any tuition fees for PhD students, except for a small administrative fee per semester. However, the cost of living in Germany can vary depending on the city and the lifestyle of the student.
• Norway: PhD students in Norway are usually employed by the university or a research institution and receive a salary and benefits. There are no tuition fees for PhD students in Norway, but they may have to pay a small membership fee to the student union.
• France: PhD students in France are usually funded by the government, the university, or a research organization and receive a monthly stipend. The tuition fees for PhD students in France are very low, around 400 euros per year. However, the cost of living in France can be high, especially in Paris and other big cities.

Which country PhD is most valuable?

The value of a PhD depends on the quality and impact of the research, the reputation and ranking of the university and the supervisor, the publications and citations of the student, and the employability and career prospects of the graduate. Therefore, it is hard to compare the value of PhDs from different countries, as they may vary depending on the discipline, the institution, and the individual.

However, some of the countries that are generally recognized for their excellence and innovation in research and higher education are:

• The UK: The UK has some of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and UCL. The UK is also a global leader in many fields of research, such as biomedical sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities. The UK attracts many international students and researchers and has a strong academic culture and network.
• Switzerland: Switzerland is a small but powerful country in terms of research and innovation. It has some of the highest-ranked universities in the world, such as ETH Zurich, EPFL, and the University of Zurich. Switzerland is also home to many world-class research institutes and organizations, such as CERN, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Switzerland invests heavily in research and development and offers generous funding and salaries for PhD students.
• The Netherlands: The Netherlands is a small but dynamic country with a high-quality and diverse higher education system. It has 13 research universities and several specialized institutes that offer PhD programs in various disciplines. The Netherlands is also known for its openness and international orientation, as well as its collaboration and innovation in research. The Netherlands has a competitive and transparent funding system for PhD students and offers attractive working conditions and benefits.

Which PhD program pays the most?

The salary or stipend of a PhD student depends on the country, the institution, the funding source, and the discipline. However, some of the factors that could affect the income of a PhD student are:

• The demand and supply of PhD graduates in the labor market
• The availability and competitiveness of external funding and scholarships
• The cost of living and taxation in the country
• The duration and structure of the PhD program
• The performance and productivity of the student

According to some surveys and reports, some of the PhD programs that pay the most are:

• Engineering: Engineering PhD students are usually well-paid, as they are in high demand in both academia and industry. Engineering PhD students can also benefit from industry collaborations, patents, and spin-offs. According to a report by Nature, the median annual salary of engineering PhD students in the US was $38,000 in 2019.
• Computer Science: Computer science PhD students are also highly sought-after, as they have skills and knowledge that are relevant and applicable to many sectors and domains. Computer science PhD students can also work on cutting-edge and interdisciplinary projects, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science. According to a report by Nature, the median annual salary of computer science PhD students in the US was $37,000 in 2019.
• Economics: Economics PhD students are also well-compensated, as they have analytical and quantitative skills that are valuable in both academia and industry. Economics PhD students can also work on policy-relevant and impactful research, such as development, trade, and finance. According to a report by Nature, the median annual salary of economics PhD students in the US was $36,000 in 2019.

Is PhD in USA better than Europe?

There is no simple answer to this question, as the quality and experience of a PhD in the USA or Europe may depend on many factors, such as the discipline, the institution, the supervisor, the funding, and the personal preferences of the student. However, some of the general differences and similarities between a PhD in the USA and Europe are:

• The duration: A PhD in the USA usually takes longer than a PhD in Europe, as it involves more coursework, exams, and teaching duties. A PhD in the USA typically takes 5 to 6 years, while a PhD in Europe usually takes 3 to 4 years.
• The structure: A PhD in the USA usually follows a more structured and standardized curriculum, while a PhD in Europe usually allows more flexibility and autonomy for the student. A PhD in the USA often requires the student to complete a set of courses, pass a qualifying exam, and write and defend a dissertation. A PhD in Europe often requires the student to conduct original research, publish papers, and submit and defend a thesis.
• The funding: A PhD in the USA usually offers more stable and guaranteed funding for the student, while a PhD in Europe usually requires the student to apply for and secure external funding. A PhD in the USA often provides the student with a full tuition waiver and a stipend, as well as health insurance and other benefits. A PhD in Europe often depends on the availability and competitiveness of scholarships, grants, and fellowships, which may vary in amount and duration.

Which country offers fully funded PhD?

A fully funded PhD means that the student does not have to pay any tuition fees and receives a sufficient stipend or salary to cover the living expenses. However, the definition and conditions of a fully funded PhD may vary from country to country and from institution to institution. Some of the countries that offer fully funded PhDs are:

• The UK: The UK offers many fully funded PhDs through various sources, such as the Research Councils, the universities, the charities, and the industry. The most common and prestigious funding scheme is the Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), which provides a full tuition waiver and a stipend of around £15,000 per year for 3 to 4 years. The DTPs are awarded to the universities, which then allocate them to the students based on merit and fit.
• Canada: Canada offers many fully funded PhDs through various sources, such as the federal and provincial governments, the universities, the foundations, and the industry. The most common and prestigious funding scheme is the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, which provides a full tuition waiver and a stipend of $50,000 per year for 3 years. The Vanier Scholarships are awarded to the students based on academic excellence, research potential, and leadership skills.
• Australia: Australia offers many fully funded PhDs through various sources, such as the Australian Government, the universities, the organizations, and the industry. The most common and prestigious funding scheme is the Research Training Program (RTP), which provides a full tuition waiver and a stipend of around $28,000 per year for 3 to 4 years. The RTPs are awarded to the universities, which then allocate them to the students based on merit and availability.