What are the eligibility criteria for PhD Abroad?
by Dr. Sriyash Mangal, PhD
Eligibility Criteria for PhD Abroad: PhD is a doctorate degree awarded by several universities in different countries. The universities in countries like Germany, the USA, Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, UK award PhD degrees in a wide range of programs in the natural sciences (e.g., physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics, statistics, etc.), commerce, business & management, and humanities (e.g., history, psychology, English literature, musicology, etc.). This is not an exhaustive list meaning there are a lot more topics in which PhD degree is offered.
There is one question that pops up in almost every PhD counseling session I take. What are the eligibility criteria for pursuing PhD abroad with full or partial funding? This is a natural question that comes to your mind if you are planning to pursue doctoral research in a foreign country. In this blog article, I will discuss all the parameters that are taken into account by admission/ selection committees of top PhD programs at high-ranking universities.
To get selected in a PhD Program abroad, a student is required to fulfill certain eligibility criteria. Following are the most important requirements or eligibility criteria for PhD abroad:
Also read: Benefits of PhD Abroad
Academic Grades
As a PhD applicant, you should have good grades in Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. This, however, does not mean that academic score is the most important parameter for the selection committee. It helps to convince them that you have been a brilliant student throughout, but you should not be discouraged to apply if you have an average or below average CGPA. This is because PhD supervisors are looking for prospective students who are passionate about research and have what it takes to be an excellent researcher. So, if you have been an average student at university, then you must present well-written statement of purpose and research proposal showcasing your research abilities.
Previous Research Work
This is undoubtedly one of the most important criteria which is taken in to account by all selection team of all PhD programs abroad. As a PhD applicant you must show in your CV and statement of purpose that you have engaged in research work during the UG and/or PG studies. This includes:
- internships at universities, research institutes, hospitals, industry
- bachelor’s and/or master’s thesis
- workshops for learning latest research methodologies or techniques
Publications, if any
Although publications are not essential to secure a fully-funded PhD position abroad, the prospective supervisor or the admissions committee wants to see that you have the skills required to be an excellent researcher and publications are good indication of this. So, if you have publications, don’t forget to mention them in your CV. And if you do not have publications, then, don’t be discouraged as other things can make up for this. I have written a separate article on this topic and you can read it here.
Also read: Do I Need Publications for PhD Position which is fully funded?
Dissertations and thesis if submitted
All PhD programs abroad will ask you to describe your past research activities with special emphasis on Bachelor’s/Master’s thesis. If you have already submitted your thesis, then you can simply attach the PDF file. If not, then, submit a summary of what you intend to do and the progress you have made till the date of application.
Research Proposal
The research proposal is the most critical part of your Ph.D. application as it will help you showcase your knowledge in the subject. A research proposal should be written in an academic tone and ideas should be expressed in a logical manner. It is important that the research proposal has high degree of coherence and cohesion and an excellent choice of words. Your research proposal should be able to convey to the admissions team that you have thorough knowledge in your area of research and that you have a definite plan which will help you to answer the specific questions you are asking.
Also read: How to write Research Proposal for PhD
A strong Statement of Purpose
All universities ask for a statement of purpose, which is sometimes also called personal statement. In this document, you have to describe why you want to a PhD, how does the qualifications and experience you have gained so far make you a suitable candidate for pursuing a PhD, and why you want to do it in a particular country/ university/ program. To succeed in getting admission in a PhD program, it is important that you submit a strong and convincing statement of purpose. Well-written Statement of Purpose and Research proposal hold so much value that they can even compensate for other lacunas in your academic profile. Therefore, make sure that these two documents are really good before you submit the applications.
Excellent Recommendation Letters
Most of the universities require you to send three letters of recommendation. Your previous academic advisor like the professor who supervised your Master’s thesis should provide one, and other letters can be from teachers, professors or anyone who has supervised your work during internships or full-time work. Letters of Recommendations should discuss your research abilities, logical thinking, level of intellect, knowledge, character and personality. It is easy to say good things about yourself in the statement of purpose, but here you need a past supervisor or a teacher to say excellent things about you and your work. Unlike India, where letter of recommendations are not even required, foreign universities take these letters very seriously. Thus, letters of recommendation hold a lot of weightage when it comes to eligibility requirements for PhD positions abroad.
Also read: How to find good references or LORs for PhD
Test Scores (GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL)
Some of the universities might ask you to write an exam like GRE to assess your skills and knowledge. But it is not mandatory for all the universities and it depends on the country/ university you have chosen. Similarly, PhD programs in Management sometimes ask for GMAT test, but again it depends on the university you have chosen. Results of English language tests such as IELTS or TOEFL are also often asked by many universities especially if English is not your native tongue. Note that you don’t need to have these test results (GRE, GMAT, IELTS, TOEFL) in hand before you start the application process. It is actually better to start the PhD application process, shortlist the prospective supervisors, PhD Programs and Universities to gain clarity on what exams are really required and then plan to take the required tests. This will help you to minimize cost as well as save your valuable time.
Also read: Tests required for PhD abroad
CV/ Resume
A CV should have all the information about your education, internships, work experience, publications if any, past achievements & scholarships, voluntary work, co-curricular activities, etc. It should not be longer than 2-3 pages. First thing that the most universities look at is the CV, therefore to make a good first impression, it is important to present your CV nicely.
Note: that eligibility criteria may vary for different universities and fulfilling these criteria does not guarantee admission in a PhD program. Just like you may not get admission in the desired bachelor’s or master’s program even after fulfilling all the eligibility requirements, the final decision to accept or reject applicants lies with the university’s admission department.
Following are some popular destinations to pursue PhD Abroad. To read about them, click on the name of the country.
Author Bio:
Dr. Sriyash Mangal
Ph.D. Cell biology from LMU Munich, Germany
MSc Biomedical Sciences, University College London, UK
Dr. Sriyash Mangal has been mentoring Ph.D. aspirants to secure fully-funded Ph.D. positions abroad for more than 5 years. He has lived in the UK and Europe for over 7 years and completed his higher studies with 100% scholarship. He is an expert in applying to highly competitive Ph.D. programs and scholarships/ fellowships.
Congratulations to our student Anisha for receiving offer letter for fully-funded PhD position at Leuphana University, Germany.
The student is enrolled with us in our Exclusive package and we provided best possible mentorship.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
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Congratulations to our student Isha for receiving interview invitation for fully-funded PhD position at LSM PhD Program, LMU, Germany.
The student is enrolled with us in our Exclusive package and we provided best possible mentorship.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
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Congratulations to our student Vishwajeet for receiving interview invitation for fully-funded PhD position at University of Cambridge, UK.
The student is enrolled with us in our Exclusive package and we provided best possible mentorship.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa #studyinusa #phdconsultation #studyinswitzer #phdinswitzerland
Congratulations to our student Nandini Pant for receving on site interview invitation for fully-funded PhD position at Mainz, Germany.
The program will pay for the entire travel and lodging expenses incurred for the interview. Upon selection, her tuition fee will be paid by the program and she will also get a generous stipend to pay for her living expenses. The funding is guaranteed for the entire duration of the program i.e. 5 years.
The student is enrolled with us in our Exclusive package and we provided best possible mentorship.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa #studyinusa #phdconsultation #studyinswitzer #phdinswitzerland
Congratulations to our student for receving on site interview invitation for fully-funded PhD position in Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich Life Science Graduate Program is one of the most prestigious PhD programs in the world and in EU. It involves all the major universities of Zurich like ETH, University of Zurich, etc.
The program will pay for the entire travel and lodging expenses incurred for the interview. Upon selection, her tuition fee will be paid by the program and she will also get a generous stipend to pay for her living expenses. The funding is guaranteed for the entire duration of the program i.e. 5 years.
The student is enrolled with us in our Exclusive package and we provided best possible mentorship.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa #studyinusa #phdconsultation #studyinswitzer #phdinswitzerland
Congratulations to our student for receving fully-funded MA Offer at Washington State University in USA for fully-funded Masters in Criminal Justice and Criminogy. Her tuition fee will be paid by the program and she will also get a generous stipend to pay for her living expenses. The funding is guaranteed for the entire duration of the program i.e. 2 years
The student is enrolled with us in our Exclusive package and we provided best possible mentorship.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa #studyinusa #phdconsultation #studyinswitzer #phdinswitzerland
Congratulations to our student for receving fully-funded PhD Offer at Leuphana University in Germany for fully-funded PhD in Statistics. His tuition fee will be paid by the program and he will also get a generous stipend to pay for her living expenses. The funding is guaranteed for the entire duration of the program i.e. 4 years.
The student is enrolled with us in our Exclusive package and we provided best possible mentorship.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa #studyinusa #phdconsultation #studyinswitzer #phdinswitzerland
Congrats to our student for getting PhD offer letter from University of East London in the UK.
The student is enrolled with us in our Exclusive package and we provided best possible mentorship to him.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa #studyinusa #phdconsultation #studyinswitzer #phdinswitzerland
Congratulations to our student for receving on site interview invitation for fully-funded PhD position in Dresden, Germany. The program will pay for the entire travel and lodging expenses incurred for the interview. Upon selection, her tuition fee will be paid by the program and she will also get a generous stipend to pay for her living expenses. The funding is guaranteed for the entire duration of the program i.e. 5 years.
The student is enrolled with us in our Exclusive package and we provided best possible mentorship.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa #studyinusa #phdconsultation #studyinswitzer #phdinswitzerland
Testimonial of our student who got selected in fully-funded PhD in Purdue University, University of Southern California, University of British Columbia and Alberta University for PhD in Chemical Engineering.
If you want to consult us for PhD applications abroad, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or call 8383050912
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #phdscholarships #phd #phdingermany #studyingermany #mastersingermany #phdinUSA #phdinUK
Testimonial of our student who got selected in fully-funded PhD at Michigan State, Purdue and Indiana University, USA for PhD in Toxicology.
If you want to consult us for PhD applications abroad visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or call 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #phdscholarship #phd #phdingermany #studyingermany #mastersingermany #phdinusa #phdinUK
Testimonial by our PhD Consultation Student. She got fully-funded PhD at HBRS PhD Program in Molecular Medicine (Biology) in Germany.
Funding Status: Fully Funded (Full tuition fee scholarship + Generous stipend to cover living cost).
To know about our services visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa
Congratulations to our student for receving fully-funded PhD Offer at Hanover Biomedical Research School in Germany for fully-funded PhD in Molecular Medicine (Biology). Her tuition fee will be paid by the program and she will also get a generous stipend to pay for her living expenses. The funding is guaranteed for the entire duration of the program i.e. 5 years.
The student is enrolled with us in our Exclusive package and we provided best possible mentorship.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa #studyinusa #phdconsultation #studyinswitzer #phdinswitzerland
Testimonial of our student who got selected in fully-funded PhD at Hanover Germany - Hanover Biomedical Research program (HBRS) for PhD in Molecular Medicine.
If you want to consult us for PhD applications abroad visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or call 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #phdscholarship #phd #phdingermany #studyingermany #mastersingermany #phdinusa #phdinUK
Testimonial of our student who got selected for fully-funded PhD at University of Bath for SAMBa PhD Program.
If you want to consult us for PhD applications abroad visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or call 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #phdscholarship #phd #phdingermany #studyingermany #mastersingermany #phdinusa #phdinUK
Testimonial by our PhD Consultation Student Swati Gupta. She got fully-funded PhD at UMass Amherst (photo frosted on student request).
Funding Status: Fully Funded (Full tuition fee scholarship + Generous stipend to cover living cost).
To know about our services visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa
Congratulations to our student Shruti Verma for receving fully-funded PhD Offer at University of Florida in the USA for fully-funded PhD in Chemistry. Her tuition fee will be paid by the program and she will also get a generous stipend to pay for her living expenses. The funding is guaranteed for the entire duration of the program i.e. 5 years.
The student is enrolled with us in our Exclusive package and we provided best possible mentorship.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa #studyinusa #phdconsultation #studyinswitzer #phdinswitzerland
Congratulations to our student Swati Gupta for receving fully-funded PhD Offer at University of Massachusetts Amherst in the USA for fully-funded PhD in Chemistry. Her tuition fee will be paid by the program and she will also get a generous stipend to pay for her living expenses. The funding is guaranteed for the entire duration of the program i.e. 6 years.
The student is enrolled with us in our Exclusive package and we provided best possible mentorship.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa #studyinusa #phdconsultation #studyinswitzer #phdinswitzerland
Testimonial of Shefali Kulkarni who got selected for fully-funded PhD at University of Southern California.
If you want to consult us for PhD applications abroad visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or call 8383050912.
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #phdscholarship #phd #phdingermany #studyingermany #mastersingermany #phdinusa
Testimonial by our PhD Consultation Student Shefali Kulkarni. She got fully-funded PhD position at University of Southern California in the USA.
Funding Status: Fully Funded (Full tuition fee scholarship + Generous stipend to cover living cost).
To know about our services visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa
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Sir, I dont have publications. Am I still eligible to apply for PhD abroad?
Yes, you are. Sir has written an article to address exactly this concern. You can read it here https://roadtoabroad.co.in/publications-for-phd/
Wow! Nice article. I have 10 years of gap and I have not worked in these 10 years. Can I apply through you?
Hi Jaishish. Could you please share your complete academic profile and up-to-date CV with us. We can tell you only after assessing it. Please note that we get hundreds of requests for PhD consultation every week and unfortunately we cannot help everyone. If your profile looks promising to us, then we will definitely help you.
Hello team, I have 2 publications in good journals. Does this mean I will be selected for PhD a 100%?
Hi Jai, Having publications makes your application strong and demonstrate that you are able to do research as well as communicate it. But, they do not guarantee a PhD position. Other documents like Statement of Purpose, Letters of Recommendation, Essays etc are also very important. Besides, your performance in the interview holds a lot of weightage. So, having publications is great and you should take advantage of that in preparing an excellent application.
Do i need a research proposal for US applications?
Hi Ravi, for most universities in USA, research proposal is not required in order to apply for PhD. But, some programs/ professors may ask for it. It is best to check the requirements of the programs you are planning to apply to.
Who should I get LOR from? Professor or employer?
Hi, for PhD applications, you need to submit 2-3 references. We have written a article on this topic and you can read it on https://roadtoabroad.co.in/good-references-for-phd/
Briefly, one academic referee must be there, preferably the one who supervised your master’s thesis. If you have significant work experience, then one should be professional referee.
I don’t have any work experience but have done masters, m i eligible to take admission in phd in UK.
Hi Shastri, sorry for late response. Work experience is not a requirement for applying to PhD positions in the UK or elsewhere. If you have completed a MSc dissertation or have a few months of research experience then you are eligible to apply. If you want to get you profile evaluation done, you can send you CV together with your research interest summary on our email.