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:
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.
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.
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: Benefits of 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. Testimonial by our PhD Consultation Student. He got fully-funded PhD in Chemistry program at University of British Columbia, Canada.
To know about our services visir www.roadtoabroad.co.in
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdincanada #studyincanada
Testimonial by our PhD Consultation Student. He got fully-funded PhD in Psychology program at Stanford University in the USA.
To know about our services visir www.roadtoabroad.co.in
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa #phdinamerica #phdusa #usphdprogram
A brief guide to PhD application process. Consult us for PhD applications by experts. Contact +918383050912
#phdadmissions #phdapplication #phdproblems #phdabroad #phdmotivation #phdstudent #phdlife
Get guidance by experts for the complete PhD applications process. For further information contact us on +918383050912
#phd #phdabroad #phdstudent #phdlife #phdjourney #phdchat #phdadmissions #phdapplication #phdadmission #phdcandidate #phdstudentsofinstagram #phdstruggles #phdresearch #phdmotivation
Rachna Behl will study PhD in Epigenetics at EpiCrossBorders International PhD program in Germany and UK. She will carry her doctoral research at Helmholtz Zentrum Munich and the University of Edinburgh.
Her PhD studies are fully-funded and she will also get a handsome salary.
------
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdingermany #studyingermany #phdingermanyforindians #studyingermany🇩🇪
Testimonial by our PhD Consultation Student. She got fully-funded PhD at Helmholtz Zentrum Munich in Germany (EpiCrossBorders PhD Program).
To know about our services visir www.roadtoabroad.co.in
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdingermany #studyingermany #phdingermanyforindians #studyingermany🇩🇪
Congratulations to Rachna Behl for getting Fully-Funded PhD Offer in Germany. She got admitted to PhD in Epigenetics at Helmholtz Zentrum Munich (EpiCrossBorders PhD Porgram).
Aditi has received:
1. Tuition Fee Waiver
2. Stipend of EUR 24,000 per year
In addition, she will get health insurance, travel grants and move in allowance. Rachna was enrolled in our Exclusive Package.
To know more about our services visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or call 8447356011
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa
Testimonial by our PhD Consultation Student. She got fully-funded PhD at University of Sothern California in the USA.
To know about our services visir www.roadtoabroad.co.in
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa
Congratulations to Aditi Krishak for getting Fully-Funded PhD Offer in USA. She got admitted to PhD in Physics at University of Southern California.
Aditi has received:
1. Tuition Fee Waiver of $61,785 per year
2. Stipend of $32,500 per year
Total funding for 5 years (time required to complete PhD) = Rs. 3.53 crores
In addition, she will get health insurance, travel grants and move in allowance. Aditi was enrolled in our Exclusive Package.
To know more about our services visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or call 8447356011
#phdabroad #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship #phdinusa
Congratulations to our student for receving fully-funded PhD Offer at Purdue University, USA for PhD in Sociology. He has been awarded full tuition fee waiver, assistantship, insurance etc. - a total of $48572 per year or Rs. 36.5 lacs per year. A phd is atleast 5 years long in the USA, so total amount of funding secured is Rs. 1 crore 82 lacs.
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
Congratulations to our student for securing fully-funded PhD Position at University of Leiden in Netehrlands. Interest area is Physics.
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 #phdingermany #phdingermanyforindians #phdineurope #phdinnetherlands #phdinnetherland #roadtoabroadindia
Congratulations to our student for receving fully-funded PhD interview offer at Indian University, USA.
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
Congratulations to our student for receving fully-funded PhD offer at ETH Zurich.
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 #phdinswitzerland #fullyfundedphd #fullyfundedprogram #fullyfundedphds #phdscholarship #phdscholarships #phdscholarshipsforinternationalstudents #phdscholarshipopportunities #studyabroad #scholarships #scholarship
Congratulations to our student for receving fully-funded PhD offer at University of Southern California.
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
Fully Funded PhD positions in Prague in different subjects.
To apply call 8383050912 or visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in
#phdabroad
Congratulations to our student for receving invitation to interview at IMPRS-HD HEIDELBERG, GERMANY for PhD in Physics and Astronomy.
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
Congratulations to our student for receving invitation to interview at LEIBNIZ UNIVERSITY HANOVER, GERMANY for PhD in Computational Electromagnetics and Photonics Design.
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
Congratulations to our student for receving invitation to interview at University of Bath, UK for SAMBa Program in Mathematics.
The student was 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
Congratulations to our student for receving invitation to interview at NYU, Abu Dhabi. It is a fully-funded PhD program in UAE. He was enrolled with us in our Edit+ package and we edited all his documents for PhD application including SOP, LORs, CV, Personal Statement, etc. We also gave him guidance on how to write these documents.
To know about our PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
#studyabroad #roadtoabroadindia #phdabroad #phdopportunities #phdinuae #studyinabudhabi #studyinuae #phsscholarship #scholarshipsabroad #phd #phdabroad
Congratulations to Aditi for receving invitation to interview at EPFL PhD program in Life Sciences. It is a fully-funded PhD program in Switzerland. We have mentored her right from shortlisting of options to guidance on submiting a strong application.
To know about out PhD Consulatation services, visit www.roadtoabroad.co.in or contact 8383050912.
#studyabroad #roadtoabroadindia #phdabroad #phdopportunities #phdinswitzerland #studyinswitzerland #phsscholarship #scholarshipsabroad #phdabroad
You May Also Like….
Tests Required for PhD Abroad – GRE, GMAT, IELTS & TOEFL
Tests Required for PhD Abroad – GRE, GMAT, IELTS & TOEFL by Ph.D. Admissions Team of Road to...
Top Countries for PhD Abroad
Top Countries for PhD Abroadby Ph.D. Admissions Team of Road to AbroadTop Countries for PhD...
Things to Consider While Planning a PhD Abroad
Things to Consider While Planning a PhD Abroadby Dr. Sriyash Mangal, PhDThings to Consider While...
Keywords: Eligibility criteria for PhD Abroad, how to apply for phd abroad from India, phd in law abroad for indian students, phd in abroad with stipend, phd in india vs abroad, phd abroad quora, phd abroad with scholarship for indian students, Fully-funded PhD abroad, PhD abroad, PhD in UK, Benefits of PhD, PhD in USA, Benefits of PhD abroad, PhD in Canada, PhD funding abroad, PhD in Ireland, PhD in Australia, PhD in Europe, PhD in Singapore, PhD in Germany, PhD in Switzerland, PhD consultation,
Study MBBS Abroad
IELTS
- IELTS Online Classes
- IELTS Classroom Courses
- IELTS Writing Correction Service
- IELTS Speaking Practice & Feedback
- IELTS Online Personalised Class
- IELTS Writing Sample Answers
- IELTS Speaking Sample Answers
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.