How to Apply for a PhD Abroad

Career planning is one of the most crucial activities students engage in after completing their education, especially after earning a master’s. On many occasions, there is still a lot one can learn about the chosen field by doing a PhD. It is the best option for those who want to explore novel areas of study and education in-depth. But how to apply for a PhD in foreign university is the one topic that is constantly on a student’s mind.

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Why is PhD important and how to apply for a PhD abroad?

A wide range of career options, both in India and abroad, can be unlocked by finishing your PhD. Choosing an international university to do your PhD has several advantages. Some of the well-known benefits of obtaining a PhD overseas are listed below:

1. Students can look out for fresh possibilities and novel experiences.
2. They can also apply for scholarships, which will reduce their tuition costs.
3. Students have the choice of learning about the culture of the new nation.
4. Additionally, it facilitates networking.
5. It helps students learn from the top professors in the world.
6. It offers a selection of various research packages for the user to choose from.
7. A PhD from a university with international renown improves job prospects.

A guide on how to apply for a PhD in foreign universities is provided below.

Which 5 PhD Streams are Most Popular?

There are no restrictions on the disciplines in which a student can pursue a PhD. Some streams pay better and are in higher demand than others. Here are the top 5 PhD streams to take into account as you decide to apply for a PhD abroad:

1. Political Science 
2. Economics
3. Physical Therapy 
4. Chemistry
5. Psychology

Top 5 Countries to Apply for PhD

United States of America

The USA is the best country to apply to for a PhD because of the high quality of education there. In addition, the USA provides a wide range of subject options, exposing overseas students to numerous research initiatives. Gaining expertise in the specialized subject of study can be facilitated by a PhD from the United States.

The top 5 US universities and their most popular PhD programs are:

Sno.	Name of the University	Popular PhD program	Fees	Ranking (QS 2023)
1.	Harvard University	Political Science (Doctor of Philosophy)	$52,456	5
2.	Stanford University	Elementary Education	$56487	3
3.	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	Behavioral and Policy Sciences	$28795 per semester	1
4.	California Institute of Technology	Doctor of Philosophy	$97886+	6
5.	Yale University	Arts and Science	$46900	18

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Germany

German universities offer top-notch facilities to international students, making them a center for higher education. Renowned German universities and colleges also provide thesis-based research degrees. Every year, Germany awards more than 29,000 PhD degrees to international students. The top 5 German universities that grant PhDs are shown below:

Sno.	Name of the University	Popular PhD program	Fees	Ranking (THE 2023)
1.	Technical University of Munich	Doctorate in TechnoScience Studies	No fee	30
2.	Ludwig-Maximilians-University	Doctoral Program Environment and Society	No fee	33
3.	Heidelberg University	Humanities, Social Science and Law	EURO 1500 per semester	43
4.	Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin	Medicine	315,64 €	73
5.	Humboldt University Berlin	Berlin-Brandenburg School for Regenerative Therapies	No fee	86

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United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is well known for its elite educational system and a broad range of degree programs. Several of the top universities in the world are located in the UK, which makes it popular with students from other countries. The top 5 institutions where international students can pursue a Ph.D. are as follows:

Sno.	Name of the University	Popular PhD program	Fees	Ranking (THE 2023)
1.	University of Oxford	Ancient History – DPhil	£28,020	1
2.	University of Cambridge	PhD in Aerosol Science	£53,341	3
3.	Imperial College London	Engineering	£ 27,500	10
4.	UCL	Centre for Multidisciplinary and Intercultural Inquiry, Research Degree	£22,230	22
5.	University of Edinburgh	Accounting (PHD)	£24,800	29

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Canada

A Canadian PhD entails training and research with some of the top academics. Like the United States, Canada is renowned for its cutting-edge educational facilities for international students. A student can take advantage of several internship possibilities and post-study work visa programs shortly after completing their studies. The top 5 Canadian universities offering PhD programs are as follows:

Sno.	Name of the University	Popular PhD program	Fees	Ranking (THE 2023)
1.	University of Toronto	Arts and Science	$8,735.99	18
2.	University of British Columbia	Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership	$3,130.70 (installment based)	40
3.	McGill University	Doctor of Philosophy	$2845 per semester	46
4.	McMaster University	Doctor of Business	$6307 per year	85
5.	University of Montreal	Communication	$7304 per year	111

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Australia

Australia is one of the best options for research-based programs for any PhD student. The country also offers a variety of scholarships for international students and boasts world-class infrastructure with the highest completion rates for PhDs. Additionally, students at Australian universities can choose to pursue PhD in some of the most offbeat and innovative fields. Some of the top universities offering PhD programs are as follows:

Sno.	Name of the University	Popular PhD program	Fees	Ranking (THE 2023)
1.	University of Melbourne	Doctor of Philosophy	AUD$206,886	34
2.	Monash University	Business	$33700	44
3.	University of Queensland	Architecture	$37,480	53
4.	University of Sydney	Doctor of Philosophy	$51,000	54
5.	Australian National University	Doctor of Medicine and Surgery	$87,590.00	62

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How to apply in foreign universities for a PhD?

Here is a list of the paperwork students must provide to apply to one of the overseas universities. The paperwork would vary from country to country and from university to university.

1. A master’s degree earned from a recognized university.
2. GRE scores (For courses/ universities that require GRE, a score above 310+ is considered to be good, although the minimum score for different sections may differ for each program/ university)
3. IELTS proficiency test results (an IELTS score of 6.5 overall is generally required, with at least 6.0 in each of the four components).
4. Letter of recommendation
5. Transcripts (of secondary school education, undergraduate degree, and graduate degree)
6. Statement of Purpose

How to apply for a PhD abroad with a scholarship?

The top 5 scholarships for Indian students interested in pursuing a PhD at a foreign university are listed below:

Sno.	Name of the Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount Covered	Duration
1.	Destination Australia Program	Studying at a regional institute in Australia	Up to $15,000 per year	4 years
2.	Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships	Exceptional academic merits, research potential, and leadership skills.	CAD 50,000	3 years
3.	Friedrich Naumann Foundation for International Students	Academic merit and relevance of the research proposal	€800 to €1200 per month	Up to 3 years
4.	AAUW International Women’s Fellowship	Women scholars of non-US citizenship who intend to return to their home country.	$20,000–$50,000 a year	1 year
5.	DAAD Scholarship Germany	Two years of work experience, academic merit, and german language requirements	Currently, € 1,200 (It includes  monthly scholarship payment and travel allowance. It might also include health, accident, and personal liability insurance)	1 year

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Conclusion

A Ph.D.  is an exceptional qualification that requires a lot of attention on the part of the students and guidance from an excellent university that values research. Therefore, students need to understand how to get admission in PhD abroad at some top universities. The facts in this post will help you determine which nation will be the best and why.

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