Advice on decision for a US vs UK/EU PhD [Particle Physics]

[KH_137]

I recently applied to graduate programs in the US and some European positions for fall 2025. My interests are in model-building and phenomenology, especially in cosmological/astro-particle scenarios. I applied to around 14 US schools (since I could avail a waiver at half of these) and few advertised positions in Europe.

I have heard back from most US schools - I was accepted with funding at Oklahoma State University (though I am awaiting responses on my final two schools). However, last week, I was offered an STFC funded position (for 3.5 years) at Nottingham. I am also awaiting the results of an interview call at SISSA in Italy.

I already hold a Master's from my home country in South Asia. During my UK interview, I was upfront about my coursework and the areas where I felt I lacked experience, as the position seemed more formal than my previous work. Given that I was still offered the position, I assume my background was strong enough. However, I’ve heard from many that a US PhD - even from a lower-ranked school - is far superior to a European one due to its rigorous coursework and simply because "it holds more value". This makes my decision more difficult.

I personally prefer the UK offer for its research environment and a relatively calmer current experience as an international student. The funding also seems far stabler (at present). In fact, I was recently informed by OSU that some offers might be withdrawn - however, a faculty member personally reached out and assured me I was "safe". However, I’m concerned about my long-term career prospects. Would choosing a UK PhD over a US one impact my trajectory, particularly for model-building and phenomenology?

 

[gwnorth]

I would just caution you to consider both the political and financial landscapes as it pertains to university funding in the US at present, especially as an international student.

I think when evaluating the value of the US PhD vs one in the UK the more important consideration will be your supervisor and the research you work on. Which program do you think would be a better match for your research goals and would give you better opportunities to publish?

The other consideration is that a US PhD is probably going to take approximately 6 years to complete. The UK PhD will realistically take 4 years. You need to decide if taking an additional 2 years to complete your PhD would be of significant value.

 

[WWGD]

I would just caution you to consider both the political and financial landscapes as it pertains to university funding in the US at present, especially as an international student.

I think when evaluating the value of the US PhD vs one in the UK the more important consideration will be your supervisor and the research you work on. Which program do you think would be a better match for your research goals and would give you better opportunities to publish?

The other consideration is that a US PhD is probably going to take approximately 6 years to complete. The UK PhD will realistically take 4 years. You need to decide if taking an additional 2 years to complete your PhD would be of significant value.

Does the 4 vs 6 -year duration assume a more advanced starting point in the UK? Else what is the basis for the two additional years in the US?

 

[jtbell]

My understanding is that a UK PhD does not include coursework, which students do at the MSc level. A US PhD is effectively equivalent to MSc+PhD in the UK.

 

[KH_137]

I would just caution you to consider both the political and financial landscapes as it pertains to university funding in the US at present, especially as an international student.

I think when evaluating the value of the US PhD vs one in the UK the more important consideration will be your supervisor and the research you work on. Which program do you think would be a better match for your research goals and would give you better opportunities to publish?

The other consideration is that a US PhD is probably going to take approximately 6 years to complete. The UK PhD will realistically take 4 years. You need to decide if taking an additional 2 years to complete your PhD would be of significant value.

Thank you for the reply! Actually, that first point you mention is what I meant by a "relatively calmer current experience".

As for the program, the UK position is an individual project, so while I might take a couple of courses, its not broad. But I am interested in the topic and I do feel that it would be a good fit for my goals, which is more theoretical. Better opportunities to publish - well, I am not sure, but both groups are very active from what I saw.

I know that the US PhD is longer. But, as far as I understand, the first two years are devoted to graduate coursework and the actual research is the last 3 - 4 years. So, to me, it seems equivalent to doing an MSc or MS for a year or two and then doing a 3 - 4 years PhD. As I said, I will graduate with a Master's, so I have already taken graduate coursework - even if I did take a US offer, I would probably have looked to sit for the exams that are sometimes offered to waive required courses.

 

[gwnorth]

Does the 4 vs 6 -year duration assume a more advanced starting point in the UK?

Yes. Many Physics PhDs in the UK will require applicants to have previously completed a master's degree. They rarely admit straight from bachelor's unless it's to an integrated MSc/PhD (MPhil/DPhil).

Note that the official length of a PhD in the UK is often advertised as being 3.5 years, but I have heard that that rarely ends up being the case with 4 years being more common. This can be problematic since typically only 3.5 years of funding is offered meaning that students often need to find alternative sources of funding to finish up their dissertations.

 

[berkeman]

Mentor/Admin Note: An off-topic political discussion has been deleted from this thread. While it is true that the current political situation in the US can make things harder for foreign university students, that kind of discussion needs to happen over on https://civicswatch.com/ or some other discussion forum that allows political discussions.

This thread is reopened provisionally so we can try to help the OP.

 

[PeroK]

This thread is reopened provisionally so we can try to help the OP.

The travel advice for UK Citizens travelling to the US has recently been updated to the include the risk of arrest and detention. Previously, realistically the worst that could happen would have been to be denied entry.

You should comply with all entry, visa and other conditions of entry. The authorities in the US set and enforce entry rules strictly. You may be liable to arrest or detention if you break the rules.

 

[WWGD]

You don't help anyone by gaslighting them and refusing to face facts.

Facts you've provided no _ specific_ refs for , but just handwaving along the lines of " you can find serious references" doesn't qualify. Whole I don't buy into Fox and related, I don't buy either into their mirror images along the lines of Democracy now or others. Maybe you can provide _ specific_ refs, names, of students who were deported while just minding their business. People knew this deportaton of undocumented would come about with Trump, yet chose not to straighten up their situation for several months, and now they're victims. So rather than being condescending , provide _ specific_ references from 3rd party sources: no Newsmax , Fox, CNN, OANN nor MSNBC or Democracy Now, on people being forcibly deported , i.e., removed, where evidence to this effect is presented.

 

[PeroK]

Facts you've provided no _ specific_ refs for , but just handwaving along the lines of " you can find serious references" doesn't qualify. Whole I don't buy into Fox and related, I don't buy either into their mirror images along the lines of Democracy now or others. Maybe you can provide _ specific_ refs, names, of students who were deported while just minding their business.

The German government is investigating three specific cases of German citizens arrested, detained and mistreated by the US border authorities. The names are in the article.

https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/...el-advice-to-us-after-three-citizens-detained

 

[berkeman]

Thread paused again. Sorry @KH_137

 

[berkeman]

Okay, I will try reopening this thread one last time. The points about the difficult situation for non-residents of the US have already been made, and I've left the latest ones visible this time. Any further political comments will result in thread bans and potential warnings. Please let's focus on the other issues related to the OP's questions. Thank you.

 

[KH_137]

I just wanted to thank everyone for their inputs! In the end, I have decided to accept an offer I received later from SISSA in Italy; my second preference was Nottingham. SISSA has an initial year of coursework, which I thought I might need, and since the position was not tied to a specific project, it offered me a lot of flexibility. I would have loved to be a part of the US network as well, but unfortunately, at present, that seems a bit risky to me and the funding situation looked very shaky. Thanks again to everyone!