Overview of Loubigher on PostgraduateForum.com

Overview of Loubigher

Signup date: 15 Aug 2018 at 11:22am

Last login: 20 Sep 2018 at 4:14am

Post count: 13

Recent Posts

UK or Austria for PhD

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

So, I have a scholarship offer from Loughborough University in UK and I got Accepted in TU Graz in Austria.
The research topic is of my own and i found interested supervisors in both universities.

The choice is tough as I’m looking forward for a place to stay at after I finish my PhD studies and probbly work.

Any similar experience or recommendations?

Cheers Xx

Where to do my PhD Studies?

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Tudor_Queen:
Could you visit the two cities? You might just way prefer the feeling of one of them, and kinda see yourself living there! All best!

Visiting the two cities sounds like a great idea. But I can’t afford it at the moment

I have never been to the UK tho, but stepped foot in Vienna, Austria before. But Graz is in the south and definetly carries different vibes.

Anyhow I delayed starting my PhD this year so I can have sometime to think. And start in Jan 2019.

The choice is still tough Loughborough or TU Graz

I truly hope I make a choice i won’t regret

Where to do my PhD Studies?

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Yeah i should check with my supervisors then how the 4th year would be handled.
Thanks for all your insights. :))) I’m glad to hear opinions here and there. It opens up my mind to make a better decision
Even tho, I have no clue between wich to choose. UK or Austria. But I hope I make a good decision in the end that I won’t regret.
Many thanks :)

Where to do my PhD Studies?

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Quote From TreeofLife:

Quote From Loubigher:
But i believe in UK the phd is more structured and more arranged to be done if the student is capable in 3 years timeline.

However in Austria or other parts of Europe it could be a bit more relaxed and avaiblilty to meet the supervisors is less so i might end up finishing my phd in 4 years rather than 3! /

I've only known a couple of students that have finished their PhD within 3 years in the UK. I'd say 90-95% (probably 99%) take 4 years to finish, even if they only have 3 years funding, so bear that in mind.

That sounds a bit more disappointing as the tuition fees are super expensive for international students, considering the fact I will need a 4th year to finish my PhD sounds tremendous, I think I could focus and concentrate on finishing up in 3 years as much as I could. Otherwise I wont be able to afford it.

Where to do my PhD Studies?

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Nad75:
From personal experience, it would be best to avoid China if you could, if your expected career will be outside of the region. (Although the Unis in the mainland and HK rarely hire their own, as a foreign degree carries more capital to attract students.) I know many who graduated from University of Hong Kong with thesis awards, glowing letters of recommendation and publications that exceed what is expected of entry-level in US & UK, however employers are hesitant at the quality of the degree. Rejected at every place, even for part-time hours. And this is for Hong Kong, which passes the world rankings for mainland universities. Academic scholarship is also tightly controlled in China, I think Cambridge University Publishers got pulled out once, as well as blackouts for some journals. This would greatly restrict your freedom of research and writing. This has happened in Universities in the mainland that have strong links to the UK unis, but unfortunately must play by the rules of Beijing. So, there are several long-term factors that may help you in your decision.

ya I think Im slipping China out of my options! Thanks for your insight Nad75 :)

Where to do my PhD Studies?

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Quote From eng77:

Quote From Tudor_Queen:

And us Brits are a friendly bunch on average!

Hi. This is absolutely true. The image of Brits outside is totally wrong. You don't realise the value of the UK before you go there.
One important thing in assessing the supervisor and the PhD. The supervisor interaction with you. Will he the kind of pushy and asks every day what are doing or will he leaves you alone with minimal or no guidance? And to assess which quality is good and which is bad, are you the kind of person who works effectively independant (because I am personally not)? So if you need someone to push you, do not go with the supervisor with minimal interaction and the opposite is true if you work better independently.

Im self motivated and normally can push myself for work without supervision :) so i wouldnt mind this part wen it comes to my supervisor I guess. Most probbly I would prefer to have a supervisor who could be at least avaible when I need some direction

Where to do my PhD Studies?

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Tudor_Queen:

Quote From Loubigher:

And Tudor_queen, wen i was being interviewd by Loughborough professors theys eemed super friendly and less formal than I expected. Maybe cause of the fact they arent originally british I don’t know ! But i believe in UK the phd is more structured and more arranged to be done if the student is capable in 3 years timeline.

This is normal! We are way less hierarchical / formal in academia compared to many European countries. That's what I was trying to say - it's a big positive of the UK.

And us Brits are a friendly bunch on average!

Good luck in your decision!

Thank you Tudor_Queen :)

Where to do my PhD Studies?

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Quote From Tudor_Queen:
Hi! How exciting to have those offers! I think I'd go for China myself! But if you really aren't fussed per se which one you go to - then consider the two most important issues: supervisor and project. If there are any doubts surrounding EITHER ONE of these two things, rule that one out. If you aren't sure - you have 2 weeks to try found out more! Speak to existing students, look at their publications to see if they are productive researchers who know how to publish and help their students to publish... Who is most responsive and helpful when it comes to email correspondence? These things are all very important. If all things are equal... pieces of paper in a hat? :D
Hope that helps!

Where to do my PhD Studies?

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

Btw. Tudor_queen one more thing. I have been living in Malaysia for the past 6 years hehe so moving out to China does not sound very exciting, as i have been living in asia for a very quite long time :$

Where to do my PhD Studies?

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

I see what Eng777 tryinf to say. Yea I’m looking for a new home. But as i hear off It’s hard to find jobs in the UK. And normally students graduate and leave the country. Some are lucky to find jobs but i think majorities don’t? I don’t know.

At least Austria offers an extended one year visa after graduting for students to seek jobs.

And Tudor_queen, wen i was being interviewd by Loughborough professors theys eemed super friendly and less formal than I expected. Maybe cause of the fact they arent originally british I don’t know ! But i believe in UK the phd is more structured and more arranged to be done if the student is capable in 3 years timeline.

However in Austria or other parts of Europe it could be a bit more relaxed and avaiblilty to meet the supervisors is less so i might end up finishing my phd in 4 years rather than 3! I’m not sure. That’s what i hear of
But again. Theres alwasy two sides of the stories snd everyone experiences studying in the specific country differently.

Studying in China is more or less a different project requested by the Chinese gov, so i will be more of a follower rather than self initatied maybe. As the framework is kinda ready. But considering the location of Suzho city ( super polluted) 30’ mins away from Shanghai by train.

I don’t know really... i think i should really check more about the supervisors activities and the publications in austria and UK before I make a decision too! :/

Where to do my PhD Studies?

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

No I’m not an EU citizen, and why would that do a huge impact on my decision?

Where to do my PhD Studies?

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

First of all thanks for all your feedback!
And just want to highlight, The PhD research topicin UK ans Austria is the same, i mean it’s gonna be my own research proposal that i found supervisors interested in supervising this research.

The China offer is with Liverpool University collaboration, however, it’s an ongoing research that they need phd students to join up in.
It’s more or less similar to my own research proposal, however, the only difference is that it’s conducted on an Urban scale. But similary it’s under the same streams!

My most concern here isn’t the PhD studies, it’s more or less the Location. As Eng77 said, I’m worried about the professionalism and avaiblity of the supervisors and more after all as kikothedog said, social life, like i don’t wanna be stranded on the other side of the world for example in China with no social life and difficulty of speaking the language, even tho the campus is locayed near shanghai and i have been personally there. There are a huge amount of expats in thay part of China. But again. The culture is completly different.

Same goes for UK, loughborough is a very small city ans I fear living in a small city as I have been living a busy cbig city for the pasy 6 years. I have asked many about loughborough university and everyone said it’s a top notch university perfect facilitoes and all alumnis feedback is positive and seems like it’s perfect to study
there.

In austria, as i already told you guys up there, it would be a good platform to practice my german speaking as it’s getting rusty. And Graz is 2nd populated city in Austria so i guess it won’t be odd from the social life aspecf.

Here am i writing up my thoughts and hesitation. It’s quite stressful as i need to make a decision in 2 weeks so i can start applying for my visa... etc...

Where to do my PhD Studies?

Loubigher 13 posts
6 years ago

I have 2 scholarships offers, one offer from Loughborough in the UK and one from a University in china partnering with Liverpool University,(means my final cert. will be issued from Liverpool University

And a third option is to study at TU Graz in Austria. ( I’m considering Austria as I speak German and it would be a chance to practice the language.

It’s quite frustrating where to choose to move to next and wich option should be the best for PhD studies.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated.
Thank you all.

Cheers xx