thanks mamatt, actually my very first choice is pursuing in UK (UMIST actually) but now a day, the government (who sponsored me) has limited the quote to only the top 10 universities (Harvard, oxford...etc) soo....i have to find other places instead of UK. Yes, currently im from USM (Universiti Sains Malaysia) and most of the universities in germany does not recognize my university. Last time my friend has send an application to IKV aachen and it came back asking him to do another master instead of Phd. i realise the trouble i have to face if i choose to go to germany but...some of the research they have done there really impress me. i was also consider to go to japan....but from my friend experience end up sleeping, bathing, even eating in the lab...if not...he came around 8am and go back at 3am even weekends and the supervisor always checking on you on what you do, where you go and ....i dont want my life to be miserable as he was (but he came back with tons of international publication but still i dont want my life to be that way)....hemmmm.....really headache here? Do you have any friends who is doing their phd now in germany?

Thanks Satchi, for ur advise. Last time im also interested of pursuing my phd in japan but change my mind after several cause. hemmm...i really have to think twice then..... thanks anyway

hi....im azura from Malaysia, im currently a master by research student and will complete my thesis soon. i plan to further my phd in Germany but there are few matters that bother me! does it take up to 4 to 5 years to complete a phd in Germany? coz i plan to do my phd in 3 years time (since the scholarship i have only provide me for only 3 years....if not i have to find other countries). Even i already have a master......do i need to do another master in Germany before qualify to do a phd? i really need an opinion or advise here.