PhDs in the US have a minimum requirement of residence that books you for at least four years anywhere. Many students, however, spend many more years at the institution, and many not out of choice. Some spent 10 and 11 years just in a PhD program; they did not become star professors, if you suspect that, some fared well, others not so well thereafter. After these 10 years, they did not get a tenure job right away, but all of them had to spend exactly three years teaching very low-level courses full-time at very, very small colleges. Of those few who made it into a good university thereafter, not all became professors, some where terminated and ended up working in business.

In the UK the process seems to be more streamlined and time-conscious. The minimum requirement - often two years - just underlines this formally.

You can always change continents after graduation. There are many UK PhD graduates in the US working in academics.

Hi there,

Does anyone know if there is a US site comparable to the postgrad forum?
The US badly needs a forum such as this one.

Age depends on what country you are in. If you are in some European countries, you are dead when you turn 30. If you are in the US, you can still be hot and fresh at 50, provided you don't mind poverty.

UK ? It looked so open and light, but in fact one can do nothing in the UK without British citizenship, a large purse, or a citizenship that offers decent funding.

You should make the decision on what feels right for your life. I made my decision at about your age or slightly later. It was a major shock financially/living standard-wise. What I did not anticipate was the total lack of any form of sophistication in my chosen field. It took me aback by three years. I am heading off to another masters and subsequent phd in a totally different field this year.

So choose wisely.