PhD Study in Europe

Europe combines a long academic tradition with modern, well-funded research systems. Many PhD students benefit from low or no tuition fees, strong public investment, and access to major international funding programmes such as those supported by the European Union.

We’ve put together a range of guides below that explain the different ways to study a PhD in Europe. These cover country-specific options as well as practical topics like European Higher Education Area, ECTS credits, PhD fees and visa requirements, helping you compare destinations and decide where to apply.

PhD study within the European Higher Education Area

The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) includes 49 countries, such as all EU members and the UK. These countries follow the Bologna Process, which sets a shared structure for university degrees.

In short:

• Bachelors degrees are first-cycle degrees, usually taking three years
• Masters degrees are second-cycle degrees, usually taking two years
• Doctorates (such as PhDs) are third-cycle degrees, usually taking three to four years

Degrees from one EHEA country are recognised in the others, making it easier to study, research or work across Europe.

What does the Bologna Process mean for PhDs?

PhDs aren’t all the same across Europe. There’s no fixed length or structure, and programmes may include extra training alongside your research.

That said, the system has some clear benefits:

• A Masters degree is usually recognised across Europe
• Your PhD will be recognised in other EHEA countries
• Some programmes award ECTS credits for training courses
• PhD students are treated as early career researchers, not just students
• Universities are encouraged to offer funding, training and mobility
• You may have the chance to spend part of your PhD in another European country

What is the European Research Area?

The European Research Area (ERA) was formed after the European Higher Education Area to help coordinate research activities across the EU and other associated countries. ERA members benefit from substantial framework funding programmes such as Horizon Europe, which can help create opportunities for PhD training.

ECTS credits for PhD study in Europe

Most degree programmes in Europe are measured using the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation Scheme (ECTS). This is one of the reasons that degrees can be recognised across the EHEA as all qualifications at the same cycle are ‘worth’ the same number of credits.

• Bachelors degrees are normally worth 180 ECTS credits
• Masters degrees are normally worth 120 ECTS credits

Each credit represents a certain amount of learning hours for a course, with a year of study usually being worth 60 credits. The independent research that makes up a PhD is harder to measure using this system. This means that doctoral degrees don’t usually have a total ECTS credit value.

However, ECTS credits are sometimes used to measure training units and modules as part of more structured PhDs. Some of these courses have a minimum credit requirement that students must meet before they begin working on their thesis. This number is usually quite small (around 20-30 credits, or half a year’s worth of work).

Qualification recognition

The Bologna Process makes it easier for degrees to be recognised across Europe. This is especially helpful if you completed a Masters in one European country and are applying for a PhD in another.

European systems can also help with degrees earned outside Europe. Each country in the European Higher Education Area has a National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC), which works as part of the ENIC-NARIC network. This network helps assess foreign qualifications and confirm whether they meet PhD entry requirements.

Your university may use ENIC-NARIC to check your qualifications, or you may be able to contact the service yourself. Just keep in mind that the final admission decision always rests with the university, not the recognition service. 

PhD fees and funding in Europe

PhD fees in Europe vary by country, as each sets its own rules. However, EU countries must charge students from other EU states the same fees as their own citizens.

This equal-fee rule often also applies to students from:

• EEA countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway)
• Switzerland

Students from outside Europe may pay higher fees, but not always. Some countries charge no PhD tuition fees at all, regardless of nationality. Details vary, so it’s worth checking the country guides linked above.

Funding usually follows the same rules as fees. If you pay local fees, you’ll often have access to the same funding options, such as loans or bursaries.

PhD students may also be eligible for larger European funding schemes, including Erasmus+ and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which support research, training and study across multiple countries.

Visas for PhD study in Europe

Whether you need a visa for a PhD in Europe usually depends on your nationality and the country you plan to study in.

EU/EEA and Swiss students don’t need a visa to enter other member countries and can stay up to 90 days. You will need to register locally and obtain a residence permit to complete your PhD. The process and name of the permit vary by country.

Other international students generally need a student visa to enter and a residence permit to stay long-term.

Rules and exceptions differ by country, so check the relevant guides or contact your university’s international office if you’re unsure.

Schengen visas

The Schengen Area is a border-free zone in Europe, allowing travel between member countries without passport checks.

EU students can travel freely across Schengen countries for up to 90 days.

Other international students usually need a separate Schengen visa to visit other countries while completing a PhD. The visa for your study country does not automatically allow travel across Schengen.

This can be useful for research trips or leisure travel. More information is available on the European Commission’s Schengen Visa website.

Tips from the Author

Starting a PhD in Europe can be a lot, so plan early for applications and visas. Check funding options like Erasmus+ or MSCA scholarships and make the most of mobility opportunities as they can boost your research. Even if your course is in English, learning a few local phrases makes life easier. And don’t be afraid to ask current students or alumni for tips, they know the drill!