₦airaland Forum

Dam12:
I don't think so snc he's in germany already nd he's just going to sort the block acct ish with branch in the new state. I know he was successful in his transfer and he's starting all over nw in cologne

willy2000:
Check out Humboldt, Maybe they give out scholarships for PhD. I only know of post doc.

Obiwannn:
Bro, first and foremost, I read a lot of pessimism in this write-up. What makes you think you cannot get a straight scholarship/R.A fund without having to go through the paid route first?
Secondly, when mentioning possible PHd or even MSc destinations, biko don't mention UK. Those guys are just after your money as their educational sector is one of the major if not the major stream of income for their economy.
Thirdly, Aussie and New Zeland have not been known for MSc/PHD funding anyway, although they have some schools with scholarships that can only be accessed purely on merit.
Fourthly, I don't know where you got your info from, but the US is the numero uno when it comes to PHD funding. I think you need to do more research and don't look at Ivy league schools only.
Last but not the least, even if I get the money, I would not self sponsor myself for a PHD. No, I would not try that. I would rather do a 2nd Msc, free tuition of course, then go find job hustle...

Alles gut mein freund!

Obiwannn:
but why should one spend his/her own money on a PhD in a developed country? It beats my imagination.

Williams, only you de flex for Kiel baaa...diarizzzzzzzzzzzzzzGod oh!

takeastep:
I am really happy for you. I pray everything works out perfectly. The admission is the main thing for you now. Once you get that, you are good to go.

I tell you, there are many funding opportunities for Phd students here, and you have 90% chance of being recruited as a research assistant while your programme is on. So you might end up not spending your money for the whole duration of the programme.

Truth be told, if you get your Phd here, you don blow be that. Just keep it real and be yourself. Baba God full ground for you.

Keep me updated. Cheers!

Cindino20:
Because in my 18mths here in Germany I ve nt seen a self funded phd candidate...Its either you re on scholarship or a university employee..Truth be told graduate sch is no beans and your research will ve an impact on society so its fair for phd students to get stipends or part time contract (Research or teachin assistants).

Also the cost of living for a phd students is nt same as a masters student..you will get the semester ticket to move around after paying your semester contribution but I doubt if you will qualify for subsidized accommodation by the studentenwerk ( varies from sch to sch). Your insurance premium will also be different cos Aok will nt accept you as a student .and your health insurance will nt be 81 euros...Unless you opt for private which I strongly advise against.so you see the cost per yr will be above 8K euros multiply by 3.5yrs thats abt 28k euros...If most europeans re to pay this money they wont go near the university...they cant afford it simple as abc...you need to see the shock in my classmate face when I told him I had to deposit 8k euros in a blocked account before comin to germany..his response ur parents must be very rich ( fear nor go even let me tell am say na me fund myself).

AFAIK as a phd candidate you re required to attend at least one conference per yr ..and also make presentations and publish papers( Journal fees re on the increase )...in ur case as self funded student who will incure this cost?

Also the idea of you workin and doing a phd will nt fly....Phd thesis is an original research and requires devotion ...People who re funded and devote all their time finish their phd in 3 yrs, some more and take abt 6mths to write the thesis before the disputation...in total we lookin at 4yrs.

Excuse my rants....in Summary...

I understand your zeal to come over to Germany for a doctorate degree..but please do not allow anyone to take advantage of you...In a country where masters students writing thesis are been paid I see no reason why you shld start a phd self funded.my advise is this.

Search for more supervisors in your field and send unsolicited applications .......there is alot of money flying around in sciences..and you will get a position ..I m sure of that because you C.V must be good for your current supervisor to even consider you.

Search for new graduate schs and research insitutes and check open positions.

Check research insistutes like

Max planck
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft
Hitec

Visit the daad webpage there re loads of scholarhip offers there...your supervisor can apply for some for you.

I will check some for you and post them here.


I hope this helps.

All the best Man

P.S at this stage (after your masters) you deserve to be paid to read any material or do any research

Cindino20:
Interesting....if I may ask what field.....also check this webpage for positions


myscience.de
Indeed.de


Explore ur options..doing a phd with self fundin is not ideal in Germany.


All the best man

Cindino20:
Well most pple on this board re mssters student hence phd discussion is almost non existent ...search for takeastep..he is doing his doctorate (probezeit) in Hamburg I think

Phd is viewed as a job in Germany..and phd candidates re employed by the uni or research institutes ( 50% or 75% TV-L 13)...some re awarded scholarships by Graduate schs( new sys) or bodies such as DFG, Marie Curie etc..I doubt if any sch will allow you to start a phd with private funding...cos it takes abt 3-4-yrs. In some schs it is stated that private fundin is not allowed this is done to prevent students from droppin out due to financial constrains.

If you re awarded scholarship you may nt be allowed to work ( clause of scholarship so you can concentrate on your studies) ..if as a research assistant in the uni you wont ve the time to work ( I doubt if its allowed) cos you will spend some time workin in the unu and the rest o n your thesis

So my advise is this discuss it with your prof abt funding.. its a big issue...

Also check out some scholarships using this webpage.

http://www.mystipendium.de/

All the best.

Walesby:
RA would be cool since u will be working directly with your professor.buh I willl b honest; Jobs in the city requires knowledge of German Language except for some menial Jobs (hustling). However as a Phd guy, u shld b able to secure a RA position. Na ur prof u go hold for neck.

Walesby:
Well, its a capital City and arguably the most beautiful city in Germany. Nigerians around, I doubt it.. Haven't seen any... Mayb a number of blacks around the main street (Neustadt and Allstadt) but not Nigerians.

What I can say for sure is things are super cheap here mehn...Including accomodatn.. Aside that, its a kinda boring city if u don't speak German..U will be Vexed all the time...

Walesby:
Who's in Dresden or Leipzig...Cultural Shock is affecting me..

victz:
What I asked was just a question. You answered as if one does not know the importance of abolition of tuition fee. That the issue of accommodation should be looked into does not warrant such response.

takeastep:
Thank @takeastep. I started looking for a potential PhD supervisor from my MSc days in the UK. I finished my MSc in the UK in 2012,so for 2 and a half years I have been searching and sending emails to professors in Germany. Finally,one has agreed to supervise me if I have my own funding. I have responded her telling her that I have my own funding. She's away in Russia on a business trip at the moment and will sign the document that shows she is willing to supervise my PhD when she returns next week. So,my application form should get to the international office in October. I intend to start the PhD in April, 2016.

I hope it works out well.

Guess i should give a bit of info here.

There are actually 2 ways in which you can get Phd slot here in Germany:

1. By applying for advertised Phd positions in your area of interest. That can be found on Daad here: https://www.daad.de/deutschland/promotion/phd/en/13306-phdgermany-database/ They are mostly fully funded. Just follow the instructions and apply.

2. You need to connect with a potential supervisor that works in your area of interest. Now this is quite difficult. Because, you need to search for schools that do research in you area of interest, then visit their websites and track down the names and contact addresses of as many professors as you wish. Then send them mails, asking them to supervise you. You can send to as many as you wish. Meanwhile, you must get your well packaged CV and research proposal ready. Send both alongside the mails. Then wait for response. Most times these professors do have funding opportunities that are not known to the public, just waiting for capable students that can take them on. But you have to be very patient. your replies may not come in soon. But summer holiday is your best bet. They are less busy now!

In my own case, i was quite lucky. Because my ex-lecturer had his Phd here, so fortunately i was also interested in the area similar to what he worked on. I spoke with him, he then connected me with the man i'm working with now.
I sent an e-mail to him with the documents i mentioned earlier. After some time he responded. It took a while though, but i was patient. After showing interest in me, he then later suggested i bring up a proposal in another area of research different from what i earlier sent but inter-related. I didnt waste time, i prepared it and send within 48 hours. We chatted back and forth for over a year before i landed here. I tried applying for Daad scholarship through his assistance but didnt make it (going for it again this year)

You need to sell yourself to any potential supervisor. Package your CV very well. Thats the only thing that tells them who you are and what you can do!

Doing another Master? Well it may sound like an easier route because once you are in the system already, it's far easier to pursue your Phd study directly. There arent many students doing that, so opportunities abound.

However, why waste another 2 years doing Masters again...except if its in another area, i dont think its necessary. Why not just chill, take your time and follow the process i highlighted. If nothing comes up by the end of this year, then you can think of using the Masters option.

Hope this helps!