What is a direct or integrated PhD in foreign universities like the USA?

Direct PhD also known as integrated PhD program is the PhD course done immediately after graduation (B. Tech, B. Pharma, B. Architecture, MBBS, BDS) without the need of Master degrees (M. Tech, MS, M Pharma). The graduation program for direct or integrated PhD must be of four years duration. B. Sc and BCA which are typically three years courses may not be eligible to pursue Direct PhD or Integrated PhD courses in foreign universities like USA. There are various reasons why candidate prefer to do direct PhD or integrated PhD without first doing masters. Direct PhD or integrated PhD programs in foreign universities especially USA is very good course for Indian students for numerous reasons.

Direct PhD or Integrated PhD programs are also available in IITs where students with good academic credentials can directly join direct PhD programs without first having master degrees with them.

Advantages of Direct PhD/Integrated PhD from abroad (USA/ Australia)

There are numerous advantages of doing direct PhD or integrated PhDs from USA or Australia as mentioned below:

1. You get very good scholarships in fully funded PhDs and you start earning and saving from very first semester as you join the course. Typically, the scholarship varies between $2000 to $4000 depending upon the universities and their location. Universities in big cities like New York offer good scholarships more than $3000 per month. Entire expenditure in PhD is typically $1500 per month which simply means you end up saving around $1000 per month. This saving is significant in terms of Indian currencies. Indian students can send back around Rs 70K per month to their homes. You end up saving lots of money of your parents if you get into fully funded direct PhD or integrated PhD in US universities
2. The learning in direct PhD or integrated PhD will be far more than that in MS due to the duration of course and your proximity to professors and your engagements in his project lab and research group. You typically spend minimum 4.5 years in direct PhD/ Integrated PhD in United States of America (USA) and minimum 3 years in Australia. This time duration helps you to upskill yourself in field of your interest and makes you more suitable for foreign universities.
3. If you are looking for great salaries, good jobs and stable research or academic career, direct PhD or integrated PhD can be great option for you. After so many years of learning in particular field, working on some industrial project, you become an asset for the industry and enjoy stable job in your field. You typically get more than $12K per month after PhD compared to $6K per month after MS program from foreign universities. Not only initial salaries difference is one reason but also career growth depends on the degree. After PhD degree, you always get better promotions and opportunities in the industries.
4. Options of both jobs in industries as well as academia are available after PhD from foreign universities. Typically, 80% of candidates after PhD tend to join industrial R&D jobs and the rest go for academic and entrepreneurial options. That simply means, you have more options at hand after PhD.
5. Many of Indian students also want to keep option of coming back to India in future and enjoy good career here. PhD degree not only helps you to get R&D jobs in top MNCs back home but premium institutes like IITs, IISc IIIT and NIT look for PhD from foreign universities. If you have done good research work then your chances are better to get good jobs.
6. Research facilities and opportunities to go for fully funded conferences in foreign universities are also more in direct PhD programs compared to MS.
7. Research publications carrying names of foreign professors will have more probability of getting accepted and published.
8. International exposure is maximum during the direct or integrated PhD programs from top global institutes
9. The money you save per month during direct or integrated PhD from foreign universities in USA and Australia are more than the salary you may get while serving in top PSUs in India and financially you are better off during such programs in foreign universities
10. You get global career both in academia as well as industries.

Options of Direct/Integrated PhD in foreign nations

Most of the direct PhD opportunities are available in USA followed by Australia. In USA most of the MS/PhD opportunities are advertised by the professors as single advertisement. There is no special advertisement for direct or integrated PhD position in USA. Depending upon your academic and research credentials and background either you may get MS or Direct PhD. Professor in USA and Australia select you on the basis of your research background rather than degrees. Hence B. Tech individual with good academic background and good research experience may get into direct PhD program instead of MS.

Typical Duration of Direct/Integrated PhD in foreign Universities (USA & Australia)

As far as USA universities are concerned, the typical duration to complete direct PhD takes minimum 4.5 years and can be completed in 5 years. Duration depends upon many factors like your pace of completion of research work etc. If you feel at any stage that you don’t want to pursue with long duration PhD program, you have option to convert it into MS program after 2 years.

In Australian Universities, it may take 3.5 years to complete Direct PhD. The duration required to complete PhD program in Australian universities is lesser than USA universities.

Typical Scholarship in Direct PhD in foreign Universities

The range of scholarship offered to students during direct/ integrated PhD in fully funded programs in USA universities is $2000 to $4000. On an average it can be around $2700 per month. Typical monthly expenditure of candidate in these countries is $1500 and hence he/she can end up saving around $1000 per month.

In Australian Universities, the scholarship offered during direct PhD is typically around $2000 (Australian). The saving in Australia is lesser than that in USA universities. It may also be due to difference in the currency conversion rates between two nations.

Credential required for Direct/Integrated PhD in USA/Australia

Typical credentials required for pursuing PhD after B. Tech or other graduation programs are mentioned below:

1. Good CGPA preferably more than 8.5
2. Background of good college (IIT, NIT, IIIT, BIT, VIT……)
3. Good research work (research publication required in Australia not in USA)
4. Clarity or research interest
5. Projects/ Internships in related research fields

Good internships (from industries or academic institutes) are really helpful.

Can students from ordinary colleges think of pursing Direct PhD from Foreign Universities?

Yes, the most important credential required to pursue direct PhD from foreign universities is the research background of the student. If professor is convinced that your have done good research work in undergrad in the form of projects and internships then certainly you will be considered for fully funded direct PhD programs.

Research publication in journals etc is NOT required in USA but it is preferred in Australia.

How to get direct PhD or integrated PhD opportunities in foreign universities

To get the opportunities for fully funded direct PhDs or integrated PhDs in foreign universities, there is need to approach the professors of these universities through mails or on LinkedIn. You need to convince then that your research work matches with the research work going on in their research groups. If the professor is convinced that your presence will be helpful in the research group then probability of your selection will be very high. You can only impress professors through your research and academic background and its linkage with that of his research group.

What is WARM MAILING and how is this different from Cold Mailing

Cold mailing is said to be the best way to get opportunities of PhD from the foreign professors. But WARM mailing is far better way compared to cold mailing. Cold mailing is when you start sending mails to hundreds of professors telling them about your interest and credentials and seek opportunities to work with them in PhD.

Warm mailing is the mailing where you convince professors through your knowledge about the research work of that particular professor. Warm mailing is focused on individual professor. It is tailor made mail for particular professor mentioning his research work and may be publications. Professor can identify himself with the Warm Mail and it may get converted into Hot mail. The probability of positive response from professor on your warm mail is very high.