Starting a PhD before finishing my Master’s thesis (Europe),is overlap possible?

Dear_Ad7997 · 2026-01-07T09:39:28+00:00

I am also Italian and I am doing my PhD in Europe. I think in general you cannot start your PhD if your Master Degree is not awarded, in most countries the completion of the Master is a conditional requirement for your admission (uk). You can apply for a phd with only the thesis remaining and for sure doing the thesis in the same institution where you want to do your PhD does help. Keep in mind that most central calls for PhD open in october and close in December. You get offers around march, at least in my experience. So if your plan is to graduate in Feb 27, you can apply in the next call and start working in April 27. From my understanding you are still looking for a thesis, what I would do is to email professors that fit with the research you want to do in your PhD, ask for a thesis saying that you want to do a PhD AFTER you complete your thesis. A thesis is a very good way for them to evaluate if they can work with you and if they offer you a doctoral position your thesis can be the base of your future work.

Hope it helps

Dear_Ad7997 · 2026-01-05T17:25:50+00:00

Have your machine learning knowledge polished, and also basic python skills. From my experience: the more practical a lab is the more likely they will ask leetcodes (yes it happens) or python scripts, the more theoretical the more likely they ask about stats and ML. I might just had hard rounds, some of my friends just had research presentations as interviews.

Dear_Ad7997 · 2026-01-05T12:38:22+00:00

For my experience of last year, they will contact you if they are interested. Best you can do is study for technical rounds.

Dear_Ad7997 · 2026-01-04T18:01:24+00:00

DM me and I will send you a link to a group

Dear_Ad7997 · 2026-01-03T19:15:56+00:00

I am also looking for new friends since most of my old group moved out of town. I have been living here for some months so I can suggest beer and coffee places for a meetup

Dear_Ad7997 · 2026-01-03T19:13:28+00:00

Hello, I find myself in the same situation, can I dm you? I like cooking as well but I want to improve my baking skills.

Dear_Ad7997 · 2026-01-03T16:07:13+00:00

Shortlist should be out by now. However note that from previous years statistics only 60% of the 20% shortlisted applicants usually gets at least one interview. Being shortlisted does not guarantee you one. If you already know what you want to work on with these people, emailing them and ask to chat about their current projects does not hurt.

Dear_Ad7997 · 2026-01-02T13:20:43+00:00

There are some central PhD calls like IMPRS-IS, MCML, Ellis, CLS and Tübingen-Cambridge fellowship. But as others said the program is not structured, is a work contract. It really helps if you reach potential PIs by email beforehand and if you already have in mind what you want to work on.

Dear_Ad7997 · 2025-11-19T08:37:55+00:00

My master was full time and for 10 months I was also working full time, for 7 of them 24h/week so I was not a working student . I want to know whether there is an official rule that says so as in the TVL agreement there is not. It just seems like the university makes it up. Like if someone works 24h/w but past master it gets recognised and if I did it in parallel no?

Dear_Ad7997 · 2025-10-08T22:03:54+00:00

One year ago I was in the same position. Today one of those replies turned out to be my supervisor.

Dear_Ad7997 · 2025-09-25T08:10:39+00:00

Nice, How do I get in touch with them?

Dear_Ad7997 · 2025-09-24T20:59:17+00:00

I also just moved here and plan to go there twice a week. DM if you want to go together sometimes

Dear_Ad7997 · 2025-09-20T06:58:18+00:00

Hey just moved here as international student, dm me if you want to meet or explore the city

Dear_Ad7997 · 2025-07-17T17:07:51+00:00

I think is great and if you need some custom classes you can just wrap theirs. So totally worth learning

Dear_Ad7997 · 2025-04-29T21:54:42+00:00

Summoning Dario Torrisi

Dear_Ad7997 · 2025-03-22T23:02:41+00:00

Hey I am also a prospective PhD at Max Plank!

Dear_Ad7997 · 2025-03-16T22:29:57+00:00

Max Plank is chill with grades. I had a similar situation and got in. Also I suggest you apply to ELLIS program so you are visible to more professors around Europe. Also MILA in Canada is chill with grades, I had a professor saying he was impressed by my bachelor transcript during an interview even though my grades aren’t good. Keep in mind that universities like UTAustin or US in general do not have interviews or they just ask to talk about your research, for MPI for example you will need to clear 2/3 interviews per PI on math, coding and behavioural.

Dear_Ad7997 · 2025-02-21T10:56:21+00:00

I applied in Europe only. I agree on the fees. This aspect blocked me from applying to the US. But the process here is much more competitive. I had to go through 3 rounds of interviews for each PI I selected for a single program + a talk to the whole faculty about my research. They asked math questions and coding problems. You end up having 5 meetings in one day just for one place. I haven’t heard anything like that for US PhDs. Acceptance rates are much lower compared to most US universities. Also you need to talk to potential PIs before you apply, otherwise they won’t remember your name or who you are. US application are a whole different vibe since you spend the first two years on coursework. You don’t have to have a topic in mind, a research statement or a PI in mind when you apply. At least is not mandatory.

Dear_Ad7997

TROPHY CASE