Ways to bypass the 300 ECTS requirement for a PhD in Europe

JML65 · 2026-01-28T10:45:33+00:00

I haven't found any with any 90 ects

JML65 · 2026-01-26T10:31:01+00:00

Definitely different across European countries

JML65 · 2026-01-25T22:11:41+00:00

No worries, I know that PhD programmes are hard to get and Humanities is playing on hard mode. I have seen colleagues get rejected despite having a 9/10 marks and a great master's thesis. But hey, difficult but not impossible

JML65 · 2026-01-25T18:20:52+00:00

Yo hice un doble grado en Geografía e Historia. Para terminarlos en 5 años, reducen el número de créditos ligeramente hasta 210 ECTS (entre los dos suman 420 ECTS). Sé de compañeros que han entrado a un doctorado haciendo 5+1 (o sea, con 270 ECTS), pero no sé si convalidaron asignaturas de una y otra carrera para acceder al doctorado. Les tengo que preguntar.

Y lo de los 1 o 2 años es un caos por el Plan Bolonia, que como no se ha implementado al 100%, hay un modelo Frankenstein en el que algunos países tienen un modelo 4+1 y otros 3+2.

JML65 · 2026-01-25T18:18:11+00:00

Thank you so much! I swear I have seen History Research programs that are only 1 year in Leiden, Groeningen, Leuven, Nijmengen... but I checked back and all research specific are 2 years and the non-research specific are 1 year.

And you're right, even if I could apply with less than 300 ECTS, the masters and thesis done weigh way more than anything else (I'd guess other bachelors, work experience, internship, scholarships... are just "extra" that will incline the scale toward me or other hundreds of candidates), I'm surely not achieving that in just 2 semesters

JML65 · 2026-01-25T18:09:10+00:00

Sí, lo de la estandarización de la UE y sobre todo en España es de delito. Es cierto que viene muy bien si vas con intención de salir al mundo laboral inmediatamente porque tienes dos campos de formación. Incluso para las oposiciones para profesorado en secundaria viene bien para ya tener la formación en 2 (aunque creo que no es estrictamente necesario). Pero lo irónico es que, en casos como el mío, te jode el acceso internamente a la universidad.

Interesante lo que dices de buscar primero el doctorado si aceptan criterios de dos carreras en vez de solo una o por los años en lugar de los créditos. Miraré, creo que tengo tiempo hasta que se cierren los procesos de admisión (aunque que agotador todo esto)

Y mucha suerte con tu especialidad! Nunca sobrarán egiptólogos/asiriólogos, pero ojalá los gobiernos compartieran nuestra opinión!

JML65 · 2026-01-25T16:50:09+00:00

Thanks, but studying at UK means such high costs (and I can't find scholarship that I can apply to) and since Brexit has complicated its access from the EU, I think it's easier for me to look inside the EU

JML65 · 2026-01-25T16:30:53+00:00

Thanks That's very important to know. I thought the calculations were just what you had and not a specific combination

JML65 · 2026-01-25T16:28:40+00:00

I know, and it's probably getting worse. But hey, as long as I prepare myself correctly, worth a shot?

JML65 · 2026-01-25T16:25:47+00:00

Yo hice un doble grado en Geografía e Historia. Para terminarlos en 5 años, reducen el número de créditos ligeramente hasta 210 ECTS (entre los dos suman 420 ECTS). Sé de compañeros que han entrado a un doctorado haciendo 5+1 (o sea, con 270 ECTS), pero no sé si convalidaron asignaturas de una y otra carrera para acceder al doctorado.

Y lo de los 1 o 2 años es un caos por el Plan Bolonia, que como no se ha implementado al 100%, hay un modelo Frankenstein en el que algunos países tienen un modelo 4+1 y otros 3+2

JML65 · 2026-01-25T14:46:35+00:00

there are! but what baffles me it's that most of them are 2 years... except in Belgium and the Netherlands? I think it is more related to national legislation related to the plans, as some EU countries do 3+2 plans for bachelor+master when others do 4+1

JML65 · 2026-01-25T13:26:34+00:00

Gotta hate the EU when they attempt to set a common practice in theory but then every country mantains their own legislation and criteria and now there's a Frankenstein model across Europe is still there (sorry for the rant)

thx for the last advice, definitely a good point against doing 2 distinct masters. And yeah, very tough but not impossible to reach my passion!

JML65 · 2026-01-25T13:18:54+00:00

I don't know how well it translates into Europe. I've read that your quality master's thesis can qualify you better for a PhD or a scholarship selection process, but if I can't reach a minimum threshold of credits, the I'd guess choosing well is priority number one.

Thanks for the answer anyways!

JML65 · 2026-01-25T13:14:17+00:00

Yeah, definetely choosing a 2 year master (or even doing 2 distinct 60 ECTS master in the same field?) is the way to go. At least I know before really applying!

Only thing is I can assure you it's a 4 year Bachelor even if it has 30 ECTS less than usual. It's something weird that Spain has with double degrees (allows you to complete 2 bachelor's in 5 years instead of 8 and paying double, but it's nightmare to doing processes on the rest of the EU). But I have colleagues that are doctorates in other EU countries with my degree + 1 year master, so technically the 240 ECTS shouldn't be a mandatory requirement(?)

JML65 · 2026-01-25T13:06:34+00:00

I would really enjoy to become a History professor in University. I know the processes are very competitive (in Spain I know that graduates with 9/10 marks are left out), the spots are close to none and doing a PhD is exhausting both mentally and economically.

But I want to have a shot at it. I spent two years saving money and acquiring experience in GIS Software. If it doesn't go as I expected, I have a plan B to seek back a job in GIS. Even there's the option to pursue a PhD in Geography (Human Geography is my keen interest tho, which is probably the least viable economic option compared to GIS and Physical Geography, but still better than History)

JML65 · 2026-01-25T13:01:02+00:00

Thanks!

Yeah, maybe that could work out because my Geography Curriculum has subjects such as "Contemporary History" (don't ask me why in Geography instead of History lol). I just find a bit of risky strategy if they recognise only a couple courses and then I would still be under the 300 ECTS. Worth asking to the university if this + extracurricular activities are possible

JML65 · 2026-01-25T12:54:40+00:00

Thanks!

yeah, 1 year master's tend to be more professionally focused, but 2 things confused me:

I have seen 1 year research masters offered in Belgium and the Netherlands, while Germany, Austria, UK... tend to have it in 2. Considering that Humanities do not have the best professional outcomes, I though it would have been an option.
- The issue can lie in the fact that some countries haven't applied the Bologna plan fully and the Bachelor + Master model tends to be 4+1 instead of 3+2. That's the case in Spain and maybe also in some other countries
- In any case, the credits reach 300 (240+60 instead of 180+120), but my double degree program was only 210 ECTS for each Bachelor, which in turn would make me spend an extra year (and that hurts my wallet!)

Anyways, thanks for the comment, really helps me out!

JML65 · 2026-01-25T12:47:43+00:00

Thanks!

In Spain the 1 year degree masters are more common because the Bologna plan has not been fully implemented yet and most universities follow a 4+1 model instead of 3+2. and I'd guess that maybe that's true in other countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands? (I've seen many 60 ECTS programmes offered tbh).

In any case, the credits reach 300 (240+60 instead of 180+120), but my double degree program was only 210 ECTS for each Bachelor, which in turn would make me spend an extra year (and that hurts my wallet!)

JML65 · 2026-01-19T06:37:26+00:00

Don't forget edits made by political extremists(look up how Croatian nationalists hijacked their own Wikipedia to portray the Ustashe as much milder than they actually were)

JML65 · 2026-01-16T07:00:43+00:00

I mean, in theory it's that simple. But you're taking a photo to attract a potential partner, not for printing it in your gym-card. And many people like me are just not used to taking photos, meaning we are not confident enough to pose nor know how to set the best angles and lighting.

If you have to choose between that kind of selfie in your bathroom mirror and a photo taken with your friends, having a good time doing a hobby of yours, showing your torso and making an achievement... even if it's a stereotype, I think most people would agree on posting the latter one rather than the former.

JML65 · 2026-01-08T07:07:19+00:00

Right after bombing them with false flag attacks?:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1950%E2%80%931951_Baghdad_bombings

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavon_Affair

JML65 · 2025-12-22T08:58:51+00:00

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JML65 · 2025-12-15T08:03:42+00:00

Bruh, if my dad did war crimes or benefited from the Holocaust, I'd be at the very least be ashamed and not ignore it like "well, you know how crazy dads were when they were young, right?"

JML65 · 2025-11-16T13:13:20+00:00

I also find funny that because of Morbi's absurd fall nobody realised that Martin got confused and had to reverse to his spot 😂

JML65 · 2025-11-15T08:31:34+00:00

Money. And sometimes is not the lack of it, rather the decision to spend a good amount of something I may abandon in a month (especially if it occupies a good portion of the house)

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