Hi everyone! This is the first time I write on this great forum but I read it often since I'm considering to move in Switzerland sooner or later.
Here's my trouble: (I hope someone can help me, since I'm really struggling to take a decision)
I received an offer for a Msc in Computer Science both from Oxford and from ETH; for various reasons I'd prefer to do the Msc in Oxford but I'd really love to do the PhD in the ETH!
What I'm afraid of is that doing the Msc in Oxford could strongly reduce my chances of getting in the PhD in Zurich!
Is this a sensible concern??
How much harder do you think is to get in the ETH for a PhD in respect to get in for a Msc?
Someone knows, approximately, how many people start the Msc in CS at ETH each year and how many the PhD? I couldn't find this information anywhere!
I'd recommend ETHZ for your Masters. You will already be studying there, and have a great chance to both impress and get to know your professors. As an internal student, you'll have a better chance of getting in.
Surely it's a simple choice?
Besides, 1-year masters are really not worth the paper they are written on, imo.
But still I am a little afraid of going to Zurich with zero knowledge of German and no scholarship.
Is it possible to live on 1500 CHF per month?
Is it possible to carry out everyday life activities (like going to a supermarket) just with english? For example in Italy it'd be really difficult imo.
It's very possible to live on that, if you are organised and smart with your money!
Even then, do you have a scholarship for Oxford? The tuition fees at Oxford are 8x that of ETHZ. Have you wondered why? (prestige has nothing to do with it, universities are more of a business over here!)
Is your actual course in English or German? If it's solely in English, then it's a no-brainer, go to ETHZ!
You shouldn't be afraid of learning a new language, that is part of university, developing yourself! The university will most likely offer intensive language courses, too.
These are all good points, but to be honest, if you're going to work outside the German-speaking world, then Oxford is the stronger "brand" to have on your CV.
You should have no problem doing your plan - MSc at Oxford then PhD at ETHZ.
It sounds to me like a good combination, experiencing two countries and two very good unis with very different systems.
It's also the cheapest plan - Masters are cheap in the UK (you wouldn't get living support here for a MSc, so it's cheaper to live in the UK), but the PhDs here are much, much better paid than in the UK.
Don't worry about the lack of German. It's really not required in a research environment. Of course your life outside your PhD will be a lot easier if you learn it, but you will get by fine at work with English and Italian.
Part of me agrees with this. University life should be about experiencing as many difference cultures and meeting as many people as possible, the Oxford-Zurich combination goes well for this.
But money-wise, the tuition fee costs for 1 year in Oxford is almost £9000, and only ~£2500 in ETHZ. The difference makes up for the living costs (for a student) over two years.
Fayzan, as you say, being the master at ETHZ 1.5 year long the total money spent will be about the same, maybe even a little bit more expensive in Switzerland.
Therefore my main concern is just how much more difficult will be to enter for a PhD in Zurich after a masters in Oxford. It's also that at the moment I've a decent English and I'd like to perfect it before starting to learn a new language!
I've also heard that ETHZ it's extremely difficult and you are excluded from the course if you fail an exam twice
I had the choice of EPFL or Oxford, can you guess what I chose?
The reason was because my final goal is a PhD in USA. From what I understand, USA tends to look down on a British MSc (and BSc...) due to it being just eight months of intensive courses. A European MSc is much more diverse and is a true specialisation over two years, with industry training. I'm also aiming for fluency in French.
Well actually masters in the USA are generally 1-year long too! At least in Harvard where a friend of mine will go next year. And plus ETHZ masters is 1.5 year not 2. In any case 1.5 years it's still better than 1.
I don't know any department in the USA that would turn down a student with a first class masters from Oxford just because the course is short. I agree that the longer courses provide a wider training, but if you excel on a tough but shorter course then that is sufficient.
When it comes to picking PhD students, the project topic, references and interview presentation are much more important.
Thank you Quark, you are really lifting my spirits
In any case I'd like to go for a PhD at ETHZ. And as far as I heard it'll be much more easier to get in if you already know a professor that know you and it's willing to take you as a PhD student.
Moreover I am little afraid that they could get a little bit offended if I turn down their masters and then come back to them for the better paid PhD!
Yes, I understand it can bit a little awkward, but using the excuse of going to the UK to improve your English is perfectly justifiable. And it's not as if you're taking an easy option by going to Oxford, either.
Having a personal contact is good, but it's by no means necessary. The important thing is that you do well on your next course, and pick a masters project that is related as closely as possible to the direction you want to research. Just make sure you keep on top of the papers of the group you want to join whilst you are studying elsewhere.
I seriously doubt that if you are a strong enough candidate to do a PhD at ETH they will reject you just because you went to Oxford. In fact I'd be bloody amazed if that having studied at one of the world's top Universities, ETH turned you down on that basis!
At ETH the PhD's are advertised for and hired by the labs/departments. You do apply online via the institute, but the decision is made (~95%) within the lab. I doubt that you will find an "apply and get admitted" procedure for PhD's like it is for Msc (at ETH). Do you have an offer yet, or are you deciding where to apply?
Like someone aptly said before, do what you want , Oxford is a nice city and without doubt a great university, but you know, this is *Switzerland*. And seems you want to settle here anyway...
Oh and nobody speaks German at ETH (unless they're German or Swiss!). English is fine wherever you can imagine the need to speak. Just appear confused and the other person will switch. Even at the department stores. And you are as equally likely to find Italian-speakers as German.
means the usual admissions procedure that runs itself every year/semester, as opposed to PhD admission which is handled by the labs as and when positions (read: money) become available.