continuing the emerging topic from the "University of Chicago's FinMath program" thread...how long does it take to do a phd in different countries? minimum, maximum, typical...? in the UK, i get the impression three years is the norm; i think the regulations don't allow any less than two. how are the courses structured? in the UK it seems phds are primarily research based, while in the US they seem to mix one or two years of teaching, with completion of a thesis later on. are any countries recognised as having a better system for phds? a professor here was singing the praises of postgrad study in the US compared to UK.

I like USA, I studied in both UK and USA.I will take USA if you have time in your life (ie. not busy to get married or making lot of money to supportyour family)But UK saves you a lot of time. Also to be honest, many of the top quants in UK seems to be from Germany ... etc. where I think their maths is better.If I am 4-5 years younger i will go ahead to do a PHD but I am too old and I need to make money, get married as my parents are also old ....I am not as lucky as you. Take care and wish you good luck in entering your dream placefor a prestigious PHD....