Dear all, I MAY have two options for my later PhD study:1. full time PhD in ETH finmaths2. part-time fin maths PhD in Imperial College, plus working for a bank (top) for the sponsorship (due to nonEU high tuition fee and living expenses).I want to pursue a career in finance industry after graduation, so option 2 seems more attractive. However, the fin maths research in ETH is also excellent and I do not have to worry about the funding problem. I could enjoy PhD life more in ETH. Later, afterwards, it is still difficult to find jobs in Switzerland. For me, there is no bad choice between the two. It comes back to a fundamental question, what is the PhD for? Besides asking myself, I would like to hear from you. Thanks a lot!

Hello,this is no answer but a question : how are you intended to find a part-time placement parallel to phd? Are there such existing programs in banks, or are you going to negociate for an arrangement to combine both? Where did you do your msc and what was subject? (I am both interested in Zurich (MAS QF) and in pursuing with phd, hence the questions)++

hi, I am not intended to find such one, but I have to do this coz I have no money to pay the tuition fee...... there is some info from the university I stay but it is not published anywhere.... btw, I study applied mathematics.

If you are interested in doing high quality mathematical research it is a no-brainer: ETH. Doing a PhD part-time means that you will probably be limited in the scope and depth of your thesis.If you are just interested in a job in banking, you are probably best to join a bank now, and forget about the PhD. Part-time PhD is a tough balance.

Is this the 'executive PhD' programme at Imperial ?If so, then it's relatively easy, pick ETH. Given the remarks I have made about the issues ETH has with subjective branding, you might see that as significant.The Quant market in Switzerland is relatively illiquid, so your options should assume that you most probably will work in London or possibly Paris.

I assumed that SmokedSalmon was talking about the math finance programme in the mathematics department at Imperial. As I understand it, they place students with banks where they work 3 days a week and receive a student-sized stipend.

eh, you are right. It is in the mathematics department. Sometimes I think I may be too greedy to have both. QuoteOriginally posted by: ehI assumed that SmokedSalmon was talking about the math finance programme in the mathematics department at Imperial. As I understand it, they place students with banks where they work 3 days a week and receive a student-sized stipend.

Hi, DominicConnor, thanks a lot for your advices. The PhD is in Maths department at Imperial. I plan to work in London after PhD, but is ETH well recognized by the market? That is what I worry about. Thanks! QuoteOriginally posted by: DominicConnorIs this the 'executive PhD' programme at Imperial ?If so, then it's relatively easy, pick ETH. Given the remarks I have made about the issues ETH has with subjective branding, you might see that as significant.The Quant market in Switzerland is relatively illiquid, so your options should assume that you most probably will work in London or possibly Paris.

Hi, Ernest Thanks a lot! I plan to work in the industry afterwards, but I still have curiosity for mathematical research.... that is why I cannot make decision.... Any further comments are welcome! Thanks!QuoteOriginally posted by: ehIf you are interested in doing high quality mathematical research it is a no-brainer: ETH. Doing a PhD part-time means that you will probably be limited in the scope and depth of your thesis.If you are just interested in a job in banking, you are probably best to join a bank now, and forget about the PhD. Part-time PhD is a tough balance.

ETH hosts some of the most respected mathematicians working in finance. Zurich is not as exciting as London, but it does have a large financial services sector and nice sausages. If you want to make the most of your time doing research, I cannot recommend doing your PhD full-time enough.

The idea behind PhD is to do research so it strikes me as odd that the person doing research has to pay for it as well. So I wouldn't recommend paying for any PhD. Having said that, if you're confident you want to be in the industry afterwards, go to Imperial (assuming this is a 3-day a week program that they're paying for). You'll probably be at a decent position already by the time you graduate and not have to start as associate after PhD. Plus the industry exposure would help you complement your research with practice.

Go to Imperial. Get the PhD, progress in your job. I guess the PhD will be light weight. There is nothing to lose.Its better to study philosphy in a branded university that quantitative finance in a less known university.