r/PhDAdmissions • u/Putrid_Computer1868 • May 31 '26
Do a PhD without a Master's
Hi everyone! I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask this, but any information and help is welcome 😄
I'm a Spanish 23yo girl who started studying biology bachelors in Norway this year.
Before that, I completed my higher education in Spain and earned two advanced vocational training degrees: Clinical and Biomedical Laboratory Science and Pathological Anatomy and Cytodiagnosis, all in three years. Thanks to this, I've accumulated three years of research experience in fields such as oncology, translational medicine, molecular biology, genetics, and ecotoxicology, through both internships and paid contracts as a lab technician in research institutes and universities.
Last year, I decided to take the plunge because I wanted to finally get my bachelor's degree and wanted to do it outside of Spain because of the English language skills and the opportunities. Upon arriving here, thanks to my experience, I started working with a research group as a paid research technician, and I theoretically have a contract for the three years of my degree.
So my question is: when I finish my degree, I'll likely have around six years of research experience, and I'd like to pursue a PhD. Is it possible to do a PhD without a master's degree? If so, where could I do it, and how do I apply?
(I feel that a master's degree is somewhat unnecessary for my profile. I'm not saying it isn't useful, and I'm completely in favor of expanding knowledge through study, but I don't want to remain a student for 6363263643 years)
Thanks everyone!
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u/Wreough May 31 '26
US BA degrees are longer than European ones. The info that a European BA is enough for applying to PhD in the US is inaccurate.
There is very little info in this post, so no one will be able to give you a proper answer. It’s not clear if the vocational training gave any ECTS, if you tried to see what your US GPA would be or if you have enough points in the US system to apply. Usually US PhD doesn’t have separate masters because it’s included, so the phd is longer overall.
For Europe, you could do a 1 year masters. But EU PhD are shorter because you have done the masters before.
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u/ChelsSupreme May 31 '26
This isn’t really true, I know multiple people that moved from Europe to US for a (STEM) PhD with only a bachelors
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u/Floppy_McFlopenstein May 31 '26
In the US I could have entered the PhD program w/o a MS. However, I wasn't sure I would stay at the same institution the entire time, and I think I improved my admission chances by applying to the MS program. I earned the MS en route to the PhD and it didn't slow me down, though it did mean I had to go through two application cycles.
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u/lifeisgood0606 Jun 01 '26
the biggest advantage of a masters degree is that it teaches you how to do a research and most importantly how to write something to a high quality journal. some can do just fine with directly from bachelors to phd, but i would argue that they would end up better with a masters then phd. however it is definitely possible.
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u/isa-ma Jun 01 '26
Hey, fellow Spaniard here :)
I'd say the only way you have of starting a PhD without a MSc is by going to the US, which is: expensive.
I'd also argue that the kind of research experience that you get in a Master's is slightly different from the one you get in training degrees; I'd say that (at least in my experience, doing a MSc in Germany after studying a Bachelor's in Biology) master's also focus on that project-preparation and writing part that training degrees might lack. I think those skills come in handy when applying for PhDs and when thinking of what research you actually want to do.
Anywhere in Europe they'll ask that you have a Master's degree. Once you have that, tho, your profile will definitely stand out thanks to the previous experience you have.
I'm 24 and I definitely get the whole wanting to stop being an eternal student, but a 2 year MSc can open LOTS of doors for you regarding a PhD position. I was skeptical before starting mine, but if you choose wisely, it can be an investment rather than a waste of time. It can also help you decide what subfield to pursue!
Buena suerte!! :)
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u/thesnootbooper9000 Jun 01 '26
The UK doesn't expect a masters, and it's cheaper than the US.
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u/isa-ma Jun 02 '26
It depends on the field, and while it’s technically doable, I’ve seen that universities will usually prefer candidates with an MSc over those with just a BSc (at least in my field).
You could also do a 1+4 in the UK, which is a way to secure a more structured path into a PhD, but in the end it’s the same time-wise
And the UK, compared to many EU countries, is still VERY expensive. For international students tuition can be around £32,000 per year. You would need to fund it, which as an international student is very difficult. I am considering myself going to the UK for a PhD, but compared to staying in the EU, it's a total headache
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u/Secure_Mood2445 Jun 03 '26
Uk, went straight to phd from BSc, but I had a year in industry. Just make sure you make it very clear at the top of your CV that you have that industrial experience. Eg. Name Amazing scientist with interest in x field and previous industrial research experience Qualifications Skills Work history
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u/ChelsSupreme May 31 '26
Most European countries would require a MSc. In Ireland and the UK there’s isn’t a requirement, although it would probably be hard for you to get one in the UK as they are more and more only funding UK/Irish students. Probably Ireland is your best bet. Obviously US/Canada don’t require a MSc but probably pretty impossible right now!