-1

Are there any benefits of getting a PhD from a university over getting it from an institute?

Note that, at least in the case of Germany, some institutes are considered better than universities and have more strict rules in admission and normally owned by a private organization. So, is a PhD from a governmental/public university better than a PhD from private institute?

|improve this question
  • 5
    PhD is better at the place where you will produce the best results. Especially in academia, the place of the PhD is somewhat irrelevant, in contrast with the actual research. – PsySp Mar 16 '17 at 8:46
  • The answer to this depends on which field, topic, university and institute. – skymningen Mar 16 '17 at 9:38
  • 3
    You always get your PhD from a university. I did all the work for my PhD at a Helmholtz Center (no teaching duties, good budget), but my PhD is from a university. However, your advisor's reputation and connections are more important for your future career than the institution. – Roland Mar 16 '17 at 10:30
  • @Roland I am pretty sure the MPIs are degree granting – StrongBad♦ Mar 16 '17 at 12:29
  • 1
    @StrongBad No, they are not. In Germany you can get a PhD only from a university. Regarding Max Planck institutes see point 2 on page 2 in this document. – Roland Mar 16 '17 at 12:59
2

  • Do you mean if a PhD from a higher ranked institution is potentially better? The answer is: it is better the one which has the potentially better supervisors/equipment at the field of your interest. An institute being more prestigious does not guarantee that will have the best personnel at the area of your interest.

  • Do you mean which one is better in terms of the quality of the graduates and the prestige in academia?
    This depends on the actual research of the student. Many stellar students go to the best institute and they don't produce anything for one reason or another. At the end of the day, in academia, what would matter would be the actual content of your demonstrated research and not the particular institute/university.

In short: actual research is ranked higher than institute. Having saying that, in case of ties, these are sometimes broken by the fame of the adviser and/or institution/university.

So: NO, an institution is not better a priori since there are many variables to consider. It might be better in cases where what matters is the place of PhD (but I cannot think of any such scenario).

|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.