Economics PhD Outside U.S.?

[JoshEiermann]

I am about to apply to schools, and I would love to live in another country for 4 years. I have travelled the world, and I have no problem with culture adjustment or any other living concerns. However, my teachers tell me that a PhD in economics is not valued so much if it earned outside of the U.S.

My reason for choosing schools abroad is not to just live abroad. Honestly, I am not the brightest student in the world, and my professors get my nerves up and say that I need to commit for the 4 years. Again, I have no problem working my butt off, but I am nervous of my ability. To get a PhD in Economics in the U.S., you need to first get past the prelim/core 2 years, and only if you pass the exams to continue the last two years of research are you awarded a Masters. I am afraid that I will end up paying tuition and living to just realize I'm in over my head and leave with two years of nothing if I am not accepted into the last two years. (I am usually pretty confident, but I am starting to panic with everything happening so quick now. I am sure I will pass the exams, but this anxiety is coming over me.)

However, in other countries, you first earn your Masters degree seperately or in a joint program, and then you take tests to get into their PhD program. I feel this might be a safer option for me. Do I have this right?

Also, if I'm not mistaken, school is very cheap in places such as Europe? I noticed the tuition is far less than the U.S. without fellowship, or is this only for native students?

Can anyone help or give me advice? If you need more info like my top school choices, let me know.

[ssk2]

I don't know about your profile or how competitive admissions are but very many of my friends have studied Economics at, and speak highly of British universities such as-

- Cambridge

- Oxford

- London School of Economics

Perhaps to your professors in the US PhDs at those universities are worth less but certainly within Britain (and to employers) they are quite highly regarded.

[ANDS!]

Bonn in Germany? I have a friend who is attending and says it's fantastic.

As for getting a Masters in the US, what schools are you looking at that have a four year masters? There are SEVERAL schools that have terminal masters programs if that is all you want.