TU Delft vs. ETH Zurich: which one is better for PhD?

[bro1]

Hello. This is my first post here, although I've been reading this forum. I learned a lot from your posts, thanks guys! However, now it is my turn to post a question. I will try to be short.

I am near the end of my master in Delft and I decided to pursue a PhD in the close future. I didn't really start to look for positions, but anyway I am not in a rush; I could always wait for a year or so while working for a company. I don't want to disclose my field because of the nature of my questions that is not relevant.

Well, I like it very much at TU - the university is great, people are very friendly, I like NL, the knowledge I gained is on a high level, but I was always keen for changes so for a PhD I would like to consider also other universities. The only disadvantages are that the city is small and boring, the weather is horrible and the food in the country is bad in general (yes, that is also important , a degree is not everything ).

First let me ask you something. Is it, in future, more valuable if one has degrees from two great different universities, rather than both from the same (great) university?

I am considering ETH Zurich, from what everyone could learn a top technical university in Europe, often just a little above TU Delft.

Comparing departments on TU and ETH, they are both first class in research and reputation; TU has a small advantage, but anyway both are great. However, you know that's not everything. Since I will spend 4-5 years at that place, apart from the department's research quality, there are other important criteria to consider: people, salary, city and country, university reputation in general, life at the uni in general, etc. (a lot of stuff!). Since I don't have any experiences with ETH, what do you think? Which one would you choose? Which one can yield more benefits in future? Generally speaking, is a PhD from ETH more worth than from TU?

From what I could see ETH seems to be "old-fashionable", I experienced that Swiss are more conservative and xenophobic than Dutch, but I believe that nothing can beat Zurich and the quality of life in Switzerland, and also the top ranking of ETH.

I repeat, the departments I am considering are mostly equal, so these things are more in general.

By the way, what would you choose as the third option regarding technical universities in Europe?

[liszt85]

A third option would be TU Wien. I spent 3 amazing months in Vienna. You'll love the place, its an amazing city. Lots to do whatever your interests are. TU Wien is a very decent university too. You could also look at places in Finland like HUT.

I do not know about ETH but I'm sure it will be great living there. If I were you, I'd try to visit ETH sometime before I made a final decision and talk with professors there.

[noojens]

Tough decision. How are your relationships with faculty at Delft? Because if you already know a professor whose research and personality align well with yours, and who's willing to advise your PhD research, this would be a compelling reason to stay at Delft. Also, having already completed coursework at Delft might eliminate requirements that you'd otherwise have to fill if you transfered (depending on what you've taken and how it relates to your PhD research, of course) and thus shorten the overall time to PhD.

So, no real answer for you based solely on the information you gave, other than to apply to and visit several schools and go where you feel you fit best. Good luck

[belowthree]

I really wouldn't worry about deciding between the two until you have two acceptance letters in hand.

Then you can stress out over your decision and agonize over it on the board with everyone else!

[bro1]

A third option would be TU Wien. I spent 3 amazing months in Vienna. You'll love the place, its an amazing city. Lots to do whatever your interests are. TU Wien is a very decent university too. You could also look at places in Finland like HUT.

I do not know about ETH but I'm sure it will be great living there. If I were you, I'd try to visit ETH sometime before I made a final decision and talk with professors there.

I considered TU Wien... The city is great. However, their ranking is not that good as these two.

Yes, I think I should go to ETH and spend a day or two, spying

[bro1]

Tough decision. How are your relationships with faculty at Delft? Because if you already know a professor whose research and personality align well with yours, and who's willing to advise your PhD research, this would be a compelling reason to stay at Delft. Also, having already completed coursework at Delft might eliminate requirements that you'd otherwise have to fill if you transfered (depending on what you've taken and how it relates to your PhD research, of course) and thus shorten the overall time to PhD.

So, no real answer for you based solely on the information you gave, other than to apply to and visit several schools and go where you feel you fit best. Good luck

The relationships are very good. I know few professors, and I expect they will offer me a PhD post soon without asking. That situation is very good, however, as I said before, I don't see myself spending four of five more years there, I would like to change.

I don't believe ETH will put some requirements, they are in the same league and have even joint master programmes. And regarding the time, I don't care much. Four or five years is almost the same (at least from my point of view).

Yes, applying will solve some mysteries, and in the end maybe I will not be accepted to ETH at all, but it's good to ask for other options.

[bro1]

I really wouldn't worry about deciding between the two until you have two acceptance letters in hand.

Then you can stress out over your decision and agonize over it on the board with everyone else!

Yes you are right. But since PhD is not something that I have to start essentially immediately I can always try once again when refused.

Thanks guys for your help.