PhD in the UK or Second Masters degree in the US?

Question

I completed a one year Master's degree in International Relations at the University of Cambridge in England, and now I'm considering a PhD. I have been admitted to Cambridge again to complete my PhD in International Studies. However, I'm not sure if completing a PhD in England is the best idea. My Master's program was only one year (as is common in England) and was mostly research based -- the program included only four classes. Therefore, I feel like I have a definite deficeit of coursework in comparison to my educational level. Also, my proposed PhD program would be entirely researched based, with only optional seminars. The PhD program at Cambridge would take only 3 years, as opposed to the much lengthier programs in the US. I am willing to complete the 3 years that would be required for the UK PhD, but I'm not sure that I'm willing to stay in school as long as would be required for a US PhD.

I was hoping to seek some advice as to whether a UK PhD is a wise idea given my Masters program. Are UK PhDs as highly regarded as US PhDs? I am set to start at Cambridge in a month, but I'm considering applying to US programs instead. I should note that I want to eventually work in US government, the United Nations, or an NGO. I definitely do NOT want to be a professor. Therefore, is a PhD really even a good idea for this career path?

I have also considered pursuing a second Masters degree in security studies or terrorism studies in the US (my Master's focused on terrorism), instead of a PhD, in order to have more coursework experience. Would it be unwise to pursue a second Masters degree in basically the same field, would a second Masters degree in the same field be looked at negatively? I'm definitely not finished with my education at this point, but I'm not sure which path is best for me. Any advice on these issues would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

It seems a bit strange that you are at one of the top five universities in the world where there must surely be people who can give you very informed and knowledgeable advice (including people with experience of the UK and US systems), but you instead seek advice from random people on the internet, whose background and qualification are unknown.  Go and find some of your supervisors and chat with them.  They will surely give you the best advice.  

Answer 2

A PhD from a UK university is considered the equivalent to one from the US. The amount of time may differ, and the style of study, but in the end, it will be acceptable to US employers in the same way that a US PhD would be.

However, the reputation of the PhD program you attend does matter. I have no idea of how well respected the Cambridge PhD is in your field. That, you'll have to research.

And what *sort* of work do you want to do for the US government, an NGO or the UN? That will help determine which path is the best for you.

I'd suspect that the PhD will be more valuable than another masters degree. But it's also possible that a PhD is not necessary to do what you want for these organizations. You'll need to research that as well.  

Answer 3

I agree with the person above.  Your best bet is to talk to someone at the University.  From my  point of view, I would definitely continue with my coursework at Cambridge.

I am a Masters student in the U.S. at a small university.  I would love to go to Oxford or Cambridge.  However, the rates are too expensive  for me.