Hello all. I am taking MSc in Singapore now (will end in December 2024) I am thinking of doing 3-years PhD in UK/Europe. Decent schools' intakes are in ~ September 2025 only. Do you think if it is possible for me to join as early as in January 2025 like requesting the school/faculty?

Because my country is now much more intense condition (armed conflicts) so everyone suggested I don't go back to home after my degree completion, otherwise, I might be pulled and put randomly in either side and sent off to battlefield.

Thank you.

This won't be possible at the big majority of very good UK schools. The first year is training in research methods, so you will start as a cohort with other PhD students. But with the less good schools, there could be some flexibility. Maybe Aberdeen, Aston, Bournemouth, Dundee, Essex, MMU, Oxford Brookes, Swansea, or Loughborough's London campus?