PhD programmes are 3 years in Europe because the education beforehand is much more focused. You've pretty much chosen what you want to do at at 16 and from 18 y

PhD programmes are 3 years in Europe because the education beforehand is much more focused. You've pretty much chosen what you want to do at at 16 and from 18 years old onwards you only study one subject. To be admitted to a PhD programme usually requires either a masters degree or a lot of reserach experience. Then the actual PhD programmes themselves are just research, no classes or teaching.