[akjssdk]

I am not sure what you are referring to, but a PhD in Europe takes 3/4 years. They are generally organised such that you are tied to a single supervisor/research group, which might be where the confusion comes from? They are by no means canned projects, at least as far I know.

[bonoboTP]

There are various arrangements within the continent of Europe, lots of variation even within countries and fields.