PhD: Course, Full Form, Duration, Eligibility, Fees, Syllabus, Entrance Exam, Scope
PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is the highest academic degree programme, mostly in every field of study. PhD curriculum covers extensive research and expertise, and research papers within a specific subject or even in an interdisciplinary subject. PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is requires at least a postgraduate degree programme, such as M.A, MSc, MTech or the students must have a great research paper with a recommendation. PhD course details vary depending on the discipline, university and guide. The guide in PhD plays a major role in suggestions and recommending the study material as well as helping them with new ideas.
Latest: Top Ph.d Colleges in India
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- What is a PhD Full Form?
- PhD Course Details - Key Highlights
- PhD Fees Structure
- Why Choose PhD?
- PhD Eligibility Criteria
- PhD Admission Process
- PhD Entrance Exams
- PhD Syllabus and Subjects
- PhD Specializations
- What After PhD?
- Career Opportunities After PhD
- Salary after PhD Degree
- Top Private PhD Colleges in India
- Top Government PhD Colleges in India
PhD course requires a high level of dedication, intellectual rigour, and perseverance. Graduates with a PhD or Doctor of Philosophy are recognised as experts in their preferred field, and it opens doors to multiple fields, such as academia, research institutions, and government-funded research programmes. Students who have completed PhD degree programmes are called “Doctors” and can use Dr. as a prefix before their name. In this article, we will discuss, PhD course details, such as PhD course duration, PhD course eligibility, PhD subjects, PhD course duration, PhD eligibility criteria, PhD admission process.
What is a PhD Full Form?
PhD full form is Doctor of Philosophy is a doctoral degree programme with a duration of three to six years. PhD degree can be pursued in almost any field such as English, Maths, Physics Linguistics, and Comparative Literature. Students can also pursue Ph.D. in interdisciplinary subjects, and they need to make a good research paper to apply directly to various universities.
PhD Course Details - Key Highlights
Particular | Value |
|---|---|
Name of Degree | Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) |
Level | Doctoral |
PhD Course Duration | 3 to 6 years |
Admission Process | Entrance test, research paper |
PhD Eligibility Criteria | Should have completed a master's degree from a recognised university |
PhD Top Colleges | AIIMS Delhi, AMU Aligarh, Ahmedabad University, Allahabad University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jadavpur University |
Top Recruiters | Research Institutes, Government Departments, Academic Institutions, Colleges and Universities |
Types of Careers | Professor, Lecturer, Research Advisor |
PhD Fees Structure
PhD course fees differ from one university to another and generally depend on the institute, and specialisation. Before enrolling in any particular university, candidates should check the PhD admission process, PhD eligibility criteria and PhD course fees. Students who get the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) will not pay the fees whereas they will get the scholarship for pursuing PhD degree. JRF for the Humanities, Social Science and Science subjects is Rs. 25,000 for the initial two years and Rs. 28,000 for the remaining tenure which is SRF (Senior Research Fellowship).
Why Choose PhD?
A PhD degree offers a wide range of career opportunities for strengthening knowledge and expertise. PhD degree provides knowledge in a chosen field of study. Ph.D allows students to become experts in their niche, by providing various skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. PhD can open doors for various careers and employment options in multiple fields, such as academia, research, and government agencies, with good salary packages. Choosing a PhD can provide students with a lot of scope and also lifelong learning, intellectual growth, and a unique avenue for personal and professional growth.
PhD Eligibility Criteria
Students who want to pursue a PhD programme should have the required eligibility criteria. The detailed eligibility criteria for pursuing a PhD are given below.
- Students who have a master's degree are eligible for admission into the Ph.D. programmes.
- Students have to qualify for the national level examinations like UGC NET for Lectureship conducted by NTA.
- Final admission is offered on the basis of the interview and research proposal.
- If candidates want to pursue PhD in the field of Engineering and Technology, he/she has to qualify for GATE, GATE, UGC-NET, and CSIR-UGC-NET with good marks. Also, for admission to Ph.D. Engineering, candidates should complete their degree in M.Tech/M.E in any branch of engineering.
Skill Required for PhD Degree
PhD or Doctor of Philosophy degree in India requires students to develop a lot of skills to succeed academically. Skills might vary depending on the chosen specialisation. In the table below, we have mentioned some of the essential skills required for a Ph.D. degree.
Critical thinking | Communication skills |
Visualisation | Presentation skills |
Reseach | Time management |
PhD Admission Process
Admissions in some universities are offered on the basis of students' merit in the entrance examination although few universities provide admission based on the research proposal and the interview process.
- PhD admission process is available both online and offline.
- If a candidate is applying to a university, he/she should download the application form online from the official website of the university.
- Applicants need to fill out the UGC NET or other entrance examination forms and appear for it.
- They should have a research proposal based on which universities can shortlist the candidates.
- After qualifying the examinations, candidates can appear for the interview round and pursue the PhD degree programme.
PhD Entrance Exams
UGC NET: University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test or UGC NET is a national-level entrance test conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). UGC NET is conducted by NTA, twice a year for admission in doctoral programmes.
CSIR UGC NET: CSIR UGC Test for JRF and Eligibility for Lectureship or CSIR UGC NET is a national-level entrance examination conducted by National Testing Agency (NTA) for admission to Ph.D. degree programmes.
PhD Syllabus and Subjects
PhD subjects and syllabus can vary from one university to another along with the specialisation. PhD subjects will be different based on the area of the study, as it depends on the research proposal, the guide and the students. Based on the mentioned factors, further study will be done although the first two semesters will be similar for the main subject. In the table below, we have mentioned the PhD English syllabus of Presidency University.
Semester I | |
Research Methodology | Advanced Theory |
Semester II | |
Research and Publication Ethics | Theory of Fiction/ Drama/ Poetry/ New Genres |
Synopsis of research project, Literature Review, Bibliography | |
In the table below, we have mentioned the syllabus for PhD Mathematics of Manonmaniam Sundaranar University.
Commutative Algebra | Advanced Calculus |
Advanced Analysis | Algebraic Graph Theory |
Banach Algebra and Spectral Theory | Combinatorial theory |
Advanced Graph Theory | Advanced Domination Theory in Graphs |
Stochastic Modeling | Graph Reconstruction Theory |
Wavelets | Algebraic Topology |
Theory of Near-Rings | - |
PhD Specializations
There are various specialisations an individual can opt for PhD course programme. Some of the PhD specialisations are popular among those who are interested in entering higher education. Naming few of them are:
- PhD in Management
- PhD in Physics
- PhD in Computer Science
- PhD in Economics
- PhD in Mathematics
- PhD Microbiology
- PhD Law
What After PhD?
After completing a PhD degree programme students have a wide range of career options. Many graduates choose academia and become professors or research associates at universities and colleges. Professor teach, write research papers, and journals, and mentor students. Some graduates enter various industries such as technology, healthcare, or finance, contributing to innovation and problem-solving. Government agencies and non-profit organisations also seek PhD holders for policy analysis, consulting, and advocacy roles.
Career Opportunities After PhD
In this section, we have mentioned the careers that can be pursued after completing PhD degree programme.
University Professor/ Lecturer: After pursuing PhD, graduates can become university professors or lecturers. They teach and conduct research in their respective fields and are responsible for mentoring students, curriculum development, and publishing research papers.
Research Scientist: Research scientists are professionals who work in various sectors, including academia, technology, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and government research institutions. They research, write the thesis and publish the findings in the journals.
Consultant/Advisor: Consultants or advisors conduct market research and solve complex problems and provide solutions to clients. They provide expert advice to their clients and join major financial companies such as McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, and Deloitte.
Top Recruiters
- Research Institutes
- Government Departments
- Academic Institutions
- Colleges and Universities
Salary after PhD Degree
PhD salary depends on various factors such as the specialisations and college reputation, work experience, experience in the particular field, location of work, and skill sets. Below, we have mentioned the PhD salary.
Job Profiles | Average Salary |
|---|---|
University Professor/ Lecturer | Rs. 10.9 LPA |
Research Scientist | Rs. 6.8 LPA |
Consultant/Advisor | Rs. 14.6 LPA |
Top Private PhD Colleges in India
In India, there are a number of private colleges that offer PhD degrees. Private universities are significantly more expensive than public universities. Some of the top private PhD colleges and the PhD fees are mentioned in the table below:
| Colleges | Fees |
|---|---|
Rs. 1.50 Lakhs | |
Rs. 2.25 Lakhs | |
Rs. 7.20 Lakhs | |
Rs. 3.15 Lakhs | |
Rs. 25,000 | |
Rs. 3.82 Lakhs | |
Rs. 91,000 | |
Rs. 3 Lakhs | |
Rs. 1.96 Lakhs | |
Rs. 1.36 Lakhs |
Top Government PhD Colleges in India
Government-run colleges are less expensive than private colleges and are well known for their high academic standards throughout India. The following are some of the best government PhD colleges and also PhD fees:
Colleges | Fees |
|---|---|
Rs. 1.23 Lakhs | |
Rs. 48,000 | |
Rs. 2.07 Lakhs | |
Rs. 25,000 | |
Rs. 59,380 | |
Rs. 36,000 | |
Rs. 2.58 Lakhs | |
Rs. 3.84 Lakhs | |
Rs. 3.48 Lakhs | |
Rs. 5.50 Lakhs |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Candidates should have a master’s degree in any discipline to get an admission to Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy).
Yes, candidates have to appear for the national level examination or the entrance examination conducted by the particular university/college.
Ph.D. holder has the opportunity to become researcher, scientist, professor, journalist, independent consultant, human services worker, editor, critic, lecturer etc. A Ph.D. holder can also apply for a job in the finance sector, public sector etc.
There is a chance for Ph.D. graduates to work in other countries. If you are a Ph.D. graduate, any company will take you as right now Ph.D.is the highest level of academic degree anyone can earn so for the companies, you are the expert in the subject.
The duration of Ph.D. is usually between 2 to 7 years depending on the field you are researching.
The prominent universities which offer a degree in Ph.D. are Amity University, Noida, Tata institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, Institute of Genetic Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, KCG college of Technology, Chennai, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, Chennai Mathematical Institute, Indian Statistical Institute (ISI).
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List of Ph.D colleges
Questions related to Ph.D
Hello,
Yes, a candidate with a Master's in Hospital Administration (MHA) is eligible for the PhD program in Health Sciences at the West Bengal University of Health Sciences (WBUHS) . Key eligibility criteria include:
-
Possession of a Master's degree or equivalent postgraduate degree recognized by relevant regulatory bodies in disciplines such as Medical Sciences, Dental Sciences, Homeopathy, Ayurveda, Unani, Nursing, Paramedical and Allied Health Sciences, Technology associated with health sciences, and interdisciplinary topics related to health sciences.
-
Achieving at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in the qualifying examination.
-
A relaxation of 5% marks is granted to candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (Non-creamy layer)/differently-abled categories.
Admission involves passing a Research Aptitude Test (RAT) and a synopsis confirmation seminar.
Hope you find it useful !
Hello
Since you have taken Arts in 12th pursuing a PhD in Agriculture directly is not possible. To do a PhD in Agriculture, you need a relevant academic background in science.
Here’s what you can do:
1. Check Eligibility for BSc in Agriculture :
Most universities require Science (PCB/PCM) in 12th for BSc Agriculture.
However, some private universities may offer diploma courses in agriculture that you can pursue and later transition to a BSc.
2. Alternative Route via Arts Background:
If you are interested in agricultural research from an Arts perspective , you can pursue a BA in Rural Development , Agricultural Economics or Environmental Studies.
After that, you can do an MA in related fields and then a PhD in Agricultural Economics, Rural Studies or Agri-Policy.
If you are open to interdisciplinary research (like policy-making in agriculture, rural sociology or environmental law) you can still work in the agriculture field with an Arts background.
hope this helps you .
Hello aspirant,
There are various colleges in India that offer PhD and every college has different eligibility criteria and admission process. So if you want to know the admission course then I required the name of college that you are targeting so that I can help you better.
So I suggest you to ask another query on our portal with all relevant details so that we can help you better.
Thank you
Hello,
In India, after completing a PhD in Clinical Psychology , you cannot directly pursue an MD in Psychiatry or Diploma in Psychological Medicine (DPM) because:
- MD Psychiatry Eligibility – Requires an MBBS degree from an MCI-recognized institution and NEET-PG qualification. A PhD in Clinical Psychology is not an alternative pathway .
- DPM Eligibility – Also requires an MBBS degree and NEET-PG.
- Alternative Options – You can practice as a clinical psychologist or pursue postdoctoral research .
- If You Want to Become a Psychiatrist – You must complete MBBS first and then qualify for MD Psychiatry/DPM .
Hope it helps !
To get an admission form for a PhD in Psychooncology, visit the official website of the university you're interested in, navigate to the "Admissions" or "PhD Programs" section, and look for the specific Psychology program to access the application form; you may need to check for updates on admission notifications and deadlines on the website as well.