phd selection criteria

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

How to Choose a PhD Program

Successfully completing a doctoral program requires commitment and perseverance. the most important step in this process is to consider whether academic life is right for you and what kind of doctoral program — from discipline to environment — will be the best fit for your goals and preferences., we asked our current students and faculty, “what is key to making this decision” following are some questions they suggested you ask yourself, and answer, in order to select the appropriate program..

First, a basic description of a doctoral program:

As a doctoral student, you will spend the first two years of your program exploring areas of interest through coursework. In the two to three years that follow, you will select and pursue your own research topic, one which will make an original contribution to the existing body of knowledge in your field. Your original research culminates in an extensive written document known as the doctoral dissertation.

General Questions

If you are considering your career options, answering these questions will help you clarify your goals and ambitions — and determine if a doctoral program is the right decision for you.

• Am I the type of person who is suited for a career in academia? Am I independently motivated to answer questions that I find interesting?
• Do I want to spend the rest of my career doing research, as well as reading and talking about it?
• Do I have a strong enough academic background in order to apply and be accepted by the program?
• Is now the time for me to pursue a PhD?
• What are my goals after completing the PhD?

Program Questions

If you know you want to pursue a doctoral degree, answers to these questions will help you select the right program for you.

• How many faculty are working with students?
• How many faculty members are doing research in areas related to my own interests?
• What opportunities are there to work with a variety of faculty and to be exposed to different approaches in research (modeling, work with data, experiment design)?
• Am I technically prepared to learn to do research in this field?
• Most PhD students change their vision of research and many change their intended concentration area after joining the program and being exposed to a variety of research styles. Does my program of choice offer flexibility needed to do so?
• Is there financial support for students to attend academic conferences to present their own research?
• What opportunities are there for students to participate in colloquia, both as an attendee and as a presenter?
• What is the department’s placement record? What types of jobs do graduates take and where?
• Finally, how well do graduates of the program perform in the long term (contributing to the field through publication, practice of management and earning tenure)?

Hear From Our Doctoral Community

From undergrad to phd, from phd student to colleague, faculty expertise in housing economics attracted this phd student to wharton.

PhD Admission Guide

Gain admission to your dream school, guide to phd admission.

While some students swear off further education after undergrad, some love the thrill of intellectual discovery and research. For these students, graduate school is a natural choice. Graduate degrees are separated into “professional” and “academic” categories. Professional degrees are JDs and MDs, while academic degrees are PhDs (literally “Doctorates of Philosophy” regardless of what field you actually study).

Whether or not you need to pursue a PhD depends entirely on what career you wish to have. Some require higher education, while many others do not. In this guide we’ll go over how to apply to PhD programs, what they are looking for, and how the application process works. This guide is focused on the US and Canada; Europe has a system which is simultaneously similar and very different.

What PhD Programs Look For

PhD programs want to make sure you are prepared academically for the rigors of the program, and that you have a concrete research goal in mind. PhD programs culminate with each student answering a research question they devise, contributing new knowledge to the world in the process. 

Thus these programs seek to evaluate your intellectual ability, research goals, previous research experience, and how you will contribute to their program. To determine this, they ask for the following:

Letters of Recommendation

We’ll go through each of these in turn, and explain what graduate programs are looking for from each.

Your GPA in undergrad is the single most important factor in PhD admissions. If your GPA is too low your application will be dismissed out of hand. While there are no hard limits, we suggest a minimum GPA of 3.5 for serious contention, especially at top schools. If your GPA is below 3.0 then you will likely not get admitted into any PhD programs.

The reason for this is that PhD programs are a lot of work. Being intelligent is necessary, but is far from sufficient alone. Everyone in PhD programs is intelligent, and everyone is also willing to do the work. Your GPA is seen as the primary indicator of your willingness and ability to do academic work to a high standard, and your preparation for the rigors of a PhD program.

Along with your overall GPA, schools request your major GPA. This is your GPA when calculated only using courses in your major. This is usually expected to be higher than your overall GPA. Your major GPA should be over 3.5.

While taking harder courses in undergrad is a great experience, they can also harm your overall GPA. Of course, the best approach is to take very hard classes and do well in them, but this is not always possible. We recommend taking a blend of courses, so you are never overloaded, and able to give each the attention it needs to do well.

Academic Preparation

Your GPA and transcript is also used to judge your academic preparation for the program. You should have a solid grounding in the field, and have taken advanced courses as well. Taking graduate level courses in undergrad can exemplify this. 

Some PhD programs also require research languages. This is more common in the social sciences and humanities, but all students will benefit from knowing other languages well enough to do research in them. You should look up language requirements when researching programs to apply to.

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standardized test meant for students who intend to apply to graduate programs. Both MA and PhD programs ask for GRE scores. Much like the SAT or ACT in college exams, the test is meant to be a standardized measure of academic preparation and logical skill.

The test consists of six sections. The first is writing, next are two on verbal reasoning, then two on quantitative reasoning, and finally a research or experimental section, meant to test new questions. The entire test is offered on the computer, with one minute breaks after each section, and a ten minute break after the third section. While there is also a paper-based test, almost all testing is now done on a computer. Due to the pandemic, both testing centers and at-home testing are offered. The GRE is a multi-stage test, and how well you do on earlier sections determines the difficulty of later sections and questions. 

The verbal sections each consist of 20 questions, to be answered over 30 minutes. The whole is scored on a scale of 130-170. The quantitative section is scored the same, and consists of two 20 question sections, each of which should be completed in 35 minutes. The writing section is scored from 0-6. For this section, you write an essay on a given issue in 30 minutes, and offer a response critiquing a provided argument for 30 minutes.

Your total score from the GRE is given from 130-170. While the exact scores you need to enter graduate school vary, higher is better. In addition, some programs only care about your verbal score, while others only care about your quantitative score. How much weight each program puts on GRE scores varies greatly.

We recommend studying for the GRE for some time before testing. You can take the GRE up to five times per year, but must wait at least 21 days between testing dates. Only scores from the past 5 years will be released or considered by graduate programs.

Curriculum Vitae

This is akin to a resume, but is dissimilar enough that the two cannot be used interchangeably. The purpose of a CV is, like a resume, to detail what you have accomplished academically and in your career. It is far more focused on academics however, and is widely used for academic careers.

We recommend finding a template for a CV online, or asking your college’s advisors for help in creating one. If you already have a resume, then you will easily be able to convert it into a CV.

What admissions officers are looking for in your activities is primarily signs of research. This should be in whatever field you intend to pursue a PhD in. Publications are also incredibly valuable. All of academia runs on publication, and getting an early start helps your career at every step.

You should try to do research while still in undergrad. What this looks like depends entirely on what field you are pursuing. While the research does not have to exactly line up with what you wish to pursue, it should teach you skills which are cross applicable. Higher level academic research has its own set of methods and language which must be learned, and students who are already familiar with the forms and structures of research have a leg up in graduate school. 

Publication is not required, but is nice to see. If you have completed a master’s degree, you should have some publication history; of your thesis if nothing else. Speak with your academic advisors about getting your work published.

Each graduate school you apply to will ask for an essay. You will be able to use the same basic form for each, but will need to edit it to be about the particular program you are applying to. Most schools only require a single essay, although some programs ask for a second on diversity.

The purpose of this essay is to explain your research interests, what you have studied, your intended area of specialization, and what your focus will be on. Every PhD student is asking and trying to answer a very specific research question. This question forms the basis of their dissertation, and will be the focus of your life for several years if you are accepted.

Thus the essay is the most important part of your application. Your grades and GRE are required to see if you are academically ready for graduate school, but the essay lets readers know if you are a match for their program, and serious about your research.

Your essay should begin by stating which program you are applying to, and why. Next, go through your previous academic experience in the field, both coursework and research. You don’t have to go through every class, but cover the ones most relevant to your desired research topic.

You should discuss any prior research you have done in the field. If you completed a thesis for your undergraduate degree or a master’s program, cover that here. If you have any publication credits, cover those as well. This should relate directly to the field you are trying to enter. If you wish to pursue lab work, discuss your previous experiences; if instead you are pursuing field work, talk about your experiences there.

Next you should talk about the research you specifically wish to pursue through a PhD. You don’t need to have an exact research question worked out, but it is helpful to have some idea; you should at least know the subfield you will be focusing on. The more specific you are, the better. Having some discussion of methodology can be nice, but is not always necessary.

If there are any ongoing research projects ongoing at the school you wish to work on, cover those next. You should discuss how these projects specifically relate to your own research interests. Finally, you should talk about which professors you wish to work with. Professors take on graduate students to advise, and you ideally want one with a specialization at least tangentially related to your field of interest. The more closely related the professor’s studies are to your own, the better.

You will be able to leave much of this essay the same for each school you apply to, changing only the name of the program, the research projects, and the professors you wish to work with. 

This essay should be a page and a half to two pages long, single spaced. You should go into sufficient detail for those reading it to understand the research you want to pursue. These essays are reviewed by the faculty who run the department, and they make the admissions decisions for PhD programs. There are many more applicants than there are spaces, and admissions rates are low. The more specific and detailed you are in this essay, the better the faculty will understand your research aims, and the better your chances will be.

Diversity Statements

Not all programs ask for these, but you will likely be able to reuse the same essay for those that do. The purpose of the diversity statement is to see what unique points of view and experiences you will be able to contribute to the program. PhDs are about learning, and the more viewpoints and ideas within a program, the broader the experience will be.

If you are a member of an underrepresented group, an immigrant, come from an underprivileged background, or come from an area which is generally underrepresented, we suggest discussing that in this essay. You should not write an essay about your interactions with members of these groups, or a study abroad experience.

Above all, this essay should be authentic to you and your experience. The goal is to show how your background has shaped you as a person, and how it impacts your view of the world.

As with college applications, letters of recommendation are required for PhD admissions. These tell admissions committees who you are as a student and researcher, and give their opinion on how you will perform when doing graduate level work. Academic fields are small and often insular, and the professors writing your letters will often be known by those reading them, either by reputation or in person.

Programs ask for two to four letters. These should primarily come from professors who know you and your work well. If you had a thesis advisor, they should write one of your letters. If you’ve worked doing research for some time, then a mentor or lab director can also be a good source of a letter, even if they haven’t taught you in class. Letters should not come from non-academic sources, unless you have worked professionally in that field. 

While you have the option to read the letters that are written for you, you should always waive that right. If you don’t trust your writers to craft good letters for you, then you shouldn’t be asking them for letters. Asking to see letters is considered a sign of lack of trust, and is gauche. Many professors will decline to write letters if you insist on seeing them.

You should ask for letters well in advance of when they are due; we recommend at least a month or two. If you are asking non-tenured faculty for a letter, more leeway is recommended, as they have more on their plate, and are often more stressed. You may need to send a reminder as deadlines approach. You should also share a copy of your essay with letter writers, so they know exactly what subfield you intend to pursue, and can discuss this in their letters.

Finally, you should be aware of politics when asking for letters. Some professors do not like each other at all. If you are seen as the protege of a professor who others detest, this can impact your admissions chances. Always discuss which schools and programs you are applying to with your letter writers. You should also discuss your choices of writers with an advisor (for example a thesis advisor) familiar with the field. Academic politics are incredibly petty, but if you plan to pursue a PhD you need to be aware of the game, and how it is played.

If your application passes the first review, you will be invited to do an interview. This will be with faculty in the program you are applying to. This is to further get to know you, and to understand your research objectives. 

You should be able to clearly explain what you want to research, and how this program will help you do so. The people talking to you will all be familiar with the field, though not necessarily your specific subfield. They are looking for your ability to communicate and explain your view. Be prepared to answer some questions about the specifics of your goals, though it’s ok if you don’t know everything right now.

Interviews are generally in person, though due to the pandemic, virtual interviews have become more common. This is also your chance to ask any questions you have about the program you were unable to find answers to online. You can practice for this interview with an advisor or mentor; many schools have career centers which hold mock grad school interviews as well.

When and How to Apply to Grad School

There is no unified platform for PhD applications. Instead you must apply to each program individually, through the school’s website. This will mean filling out information multiple times, but they fortunately don’t ask for much. Once you have your documents in order, the rest is personal, demographic, and contact information.

You will need to pay to have your GRE scores sent to each school you apply to. Even though this is all electronic, they still charge dearly for it. 

Applications are generally due in December or January, with interviews held over the next few months. Applications open in September or October. We recommend getting your applications in before the due date, though most programs don’t use rolling admissions. Each program sets their own deadlines, so you should track when each of your applications is due carefully to make sure nothing gets overlooked.

Paying for Grad School

PhD programs are for the most part fully funded. This means you will not be paying tuition, and will also get funding to live on. This funding is generally contingent on academic standing, and doing work TAing, teaching, or on ongoing research projects (or most commonly, all of the above). Many grad students also work full or part time to support themselves. 

While you will not need to take on additional debt to pay for graduate school, you will not be well paid either. While the exact amount graduate students receive varies by school and program, it is generally in the range of $20-30,000 annually. This goes towards food, housing, and supplies.

While you are in a PhD program, you will not have to make payments on any government loans you took out to pay for undergrad, though they will continue to accrue interest. Making payments on them during grad school is difficult, but will greatly cut down on the amount you need to pay back later.

There are also outside scholarships available to help pay for graduate studies. While the amounts offered by these vary, most are small. They can help greatly with paying for the necessities however, and applying to them is usually worth the time investment.

Grad School Admission FAQ

Now we’ll answer some of the most common questions about applying to PhD programs.

Can older students apply?

Yes. Many professionals return to school for a PhD long out of undergrad. We suggest taking some courses at a local university in the field you plan on entering before you do this however. Academic research advances quickly, and this will familiarize you with the latest developments. Further, this will introduce you to professors who can provide you with letters of recommendation.

What are my odds of acceptance?

This depends on both your field and program. Generally, however, it is quite difficult to gain admissions to a PhD program, and admission rates hover around 10%. Only the best students get accepted, and this is even more the case at the top schools and programs.

When should I start thinking about applications?

When you choose your major, you should decide what level you want to reach within that field. Some majors lend themselves to PhDs if you want to work in that field, while others allow employment at various levels.

Where should I apply?

You should find programs with professors who are dedicated to your particular subfield. A prestigious institution which does not focus on your area is far less useful, regardless of how famous its name is. You are looking for someone who will be able to advise you, and help you perform worthwhile research. Further, professors are looking for students studying fields similar to their own when they admit graduate students.

How long are PhD programs?

Generally programs last 4-5 years, though this can vary based on field. The exact structure of the programs also varies a lot based on field and program.

Ivy Scholars is the leading educational consultant in Sugar Land, Texas, providing admissions coaching, test prep, and more to help students enroll at top tier schools.

Get In Touch

Call us now: +1 (281) 215-5148

Houston: 4265 San Felipe St, Suite 1100, Houston, TX 77027

Get Started

Subscribe for updates, © all rights reserved.

• Future Students
• Current Students
• Faculty/Staff

Admissions & Aid

• Admissions Home
• Application Requirements
• Financing Options
• Diversity Profile

You are here

Application requirements for all doctoral programs (phd).

All of our doctoral programs are designed to develop outstanding educational researchers who have a deep understanding of the scientific, practical and policy issues they study. All require full-time study, and we promise five years of full-time financial support for every student we admit. Our doctoral programs are small, typically ranging from about 25 to 35 new students a year. The small size of our doctoral cohorts creates big educational advantages for students: the classes are almost always small, students receive individualized attention from their advisors, and they have many opportunities to develop close collegial relationships with fellow students.

It is extremely important to demonstrate in your statement of purpose that your interests converge closely with the current research of faculty who work in the program to which you are applying. Other doctoral applicants will certainly do this, and if you don't, you will forfeit an important competitive advantage to them. 

If you wish to contact faculty, please read our Which Degree Which Program article, by Professor Eamonn Callan, which outlines the appropriate process for contacting faculty with whom you share research interests. 

• Program website:  Degrees and Programs/PhD
• Length of Program:  5 years (average length)
• Tuition: fellowship/assistantship salary and tuition guaranteed for first five years of the program (autumn, winter and spring quarters) for all students, including international students. Funding includes two summers.

Application Requirements:

Application form.

Complete and submit Stanford's graduate online application .

Application Fee

The application fee is $125 , is non-refundable, and must be received by the application deadline.

Application Fee Waivers

Stanford offers three types of application fee waivers for which GSE applicants may apply and be considered:

• GRE Fee Reduction Certificate-Based Waiver
• Diversity Program Participation-Based Waiver
• School-Based Waiver

Please visit the Stanford Graduate Diversity website for instructions, deadlines, and the fee waiver application form.

Statement of Purpose

A Statement of Purpose is required. Your statement should be typed, single-spaced and should be between one to two pages . Describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program, your preparation for this field of study, and why our program is a good fit for you, your future career plans, and other aspects of your background as well as interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study. You may indicate potential faculty mentors as part of your study and research interests. Be sure to keep a copy for your records. What's a Good Statement of Purpose?

A resume or CV  is required of all applicants, depending on which document is most appropriate for your background. There is no page limit for resumes or CVs, though we typically see resumes of one page in length. Please upload your resume or CV in the online application.

Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation . In the online application, you will be asked to identify your recommenders and their email addresses. Please notify your recommenders that they will receive an email prompt to submit their recommendation online. You can submit your request for letters of recommendation through the system without submitting the entire online application.  Stanford GSE only accepts online recommendations through the application system ; Stanford GSE cannot accept mailed, emailed or faxed recommendations.

Recommendations should be written by people who have supervised you in an academic, employment, or community service setting. We very strongly recommend that at least one of these letters be from a university professor familiar with your academic work. Your recommendations should directly address your suitability for admission to a graduate program at Stanford GSE.

It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all three letters of recommendation are submitted through the system by the application deadline , so please work closely with your recommenders to remind them of the deadline.

College and University Transcripts

Transcripts are required from every college and university you have attended for at least one academic year as a full-time student. When submitting your online application, transcripts should be uploaded to the application as a scanned copy or PDF ; this is sufficient for the application review process. Please refrain from sending a secured PDF/transcript with a digital signature as our system cannot upload these properly. The best way to ensure we receive an upload-able document is for you to print out the secured transcript, scan it, and upload the scanned copy (not to exceed 10MB) as a PDF. 

If you earned a degree at the institution from which you are submitting a transcript, please ensure that the degree conferral date and the degree conferred is clearly visible on the document. If you are currently enrolled in a degree program and will not have earned the respective degree by the time of submitting your GSE application, you should submit your most recent in-progress transcript from your institution.

Only if admitted will we contact you with instructions on sending two copies of your official transcripts to our office. We cannot accept mailed, emailed or faxed copies of your transcripts during the application process. Please note: the instructions for sending transcripts on the online application and on the general Stanford Graduate Admissions Office website differ from this Stanford GSE requirement.

Concerning course work completed in a study abroad program

If the coursework and grades are reflected on the transcript of your home institution, you do not need to submit original transcripts from the study abroad institution.

Concerning foreign institutions

If your institution provides a transcript in a language other than English, we require that you submit a translation of the transcript that is either provided by the institution or a certified translator. Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records.

If your transcript does not include your degree conferral date and the degree conferred , please submit a scanned copy of your diploma, a conferral statement, or a conferral document in addition to your transcript . If you are currently enrolled in a degree program and will not have earned the respective degree by the time of submitting your GSE application, you should submit your most recent in-progress transcript from your institution.

Stanford University requires the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) from all applicants whose native language is not English. The GSE requires a minimum TOEFL score of 250 for the computer-based test, 600 for the paper-based test or 100 for the internet-based test in order to be considered for admission. The Test of Written English (TWE) portion of the TOEFL is not required. Applicants who have completed a four-year bachelor's degree or a two-year master's program (or its equivalent) in the U.S. or at an institution where English is the main language of instruction are not required to take the TOEFL. For more information on TOEFL requirements, please refer to the Required Exams  page on the main Stanford Graduate Admissions website. You may register for the TOEFL test directly at the ETS website .

TOEFL Dates and Deadlines

PhD applicants who are required to take the TOEFL should plan to take the internet-based TOEFL test and have official TOEFL scores sent electronically to Stanford at institution code 4704 (department code does not matter) no later than November 1 . This will give your official TOEFL scores time to be sent from ETS and be received by our system in time for the December 1 deadline. PhD applicants to Knight-Hennessy Scholars should plan to take the internet-based TOEFL test no later than October 16 so your scores can be received by our system in time for the November 16 KHS GSE deadline. Please note that the TOEFL may be taken no earlier than 18 months prior to the application deadline.

Does Stanford accept tests other than TOEFL?

No. We accept only TOEFL scores; we do not accept IELTS or other test scores.

Contact Information

Admissions:  [email protected]  

• Financial Aid
• Current Student Info

Stanford Graduate School of Education

482 Galvez Mall Stanford, CA 94305-3096 Tel: (650) 723-2109

• Contact Admissions
• GSE Leadership
• Site Feedback
• Web Accessibility
• Career Resources
• Faculty Open Positions
• Explore Courses
• Academic Calendar
• Office of the Registrar
• Cubberley Library
• StanfordWho
• StanfordYou

Improving lives through learning

• Stanford Home
• Maps & Directions
• Search Stanford
• Emergency Info
• Terms of Use
• Non-Discrimination
• Accessibility

© Stanford University , Stanford , California 94305 .

PhD Program Requirements

• Introduction

Harvard Griffin GSAS strives to provide students with timely, accurate, and clear information. If you need help understanding a specific policy, please contact the office that administers that policy.

• Application for Degree
• Credit for Completed Graduate Work
• Ad Hoc Degree Programs
• Dissertations
• English Language Proficiency
• African and African American Studies
• American Studies
• Anthropology
• Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning
• Molecular and Cellular Biology
• Organismic and Evolutionary Biology
• Biological Sciences in Public Health
• Biostatistics
• Business Administration
• Business Economics
• Byzantine Studies
• Celtic Languages and Literatures
• Chemical Biology
• Chemical Physics
• Chemistry and Chemical Biology
• Comparative Literature
• Division of Medical Sciences
• Earth and Planetary Sciences
• East Asian Languages and Civilizations
• Engineering and Applied Sciences
• Film and Visual Studies
• Germanic Languages and Literatures
• Health Policy
• History of Art and Architecture
• History of Science
• Human Evolutionary Biology
• Inner Asian and Altaic Studies
• Linguistics
• Mathematics
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
• Organizational Behavior
• Political Economy and Government
• Population Health Sciences
• Public Policy
• Quantum Science and Engineering
• Religion, The Study of
• Romance Languages and Literatures
• Slavic Languages and Literatures
• Social Policy
• South Asian Studies
• Systems, Synthetic, and Quantitative Biology
• Secondary Fields
• Year of Graduate Study (G-Year)
• Master's Degrees
• Grade and Examination Requirements
• Conduct and Safety
• Financial Aid
• Non-Resident Students
• Registration
• Residence Halls
• Student Groups

In addition to the common degree requirements expected of Harvard Griffin GSAS students, students must meet additional requirements specified by their department or program. This section provides additional degree requirements by academic program.

CONTACT INFO

Academic programs, explore events.

• Offline MS(R) form
• Offline Ph.D form
• Non joining form
• Other student related forms
• Parent Login
• Checkmail Roundcube
• Checkmail Squirrelmail
• Internal Web
• Dual Degree
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Research Areas
• Transcripts / Degree / Verification
• Visiting Student & Professional Candidate
• List of Chairman of DRC/CRC
• List of Convenor of DRC/CRC
• Academic Circulars
• Board of Academic Programmes
• List of Dept./Centre/School

Academics Administration

• Associate Dean
• Deputy Registrar
• Assistant Registrar

Minimum Qualifications for admission to Full-time PhD Programmes

Table 1 defines the minimum qualifications required for admission to full-time Ph. D. programmes at IIT Delhi. Please note:

These are Institute minimum requirements and any Department/Centre/School operating through their DRC/CRC/SRC can specify higher short-listing criteria than what is specified here.

This table includes most of the degrees, but each DRC/CRC/SRC is free to specify the qualifications and disciplines acceptable for admission to their programmes.

Candidates in the final year of their programmes and who expect to complete all their qualifying degree requirements before the date of registration are also eligible to apply for admissions. For short-listing purposes, their performance until the preceding semester (preceding year if their programmes are year based) would be considered but their admission would be provisional, subject to their meeting the minimum eligibility criteria after their final qualifying examination results are announced. In any case, all admissions are provisional at first and it is confirmed only after all certificates and previous records are duly checked and verified, a process which may take a few weeks into the starting semester.

Table 1: Minimum Qualification for Admission to full-time PhD Programmes

Exemptions, relaxations and clarifications:

For SC/ST/PwD category candidates , the minimum performance in the qualifying degree (S. No. 1 & 2 in Table 1) is relaxed from 60% to 55% (CGPA relaxed from 6.00 to 5.50).

For SC/ST/PwD category candidates , the minimum performance in the qualifying degree (Sr. No.3 in Table 1) is relaxed from 70% to 65% (CGPA relaxed from 7.00 to 6.50).

Qualifying degree performance is computed by aggregating performance over all the semesters/years of the qualifying degree, as per the credit or weightage system approved in the institution/ board where the degree has been completed.

Requirement of qualification in GATE / National Exam is waived for the following categories of applicants:

Currently registered students in Centrally Funded Technical Institutes (CFTIs) pursuing B.Tech./B.E./ Integrated M. Tech/ Integrated M.Sc. Programmes (or any other programme of minimum four year duration, admission to which is on the basis of JEE), who have completed 6 semesters or more, and have CGPA of 8.00 or above (on a 10 point scale). Such students must obtain a CGPA of 8.00 or above at the time of graduation, and before they formally register for the Ph.D. programme (80% aggregate marks, if marks are the primary mode of evaluation);

Graduates of CFTIs (in the programmes marked under (i)) with a final graduation CGPA of more than 8.00 (80% aggregate marks, if marks are the primary mode of evaluation);

M.A or M.Sc. graduates from IITs with CGPA 8.00 or above.

For purposes of shortlisting, the primary method of evaluation (i.e., CGPA/CPI, or aggregate percentage, whichever is appropriate) followed by the institution where candidate has obtained his/her qualifying degree will be used by IIT Delhi for determining whether the candidate meets the final shortlisting requirements.

For assistantship purposes only (and not for qualification), candidates with M.B.B.S. qualification will be considered equivalent to M. Tech., for admission to Ph.D. programme in Centre for Biomedical Engineering;

For candidates with M.A. degree in English, a 5% relaxation in marks or 0.5 relaxation in CGPA may be permitted for admission to the Ph.D. programme in Humanities and Social Sciences;

Candidates holding an MBA degree are eligible for applying to the Ph.D. programme in the Department of Management Studies.

Select Language

Students related.

• CGPA Conversion Certificate
• Scholarships/Fellowships
• Travel Awards
• External Research & Travel Grant
• Inviting Online Applications
• Research Scholar Travel Award
• Research Excellence Travel Award
• Prime Ministers Research Fellowship Annual Research Grant

MD/PHD Admissions

Selection Criteria

• MD/PhD Admissions

MD/PhD Admissions: Selection Criteria

Selection criteria for admission to the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell include academic credentials, personal traits, career objectives, the commitment to and suitability for the MD/PhD dual degree program as well as an individual's ability to make a positive contribution to society, the profession, and the Zucker School of Medicine. Specifically, the Admissions Committee at the Zucker School of Medicine will consider, among other criteria:

• Undergraduate and graduate academic performance including GPA, rigor of undergraduate study, the university attended, and academic major
• MCAT scores.
• Extracurricular activities, including community service, leadership roles, honors and awards, employment, research experience, and unique accomplishments
• Capacity to contribute diversity to the educational environment
• Demonstrated commitment to and motivation for a future career in medicine
• Personal statement describing his or her  individual, educational and social backgrounds, and the applicant's response to unique challenges
• Character traits, including honesty, integrity, leadership, team work, empathy, maturity, emotional stability, creativity, ability to communicate with others, and self-direction
• Perseverance through adversity
• Motivation for the MD/PhD dual degree program

Additional Criteria

It is in the best interest of the community, as well as the educational environment at the Zucker School of Medicine, for the Admissions Committee to select a class whose members represent a broad range of diverse experiences, backgrounds and interests. This diversity may include, but is not limited to:

• Socioeconomic background
• Educational background
• Professional background
• Geographic background
• Status as first generation college student
• Interest in different medical specialties
• Interest in working with underserved populations of patients

The selection criteria used by the Admissions Committee will be determined by the philosophy and the mission of the Zucker School of Medicine. 

Immunology Admissions

Students seeking admission to the Immunology Graduate Program apply to the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Students begin their studies in July.

The Immunology program is committed to diversity and encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences that will enrich the mix of students on our campus. These include individuals determined by NIH as being under-represented in biomedical sciences, including individuals with disabilities. GSBS offers a full range of services to support its students.

The application is completed online on the GSBS Application Portal .

Information about application deadlines and the application process can be found in the Admissions section of this website.

For Immunology Program specific information and questions, please  email Steve Bunnell , Immunology Admissions Director.

GSBS students typically receive  financial aid  that includes full tuition remission, a student stipend and HMO-based health insurance.

Preparation for the Immunology Program

Prospective applicants are required to have completed a minimum of one year of college-level biology, at least one year of college-level mathematics, and general and organic chemistry. Although not required, successful completion of courses in biochemistry, cell biology and genetics are assets for graduate biomedical study. Most of our current students majored in a biological science during their undergraduate years.

The GRE is not required and, if scores are submitted, they will not be considered in the Admissions process.

Selection Criteria

Typical highly competitive applicants have GPAs of at least 3.4 (based on a 4.0 system) and have engaged in significant laboratory research during or following their undergraduate education. Following review of submitted applications, competitive candidates are invited to visit Tufts and meet with students and faculty.

• How to Choose a PhD Research Topic
• Finding a PhD

Introduction

Whilst there are plenty of resources available to help prospective PhD students find doctoral programmes, deciding on a research topic is a process students often find more difficult.

Some advertised PhD programmes have predefined titles, so the exact topic is decided already. Generally, these programmes exist mainly in STEM, though other fields also have them. Funded projects are more likely to have defined titles, and structured aims and objectives.

Self funded projects, and those in fields such as arts and humanities, are less likely to have defined titles. The flexibility of topic selection means more scope exists for applicants to propose research ideas and suit the topic of research to their interests.

A middle ground also exists where Universities advertise funded PhD programmes in subjects without a defined scope, for example: “PhD Studentship in Biomechanics”. The applicant can then liaise with the project supervisor to choose a particular title such as “A study of fatigue and impact resistance of biodegradable knee implants”.

If a predefined programme is not right for you, then you need to propose your own research topic. There are several factors to consider when choosing a good research topic, which will be outlined in this article.

How to Choose a Research Topic

Our first piece of advice is to PhD candidates is to stop thinking about ‘finding’ a research topic, as it is unlikely that you will. Instead, think about developing a research topic (from research and conversations with advisors).

Consider several ideas and critically appraise them:

• You must be able to explain to others why your chosen topic is worth studying.
• You must be genuinely interested in the subject area.
• You must be competent and equipped to answer the research question.
• You must set achievable and measurable aims and objectives.
• You need to be able to achieve your objectives within a given timeframe.
• Your research question must be original and contribute to the field of study.

We have outlined the key considerations you should use when developing possible topics. We explore these below:

Focus on your interests and career aspirations

It is important to choose a topic of research that you are genuinely interested in. The decision you make will shape the rest of your career. Remember, a full-time programme lasts 3-4 years, and there will be unforeseen challenges during this time. If you are not passionate about the study, you will struggle to find motivation during these difficult periods.

You should also look to your academic and professional background. If there are any modules you undertook as part of your Undergraduate/Master degree that you particularly enjoyed or excelled in? These could form part of your PhD research topic. Similarly, if you have professional work experience, this could lead to you asking questions which can only be answered through research.

When deciding on a PhD research topic you should always consider your long-term career aspirations. For example, as a physicist, if you wish to become an astrophysicist, a research project studying black holes would be more relevant to you than a research project studying nuclear fission.

Read dissertations and published journals

Reading dissertations and published journals is a great way to identify potential PhD topics. When reviewing existing research ask yourself:

• What has been done and what do existing results show?
• What did previous projects involve (e.g. lab-work or fieldwork)?
• How often are papers published in the field?
• Are your research ideas original?
• Is there value in your research question?
• Could I expand on or put my own spin on this research?

Reading dissertations will also give you an insight into the practical aspects of doctoral study, such as what methodology the author used, how much data analysis was required and how was information presented.

You can also think of this process as a miniature literature review . You are searching for gaps in knowledge and developing a PhD project to address them. Focus on recent publications (e.g. in the last five years). In particular, the literature review of recent publications will give an excellent summary of the state of existing knowledge, and what research questions remain unanswered.

If you have the opportunity to attend an academic conference, go for it! This is often an excellent way to find out current theories in the industry and the research direction. This knowledge could reveal a possible research idea or topic for further study.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

Discuss research topic ideas with a PhD supervisor

Discuss your research topic ideas with a supervisor. This could be your current undergraduate/masters supervisor, or potential supervisors of advertised PhD programmes at different institutions. Come to these meetings prepared with initial PhD topic ideas, and your findings from reading published journals. PhD supervisors will be more receptive to your ideas if you can demonstrate you have thought about them and are committed to your research.

You should discuss your research interests, what you have found through reading publications, and what you are proposing to research. Supervisors who have expertise in your chosen field will have insight into the gaps in knowledge that exist, what is being done to address them, and if there is any overlap between your proposed research ideas and ongoing research projects.

Talking to an expert in the field can shape your research topic to something more tangible, which has clear aims and objectives. It can also find potential shortfalls of your PhD ideas.

It is important to remember, however, that although it is good to develop your research topic based on feedback, you should not let the supervisor decide a topic for you. An interesting topic for a supervisor may not be interesting to you, and a supervisor is more likely to advise on a topic title which lends itself to a career in academia.

Another tip is to talk to a PhD student or researcher who is involved in a similar research project. Alternatively, you can usually find a relevant research group within your University to talk to. They can explain in more detail their experiences and suggest what your PhD programme could involve with respect to daily routines and challenges.

Look at advertised PhD Programmes

Use our Search tool , or look on University PhD listing pages to identify advertised PhD programmes for ideas.

• What kind of PhD research topics are available?
• Are these similar to your ideas?
• Are you interested in any of these topics?
• What do these programmes entail?

The popularity of similar PhD programmes to your proposed topic is a good indicator that universities see value in the research area. The final bullet point is perhaps the most valuable takeaway from looking at advertised listings. Review what similar programmes involve, and whether this is something you would like to do. If so, a similar research topic would allow you to do this.

Writing a Research Proposal

As part of the PhD application process , you may be asked to summarise your proposed research topic in a research proposal. This is a document which summarises your intended research and will include the title of your proposed project, an Abstract, Background and Rationale, Research Aims and Objectives, Research Methodology, Timetable, and a Bibliography. If you are required to submit this document then read our guidance on how to write a research proposal for your PhD application.

Browse PhDs Now

Join thousands of students.

Join thousands of other students and stay up to date with the latest PhD programmes, funding opportunities and advice.

Applying for a Doctoral Program

Start Your Application

Manage Your Application

A Doctorate is the highest academic degree awarded by universities in most fields of study. It involves several years of rigorous research, culminating in a dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field. Doctoral candidates work closely with a faculty advisor to explore and answer complex questions, often pushing the boundaries of what is known.

Applying to a doctoral program is like applying for a job. This process requires more diligence and patience than applying for a Master’s degree. To stand out from a competitive pool of candidates, you must prepare a strong application that includes your academic achievements, any related research experience, and a clear statement of your research interests and goals. Be sure to demonstrate your passion, fit for the program, and your interest in RIT.

Explore our doctoral programs

How to Apply for a Doctoral Program

For details on the exact application requirements for your program, visit the Application Details section on your degree page and thoroughly review the graduate application instructions page .

• Most doctoral programs have an application deadline of January 15 and admit to Fall terms only, but be sure to verify the application deadline for your program and start terms before applying. Many programs will accept applications on a rolling basis after the priority deadline has passed until all spots are filled. For tips on completing your application, view our Ph.D. Application 101 recording . 
• Early applicants may see a “Hold for Program Deadline/Review Date” on the checklist in their portal. This an administrative hold that prevents applications from going for review until after December 15th. You will be notified when your file is sent to the review committee by email.
• Choose the Right Doctoral Program:  Review individual doctoral program pages carefully to learn the curriculum, research focus areas, facility profiles, and facilities to determine if the program is a good fit for you and to ensure that your interests and background align with the degree. The application will allow you to enter up to three choices in order of preference.
• Research Your Faculty Interests: Identify faculty members whose research aligns with your interests. Matching your research area with potential advisors strengthens your application and helps ensure a good fit. It is not necessary to secure a faculty advisor in order to submit your application. Learn more about researching faculty and areas of interest
• Craft Your Statement of Purpose for Research: This requirement should clearly convey your research interests, indicate what faculty member(s) you would like to work with, your experience, and why you want to pursue a doctorate at RIT. Each program may have specific guidelines, so be sure to address them. There is no minimum or maximum length. If you listed more than one program choice in your application it is suggested that you prepare separate statements for each program (doctoral and/or master’s). You may upload all three at the time you submit your application, or wait for a decision on your first choice program.  View program-specific criteria
• Choose Strong References: Make sure you choose the right people to submit letters of recommendation and give them plenty of time so they can prepare their support letter in advance. References should speak to your ability and promise to become a successful independent researcher. Professors, research supervisors, or professional mentors make ideal choices.
• Update Your CV/Resume: Ensure your CV or resume is current and highlights relevant academic achievements, research experience, publications, and professional skills.
• Verify Admission Requirements: Double-check all admission requirements and application details for your chosen program. Ensure you have all necessary materials, including transcripts, test scores, and any additional documents. You do not need to submit financial documents as part of your doctoral application. Focus on preparing a strong academic and research-focused application to showcase your qualifications and readiness for doctoral study.
• Understand Decision Timing: The review process typically starts in late January and may take several weeks to a few months. Be patient as the committee evaluates your application and aligns faculty advisors with candidates in matching research areas where funding is available. You may be invited to interview if faculty would like to know more about you. Interviews are not required. Admission decisions are first communicated in mid-March and continue until the class is full. If you are not admitted to your first choice program, allow additional time for review for second and third choices. RIT does not simultaneously review for multiple programs. 
• Replying to an Offer of Admission: Accepted candidates must respond to their doctoral degree offers by April 15 or the date indicated on your admit letter and in their portal. If you decide to accept your offer, you are expected to honor your commitment to enroll at RIT as a doctoral student. This ensures a smooth transition into your program and reflects your professionalism and reliability. 

Researching Faculty Advisors and/or Research Interest Areas

Identifying a potential faculty research advisor(s) and research interest areas in your Statement of Purpose for Research is important. It is not necessary to secure a faculty advisor(s) in order to submit your application.

Here are avenues for your research:

Align Research Interests

Ensure your research interests align with those of potential advisors. This alignment is crucial for a productive and supportive mentoring relationship. Review faculty members' recent publications and current projects to understand their focus areas. Visit the program page to learn about the current research for your program.

Use RIT’s “Find an Expert” Tool

Utilize RIT’s Find an Expert tool to identify faculty members with specific expertise. This resource can help you narrow down potential advisors based on your research interests. You may also want to use Google Scholar and search for RIT faculty.

Explore RIT’s Faculty Directory

Start by exploring the RIT Faculty Directory to find faculty members whose research aligns with your interests. This directory provides detailed profiles, including research areas, publications, and contact information.

Explore our Research Centers and Institutes:

RIT is home to a diverse array of research centers and institutes that drive innovation across various fields. These centers provide state-of-the-art facilities and collaborative environments to support groundbreaking research. Explore our extensive list of research centers and institutes

Reach Out to Potential Advisors

Once you’ve identified potential advisors, you may choose to reach out to them with a well-crafted email. This is not required but encouraged. Introduce yourself, briefly explain your research interests, and express why you’re interested in their work. Attach your CV and any relevant documents. Be respectful of their time and follow up if you don’t hear back within a couple of weeks. Do pay attention if it is documented that a faculty advisor is not taking on new students.

Funding Sources for Doctoral Students

Doctoral students typically receive full tuition and an RIT Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) or Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) that will pay a stipend for the academic year. There is not a separate application process for scholarship and assistantship consideration

Assistantships and Stipends

Research and teaching assistantships provide valuable experience and come with stipends that help cover living expenses during the school year, such as room and board. 

Summer Support Some programs are able to offer stipend support during the summer. Eligibility for summer funding will be determined by the graduate advisor and/or program director. 

Funding Throughout Program Funding throughout your doctoral program will depend on your satisfactory academic and research performance. Students are expected to fulfill their assistantship duties responsibly and make satisfactory progress towards their degree. It is expected that starting your second year, funding will be provided from your college either through a Teaching Assistantship or by your graduate advisor from external funds.

Student Fees Full-time students are responsible for both Student Activity and Student Health Services fees. In addition, RIT expects that all students will have health care insurance. Learn more about student fees

Timing and Distribution of Stipends

Graduate Research Assistants and Graduate Teaching Assistants receive a semi-monthly stipend payment starting a few weeks after the initial enrollment term. For U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents, no taxes are withheld at the time the payment is made. However, students are encouraged to file estimated tax payments quarterly. Detailed information about the timing and distribution of stipends will be provided by your academic department. 

Financial Document Submission

Doctoral applicants are not required to submit financial documents as part of the application process. Focus on showcasing your academic and research potential without the added stress of financial documentation. If you are admitted, you will receive funding notification with your admission offer and international students who require a student visa will be assisted through the I-20 process.

Student Support and Community

Doctoral Student Association

The Doctoral Student Association provides an inviting environment that brings students together to encourage collaborative work. Doctorate students collaborate to produce high-quality journal publications and conference presentations in a friendly and encouraging environment. The group also provides information about professional and social activities to help produce well-rounded graduate students.

Learn more about the Doctoral Student Association

RIT Graduate School

The RIT Graduate School acts as a central hub, enhancing the academic journey for graduate students by cultivating a diverse scholarly community and offering robust professional development programs. This supportive environment, backed by dedicated faculty and staff, empowers students to excel in their research, scholarship, and creative endeavors.

Learn more about the RIT Graduate School

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a doctorate and a master’s degree?

Understanding the differences between a doctorate (Ph.D.) and a master's (M.S.) degree program is crucial in making an informed decision. While a master's program typically focuses on advancing your knowledge and skills in a specific area, a doctorate emphasizes original research and developing new theories or applications.

Can I go from a Bachelor’s degree to a Doctorate? Do I need a Master’s degree first?

Yes, you can go directly from a Bachelor's degree (BS) to a Doctorate program. You are not required to get a master’s degree before pursuing a Doctorate. This pathway can be a strategic choice depending on your career goals and readiness for advanced research. 

May I have an application fee waiver?

The $65 application fee covers the management and processing of your record and admission materials. If you are unable to pay our application fee due to financial hardship, we encourage you to carefully consider the expenses associated with graduate study before applying.

Is there a set GPA requirement for being considered for a doctoral program at RIT?

Admitted doctoral students typically have a GPA of 3.0 or above. If it is lower, you will not necessarily be eliminated from consideration. You are welcome to apply. The Admissions Committee will consider your complete application when making a decision.

Do I need to provide GRE or GMAT scores ?

Requirements vary by program. Refer to your doctoral program page or the  deadlines and requirements  table for details. For programs that require test scores, we do not state minimum GRE or GMAT scores. Official scores should be sent to RIT directly from the testing agency using Institute code 2760.

What are the English language test score requirements? As an international student do I need to submit scores?

An official score report for the TOEFL, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic exam, or  RIT English Language Proficiency Test  is required of all international applicants who are not eligible for a waiver. We do not accept letters from your college or university indicating "English proficiency" or letters indicating courses were taught in English in place of official English language test scores. We do not accept Duolingo scores. See the “English Language Test Requirements” section in the  Application Materials  section of the  Application Instructions  for full details.

Do I need to have authored research papers to apply for admission to a doctoral degree?

No, you do not need published research papers to apply for a doctoral degree. A majority of admitted students do not have prior experience authoring research papers. However, admission to a doctoral degree is very competitive, and having published research papers helps strengthen your application.

How many students apply for doctoral study, and how many are admitted?

Admission to an RIT doctoral program is highly competitive. The number of applications received and the number of fully funded opportunities are limited and vary from year to year and by program.

Will the stipend fully cover living costs in the US?

The stipend should cover modest living expenses (housing and food), fees (student activity fee and health services fee), and costs for books, supplies, and some personal expenses. However, each student differs in their preferred living styles and their relative expenses. Doctoral students are permitted to take on other part-time employment so long as it does not interfere with their doctoral work (international students are only able to work on campus, for a total of 20 hours per week including their research positions). On-campus opportunities can be found through Career Connect .

Do doctoral students need to have personal finances available upon arriving at RIT?

Though our Ph.D. is fully funded, students do need to have their own funds available for travel and arrival in the US and to get settled in Rochester immediately upon entering the program. Please be sure to keep this in mind as you consider applying and your finances. If admitted, your first payment/stipend would not be until a few weeks into the program, so you will need to have a foundation of funds available for housing and other living expenses before that.

Is funding throughout the program guaranteed?

Your full tuition and assistantship stipend responsibilities will be determined by your graduate advisor and/or program director. It is our expectation that you will fulfill your duties responsibly and make satisfactory progress towards your degree. Funding in future years will depend on your satisfactory academic and research performance. It is expected that starting your second year, funding will be provided from your college either through a Teaching Assistantship or by your graduate advisor from external funds.

Our team is here to help you as you apply to RIT's doctoral programs. Do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or need assistance.

Contact Your Admissions Counselor

Email  [email protected] to be connected with your admissions counselor

Chat with Us

For general questions about RIT or applying to one of our doctoral programs, use our live chat or search your question in the chatbot.

Request an Appointment or Schedule a Campus Visit

An in-person visit or virtual meeting with an admissions counselor will provide a personalized experience that suits your needs.

• Understanding PhD Entry Requirements in the UK

Written by Chris Banyard

Pursuing a PhD is a significant academic undertaking that can open the doors to a career in academia, research, or specialised professions. If you're considering this path, it's crucial to understand the entry requirements you'll need to meet. This guide will help you navigate the general criteria for PhD programmes in the UK, but remember to check the specific requirements for each programme you are interested in.

On this page

Qualifications and academic eligibility.

To gain admission to a PhD programme in the UK, you'll generally need to have strong academic qualifications:

Bachelor's degree

• Standard requirement : most PhD programmes require you to have a Bachelor's degree with at least an upper second class honours (2:1)
• Field of study : your undergraduate degree must typically be in a discipline related to the PhD you're applying for.

Masters degree

• Necessity : some programmes, particularly in the Arts and Humanities, may also require a Masters degree with a Merit or Distinction grade.

However, in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, an undergraduate degree may sometimes suffice, contingent on the individual programme's requirements.

What if I have a Masters, but my undergraduate degree is in a different subject or field?

A Masters degree usually supersedes a Bachelors, meaning that the undergraduate degree grade is less significant.

International equivalents

International equivalents to these degrees may be accepted – the research institution you apply to will assess their suitability.

Atypical qualifications

A special case may be made if an applicant does not have a typical formal qualification. For example, if you have extensive professional experience in a relevant area, it might make up for a lack of previous academic qualification. However, this is down to the discretion of the PhD supervisor and / or university, and they might ask you to undertake extra study.

Suitability for PhD study

A research institution will only admit students they believe can complete the PhD to a high standard and within the allotted time limit. To assess your suitability, a PhD supervisor will consider:

• Research proposal : this document outlines your research questions, methodology, and potential contributions to the field.
• PhD interview : an interview allows the committee to gauge your motivation, understanding, and preparedness for the research.
• References : strong academic or professional references attesting to your capabilities and readiness for PhD study are essential.

Residency requirements

Uk residency.

In most circumstances, a PhD student will need to be a resident of the country in which the research is being completed at the time of study, or hold a relevant visa.

International students (including EU, EEA and Swiss nationals) require a Student Route visa to study a PhD in the UK.

International study

If you plan to study outside the UK, the residency requirements will vary. Generally, you need to:

• Be studying full-time
• Have confirmation of enrolment before applying for a visa
• Have enough monetary support for the full length of study

The documentation you will need depends on your country of study. Always check the specific requirements for each country. Take a look at our international PhD study guide for more information.

Language proficiency

If your PhD is not conducted in your first language, you may need to demonstrate lanuage proficiency. This is usually through a language test such as TOEFL or IELTS .

• Exceptions : you may not need these tests if you've already completed an English-language degree in a native speaking English-country.
• Conditional offers : sometimes, enrolment offers are conditional upon later proving language proficiency, but it is typically required before your PhD start date.

There may be some exceptions to this, such as if you have already studied an English-language degree in a native English-speaking country, for example.

Can I complete the language proficiency tests later?

Language proficiency tests usually need to be completed before the PhD start date. In some cases, it may be possible to receive an offer of enrolment for a PhD without the language proficiency, but this is normally conditional upon passing the test before the PhD start.

Additional graduate entry tests

In some cases, particularly in countries like the USA , Canada , and Australia , additional graduate entry tests might be required for PhD eligibility. These can be general or subject-specific tests. Always check the specific PhD requirements for your chosen institution.

Ready to apply for a PhD?

Head over to our course listings to find the latest PhD opportunities and learn how to apply.

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

You may also like....

We've answered some of the most frequently asked questions about PhDs, covering course types, applications, funding and the benefits of further study.

Getting ready to apply for a PhD? Our guides explain research proposals, references and entry tests for doctoral programmes.

Understand what a successful PhD research proposal needs to include and how to go about writing one for your project application.

Our guide explains how to contact a potential PhD supervisor to discuss your proposal or ideas with them before applying.

A checklist of the things you'll need to do when making an international PhD application, from meeting the entry requirements to sorting out your visa.

What documents you need for a complete study abroad application, what they are and what they should and should not include.

FindAPhD. Copyright 2005-2024 All rights reserved.

Unknown    ( change )

Have you got time to answer some quick questions about PhD study?

Select your nearest city

You haven’t completed your profile yet. To get the most out of FindAPhD, finish your profile and receive these benefits:

• Monthly chance to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers ; winners will be notified every month.*
• The latest PhD projects delivered straight to your inbox
• Access to our £6,000 scholarship competition
• Weekly newsletter with funding opportunities, research proposal tips and much more
• Early access to our physical and virtual postgraduate study fairs

Or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

*Offer only available for the duration of your active subscription, and subject to change. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw.

Do you want hassle-free information and advice?

Create your FindAPhD account and sign up to our newsletter:

• Find out about funding opportunities and application tips
• Receive weekly advice, student stories and the latest PhD news
• Hear about our upcoming study fairs
• Save your favourite projects, track enquiries and get personalised subject updates

Create your account

Looking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here .

IIMA Admission Ph.D.

Ph.D. Admissions

The Doctoral Programme in Management (leading to a Ph.D.) at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA) welcomes candidates with a solid academic foundation, a high level of motivation, and the intellectual curiosity to conduct innovative research. IIMA’s curriculum prepares doctoral students for careers in academia and industrial research. Candidates may submit applications for admission to the following doctoral specializations: (1) Economics (2) Finance & Accounting (3) Food and Agribusiness (4) Human Resource Management (5) Information Systems (6) Innovation and Management in Education (7) Marketing (8) Operations & Decision Sciences (9) Organizational Behavior (10) Public Systems, and (11) Strategy.  

Students spend an average of four to five years in the programme, which includes two years of intensive coursework. Beginning with the first term, students take advanced doctoral level courses as well as select courses from the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) that provide a comprehensive overview of management disciplines and help develop fundamental skills for analysing managerial issues. After completing the coursework, students are required to clear a Comprehensive Examination to demonstrate that they have attained a high level of expertise in their specialization. Students then work on their doctoral dissertations under the supervision of their Thesis Advisory Committees. IIMA’s doctoral dissertations make original contributions to management scholarship and practice.  

Students admitted to IIMA’s Doctoral Programme in Management get comprehensive financial assistance that includes tuition expenses.  

IIMA has excellent computing facilities, library, and faculty resources. IIMA faculty members actively publish in scholarly journals and advise businesses and governments in India and abroad. Case writing and related research are actively pursued by faculty members and students.  

IIMA’s Doctoral Programme in Management places its graduates in teaching, research, and consulting roles with world class organizations. A total of 471 doctoral students have graduated from the doctoral programme so far.

Basic Eligibility Criteria

Candidates applying to the Doctoral Programme in Management at IIMA must possess:

A Master’s Degree or Two-year Post Graduate Diploma (obtained after completing a Bachelor’s degree with 55% marks or equivalent) or a 5-year Integrated Master's Degree (obtained after completing higher secondary school in the 10+2 pattern) in any field with 55% marks or equivalent.

(OR) A professional qualification – CA, CS, CMA (with a minimum of 50% marks) in addition to a Bachelor’s degree (with at least 55% marks or equivalent). (OR) A four-year/eight-semester Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 65% marks or equivalent.

Note: In case a candidate is awarded grades/CGPA instead of marks, the equivalence would be based on the equivalence certified by the institution/university from where they have obtained the bachelor's degree. In case the institution/university does not have any scheme for converting the CGPA into equivalent marks (or percentages), the equivalence would be established by IIMA by dividing the obtained CGPA by the maximum possible CGPA and multiplying the result by 100. If a candidate belongs to the following reserved categories – Scheduled Caste (SC)/Scheduled Tribe (ST)/Persons with Disabilities (PwD)/Non-creamy Other Backward Castes (NC-OBC)/Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), the minimum degree marks requirement for eligibility as part of the basic eligibility criteria given above will be relaxed by 5 percentage points.

Note that the Bachelor's/Master's degree or equivalent qualification should be from any of the Universities incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under section 3 of UGC Act, 1956; or be recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India; or possess an equivalent qualification from an institution approved by AICTE.

Candidates in their last year of a Master's/Bachelor's programme that would qualify them to apply may also apply. Such candidates, if selected, will only be allowed to join the programme provisionally if they submit a certificate latest by May 31, 2025 from the Principal/Head of the Department/Registrar or Director of the university/institute (issued on or before May 31, 2025) stating that they have appeared for the examinations (including practical examinations) in all the subjects required for obtaining the Master's/Bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification. Their admission will be confirmed when they submit mark sheets and a certificate of having completed the Master's/Bachelor's degree/equivalent qualification referred in the certificate issued by the Principal/Registrar of their college/institution. The deadline for the submission of Marksheet and Certificate is December 31, 2025. Non-fulfillment of previously mentioned basic eligibility criteria at the end of their Master’s/Bachelor’s programme will automatically result in the cancellation of their provisional admission.

Selection Process

Candidates applying to the Doctoral Programme in Management are required to take the Common Admission Test (CAT) or a standard test in lieu of CAT (see table below). For NRIs and foreign candidates, the standard test is the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT). Different doctoral specializations have different standard tests that candidates can take in lieu of the CAT. These standard tests are given in the following table. Candidates applying to one or more doctoral specializations should refer to the following table at the time of application.

The validity of the CAT and the other standard test scores are given in the following table. Note that the scores should be valid on the deadline for submission of the application form.

Note: Online GMAT/GRE (take home) exam scores are not valid. Only test center based GMAT/GRE scores are valid. Candidates will be shortlisted on the basis of their performance in the CAT or the standard test in lieu of the CAT, academic background, experience, etc. IIMA may conduct online or face-to-face interviews depending upon the health advisory issued by the authorities at that time. The admission interviews are expected to be held during March-April 2025. Government of India guidelines for reservation are followed during admissions.  

Financial Assistance

IIMA provides comprehensive financial assistance that covers all academic expenses including tuition, computer, library, medical insurance, placement and alumni fees, and in addition includes a monthly subsistence allowance.

The details of monthly subsistence allowance are as follows:

Doctoral students are also eligible for the following research support (subject to IIMA’s policies):

• Contingency allowance of Rs. 35,000/- per year (for up to five years) to cover various expenses such as research fees, book costs, photocopying charges, etc.
• Reimbursement of qualifying expenses up to Rs. 4,00,000/- for presenting research papers at international or domestic conferences (or equivalent).
• Reimbursement of qualifying expenses related to fieldwork and other data collection up to Rs. 2,00,000/-.
• Start-up grant of Rs. 1,00,000/- for purchasing computing equipment.
• Financial awards for publishing papers in specified high-quality peer-reviewed journals.

The Doctoral Programme in Management is a full-time programme that requires significant on- campus/local living. On-campus accommodations for single students for the initial part of their tenure, and limited housing on campus for married students are available. House rent allowance of Rs. 15,000/- per month (Rs. 20,000/- per month for students with family) is paid to qualifying students who opt to stay off-campus in Ahmedabad. This option is available to students after passing their comprehensive examination and up to the end of their fifth year. 

How to Apply

The Online Application Form and Brochure will be made available on the Institute website. Candidates may submit applications for a maximum of two doctoral specializations using the online application form. An application fee of Rs. 500/- (Rs. 250/- for reserved category candidates) can be paid through IIMA’s payment gateway. The last date for submitting the application is January 20, 2025. Please also refer to IIMA's Doctoral Programme in Management admission advertisement that appeared in leading newspapers during September-2024.

Important Dates to Note

For further information/clarifications, please contact:   Manager, Doctoral Programme in Management Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad Vastrapur, Ahmedabad 380015 Phone: +91 (079) 7152 4640/41/39

"Application link will be activated on September 19, 2024"

• Welcome to IIM Udaipur
• Our Mission, Core Values and Culture
• Board of Governors
• Director's Message
• Ranking and Accreditation
• Deans' Messages
• Social Outreach
• Infrastructure And Facilities
• Vision 2030
• Our History
• Foundation Day - 2024
• Admission Offer Calendar (MBA 2024-26)
• Two year MBA Program
• Chairperson's Message
• MBA Admission Policy
• MBA Admission Policy for International Applicants
• Important Dates ( MBA International 2024-26)
• MBA Courses
• Curriculum Design
• Second Year Courses
• A Global Perspective
• Global Opportunities
• Academic Calendar
• MBA Fees and Financing
• Scholarships
• Financial Assistance
• EMBA at a Glance
• Chairperson’s Message
• EMBA Program Highlights
• Structure & Curriculum
• EMBA Academic Calendar 2024-25
• Program Fee & Financing
• EMBA Contact
• GSCM at a Glance
• Mandatory Courses
• Elective Courses
• Important Dates
• Academic Calendar (2024-25)
• Application Process
• Testimonials
• Placement Reports
• Fees and Financing
• FAQs on GSCM
• Advisory Board
• DEM at a Glance
• Application process
• FAQs on DEM
• Program Overview
• Current Batch Profile (2022-2024)
• Introduction
• Admission Process
• Program Contents *
• Application and Program Fees
• Program Policies
• Area-wise Application Process
• Overview of IIM PhD Program
• Decision Sciences
• Finance & Accounting
• Operations Management
• Organisational Behaviour & Human Resource Management

Eligibility Criteria

• Student Profiles and Testimonials
• International Exposure
• Reservations
• Academic Calendar 2024-25
• MGNF Programme Structure
• MGNF Entrance Exam
• Student Profiles
• Global Perspective
• International Business & Practices
• Student Exchange Program (STEP)
• Dean Faculty & Research
• Dean Programs
• Faculty Directory A to Z
• Faculty Directory by Area
• Visiting Faculty
• Visiting Scholars
• Faculty Area Advisor
• Faculty Recruitment
• Professors of Practice
• Research Chair
• Research Ecosystem
• Top 4 Rating for Research
• Published Research Paper
• Research Projects
• Research Seminars
• Papers presented by IIMU Faculty
• Chapters in Monographs and Books
• Conference Proceedings
• Invited Talks
• Centre for Digital Enterprise
• Centre for Supply Chain Management
• Consumer Culture Lab
• Incubation Center
• Centre for Healthcare
• Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL)
• Case Studies
• MathSport Asia - 2024
• IIMU - Booth Quantitative Marketing Conference
• Research Activities - Ongoing
• Research Activities (2017-2022)
• External Collaborations
• Executive Education
• Placement Process
• Summer Internships
• Final Placements
• Student Profiles - Two Year MBA
• Student Profiles - GSCM
• Student Profiles - DEM
• Past Recruiters
• The Placement Team
• Learning and Development
• Netratva - The Leadership Talk Series
• Entrepreneurship Support
• Business Review
• Life to the Full
• Student Governance
• Functional and Professional
• Social and Recreational
• Governance and Administration
• Photo Gallery
• Publications
• IIMU Newsletter
• IIMU in the News
• Jobs at IIMU
• NIRF Ranking
• Scholastic Gold Medal Winners
• U-Digital Perspectives
• U Forum - IIMU's Webinar Series
• Organisation and Function
• Budget and Programmes
• Publicity and Public Interface
• E-Governance
• Information as may be Prescribed
• Information Disclosed on Own Initiative

• Doctor Of Philosophy (PhD)

Click here to watch Webinar held about the Program.

Candidates are eligible to apply for the PhD program if they fulfil the following criteria:

A 1-year/2-semester master's degree programme after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree programme or a 2-year/4-semester master’s degree programme after a 3-year bachelor’s degree programme or qualifications declared equivalent to the master’s degree by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 60% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed

A professional qualification (completed) such as CA (ICAI), ICWA, CS with a Bachelor's degree with at least 60 percent marks.

A 4-year/8-semester Bachelor's degree with equivalent of 75 percent marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed.

These criteria are higher than the minimum threshold suggested by UGC guidelines on "Minimum Standards for Ph.D. admissions" as of November 7th, 2022, to ensure consistency with the minimum eligibility criteria of pre-PhD qualifications for the role of Assistant Professor at IIMs.

The Master's degree or equivalent qualification/Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification required for IIM PhD eligibility should be: (a) from any of the Universities incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature in India or other educational institutions established by an act of Parliament or declared to be deemed as a University under section 3 of UGC Act, 1956; or (b) recognized by the Ministry of HRD, Government of India or (c) possess an equivalent qualification from an institution approved by AICTE. The Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification obtained by the candidate must entail a minimum of three years of education after completing Higher Secondary schooling (10+2) or equivalent.

Final year candidates who have not yet completed their respective degrees (Bachelor's or Master's) by the date application is due are eligible to apply for IIM PhD program at IIM Udaipur and can receive provisional acceptance. According to IIM PhD criteria, with their initial application, they must submit a bonafide certificate (on the day of registration) signed by the head of their current department/institution indicating that they have completed all examinations/submissions required for obtaining the degree. No later than December 30th, of the year of application, they must submit the final mark sheets/certificates related to the completion of the degree indicating the minimum cut-off has been met.

Valid CAT /GMAT/GRE/NET-JRF (relevant disciple) scores are mandatory for the candidates applying for Finance and Accounting and Marketing Areas. The validity of the test scores is shown in the table below. It should be noted that the scores should be valid at the time of the application deadline.

Know more about area-specific application process here .

Apply Now Area-wise Application Details Download Brochure

• Tender Notices
• HR Policies
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• Whistle Blower Policy
• Management of Covid-19
• Evaluation Committee Report
• Anti-Ragging Committee and Squad
• Samman - Internal Committee @ IIMU

© 2024 IIM Udaipur. All rights reserved.

• connect with us
• 1800-572-9877
• [email protected]
• We’re on your favourite socials!

Frequently Search

Couldn’t find the answer? Post your query here

• Science Exams
• UGC NET Exam
• UGC NET News & Updates

PhD Admission in India 2024: Dates, Eligibility, Entrance Exams, Admission Process, Top Colleges

Updated On: August 14, 2024 10:52 pm IST | UGC NET

Looking for PhD admission in India 2024? If yes, then you might be thinking about what are the PhD eligibility criteria, required entrance exams, top colleges, career scope, etc. Scroll through to find PhD admission process in India.

PhD Admission 2024: Latest Updates

Application deadline for phd admission 2024 in top colleges, eligibility criteria for phd admission 2024, admission process for phd admission 2024, entrance exams required for phd admission 2024, top entrance exams schedule for phd admission 2024, phd admission 2024: how to apply, top universities in india for phd admission 2024, preparation tips for phd admission, job prospects after phd in india.

PhD admission in India 2024 is carried out based on a national-level Research Entrance Test or University-level Entrance Exam followed by a personal interview round in which applicants must present their research proposal. As a part of the PhD eligibility criteria, candidates must also sit for entrance exams such as the UGC, CSIR NET, IIT JAM, etc. PhD admissions are available for research programmes in a variety of fields, including mass communication, management, science, law, humanities, engineering, commerce, and pharmacy.

The Doctor of Philosophy, or PhD course is an advanced research degree that lasts three years if pursued full-time and six years if pursued part-time. It is necessary for applicants seeking PhD admission in India 2024 to present their findings, submit progress reports, and participate in an open defence viva voce for their thesis. UGC NET entrance test is administered by the National Test Agency (NTA) for participation in the PhD admission process in India at prominent central universities such as JNU, DU, etc. Aspirants must have scored at least 50% to 55% of aggregate marks or an equivalent CGPA in their postgraduate degree to be eligible for admission at the top PhD colleges in India 2024 .

All PhD admissions for the academic year 2024 have been completed. Here is a list of important dates and events that occurred for your convenience. Here are the latest updates on PhD admission 2024:

• WBJEE 2024 counselling registration for the mop-up round has begun, and the registration deadline was August 7, 2024.
• HSTES 2024 counselling registrations for BTech courses, Round 2 choice filling and locking, was held from August 5 to August 7, 2024, with R2 seat allotment results released on August 8, 2024.
• The answer key for the Karnataka PGCET 2024 has been released.
• TS EAMCET Counselling 2024 final phase of registration for BTech courses begins, and the freezing option was available on August 10, 2024. Furthermore, the provisional seat allocation were released on or before August 13, 2024.
• The GUJCET 2024 round 2 seat allotment results was announced on August 12, 2024.
• GATE registration 2025 will begin on August 24, 2024, for admission to the MTech course. Furthermore, the GATE 2025 exam will take place on February 1, 2, 15, and 16, 2025.
• The COMEDK 2024 round 2 phase 2 seat allotment results and cutoff have been released.
• CG PET counselling 2024 Round 1 registrations for BE/BTech courses have begun, and the deadline was August 12, 2024. Furthermore, the seat allotment results for R1 has released on August 14, 2024.
• The TNEA counselling process 2024 General Counselling (Online) runs from July 29, 2024 to September 3, 2024.
• The Maharashtra CET Cell has begun the MHT CET Counselling 2024. The document verification process is ongoing, and the provisional merit list for counselling will be released on August 27, 2024.
• The online SRMJEEE 2025 application form will be available on the official website, srmist.edu.in, tentatively in November 2024.

The table below includes the top PhD colleges and their application dates for PhD admission 2024:

Students who intend to pursue PhD in India must meet the necessary PhD admission eligibility criteria required by their respective colleges. Listed below are the detailed PhD qualifications required for pursuing a PhD from India:

• Masters degree holders are eligible for PhD admission 2024 into the doctoral programme. Although, for some subjects, having a Master in Philosophy (MPhil) is one of the criteria for PhD admission eligibility. It must be noted by the candidates that in some Indian universities, for a Master's programme, a specific percentage (or equivalent CGPA) is required to satisfy a PhD course eligibility requirement.
• For admission into some reputable universities, a candidate must qualify for the all-India examination, like the National Eligibility Test for Lectureship (NET) conducted by NTA. Final-year students appearing in the qualifying degree examination can also apply although they must submit the attested copies of their qualifying degree certificates
• Admission is offered based on interview. Also, the interview may be supplemented with a written exam if needed.
• Candidates should have a valid Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering or GATE 2024 score to satisfy a PhD admission eligibility criteria in the field of engineering and technology. Also, candidates should have completed their degree in MTech course / Masters in Engineering (ME) in any engineering branch to satisfy the PhD course eligibility in engineering.

The need for a PhD degree in India has increased in recent times because of the increasing career prospects and the growing requirement for higher specialisation. Applicants who want a PhD admission 2024 must consider the following points concerning the admission procedure as the admission is done based on merit and/or entrance exams.

• Admission into colleges/ universities in India is available for candidates in full-time and part-time programmes in various disciplines of engineering, arts, management, commerce, science, humanities, finance, law, medicine and IT.
• Candidates can choose to pursue their PhD either full-time or part-time. The minimum duration of PhD is two years wherein the course follows the semester system including theory and practical versions on the specialisation of a respective course.
• For PhD admission 2024, a Master's degree is required in India. Some universities in India offer seats to students having a minimum of 55% aggregate marks or equivalent.
• In some cases, doing an MPhil is a part of their PhD admission criteria to pursue courses offered by some universities.
• Admissions to a PhD programme is done through an entrance test at the university level or national level.

The admission procedure for both processes is described below.

PhD Admission 2024: Selection Criteria

Candidates interested in pursuing a doctorate should consider the subsequent factors during the PhD admission process in India.

• The applicants who are selected will be contacted to participate in a personal interview round as part of the final selection process.
• Depending on the applicant's MTech project and certain academic areas, the interview process will take place.
• Students chosen for PhD admission are determined by their performance on entrance exams or merit.
• Applicants must pass certain academic requirements before beginning a PhD.
• Based on personal interview results, PhD admission in India 2024  will be awarded. If needed, a written exam could be added to the interview.

The entrance exams for PhD courses conducted in India may vary university-wise. PhD admission in India is based on enrollment to several universities. Universities accept the results of either a national-level or a university-level entrance examination. The following section summarises the PhD admission 2024 entrance exam schedule. Mentioned below is the list of the top entrance exams for PhD in India:

As discussed, PhD admission 2024 is primarily based on entrance exams. Applicants can select from several PhD specialisations, including mathematics, engineering, education, and engineering. The table below shows the exam schedules for India's most competitive PhD entrance exams.

Prospective applicants can take part in the PhD admission process in India with a bachelor's as well as a master's degree. However, they must be conscious that to be eligible to register for a PhD study at any of the Indian schools, they need to meet a certain percentage requirement (or comparable CGPA). PhD admission is granted based on the interview. If required, in addition to the in-person interview, a written exam may be administered at a respective university's discretion. The following is a discussion of how students can apply for admission to their preferred PhD course.

• On the official portal of their preferred college or university, applicants should review all the details on all PhD courses before selecting their specific research topic.
• Those who wish to apply for PhD admission in India 2024 should keep an eye out for notifications about admission to their desired course on the university's official website (preferable) and in the local newspaper.
• The individual needs to cross-check if they match PhD eligibility criteria. Next, they should fully complete the application and submit it by the dates specified on the official portal. Additionally, aspirants need to be mindful that they need to register by the formulated deadline along with all necessary documents and fees.
• A few Indian universities stipulate that applications must be submitted with a research proposal; the application itself is reviewed afterwards.
• Most colleges shortlist candidates after the examination, and those only then appear for the entrance exam. There is one more testing phase included to reduce the number of applicants for PhD admission in India.
• The individuals selected for the PhD programme are subsequently paired with research mentors.

Typically, PhD admissions in India are carried out in the spring and fall semesters. Usually, the Spring Cycle starts in January and ends in June with admissions. PhD admissions for the Autumn Session open in July and end in December. Thus, to stay informed about the admission cycle, aspirants need to keep a close eye on the important dates, and deadlines and monitor the respective official portal routinely. The following is a discussion of the top government and private universities that offer PhD admission in India 2024.

List of Government Institutions Offering PhD Admission 2024

PhD admission in India 2024 is now being offered by numerous Central and State Universities for the July Session. The majority of institutions use the Research Entrance Test or UGC NET/JRF results for admittance. Applicants may directly take part in an interview and showcase their research proposal if they have authentic UGC NET/JRF results. Also, a lot of universities only admit PhD hopefuls who have completed their JRF. Consequently, aspirants need to focus especially on these requirements. The following table highlights a list of the top government institutions offering PhD admission in India 2024:

List of Private Institutions Offering PhD Admission 2024

Numerous private colleges provide PhD programmes in a range of subjects and provide candidates with respectable stipends. In addition to offering PhD admission to students who have passed any fellowship entry exams, the majority of these institutions also administer their own Research Entrance Tests. The following table highlights a list of the top private institutions offering PhD admission in India 2024:

Here are some preparation tips for PhD entrance exams which students can use for reference:

• Students should gather past year PhD entrance exam question papers from reliable sources and study accordingly.
• They must refer to the PhD entrance exam syllabus as per their specialisation.
• The entrance exam format varies depending on the conducting body; therefore, the aspirants must be informed of the structure to plan accordingly.
• They must cover all exam subjects at least one month before the exam.
• To relieve exam stress, the students must take advantage of the various mock tests available.
• Keeping up with current events is vital because they are essential for grades.
• Visiting the exam centre a day before the exam to avoid last-minute confusion about where the exam centre location is advised.
• Before the exam, students must get a good night's sleep.

In today’s world, there is immense scope for candidates after they have completed their PhD. Gone are those days when the scope of PhD was limited to academia. After completing a PhD, one should track their potential and apply to jobs based on exact skills and expertise. Following are a few career options that candidates can choose after pursuing a PhD:

• Lecturer & Professor
• Author & Writer
• Editor & Critic
• Human Services/ Social Worker
• Independent Consultant
• Philosophical Journalist
• Industrial R&D Lab professionals
• Senior Research Scientist

PhD is considered one of the most valued degrees not just in India but abroad as well. When it comes to your career graph, it can be a good qualification for the aspirants. Many colleges or universities offer this course for aspiring students, however, one should satisfy their respective PhD admission eligibility. With this, candidates will have in-depth knowledge and develop mastery over the subjects they have chosen for specialisation, which will be extremely useful for them in their careers.

Stay tuned to CollegeDekho for more such updates and information. Aspirants can also check out our QnA Zone to get their queries resolved by our experts. We wish good luck to all the candidates seeking PhD admission 2024 in India!

Are you feeling lost and unsure about what career path to take after completing 12th standard?

Say goodbye to confusion and hello to a bright future!

In most cases, a two-year Master's OR MPhil degree in the relevant field from any accredited Indian or foreign university is the minimal requirement for admission to a PhD programme. She or he must have earned a master's degree or a grade equivalent with at least 55%.

The university-level PhD entrance exam or the national research entrance test is used in deciding admissions. The next step is a face-to-face interview where applicants submit their research project. A lot of India's top universities are currently accepting applications for PhDs.

Yes, students can finish their PhD in two years. While a small percentage of exceptionally talented candidates can finish their PhDs in under 12 months, most applicants finish theirs in two years. The rarity and impressiveness of this cannot be overstated, but it is always possible. The secret to completing a PhD promptly is to have a solid academic background before you begin.

Yes. It is every so often possible to forego your master's programme and enrol directly in doctoral courses. You can choose to forego your PG degree by enrolling in a research programme after earning your bachelor's degree.

The list of the top 10 easiest PhDs to obtain includes a PhD in Humanities, a PhD in Education, a PhD in Theology, a PhD in Business Administration, a PhD in Psychology, a PhD in Literature, a PhD in Criminal Justice, a PhD in Public Policy, a PhD in History, and a PhD in Sociology.

A PhD is the highest educational qualification that can be obtained. A PhD candidate can expect to earn PhD salary between INR 6 and INR 12 lakhs per year.

Whether a PhD is required after a master's degree depends on a candidate’s interests in a particular specialisation. To be eligible to enrol in a PhD programme, candidates must hold a master's degree in good standing. A PhD course can be pursued by students in any field.

A PhD programme allows you to specialise in a variety of fields. Chemistry Clinical Psychology Education Physics Electronics and Communications Engineering Educational Leadership and Administration are some of the popular doctorate level courses.

A doctorate or PhD degree typically takes three years to complete. Candidates accepted into the programme have a maximum of 5 to 6 years to complete their research. However, the duration of the PhD programmes varies by institute.

Yes, students can get a direct PhD admission in India after completing the UG degree in any discipline or subject of their preference. As per the University Grants Commission (UGC), candidates can apply for a PhD provided they have a four-year bachelor’s degree along with a 75% aggregate mark or its equivalent grade.

Was this article helpful?

Be the first to know.

Get Access to Latest Updates

Do you have a question? Ask us.

Typical response between 24-48 hours

Get personalized response

Free of Cost

Access to community

Similar Articles

• DU NCWEB Admission 2024: Second Cutoff (Out), Eligibility Criteria, Documents Required, Selection Process
• DU NCWEB 2nd Cutoff 2024 (Out): College-wise Cutoff PDF, Admission Process
• DU NCWEB 3rd Cutoff 2024 (September 7): College-wise Cutoff PDF, Admission Process
• Central University of Gujarat UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Registration (Last Date: August 31), Check Dates, Admission Process and Latest Updates
• Visva-Bharati University UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Merit List, Application Process, Courses Wise Eligibility, Admission Process
• Aligarh Muslim University UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Second Merit List (September 1), Dates, Eligibility, Application process

Recent Articles

• Jawaharlal Nehru University UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Dates, Application Form, Courses Wise Eligibility, Admission Process
• AP OAMDC Degree Admission 2024: 2nd Phase Seat Allotment (Released), Eligibility, Web Options, & Latest Updates
• Central University of Kashmir UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Application Process, Courses Wise Eligibility, Admission Process
• Central University of Karnataka UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Merit List (Released), Application Process, Dates, Courses Wise Eligibility, Admission Process
• Central University of Odisha UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Dates, Application Process, Courses Wise Eligibility, Admission Process
• DU Colleges List Rank Wise
• CUHP UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Check Dates, Eligibility, Application Process, Admission Process
• Central University of Tamil Nadu UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Merit List (Soon), Check Dates, Courses Wise Eligibility, Admission Process
• Central University of Haryana UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Merit List (Out), Registration, Seat Allotment, Admission Process
• Central University of Jammu UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Application Process, Courses Wise Eligibility, Admission Process
• CUAP UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Merit List (Released), Application Process, Dates, Courses Wise Eligibility, Admission Process
• IISc Entrance Exam 2025: Dates, Registration, Eligibility, & Admission Process
• AIFSET 2024: Application Process, Syllabus, Admit Card, Participating Colleges
• MCA Entrance Exams 2025: Dates, Eligibility, Application, Fee, Selection
• Banaras Hindu University UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Third Merit List (August 27), Check Dates, Eligibility, Application Process, Admission Process
• Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Registration Process (Started), Courses Wise Eligibility, Admission Process
• Assam University UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Merit List (Out), Admission Process and Latest Updates
• Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Merit List (Soon), Check Dates, Eligibility, Application Process, Admission Process
• CSIR NET General Category Cutoff July 2024: Check Previous Year Trends
• PhD Entrance Exams 2025: Dates, Eligibility, Application, Fee, Selection
• CSAS 2024: DU Admission cum Counselling Process through CUET UG
• DU UG Admission 2024 through CUET: DU 2nd Allocation List (Out), DU Simulated Rank List (Out), Admission Process, Eligibility, Application & Latest Updates
• DU CSAS 2024 2nd Seat Allotment (Out): Direct Link, Steps to Download, Instructions
• Allahabad University UG Admission 2024 through CUET: Dates, Application Process, Courses Wise Eligibility, Admission Process

Recent News

• Odisha CPET Second Round Selection List 2024 (RELEASED): Download link, reporting dates
• APPGCET First Seat Allotment Release Date 2024
• TS CPGET Web Options Link 2024 Activated at cpget.ouadmissions.com
• DU CSAS Round 2 Seat Allotment Result 2024 Released: Final allocation download link, reporting dates
• DU CSAS 2nd Round Vacant Seats Release Time 2024
• DU CSAS Second Round Vacant Seats 2024 (Released): Vacancy matrix after Round 1 admission
• DU CSAS Round 2 Reorder of Higher Preferences 2024 Started: Direct link, deadline
• DU Second CSAS Allocation Release Date 2024
• DU NCWEB 1st Cutoff List 2024 (Released): BA, B.Com college-wise cut off
• DU NCWEB Keshav Mahavidyalaya 1st B.Com Cutoff 2024
• DU NCWEB 1st BA College-Wise Cutoff 2024
• DU NCWEB First Cutoff Expected Release Time 2024
• DU NCWEB First Cutoff List 2024 to be released on August 22 at ncweb.du.ac.in
• DU CSAS Vacant Seats After Round 1 Admission 2024 on August 22 at du.ac.in
• Odisha CPET First Allotment List 2024 (Released): Download subject-wise allotment result, cutoff
• DU NCWEB Round-Wise Cutoff Declaration Dates 2024
• DU NCWEB 1st Admission Cutoff Release Date 2024
• DU NCWEB Counselling Dates 2024 Released: Check round-wise schedule
• DU NCWEB B.Com Expected Cutoff 2024 College-Wise
• Odisha CPET 1st Seat Allotment Release Time 2024
• Odisha CPET First Seat Allotment 2024 to be out on August 20 at pg.samsodisha.gov.in
• DU CSAS Round 2 Vacant Seats Release Date 2024
• DU CSAS First Cut Off 2024 (Available): Candidate allotment details for Round 2 cutoff prediction
• CUET UG Delhi University Science (Hons) Expected Cutoff 2024 Institute-Wise
• CUET UG Delhi University B.Com Expected Cutoff 2024 College-Wise
• CUET UG Delhi University B.Sc Expected Cutoff 2024 College-Wise
• DU CSAS First Allocation List 2024 (Released): Download link out for Round 1 allotment
• DU CSAS Round 1 Allocation Release Date 2024
• DU CSAS First Allotment List Release Time 2024
• DU CSAS Simulated Rank List 2024 (Released): Download link activated, steps to change preferences

Trending Now

Subscribe to CollegeDekho News

Top 10 science colleges in india.

• Approved by: Other, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), National Board of Accreditation (NBA)
• Type: Private
• Download Brochure
• Approved by: NAAC, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
• Type: University
• Approved by: University of Delhi, NAAC, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
• Type: Public
• Approved by: UGC, NAAC, AICTE, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
• Type: Private UnAided
• Approved by: UGC, NAAC, National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
• Type: Private Aided
• Approved by: Other
• Type: Local Body
• Get Free Counselling
• Approved by: Other, AICTE

Popular Degrees

• B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science)
• M.Sc. (Master of Science)
• B.Sc. + M.Sc.

CollegeDekho's expert counsellors can help you with all your doubts

• Enter a Valid Name
• Enter a Valid Mobile
• Enter a Valid Email
• By proceeding ahead you expressly agree to the CollegeDekho terms of use and privacy policy

Details Saved

Registrations Closed

The registrations for spring term have been closed. Registrations for Academic session 2018-19 will start in the month of March 2018. Click here to enquire

LPUNEST Applications for Ph.D. (Spring Term) are closed. Applications for the next term will be updated shortly. For any kind of query please call 01824-404404 or Click here

LPUNEST Applications for Ph.D. (Spring term) will be updated shortly. For any kind of query please call 01824-404404 or Click here

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

Details for Autumn term 2024-25 will be updated soon. Keep checking for the latest information !

1. FOR ALL PROGRAMMES (EXCEPT AGRICULTURE)

Eligibility criteria (qualifying exam).

Other conditions, as prescribed in the Guidelines for Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programmes.

Pass with  55% aggregate marks  or equivalent grades prescribed by UGC in the Master's Degree *  (2 year or 4 semester Master’s Degree after a 3-year Bachelor’s Degree  # ) or equivalent in the relevant subject to qualifying  LPUNEST and Interview. #  Candidate who has completed 1-year/2-semester Master's Degree* programme with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks or equivalent grades prescribed by UGC after a 4-year/8-semester bachelor’s degree is also eligible. OR A candidate who has completed 4-years/8-semesters Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field with 75% aggregate marks or equivalent grades prescribed by UGC and have minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in teaching/research/Industry is also eligible. (A relaxation of 5% marks or its equivalent grade may be allowed for those belonging to SC or ST or OBC (non-creamy layer) or Differently-Abled, Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and other categories of candidates as per the decision of the commission from time to time.) Note: If an institute has conversion factor of 9.5 then CGPA of 7.5 will not result in 75% marks and hence such a candidate will not be eligible

• Applicants having relevant post graduation degree in Engineering only are allowed to apply for the Ph.D. in engineering disciplines. For example, applicants with M.Tech./ ME in CSE would apply for Ph.D. (Computer Science and Engineering), and applicants with MCA or M.Sc. (CS/IT) degrees should apply for Ph.D. (Computer Applications).
• The applicants with Master❜s Degree in distance education or online mode are not allowed to take admission in the Ph.D. Engineering Programmes.
• An applicant who has completed the Company Secretary(CS) course from ‘The Institute of Company Secretaries of India’ (ICSI) with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks is eligible to apply for admission Ph.D. (Commerce) and Ph.D. (Management).  Click here to view Recognition Letter on ICSI Website.
• An applicant who has completed the Chartered Accountancy (CA) course from ‘The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India’ (ICAI) with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks is eligible to apply for admission to Ph.D. (Commerce). Click here to view Recognition Letter on ICAI Website.
• An applicant who has completed PGDBM (2 Years), which is equivalent to Master❜s Degree by AIU is eligible to apply for admission to Ph.D. (Management)

Selection Criteria:

• An applicant will be short listed for Interview on the basis of his/ her score in the entrance examination LPUNEST (Ph.D.).
• The final selection for admission in Ph.D. will be based on the performance in Entrance Test (70% weightage) and Interview (30% weightage) subject to scoring minimum marks in the Interview.

Exemption from Entrance Test

Applicants who have qualified UGC (NET/ JRF)/ CSIR (NET/ JRF) examination/ GATE or GPAT score card or passed M.Phil. Programme (in Regular mode only) are exempted from LPUNEST (Ph.D.).

• The exemption is for LPUNEST (Ph.D.) only but the applicant will have to fill out the LPUNEST (Ph.D.) form and appear for the Interview. The applicants are required to bring the original documents against which exemption is sought at the time of the interview.
• All documents presented for exemption should be valid at the time of admission.
• The final selection for admission in Ph.D. will be based on the performance in Entrance Test (70% weightage) and Interview (30% weightage) subject to scoring minimum marks in the Interview. However, if anyone is exempted from LPUNEST (Ph.D.) entrance test, then 100% weightage will be given to the Interview only.

2. FOR AGRICULTURE PROGRAMMES

• An applicant will be short listed for an interview on the basis of his/ her score in the entrance examination LPUNEST (Ph.D.).
• The final selection for admission to Ph.D. will be based on the performance in Entrance Test (80% weightage) and Interview (20% weightage) subject to scoring minimum marks in the Interview.
• The Exemption is for LPUNEST (Ph.D.) only but the applicant will have to fill out the LPUNEST (Ph.D.) form and appear for the Interview. The applicants are required to bring the original documents against which exemption is sought at the time of the interview.
• The final selection for admission in Ph.D. will be based on the performance in Entrance Test (80% weightage) and Interview (20% weightage) subject to scoring minimum marks in the Interview. However, if anyone is exempted from LPUNEST (Ph.D.) entrance test, then 100% weightage will be given to Interview only.

Share your Feedback

Admission - 2023 live video counselling.

To continue interaction with our expert admission counsellors enter the passcode 123456 for career guidance to discover the best suited programmes for you. Available from 10 am to 5 pm on all working days.

• The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
• UGC ( Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of sexual harassment of Women employees and students in Higher Educational Institutions ) Regulations, 2015
• Handbook on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India
• Internal Complaints Committee against Sexual harassment
• Internal Complaints Committee
• Sexual Harassment Complaint Registration: - [email protected]
• Anti Sexual Harrasment Policy

Admissions for 2017-2018 are closed, except for the following programmes.

Integrated b.ed. - m.ed., important information - lpu admissions 2020 update., for b.tech. admissions:.

• Last date to apply has been extended from 31st March, 2020 to 20th April, 2020. Click here to apply
• LPUNEST Test Dates will be informed as and when Government announces JEE Mains schedule in order to provide candidates with clash free schedule. University is also evaluating the options to offer Online proctored LPUNEST remotely.
• Two Schedules of Counselling will be conducted (both online):
• Regular Schedule of Counselling – After the conduct of LPUNEST exam which is dependent upon Government decision on lockdown due to Covid-19.
• Special Schedule of Counseling – Before the conduct of LPUNEST exam, for all those candidates who already have JEE Mains or LPUNEST score (exams conducted in January 2020).
• Special Schedule of Counselling will be conducted online only as per the dates mentioned below:

• This Special Schedule of counselling will help the students with existing score of JEE (Mains) or LPUNEST to confirm their admission and they need not to appear for LPUNEST exam again.
• Regular Schedule of counselling may be conducted only on the basis of LPUNEST exam and not on the basis of JEE (Mains) score so all candidates having JEE Mains (Jan Schedule) score are advised not to wait for Regular Schedule of counselling and try to confirm the admission through Special Schedule of counselling .
• Applicants who do not have LPUNEST score or JEE (Mains) score because they did not appear for exams in January / February shall apply on or before 20th April, 2020. The schedule of LPUNEST exam and counselling / admission process will be informed later.
• Candidates participating in Special Counselling schedule (as per Table mentioned above), if interested, may appear for LPUNEST to improve their score for Scholarship and/or participate in Regular Schedule of counselling again for changing / improving the allotted branch.
• The ranks declared in Special Counselling schedule will not be used for LPUNEST Study Grant.

For MBA Admissions:

• Last date to apply has been extended till 20th April, 2020. Click here to apply
• University has decided to conduct remote video Interviews for admission in MBA during the national lockdown period due to Covid-19. LPUNEST will now be conducted for scholarship only.

• Considering the current COVID-19 Pandemic situation, University has also decided to extend the Last date of MBA Admissions for January applicants till 30th April, 2020.

For All other Programmes:

For ph.d. programme:.

• LPUNEST and subsequent interview will be conducted as per schedule communicated earlier.
• Slot booking for exam will be open from 15 April 2020 onwards. Click here to apply

Toll Free: 1800-102-4057

• Students should download and install the “LPU Live” App for online/remote academic connect (the details in this regard have been updated on UMS). The students shall continue their studies through the “LPU Live” App and LPU-UMS.
• The University shall remain functional and faculty/staff shall be available during the working hours for all kinds of academic support required by the students.
• Incase students opt to undertake any personal domestic travel; it is advised that all necessary precautionary measures and hygiene advisories should be followed.
• International travel by the students is strongly discouraged.
• Students should avoid participation in large gatherings or venturing out to crowded places.
• All University events scheduled till March 31st, 2020 stand postponed till further notice.
• There shall be no changes in the Academic Calendar of the current term.

Notifications/ Events

LPUNEST Studygrant 4th Edition result declared Result for LPUNEST Studygrant 4th Edition has been declared. Details of the award ceremony will be communicated shortly. Candidates who are eligible to get studygrant can check their result at https://lpu.in/studygrant.

LPUNEST Application Invited for Study Grant Lovely Professional University launched LPUNEST Study Grant 5th Edition to augment the same spirit of expanding the purview of previous Editions of LPUNEST Study Grant i.e. ‘LPUNEST Study Grant 1st Edition, 2019’, ‘LPUNEST Study Grant 2nd Edition, 2020’ and ‘LPUNEST Study Grant 3rd Edition, 2021’ LPUNEST Study Grant 4th Edition, 2022’.

• Atal Ranking of Institutions on Innovation Achievements (ARIIA) - 2020
• Email ID for Comments & Feedback : [email protected]
• Report of NIRF Data Capturing System: Management
• Report of NIRF Data Capturing System: Pharmacy
• Report of NIRF Data Capturing System: Engineering
• Report of NIRF Data Capturing System: Overall
• Report of NIRF Data Capturing System: Law
• Report of NIRF Data Capturing System: Architecture
• Report of NIRF Data Capturing System: Agriculture

Applications for academic session 2020-21 are closed. For 2021-22, details will be updated shortly. You may call 01824-404404 or Click here to submit your query.

LPUNEST Applications for 2020-21 will be updated in 2nd week of September. For any kind of query please call 01824-404404 or Click here

LPUNEST Applications for 2020-21 will be updated Shortly. For any kind of query please call 01824-404404 or Click here

Applications are closed in Post Graduate Agriculture Programmes. If seats remain vacant after the first counselling, we will inform you and will guide you for further process. However to apply for any other Post Graduate Sciences Programme Click Here. For any kind of query please call 01824-404404 or Click Here.

2024 Grant Application

The UCSC Center for Labor and Community (CLC) is a dynamic new hub for high-impact research and policy advocacy on issues related to the world of work in the Central Coast region of California and beyond.  The CLC will award four research grants of up to $7,500 for UCSC graduate students working on innovative, original research projects focused on labor rights, labor subjectivities, labor markets, labor movements, and/or labor-community coalitions and organizing, in either a domestic, international or comparative context. Proposals that are interdisciplinary, collaborative,  and/or involve community-engaged research methods will be especially welcomed.

Funds can be used for local, domestic, and international travel,  research supplies, and services to facilitate distinct data collection techniques, including archival research, fieldwork, and surveying. The funds should be spent by the end of Summer 2024 (September 21, 2024).

Selection Criteria will include:

• Relevance to the core goals and commitments of the CLC
• Originality of the research contribution
• Strength of rationale
• Clarity of proposed activities
• Appropriateness of project scope and of budget projections

Eligibility

Any graduate student in good academic standing at UC Santa Cruz is eligible to apply. 

Requirements

To apply, students must demonstrate that labor is a primary field of their research project and they must be in good academic standing. In addition to submitting a four-page proposal, CV, and itemized budget, applicants must be recommended by a member of the UC Santa Cruz faculty.  

How to apply

Please prepare the following in PDF form . Items 1-3 should be submitted by the applicant, using the Application Form .

• Project abstract (200 words or less)
• Description of research activities, rationale for activities, significance for the field of labor studies and labor movement, and timeline
• What organizations and/or individuals will be involved (and in what capacities), and their relevant expertise or areas of work
• Intended outcomes of the research
• The relevance of the project  to the goals and commitments of the Center for Labor and Community 
• If the research involves human subjects, applicants are strongly encouraged to obtain IRB approval prior to submission or provide a statement of plan and timeline to secure IRB approval
• Detailed budget for up to $7,500
• An abbreviated CV of all key personnel, if applicable  (please put all CVS together in one PDF document)
• Confirms the graduate student is in good academic standing
• Comments on the feasibility and relevance of the project to the students’ academic training
• Comments on the degree that the proposed project aligns with the Center for Labor and Community’s research areas of interest

Acknowledgement

Recipients are expected to acknowledge support from the Center for Labor and Community in any publications or other research products linked to the sponsored research. 

Completed applications (including the faculty recommendation letter) are due no later than March 1, 2024.

If you have any questions, please contact Vicente Vega, Administrative Research Coordinator of the Center for Labor and Community, at [email protected] .

• PhD online application
• Travel grant online application
• Where-to-find-whom
• Board members only

How we decide – PhD fellowships

• Study Abroad Get upto 50% discount on Visa Fees
• Top Universities & Colleges
• Abroad Exams
• Top Courses
• Read College Reviews
• Admission Alerts 2024
• Education Loan
• Institute (Counselling, Coaching and More)
• Ask a Question
• College Predictor
• Test Series
• Practice Questions

Course Finder

• Scholarship
• All Courses
• B.Sc (Nursing)

Mumbai IIT Bombay Courses & Fees

IIT Bombay PhD Admission 2024 (Open): Dates, Eligibility, Fees, Entrance Exam, Application Process

IIT Bombay Latest Updates and News

IIT Bombay Placement 2024 has successfully concluded with an average package of Rs. 23.5 LPA . 

• 22 students have accepted job offers with an annual package of Rs. 1+Cr. 
• The lowest package at IIT Bombay has further dropped to 4 LPA (from 6 LPA last year).
• 75% students have been placed through the campus drive while 15% students found offers themselves. 

IIT Bombay Admission 2025 is open for M.Tech and M.Sc courses. Check the latest updates below:

• GATE 2025 exam date is Feb 1, 2, 15 and 16, 2025. Eligible candidates can apply for IIT Bombay M.Tech admission till Oct 12, 2024 at  gate2025.iitr.ac.in .
• IIT JAM Exam Date is Feb 11, 2025 for M.Sc admission at IIT Bombay. The registration has begun on September 3. Eligible candidates can apply till October 11 through the official website,  jam2025.iitd.ac.in .
• CAT 2024 exam date is November 24. Candidates looking for IIT Bombay MBA admission can complete CAT exam registration before Sep 13, 2024.

NIRF ranking 2024 has been released. IIT Bombay ranks 3 out of 100 colleges under the Engineering category. 

Courses Offered By IIT Bombay 2024

Select Degree and Streams to See Course Fees and Admission Details.

Eligibility:

Application Date:

Do you think the fees are wrong ?   Report Here

IIT Bombay PhD & MS (Research) Admissions 2024 has begun. The last date to apply online for PhD at IIT Bombay is April 05 (Without late fees)/ April 10 (With Late fees). IIT Bombay PhD program is a 3-year program offered in 36 specializations. The most popular amongst the offered specializations is the Computer Science Engineering course with cut of up to 660-1000 in the GATE examination. The minimum eligibility required for applying is 60% aggregate marks in a Master’s degree and the selection of the candidate is done based on  GATE / CEED/ UGC-NET exam scores. For the IIT Bombay PhD CSE admissions, the institute conducted 2 tests followed by the final interview round.

Table of Content

IIT Bombay PhD Eligibility Criteria

• IIT Bombay PhD Admission Criteria
• IIT Bombay PhD Selection Criteria
• IIT Bombay PhD Application
• IIT Bombay PhD Financial Support

IIT Bombay PhD Seats 2024

• IIT Bombay PhD Placement

IIT Bombay PhD FAQs 

Given below are the IIT Bombay PhD eligibility criteria for admission in 2024:

• Candidates applying for PhD programs need to have completed a Master’s degree in arts, commerce, science, technology, or engineering. 
• Additional requirements include a valid score through GATE/ CEED / UGC-NET
• Candidates should be selected through any national-level exams like UGC-NET, IISc, IISER, or IIIT.
• A minimum of two years of professional experience is required after completing all the aforementioned degrees.

IIT Bombay PhD Admission 2024

The selection procedure can be categorized into two broad phases: application shortlisting and written/ interview phases.

IIT Bombay Ph.D. Selection Criteria 2024

Stage 1: application shortlisting .

• Shortlisting is done based on previous academic records and GATE/ UGC-NET scores
• The relaxations are considered based on the Government of India norms which are as follows:

General/ OBC(NC)/ EWS

• An aggregate of 60% marks or first class in the Master’s degree 
• Alternatively, a minimum 6.0 CGPA or equivalent on a scale of 10
• Minimum 55% marks in Master’s degree in Arts, Commerce or allied subjects such as Design and Social Science

ST/ SC/ PWD

• An aggregate of 55% marks or first-class specified by the University in a Master’s degree
• Minimum of 5.5 CGPA or equivalent on a scale of 10
• At least 50% marks in master's degree in arts, commerce, design, or social sciences

Stage 2: Final Selection

• The final selection is done based on the performance at written tests and personal interviews. This is solely about the Teaching Assistance category. 
• Written tests are department-specific and students need to apply for written tests according to their research area of interest.
• Students shortlisted from the written test will be notified and called for an interview.

Note for PWD candidates: PWD candidates can apply for a one-time second-class railway fare for the shortest route between the place of residence and the institute. PWD candidates applying for more than 1 discipline will receive only 1 grant.

Check IIT Bombay Admission

IIT Bombay PhD Application 

The application mode for the IIT Bombay PhD 2024 is Online. Candidates are required to download the PhD brochure online and apply through the given link.

The application fee required for admission is as follows:

• Women Candidate: INR 150
• SC/ ST/ PWD categories: INR 150
• All other candidates: INR 300

How to apply? 

Applications for IIT Bombay PhD admissions are submitted online. Students need to apply through their official website, the steps for which are as follows:

• Visit the IIT Bombay online portal for PhD admissions.
• New users need to register with a valid email address and password.
• The email address will be used as a communication pathway to share details of the application form link.
• Apply with all the personal details and academic records.
• Make the payments through net banking, credit cards, or debit cards.

Note: There are no downloadable forms available. Additionally, no application can be completed without payment of application fees. Students are advised to download a copy of the application submitted for future reference.

Documents required 

• Scanned copies of Photograph and Signature.
• Marksheet of last semester/ Consolidated mark sheet of the qualifying degree
• Caste Certificate (OBC-NC/SC/ST), if applicable. An affidavit for having applied in case the certificate is not yet received.
• Sponsorship certificate, if applicable. (please upload the Sponsorship Certificate, If not available then attach a Self- Declarant letter stating that the sponsorship certificate will be given at the time of Interview/ Admission).
• Statement of Purpose (SoP)
• A sample of writing (if applicable)
• Research proposal (if applicable), as a single file irrespective of the number of disciplines/specializations. 

Financial Support for PhD Candidates

IIT Bombay provides financial support to all its PhD candidates based on MHRD norms categorically for Teaching Assistantship (TA), Research Assistantship (RA), and TA or RA through projects. The details for which are stated below;

Teaching Assistantship (TA)

• The payable assistantship is available for 5 years and even up to the submission of the thesis.
• For the first 2 years, the monthly rate is INR 31,000 and the following years will be INR 35,000/-
• Candidates will be applicable to work as Teaching Assistants for 8 hours every week

Research Assistantship (RA)

• Candidates will be selected for a payable assistantship for 5 years and till thesis submission.
• The monthly stipend is INR 35,000/- for the first 2 years and then INR 39,000/- for the remaining period.
• Candidates have to look for laboratories and assist in research work for 20 hours a week.

TA and RA through Research Projects 

• Candidates who applied in this category are sponsored by the projects of which they are apart
• Payable for up to 5 years and until thesis submission

Check More: IIT Bombay Scholarships

IIT Bombay has sanctioned 445 seats in its PhD program to various categories of students. Earlier, there were only 431 seats available in the program. The increase in the number of seats is due to newly introduced C-Minds and KCDH from the academic year 2020 and 2021, respectively. Each category is given seats as per the Government of India Reservation Policy:

Note: There are a total of 20 seats sanctioned to the PD* category students. These seats are consumed based on birth category quota.

IIT Bombay PhD Placements

IIT Bombay Placements 2023 final report is released. IIT Bombay PhD average package stood at INR 18.34 LPA whereas IIT Bombay PhD highest package stood at INR 29 LPA. The below table represents more highlights of IIT Bombay Ph.D. Placements 2023:

Check IIT Bombay Placements

Ques. With one application fee, can I apply for more than one PhD specialization at IIT Bombay?

Ans. Yes, you may apply for 3 specializations with one application fee. 

Ques. I am an OBC-NC candidate, but I do not have the latest OBC-NC certificate. Am I eligible to apply for the IIT Bombay PhD under the OBC-NC category?

Ans. In case, you don’t have the latest OBC-NC certificate, you can apply with your old certificate. This will help you in applying only. If selected, you must submit the latest certificate otherwise your admission will get canceled/ rejected.

Ques. What is the written test and/ or interview like for PhD admission in CSE at IIT Bombay?

Ans. The selection process for the IIT Bombay Ph.D. CSE consists of 3 stages:

• Advanced test
• Interview round

Stage 1: Basic test: The first stage invites all the applicants who have applied for the PhD program and they all appear for the Basic test. The basic test consists of 30 marks out of which the qualifying marks in 14. Candidates scoring more than 14 marks on the test are called for the Advanced test.

Stage 2: Advanced test: In this stage, the selected candidates from stage 1 are given the choice to solve questions from panels for whom they want to appear for the interview round. Candidates are given questions from their chosen fields, after which they finally appear for the Interview round.

Stage 3: Interview: At this stage, the candidates appear for the interview round and the panel they selected asks them questions related to their field and checks if the candidate is suitable enough for admission.

Ques. What should be done if any issue arises while filling out the IIT Bombay PhD online application form?

Ans. In case, you face any issues while filling out the IIT Bombay PhD online application form, click on the ‘Report Problem...Otherwise’ tab on the portal and submit the query. The staff will revert to the candidate.

Ques. Can I get admission to the IIT Bombay PhD program without the written exam?

Ans. Yes, you may apply for the written test waiver if you have completed your Master’s degree from an IIT institute. You will be exempted from the written test required for PhD admissions at IIT Bombay.

Ques. What are the research opportunities available for UG and PG students at IIT Bombay?

Ans. There is a program called URA known as UG Research Awards. The only prerequisites for pursuing research as an undergraduate are a strong research area and the ability to manage the workload during that period. It gives the student a challenging opportunity to participate in research and establish his/her research aptitude. It will also appear on his/her grade card as research experience. URA is essentially a recognition of the significant amount of research work done by undergraduate students as part of a project - which might be done under a BTP/DDP or as work under a professor outside the curriculum. All the students who have entered through JEE and have done significant research work under a professor can get a URA. There are 3 levels of URA:

• URA01: for preliminary research/ developmental experience
• URA02: for B. Tech. Level Research Project.
• URA03: for Dual Degree Level Research Project

Ques. Can I enroll in a part-time PhD? program at IIT Bombay?

Ans. The part-time Ph.D. course is open to admission to:

• College teachers in and around Mumbai
• IIT-B faculty/ staff
• IIT Project staff
• IIT Research Assistants 
• External sponsored candidates from other organizations in and around Mumbai

Others not included in the list above must apply to a full-time course.

Popular Colleges Compared With IIT Bombay

Do you think the data is wrong ?   Report Here

Search from 20K+ Courses and 35+ Streams

Popular Streams:

Popular courses:, why to join iit bombay - reviews & rating, most popular tags, niraj satnalika's review on iit bombay - indian institute of technology - [iitb], mumbai, fee structure and facilities :.

For Ph.D. there are several categories of students Teaching Assistant Self Finance External. If the student is given the responsibility of assisting a college faculty, she receives a stipend from the government of Rs 30000 per month and above. In this case, the tuition fees are Rs 50000-60000 per year. In case the student doesn't have any assistant responsibility, he, she does not receive any stipend. In this case, the tuition fees are Rs 10000-15000 per year.

Write a Colleges Review & Win Prizes Up to ₹1,00,000

IIT Bombay: 23 Answered Questions

What was the toughest course you took at iit bombay.

There is a course called CS207 Discrete Structures taught by Professor Ajit Diwan . It was related to Discrete Mathematics - Number Theory, Graph Theory, Combinatorics, Sets, and Groups, and was one of the most difficult courses my friend came across.

Professor Diwan is well known for his highly challenging problems and course material. During his lectures, he delivers a lot of information based on principles. For math lovers, his classes are an absolute delight.

He refrains from conducting more than one exam a month. However, the level of difficulty of the exam is high. The questions look very complicated but when one ponders upon them, they don’t seem that difficult.

The exams were extremely difficult to the extent that the passing cutoff was 7 out of 100 marks . Despite the entire batch consisting of JEE toppers, a lot of them were not able to make it to the cutoff.

What are the total fees for an MTech in IIT Bombay?

Admission to MTech students is given under 3 categories at IIT Bombay.

• TA (Teaching Assistantship)
• RA (Research Assistantship)
• Sponsored Candidates

Teaching Assistantship

The fees for the first semester is higher than that of other semesters. The estimate is around 50-60k and includes everything; tuition, hostel, and mess. The table below shows the IIT Bombay MTech fees structure (2022) for the first semester only 

Second and third-semester fees are comparatively lower but the final semester fees rise again mainly due to placement fees and convocation fees. 

Hostel Fees: IIT Bombay hostel fee is INR 34,050 which includes Mess caution money, Hostel seat rent, Electricity & water charges, and Mess advance. Thus the total MTech fees remain anywhere between INR 180000 to INR 200000.

If you think this fee is high then here is an important piece of information for you. 

TA students get a stipend of around INR 12,400 every month i.e INR 74,400 per semester, which is much better than per semester fee. In 2 years, the student gets roughly INR 2,88,000.

Research Assistantship: Fees for the RA category are different. The duration of MTech for RA students is 3 years and they also get a stipend.

Sponsored category: The fees for these students are the highest and they do not get any stipend as they are sponsored by a company.

How much is the IIT Bombay admission fee?

For the academic year 2021-22, IIT Bombay fees are as follows.

Total tuition fees for the B.Tech program is INR 9.12 Lakhs. 

How is the energy systems engineering branch of IIT Bombay for an MTech?

Department of Energy Sciences at IIT Bombay is among the newest in comparison to Mechanical, Civil or Electrical Engineering but its demand is increasing in a fast-paced manner. The reason is the shift in the demand from conventional to non-conventional forms of energy resources. 

Faculty: The faculty is one of the best in the country. The HOD is a member of the Niti Aayog advisory board. Most professors and alumni have their own startups worth millions while some 

Associate Professors who have joined recently are PhDs from MIT.

Curriculum: The introduction of the department gives you a general picture of the course. You are required to complete 12 courses in these 4 semesters out of which 6 are electives. These 6 electives can be from almost any branch in IIT Bombay based on your personal choice. 

Placements: The placements are pretty good and most students go for their own startups. The packages range around 11 LPA. Companies from a number of branches come for placements such as data analysts, core energy, energy consultancy, etc.

MTech Energy Engineering Course Highlights

What is the difference between the B-Des programme at IIT-Bombay and the B-Des programme at IIT-Guwahati?

I am a first-year BDes student at IIT Bombay. Design is one of the fastest-growing departments of our institution. My seniors achieved 71% placements in 2023. Top companies like Microsoft, Samsung R&D, Flipkart, Uber etc. offered campus placements to B.Des students in the previous year. 

Here is a comparison table for IIT Bombay BDes vs IIT Guwahati BDes:

As evident from the above statistics, the B.Des programs at IIT Bombay and IIT Guwahati are equally good.

But IIT Bombay is located in one of the major Indian cities. The advantage of opting for B.Des programme at IIT Bombay is that you’ll get much better off campus opportunities. Moreover, Bombay is closer to other important cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru, etc.

Thus, I would recommend you join the B.Des program at IIT Bombay. 

How is the operation research MSc and PhD dual degree in IIT Bombay?

The course Operations Research offered at IIT Bombay is an integrated Ph.D. course.

Duration: The course duration is 6 years, while the minimum is 5 years. It depends on how much time you take to complete your PhD. You can even extend it more than 6 years but won’t be receiving any stipend for the same. Another option is to opt out of an MSc degree after 3 years.

Compensation: Students are paid around INR 6000/- month for 2 years and then INR 25000 from third year.

Department: This course is offered by the IEOR( Industrial Engineering and Operations Research) department of IIT Bombay which is considered the best in India.

Courses: The courses offered are Industrial Engineering related and some pure operations research related. There are a large number of project courses since this is a research-oriented course. After successfully completing the first 3 years you get admission to a Ph.D. program provided that you qualify certain prerequisites.

Purpose of the course: The course targets students who are interested in research and stimulate them to pursue a career in Operations Research. Some students, however, instead sit for placements after the third year with an MSc degree and don’t go for Ph.D.

Placements: There is no use to mention placement as most of the small batch size opts out of placements to pursue PhD.

Suitability: The course is most suitable for those who are sure of kick-starting a career in research. You get to work on various projects under the guidance of great professors. 

Selecting the best PhD advisor is very necessary to ensure a good career. The same professor then gives you a PhD in very less duration or even drags the time unnecessarily. The best part is that you don't need to clear any PhD entrance like UGC CSIR and can easily get a PhD admit with few formalities and end up with a doctorate degree in less than 6 years.

Can we do a part time PhD in IIT Bombay?

Yes, you can definitely do a part time PhD in IIT Bombay. All you need to do is apply as an external category candidate.

Major highlights of part-time PhD in external category

• A supervisor from IIT B is assigned
• A supervisor from outside is selected
• Coursework depends on the qualifying degree (B.Tech, M.Tech, MBA, etc.) and the criteria varies accordingly. 
• For SJMSOM, IIT Bombay- A minimum of 52 credits is required if the candidate is not having an MBA (Not PGDM) and 40 credit is required if the candidate is having an MBA.
• You can go and attend classes and don’t have to necessarily leave the job
• Once the course period is completed, you get admission as a PhD Candidate and you can meet your guide as per your need.

Applications for part time PhD are accepted twice a year for Autumn and Spring Semester. 

How many fees are there at IIT Bombay?

IIT Bombay BTech fees are (Only Tuition)

• General and OBC candidates: INR 900000
• SC/ST/PwD candidates: 125000

I have tabulated the detailed IIT Bombay fees structure (per semester) below

• 100% Tuition Fee waiver for SC/ST/PH students.
• Full remission of the Tuition Fee for
• General & OBC students whose family income is less than Rs.1 lakh per annum.
• Remission of 2/3rd of the Tuition Fee for General & OBC students whose family income is between Rs.1 lakh to Rs.5 lakh

So year-wise a general category student has to pay 2 Lakhs at IIT Bombay.

Which should I prefer, CSE at IIT Guwahati or electrical (5 years) at IIT Bombay?

I am a third-year BTech student at IIT Bombay. Here is a comparison between IIT Bombay and IIT Guwahati:

(The branch-wise placement stats for IIT Bombay are not present)

Both IIT Bombay and IIT Guwahati are highly renowned engineering colleges. However, IIT Bombay ranks much higher on a national and global ranking scale. 

Moreover, IIT Bombay is located in the Financial Capital of India. This allows its students a much higher industry exposure. Additionally, Bombay has easy connectivity to major cities like Bengaluru, which further benefits its students. 

Because of these reasons, I would recommend you choose the 5-year Electrical Engineering course at IIT Bombay over B.Tech CSE at IIT Guwahati. 

What are IIT Bombay fees for an MBA?

The first-year fee for pursuing an MBA from IIT Bombay is around INR 4,29,300. To get admission students must sit for CAT or equivalent entrance exam. IIT Bombay has a batch capacity of around 150 students. Science IIT Bombay is situated in the financial capital of the country, so it is easier for the students to land opportunities. Even the curriculum is very well structured offering students expected academic insights along with it offering the students with industry related insights which help them in their professional development and make them ready for their professional journey. 

Compare Popular Colleges With IIT Bombay

IIT Bombay Latest News

Nine iits to discontinue branch change option for first-year students; check list here.

Ratti Chhatr Scholarship Program by Panasonic Opens Applications, Get Direct Link Here

IIT Orientation and Commencement 2024 Schedule Out, Get Institute-wise Commencement Dates Here

Discover More Colleges

Yes, the course requires an entrance examination. It conducts GATE for admission which will be followed by a personal interview or group discussion round. It will be followed by the CCMT counseling round.

Yes, admission to the M.Sc courses of IIT Bombay is based on IIT JAM scores. You can check the IIT Jam cut offs for the respective category of students from IIT Bombay Cut-offs.

Are You Interested in this College?

IIT JAM 2025 Registration Open, Apply Now!

IIT Delhi starts JAM 2025 registration on September 3, 2024. Register online at the JOAPS portal on the official website jam2025.iitd.ac.in. till October 11, 2024. ... Read More

GATE 2025 Registration Begins, Check Direct Link here!

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has started the GATE 2025 Registration process on August 28, 2024 (Wednesday). Candidates can apply through GOAPS portal at – gate2025.iitr.ac.in. The last date for regular registration without a late fee is September 26, 2024. ... Read More

CAT Registration 2024 Dates Out, Check Details Here

IIM-Calcutta will start CAT 2024 Registration from August 1, 10 Am onwards. The last date to submit the application form is September 13, 2024 by 5 Pm. ... Read More

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTER