PhD in Ancient History: Fees, Eligibility, Top Colleges, Syllabus, Job Prospects, Salary, Distance Education, 2023

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Sounak Banerjee

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PhD in Ancient History is a 3-years doctorate level program designed for candidates to specialize in Ancient History dealing with subjects like Ancient Society, State Power & Legitimacy in Anc. India: The Gupta Dynasty, Economic History of Early India

Devotion and Dissent in Indian History, Capitalism & Colonialism, Devotion and Dissent in Indian History.

 Applicants with a Master’s degree in History or equivalent from a recognized university are eligible to apply. 

The admission process is either merit-based or entrance exam based depending upon the university the student is applying to. Usually, students need to appear for a Personal Interview before they are accepted to the course. 

PhD in Ancient History Studies Quick Facts 

The course highlights for PhD in Ancient History are tabulated below:

Program Type Doctorate
Duration  3 years
Eligibility Master’s in History or equivalent degree from a recognised university.
Admission Merit and Entrance Based
Average Course Fee INR 5000 to INR 10 Lakhs
Average Starting Salary INR 3 Lakhs to INR 15 Lakhs
Top Recruiters Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), National heritage agencies, Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR), Government museums, Public and Private Universities
Job Profiles Associate Lecturer, Editor, Subject Matter Expert, Data History Analyst, Curriculum Design Consultant, Archaeologist, Researcher, Junior Research Fellow, Historian

All about PhD in Ancient History

PhD in Ancient History helps candidates learn about the history, politics, culture and, living conditions of older civilisations. PhD in Ancient History is a three-year Doctorate level course designed for candidates to specialise in Ancient History.

  • PhD in Ancient History course is offered both in regular and distance learning mode in some colleges.
  • The average course fee ranges from INR 5000 in certain government universities to INR 10 Lakhs for private institutions.
  • The top institutions offering PhD in Ancient History programs in India are Loyola College, Presidency College, Nalanda Open University, Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, etc.
  • The course is divided into three years with a minimum of three subjects in each year.
  • The subjects studied under this degree are Ancient History of India, History of India, Economic History of India, Medieval History of India, Social Structures in India and Historiography.
  • Students can pursue PhD in Ancient History abroad from universities like The University of New South Wales, the University of California, the University of Bristol, etc.
  • The average starting salary of candidates after PhD in Ancient History course is INR 3 Lakhs to INR 12 Lakhs.

Why Study PhD in Ancient History?

  • PhD in Ancient History course is designed to give an in-depth knowledge about Ancient History.
  • The candidates learn about the history, politics, culture, and living conditions of older civilisations
  • This course inculcates a strong sense of analysis and research in the candidates.
  • The candidates get a brief knowledge about the approach to Ancient History methodologies.
  • It enables the delivery of professional knowledge in the field of Ancient History.
  • The candidates learn the connection between medieval, ancient, and present civilizations with in-depth co-relations between each aspect. 
  • The candidates can develop the ability to discover theories and present the discoveries with proper thesis writing.
  • The course prepares the candidates for various fields of Archaeology and Anthropology and opens new job opportunities in this field.
  • After completion of PhD in Ancient History course, candidates can work as Associate Lecturer, Editor, Subject Matter Expert, Data History Analyst, Curriculum Design Consultant, Archaeologist, Researcher, Junior Research Fellow, Historian etc

Check: PhD in History

PhD in Ancient History Admission

PhD in Ancient History course admission is merit-based, and entrance exam based depending upon the university/college. Though most of the universities follow merit-based admission. Applicants need to take up a test followed by a Personal Interview for some colleges. Students in some cases are shortlisted on the basis of both academic record and performance in the relevant nationwide entrance exams. Applicants should check the admission process of the particular university they are interested in before applying in advance and prepare accordingly.

Check: PhD in Ancient History Colleges in India

Eligibility 

  • The candidate must have graduated with a master’s in History or equivalent degree from a recognised university.
  • The minimum qualifying percentage varies in different universities but a minimum of 55% in master’s examinations is required to be eligible for pursuing PhD in Ancient History course.
  • The candidate must have qualified for the entrance examination if required by the university.

Admission

  • Admission to PhD in Ancient History course is done on the basis of percentage obtained in the master’s degree pursued by the candidate.
  • Various universities also conduct their own entrance examinations for admission to the course.
  • Some universities exempt candidates with scorecards of different entrance exams in equivalent subjects like NET, SET, M. Phil etc. from the university entrance examinations.
  • Candidates who have successfully qualified for the written examinations are then called for a personal interview round by the colleges that they have applied for.

Entrance Examination

The top entrance exams for admission in PhD in Ancient History courses are:

  • University of Calcutta, Kolkata M. Phil Admission Test
  • National Eligibility Test (NET)
  • State Eligibility Test (SET)
  • University of Hyderabad
  • Pune University MPhil

The University of Calcutta, Kolkata M. Phil Admission Test:

Admission to the PhD program at the University of Calcutta is done on the basis of the M. Phil research examination. The duration of the examination is one hour. It consists of MCQ, short notes and essay type questions. After the written exam, a personal interview round is conducted for the qualified candidates.

National Eligibility Test (NET):

National Eligibility Test (NET) is conducted by NTA, and it determines the eligibility of the candidates for assistant professor and junior research fellow posts in universities. The duration of the examination is 180 minutes. It is a national level examination.

State Eligibility Test (SET):

State Eligibility Test (SET) is a regional level examination conducted by the states in their own provisional language for the post of assistant lecturer. The examination is conducted by 15 states in India.

Entrance Exam University of Hyderabad:

The University of Hyderabad conducts the University of Hyderabad Entrance Examination which is a state-level examination for admission in various UG/PG/ Doctorate courses. It is an examination of 2 hours duration.

Entrance exam Pune University MPhil:

Pune University MPhil entrance exam is conducted by Pune University OEE entrance exam body. It is a state-level examination. The type of questions is only multiple-choice questions MCQs. The total marks are 100.

Entrance Exam Dates

The list of important dates associated with the entrance exams of PhD in Ancient History is given below.

Name of Exam Registration Period Exam Date
CSIR UGC NET (June Session)             2nd week of March – 2nd week of April 2023   3rd week of June 2023
UGC NET (July Session)         December 29, 2022 – January 23, 2023  February 21, 2023 – March 10, 2023
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF           To be Announced  To be Announced

Entrance Exam Preparation Tips

The various tips to prepare for PhD in Ancient History entrance exams are given below:

  • Aspirants must start the preparation well in advance to cover all the topics smoothly and properly.
  • Try to get the best books or resources for study and focus on them. Do not collect multiple sources to study from as it might feel like a burden to finish the topics within the given time frame.
  • Always take short breaks while studying and revise all that you have learned the previous day before starting with fresh topics. Follow the Pomodoro Technique.
  • Candidates must attempt mock papers, sample papers and past year papers to get an understanding of the exam pattern and assess their individual level of preparation.
  • Candidates must inculcate a habit of revising facts and figures every day to fit them in memory.
  • The candidate must regularly practice every day to cover all the syllabus on time. It is important to be calm and motivated throughout the time of exam preparation. 

PhD in Ancient History Curriculum/Syllabus

The curriculum is divided yearly. Students indulge in Historiography, Dissertation, Research Methodology and Thesis Writing during the program. The general PhD in Ancient History curriculum for the 3 years is given below:

Year Syllabus
First Year

Research Methodology and Thesis Writing;

Historiography;

History of Ideas

Second Year

Debates in Indian History;

Dissertation;

Study of Techniques and Thesis Writing Methodology

Third Year

Study of The Writing of History and of Written Histories;

Study and Concepts;

Study of Historical Conflicts;

Proposal and Evaluation

PhD in Ancient History Subjects

The PhD in Ancient History subjects may differ from one institution to another, but the basic subjects remain the same. The subjects studied under this degree are Ancient History of India, History of India, Economic History of India, Medieval History of India, Social Structures in India and Historiography. Jawaharlal Nehru University JNU PhD in Ancient History additional subjects are given below:

  • Ancient Society
  • State Power & Legitimacy in Anc. India: The Gupta Dynasty
  • Economic History of Early India
  • Devotion and Dissent in Indian History
  • Capitalism & Colonialism
  • Devotion and Dissent in Indian History
  • Introductory Sanskrit

Course Comparison: PhD in Ancient History Vs PhD in Political Science

The following table comprises of comparison between PhD in Ancient History Vs PhD in Political Science course.

Parameters PhD in Ancient History PhD in Political Science
Full-form Doctor of Philosophy in Ancient History Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science
Duration 3 years 3 years
Eligibility Master’s degree in History or equivalent from a recognised university with a minimum of 55% marks. Graduation in Allied Arts PG course with a minimum of 55% marks from a recognized institution.
Admission Process Merit or Entrance Exam based Merit or Entrance Exam based
Course Fee INR 5000-INR 10 Lakhs INR 25,000 to INR 5 Lakhs
Average Starting Salary  INR 3 Lakhs- INR 12 Lakhs per year INR 4 Lakhs- INR 10 Lakhs per year
Job Opportunities Associate Lecturer, Data History Analyst, Archaeologist, Tour Guide, Curriculum Design Consultant, Researcher, Junior Researcher, Historian etc. Political Scientist, Professors, Survey Researchers, Consultants, Public Relations Specialist, Political Research Associate etc.

PhD in Ancient History Colleges in India

PhD in Ancient History course is offered in various Indian colleges. Top Indian Colleges offering PhD in Ancient History are tabulated below:

PhD in Ancient History Colleges Abroad

PhD in Ancient History course is offered in various colleges abroad. Top colleges offering PhD in Ancient History abroad are tabulated below:

College Average Fees
University of Cambridge INR 20,83,441
University of South Wales INR 10,68,909
University of Bristol INR 4,61,662
University of California INR 1,27,35,814
Columbia University INR 1,11,27,438
University of Edinburgh INR 58,98,104
University of Sussex INR 68,78,797
Concordia University INR 26,26,913

PhD in Ancient History Colleges Scope

PhD in Ancient History course opens new and greater horizons for candidates in various sectors of Ancient History and Archaeology. Candidates get trained in various domains like thesis writing, excavation, laboratory methods, facts presentation and extensive research. A candidate who has pursued a PhD in Ancient History has a lot of job opportunities. Candidates can be placed in both government and private sectors.

The various career prospects associated with PhD in Ancient History are historian, media, journalism, librarian, working in museums, and teaching. Other job profiles are archaeologist, curator, tour guide, genealogist, and policy analyst. After pursuing a PhD in Ancient History course, candidates can also appear for government exams like UPSE and PSEs.

PhD in Ancient History Colleges Salary

The pay scale for candidates pursuing PhD in Ancient History is quite adequate. The candidates can apply for job roles in various government and private companies. The salary varies from INR 1- 9 LPA. The average salary of the candidate is INR 4,25,000.

Top Recruiters

Some of the top recruiters for candidates pursuing PhD in Ancient History are given below.

  • Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
  • National heritage agencies
  • Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)
  • Government Museums
  • Public and Private Universities

Job Profile

PhD in Ancient History opens a lot of employment options for candidates. The various job profiles available for this course are tabulated below.

Job Role Description Average Annual Salary
Archaeologists Study past human civilisations activities by excavating and dating historical objects INR 8,50,000
Archivist Assemble, catalogue and preserving historical valuable collections and produce teaching materials INR 2,30,000
Genealogist Follow texts, literature, and records to analyse and instruct over the family tree and the relatives by specialising in the field INR 4,48,400
Curator Inspect, collect, preserve, and display valuable societal belongings by exhibiting in halls and exhibitions INR 5,80,000
Associate lecturer Teach and provide research services to the institution members in the given field by imparting knowledge through lectures and seminars INR 5,00,000

PhD in Ancient History Skills Required

Some of the skills required and learnt in the PhD in Ancient History course are:

Skills Description
Critical Analysis Carefully and critically assess and analyse the data and records available to reach an appropriate conclusion and findings 
Scientific Temper Application of valid theoretical knowledge combined with scientific principles to solve problems and incomplete theories
Field Work Necessary knowledge of post-excavation, fieldwork and laboratory methods to judiciously apply theoretical findings into concrete practical solutions
Research A great amount of research skills and presenting facts and figures in the form of reports and thesis is required
Intercultural Ability To be aware of foreign culture to study the various civilisations like Roman, Egyptian and have a strong understanding of the importance of others’ beliefs and cultures

PhD in Ancient History FAQs

Ques: Is PhD in Ancient History more of fieldwork or research-based?

Ans: PhD in Ancient History is a combination of fieldwork in excavation, laboratory research and analysis. A huge amount of research skills and presenting facts and figures in the form of reports and thesis is required along with necessary knowledge of post-excavation, fieldwork and laboratory methods to judiciously apply theoretical findings into concrete practical solutions.

Ques: Can science students opt for PhD in Ancient History?

Ans: The candidate must have graduated with a master’s in History or equivalent arts degree from a recognised university with 55% marks. It is very important to meet the eligibility criteria for the doctoral program.

Ques: Does PhD in Ancient History have more scope in India or abroad?

Ans: PhD in Ancient History has a lot of scope in India as well as abroad due to the varying civilization and History of every nation. From Egyptian to Roman to Harrapan, the study of ancient History varies. So, some of the best countries for pursuing PhD in Ancient History are India, United Kingdom, Greece, and Italy.

Ques: Can I get a government job with PhD in Ancient History?

Ans: PhD in Ancient History offers a lot of job opportunities in the government and private sector. For government jobs, candidates can apply for positions in the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), National Heritage Agencies, Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR) and government universities.

Ques: Is PhD in Ancient History tough?

Ans: PhD in Ancient History course is designed to give in-depth knowledge about Ancient History. The candidates learn about the history, politics, culture and, living of older civilisations All doctoral programs require extensive research in the specialisation field. With a passion and interest in this course, the difficulty level associated with the course is above moderate.

Ques: Can I opt for an anthropology job after pursuing PhD in Ancient History course?

Ans: PhD in Ancient History course promises job as an Anthropologist in subjects of History for example museum anthropology and sociocultural anthropology. The candidate will be responsible for examining the history of museums, societal roles, and patterns.

Ques: What are some best books for PhD in Ancient History?

Ans: Various books for PhD in Ancient History are Origins of the Sphinx, The Mysterious Origins of Hybrid Man, Pebbles on the Beach, Ancient Greece 101: Greek History, Myth, and Civilization, Roman History 101: From Republic to Empire.

Ques: Are PhD in Ancient History and PhD in History courses the same?

Ans: PhD in Ancient History and PhD in History courses are somewhat similar. There are slight changes in the subjects of History and Ancient History. PhD in History course explains the cultural, social, economic, and political aspects of History while PhD in ancient History course talks about History, politics, culture and, living of older civilisations.

Ques: Is PhD in Ancient History course offered in distance learning?

Ans: Yes, PhD in Ancient History course is offered in distance learning as well. Various colleges offering distance education for PhD in ancient History in India are NMIMS, IGNOU etc.

Ques: What is the age limit for PhD in Ancient History course?

Ans: There is no age limit for pursuing PhD in Ancient History course. Candidates must have graduated with a master’s in History or equivalent degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 55% marks.

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