PhD Music is a full research-based course that focuses on studying every aspect of music in detail and researching something new in it. The research work in music includes areas like Historical Musicology, Composition, Analysis, Music Cognition, etc. The candidates completing this course generally become music educators and researchers.
The students who have completed their Master's degree in Music with 50% aggregate scores are eligible for the course. The students should possess quality music skills as well.
Key Highlights of PhD Music
- Full-Form: Doctor of Philosophy in Music.
- Duration: Minimum 3 year, can be stretched up to 5 years (depends on the length of the research).
- Minimum Eligibility: Masters in Music with a minimum aggregate of 50%.
- Admission Process: Entrance Exam followed by Interview.
- Top Entrance Exam: UGC-NET, BHU RET.
- Top Colleges: BHU, Mysore University, Banasthali Vidyapith, LPU.
- Average Annual Fees: INR 20,000 to INR 1,00,000.
- Top Career Prospects: Music Producer, Music Therapist, Musician, Private Music Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, Sound Designer, Sound Engineer, Sound Technician, etc.
- Average Annual Salary: INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000.
Admissions are based on varied criteria such as a student's capability in performing music, marks obtained in the qualifying examination, etc. Most of the colleges see both these aspects before admitting the students into the course. Some institutes consider their entrance tests score followed by the interview.
Table of Content
2.1 Why Study?
3.2 Entrance Exams
3.3 How to Get Admission in Top PhD Music Colleges?
5.1 Important Books
7.1 Future Scope
The average fees for pursuing PhD Music ranges from INR 20,000 to INR 1,00,000. Following are the top colleges which provide PhD Music course in India:
| NIRF Overall Ranking 2020 | College Name | Admission Process | Average Fees Per Annum | Average Placement Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi | Research Entrance Test (RET) | INR 8,368 | INR 4,00,000 |
| 47 | Mysore University, Mysore | Entrance test + Interview | INR 11,000 | INR 2,50,000 |
| 79 | Banasthali Vidyapith, Jaipur | Entrance test + Interview | INR 1,07,000 | INR 3,60,000 |
| 84 | Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai | Entrance test + Interview | INR 37,883 | INR 4,00,000 |
| 99 | Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar | LPUNEST followed by Personal Interview | INR 81,200 | INR 3,00,000 |
This course covers every aspect of music in complete detail. This course includes elaborate learning of Vilamvita and Drute Khayalas on any five Ragas in the Vocal Music section. While in the Instrumental Music section, this course focuses on elaborate learning of Masitkhani and Razakhani Gat in any five Ragas. The other Khayalas are also practised briefly.
The Program helps students to pursue careers as music educators, researchers, musicians and as professionals in varied areas of music. They can work in the fields of the film industry, as a composer, accompanist, music author, music school administrator and music instructor.
The average salary in these roles ranges from INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000 increasing with experience and expertise.
PhD Music Course Highlights
The key highlights of PhD Music have been listed below.
| Course Level | Doctoral degree |
| Full form | Doctor of Philosophy in Music |
| Duration | 3-5 years |
| Examination type | Semester |
| Eligibility | Post-Graduate from a recognized university |
| Admission process | Entrance + Interview |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 20,000 to INR 1,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000 |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Creative Indians, Amazon India Software Dev Center Pvt Ltd, Inox Leisure Ltd, Music Broadcast Ltd, Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Pvt Ltd |
| Job Positions | Musician, Lecturer, Artist, Visualization Professionals, Illustrator, Designer, Researcher |
PhD Music: What Is It About?
PhD Music is one of the highest academic degrees in the field of music. The important points regarding this course are discussed below :
- The course duration is three to five years. It is pursued full-time.
- The intensive program is research-based and inculcates the ability to undertake research work and translate them for application in the music arena.
- The course helps students to become independent learners and researchers in music. The course focuses on developing the leadership skills to play active roles at the global level.
- The students enhance their skills in music, work on their research, and publish their findings in journals. Students are trained to prepare presentations on music and deliver them.
- PhD courses are flexible for students, they are required to undergo internships in research and teaching. Emphasis is laid on providing rich experiences to students with desired skills in varied areas of music to become equipped for their professional life.
Why Should You Study PhD Music?
Students can choose PhD Music due to the following advantages:
- A PhD degree offers a wide range of employment opportunities. One of the most sought-after jobs for a PhD degree holder is of a lecturer or a professor in a university or a researcher in most fields.
- Along with this, a PhD degree holder can get a job in publishing houses, educational institutes, law firms, consultancy, etc. A doctorate degree can carry a lot of weight in the teaching job industry and those who have their PhD are considered to be the experts in their field.
- Doctoral students work in close contact with one or more leading researchers in their field as well as participating in programs of skills training and colloquia; there are also opportunities to gain experience in teaching.
- The average salary earned by the candidates after completing this course ranges between INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000, but it will increase with the candidate’s experience and skill sets.
- Candidates having an in-depth knowledge mastery over the music subject can be extremely successful in their careers and earn up to INR 10,00,000 per annum.
What is the Admission Process for the PhD Music Course?
Admission to PhD Music programs can be either through entrance examination or merit-based. Most universities conduct an interview process for the final selection of the candidates. Applications for admissions can be availed either from the University website or by visiting the Admissions Office of the same. Candidates need to fill out the required details according to the existing documents.
Merit-Based Admission
- Candidates shall fill up the application form of their desired college either online or by downloading it, filling it up offline and sending to the college address.
- Candidates should fill correct information (specially marks obtained in their last education qualification) and send the form along with the documents for verification.
- The application fee can be submitted either online or through Demand Draft as per the college requirements.
- The college declares the list of the selected students based on the marks of the qualifying examination.
Entrance Based Admission
- Candidates should fill up the application forms.
- Candidates then sit for the entrance exams.
- College declares the list of the students selected for further rounds of Interview.
- Candidates have to undergo the interview process post which the college comes up with the list of final selects.
Few entrance exams are LPUNEST, RET, UGC-NET etc.
Check the Admission Process of LPU in detail.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for Admission to PhD Music Course?
Candidates wishing to pursue PhD Music need to have completed the below-mentioned eligibility criteria:
- The candidates must possess a Master’s degree in Music or any equivalent course with minimum 50% aggregate marks.
- The candidates should possess a passion for pursuing research work in music.
- Admissions are based on varied criteria such as a student's capability for the music profession and its program.
Which are the Top PhD Music Entrance Exams?
Many colleges across the country follow entrance exam scores for selecting the students for PhD Music. Some of these PhD entrance exams are explained below.
- UGC-NET: UGC-NET is a national level entrance exam conducted by NTA in order to select candidates for the assistant professor position and PhD course admission.
- LPUNEST: Lovely Professional University conducts this entrance examination for admission to various courses offered by the university including PhD courses.
| Exam Name | Application Period | Exam Date | Exam Mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| UGC NET 2023 |
April 30 – May 30, 2022 |
July 9 – July 12, 2022, and August 12 – August 14, 2022 | Online |
| LPUNEST 2023 | 1st week of November 2022 – January 20, 2023 | February 1- February 10, 2023 | Online |
How to Prepare for PhD Music Entrance Exams?
To get into a good PhD Music college, preparation is of utmost importance. Below are some points mentioning as to how candidates can prepare for the entrance examinations:
- Syllabus: Students must go through the syllabus of the course and mark all the important topics from Syllabus.
- Revise important topics: Revise all the important topics from the syllabus. Make sure to solve all questions that are related to the important topics.
- Exam Pattern: Understand the exam pattern carefully; usually the exam has two sections – one section contains general objective type questions and the other section contains questions related to the concerned subject.
- Practice Previous Year’s Question Papers: Solve previous year’s question paper so that you can get used to the question and it will also help in increasing your speed as the exam will be in online mode.
- Mock Test: Candidates can solve and give the online mock test at the official website. It will increase efficiency and speed and will boost up your confidence.
Check the question paper pattern of UGC NET.
How to Get Admission in Top PhD Music Colleges?
Candidates should keep the following things in mind to get an admission in a good PhD Music college:
- Candidates should perform exceptionally well in the entrance exams of the colleges because they would help them to get admission.
- For applying to colleges which provide admission on the basis of merit, candidates should have high marks in their qualifying exams which would help them to clear the cut-off.
- Candidates must be updated with the deadlines of filling the application forms of the entrance exams and colleges through websites, newspapers and magazines.
- Practice previous years papers to improve your time management skills at the time of entrance exams.
- To have an extra edge, candidates should start exploring the research opportunities early in their undergraduate years. The best way to begin is to look for a faculty, with excellent credentials, in your field. Guidance under such a faculty and a completed project or two, with published papers in your name, would give you the edge compared to your fellow applicants.
Which are the Top Colleges for Studying PhD Music in India?
PhD Music is taught by some top colleges and renowned educational institutions in India. Some of the top PhD Music colleges in India are listed in the table below:
| NIRF University Ranking 2020 | College Name | City | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | Research Entrance Test (RET) | INR 8,368 |
| 27 | Mysore University | Mysore | Entrance test + Interview | INR 11,000 |
| 55 | Banasthali Vidyapith | Jaipur | Entrance test + Interview | INR 1,07,000 |
| 60 | Madurai Kamaraj University | Madurai | Entrance test + Interview | INR 37,883 |
| 78 | Lovely Professional University | Jalandhar | LPUNEST followed by Personal Interview | INR 81,200 |
| 101-150 | Annamalai University | Chidambaram | Entrance + Merit/ Interview | INR 38,410 |
| NA | Queen Mary’s College | Chennai | Written test + Oral test conducted by the university | INR 1,935 |
| NA | Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya | Indore | DET conducted by the university | INR 45,200 |
| NA | Eternal University | Sirmaur | Entrance Exam conducted by the university | INR 66,333 |
Source: College Websites
PhD Music Top College Comparison
Many renowned universities in India provide PhD Music courses, so it is important to compare them before selecting one. Below table shows some of the major differences between top PhD Music universities in India:
| Parameter | Banasthali Vidyapith | Madurai Kamaraj University | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Banasthali Vidyapith University, Jaipur is a fully residential women’s university offering courses from primary to PhD level. The University has been accredited by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with 'A' Grade. It offers a number of UG, PG, and Doctoral level Programs under various Departments. | Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) was established in 1965, under the Government of Tamil Nadu. Currently, it is offering MA, M.Sc, MBA, MCA, M.Com, M.Ed, M.P.Ed and M.Li.I.Sc courses in various disciplines. Apart from PG courses, the university also offers Integrated (BBA+MBA), Integrated (B.Tech+M.Tech) courses at UG level along with M.Phil & PhD courses at the Doctorate level. | Banaras Hindu University commonly referred to as BHU; formerly known as Central Hindu College is a public central university located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It was established in 1916 by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. It is the only university which has an IIT in its campus named IIT BHU. |
| Location | Jaipur, Rajasthan | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh |
| Rank (NIRF 2020) | Overall - 79 University - 55 | Overall - 84 University - 60 | Overall - 10 University - 3 |
| Admission Process | Entrance test + Interview | Entrance test + Interview | Research Entrance Test (RET) |
| Average Fees | INR 1,07,000 | INR 37,883 | INR 8,368 |
| Average Package | INR 3,60,000 | INR 4,00,000 | INR 4,00,000 |
Source: College Websites and NIRF data
Which are the Subjects Taught During PhD Music Course?
PhD Music is a research-based course where a candidate has to study various aspects of music and then research on any one area of music. The course generally involves 1 to 2 years of coursework and then 1 to 3 years of research. The candidates will have to submit the thesis of their research at the end of the course.
Below we have mentioned the most important topics included in the coursework of this course.
| First Year | Second Year |
|---|---|
| Research Methodology | Tools of Research in Music |
| Meaning and Sources of Research in Indian Music | Methods of Research in Music - Historical Method, Survey Method, Experimental Method |
| Ragas and Khayalas | Case Study |
| Meaning of Research | Analysis of data, Interpretation and Conclusion |
| Area of Research in Music | Preparation of Synopsis, Writing Research Report |
| Selections of Problems | Vocal Music: Elaborate treatment of vilamvita and Drute Khayalas on any five Ragas, Brief Treatment with one Composition of remaining Ragas. |
| Hypothesis | Instrumental Music: Elaborate treatment of Masitkhani and Razakhani Gat in any five Ragas, Brief treatment with one Composition of the rest of Ragas. |
| Data Collection | Teaching Methods in Music Education |
| Sources | Dissertation and Viva - Voce |
| Methods | Performance and Viva – Voce |
Which are the Important Books for the PhD Music Course?
Important books that are required for completing PhD Music courses are given in the table below.
| Book | Author |
|---|---|
| Basic Music Theory, 4th Edition: How to Read, Write, and Understand Written Music | Jonathan Harnum and Sol Ut Press |
| Vocal Technique: A Guide for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers | Julia Davids and Stephen LaTour |
| Music Theory for Electronic Music Producers: The Producers Guide to Harmony, Chord Progressions, and Song Structure in the MIDI Grid | J. Anthony Allen |
| The Healing Power of the Human Voice: Mantras Chants and Seed Sounds for Health and Harmony | James D'Angelo |
MPhil Music vs PhD Music
PhD in Music and MPhil Music may seem very similar, but there is a slight difference between them. Below are the major points of difference in them.
| Parameters | MPhil Music | PhD Music |
|---|---|---|
| Full form | Master of Philosophy | Doctor of Philosophy |
| Type | Academic | Research |
| Objective | MPhil Music is a structured research degree that allows students to take up research-oriented studies for 1 or 2 years. It is an intermediate degree between a Masters and PhD and sometimes seen as the first step towards a Doctorate. | PhD music is one of the highest levels of degree that a student can achieve in her academic credentials. A PhD is attained through detailed research on a micro subject following which the researcher is required to submit a thesis describing the result of her research. Usually, a PhD can be taken up after Masters and MPhil. |
| Examination type | Semester | Semester |
| Admission Process | Entrance Tests | Entrance Tests + Interview |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 10,000 - INR 60,000 | INR 20,000 - INR 1,00,000 |
| Job Opportunities | Music Therapist, Composer, Music Librarian, Band Master, Artist, etc. | Musician, Lecturer, Artist, Visualization Professionals, Illustrator, Designer, Researcher. |
| Average Salary | INR 4,00,000 | INR 2,00,000 - INR 5,00,000 |
Source: College Websites
Also, go through the full list of Top MPhil Music Colleges in India.
Which Job Profiles and Career Options are Available for PhD Music Candidates?
A PhD Music program prepares students to teach secondary and postsecondary music classes. Students can look in the opportunities related to Music Producer, Music Therapist, Musician, Private Music Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, Sound Designer, Sound Engineer, Sound Technician, etc.
Some of the job options are mentioned below:
| Job Position | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Music Producer | A music producer assists artists and groups in the studio to create recorded music, for an album, a film, advert or any other kind of creative output. | INR 3,25,000 |
| Music Therapist | Music therapists use music creatively to help their clients address social, emotional or physical difficulties. | INR 2,40,000 |
| Musician | A musician is involved in creating and/or performing music in a variety of genres, such as classical, rock, pop, indie, jazz or folk. You could be a composer, instrumentalist and/or a singer performing either in the studio or to a live audience. | INR 2,00,000 |
| Private Music Teacher | Private, visiting and peripatetic music teachers provide instrumental, vocal and music training for children and adults of all ages. One will work at a variety of levels teaching different musical skills to individuals or groups. | INR 2,55,000 |
| Sound Designer | Sound designers use technology creatively to provide sound for moving images in a range of mediums, including film, games and theatre. | INR 3,48,000 |
| Sound Engineer | Sound technicians use technical knowledge and expertise to produce and manipulate the sound for a range of performances and recordings. | INR 4,10,900 |
What is the Future Scope After Completing PhD Music?
- After pursuing PhD Music, candidates can find job opportunities in many fields, both in India as well as in foreign nations.
- The job roles include those of Music Producer, Music Therapist, Musician, Private Music Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, Sound Designer, Sound Engineer, Sound Technician, etc.
- PhD Music students can often choose to do further research on music theory, composition, education, or conducting, with programs providing the gateway to various musical careers and freelance opportunities.
- Candidates with this degree can find a wide range of opportunities in varied sectors and different domains across the globe like a vocalist, instrumentalist, researcher, etc.
- They can also become Sound Engineer and Sound Producers and open their own music studio in future.
PhD Music FAQs
Ques. What is the length of the course PhD Music?
Ans. The PhD Music is a course of 3-5 years of duration. The course completion depends on the final dissertation submission.
Ques. What are the modes of taking a PhD Music course?
Ans. Candidates can take up PhD Music through a full-time course.
Ques. What are the job avenues after completing the PhD Music course?
Ans. There are several job opportunities after completing a PhD Music course. Some of them include working as Music Producer, Music Therapist, Musician, Private Music Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, Sound Designer, Sound Engineer, Sound Technician, etc.
Ques. What is the average package that a student can expect after this course?
Ans. The average package ranges from INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,00,000.
Ques. What are some of the top colleges in India that offer PhD Music course?
Ans. Banasthali Vidyapith, Mysore University, Lovely Professional University, etc are some of the colleges that offer PhD Music.
Ques. What is the average fee for the course PhD Music?
Ans. The average fees for pursuing PhD Music ranges from INR 20,000 to INR 1,00,000.
Ques. How do I apply for a PhD Music course?
Ans. Candidates have to visit the college website to fill the application form either online or by downloading and sending it to the college address along with the application fee.
Ques. Has Covid-19 affected the dates of entrance exams?
Ans. Yes. Due to rise in cases, UGC-NET has postponed its exam after July whereas Lovely Professional University has introduced remotely proctored online examinations which students can give from their homes. Students should regularly check up on the new updates related to admissions from the college websites.
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