PHD Philosophy (Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy) Admissions, Colleges, Syllabus, Jobs and Scope 2023

PhD Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy is a 3 Years to 6 Years course aimed to equip students with research skills and specialist knowledge in Philosophy.

The minimum eligibility to pursue PhD Philosophy is to have a Master’s Degree. in Philosophy or Literature study or anM.Phil Degree.

Students can gain admission to PhD Philosophy in India on the basis of entrance exams such as CSIR UGC NET, UGC-NET, JNUEE, etc.

Some of the top colleges offering admission to the program are IIT Kanpur, Jadavpur University, Chandigarh University, IIT BHU, Jawaharlal Nehru University, IIT Gandhinagar, etc

The average annual tuition fee for the PhD Philosophy courses ranges from INR 50,000 to INR 5 LPA in India.

Major PhD Philosophy subjects are like development and research of several theses such as Indian Philosophical studies, Western Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, etc. It focuses on the development and research of thesis such as Indian Philosophical studies, Western Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, etc. and ensuring the safe, well-resourced project completion and thesis development from research.The PhD Philosophy course expands the career possibilities of candidates seeking work in the fields of Research, Education, Literature, Civil service, Politics Communications, HR, and Advertising, etc.

Qualified candidates can start their careers with jobs like Assistant Professor, Head of the educational department, Philosophical/ Literature Researcher, etc.

This course often lands graduates higher-paying jobs owing to their experience in this field and the knowledge overload. However, the average annual salary of these professionals ranges for INR 10-20 LPA.

Some of the top recruiters in this field are IIT Patna, Mathworks, Archaeological Survey of India, Nalanda University, Election Commission of India, FLAME University, CNN, BBC, Dr.Reddy's Laboratories, etc.

Apart from, making a career in the job field, PhD Philosophy can continue their research on the relevant field or can even explore the opportunities of conducting seminars in a foreign country.

PhD Philosophy:Course Highlights

Some of the major highlights of the course are as follows.

Course Level Doctorate
Full-Form Doctorate of Philosophy in Philosophy
Duration 3 Years to 6 Years
Examination type Semester/Annual
Eligibility Masters degree + the candidates should have cleared the Entrance test conducted by the respective university.
Admission Process Entrance exam based followed by a round of Personal Interview
Course Fee INR 50,000 - 5 LPA
Average Salary INR 10 - 20 LPA
Top Recruiting Areas Research, education, literature, law, banking, the civil service, business and science, analyst, PR or politics. Communications, publishing, HR, and advertising, etc.
Job Positions Senior Research and Development Manager, Assistant Professor, Head of the educational department, Philosophical/ Literature Researcher, Political Advisor, etc

PhD Philosophy: What is it About?

Read below points to know what PhD Philosophy is all about-

  • The PhD Philosophy degree is one of the highest level degrees that includes philosophical orientations to conduct in-depth research for constructing conceptualism and scale development processes.
  • The program can be pursued only full time by the candidates as a Ph.D. degree from distance will not be recognized.
  • The minimum duration of this course is 3 years and the maximum is 6 years for students seeking jobs in this sector.
  • Ph.D. in philosophy is an advanced step that prepares students for becoming teachers of philosophies and various other independent ventures.
  • The major skills required to pursue a PhD Philosophy are good research conducting skills, Good verbal and written communication skills, analytical skills, etc
  • The course will provide knowledge about typical research development, statistical, data analysis, problem-solving, etc.
  • The course also includes time to time evaluation and practice including readings for the course which are the primary part of the course.

Why study PhD Philosophy?

Following are some of the benefits of pursuing a PhD Philosophy:

  • Top Skills Acquired: Skills such as verbal and written communication, conducting in-depth research, problem-solving, clear and disciplined thinking and analysis, formulation of the problem, data collection, processing, and analysis are some core learning that a student will inculcate while pursuing the course
  • Vast Job Opportunities: A career in this field is one of the top career choices made by the students in India. The course provides vast career scope in both public and private sectors in profiles such as Senior Research and Development Manager, Assistant Professor, Head of the educational department, Philosophical/ Literature Researcher, Political Advisor, etc.
  • Top Industries: Students with a PhD Philosophy get some of the popular industries to work in such as research, education, literature, law, banking, the civil service, business and science, analyst, PR, or politics. Communications, publishing, HR, and advertising, etc.
  • In-Depth Knowledge: Students will get trained in conducting research-based studies and advanced theosophical studies in the field of Philosophy. They will gain knowledge about its applications which will provide them a more detailed insight into research-oriented thesis development and also an in-depth study of the specialization fields of philosophy and their applications in day-to-day lives.
  • Lucrative Salary: A PhD Philosophy graduate is entitled to receive a higher amount of salary owing to the knowledge one acquires while studying research. They are entitled to receive an average starting salary of 10 - 20 LPA which increases with seniority and experience on the field.
Wht study PHD Philosophy

PhD Philosophy Admission Process

The admission process for PhD Philosophy in India is offered on the basis of national level entrance exams such as CSIR UGC NET, UGC-NET, or college level entrance exams such as, JNU Entrance Exam, etc.

The selection process is then followed by the counseling procedure or personal interview round by the respective college on the basis of which final seat allotment is done.

Following are the steps to keep in mind while applying for PhD Philosophy Admission:

  • Step 1: Visit the official website of the college and register by filling the online application. Provide the required details like name, mobile number, email ID, etc.
  • Step 2: Log-in using the unique Login ID that is generated. Candidates will have to provide required details such as personal and academic like Gender, Address Subject, Marks, etc.
  • Step 3: Upload the required scanned copies of the documents like mark sheet, certificates, photograph, signature, etc in the required size and format as mentioned by the college.
  • Step 4: Apply for the entrance exam.
  • Step 5: Candidates have to pay the application fee online or as mentioned by the college. Once the payment of the application fee is successful, the confirmation will be sent to the candidates through the mail.
  • Step 6: Candidates should download and save the application form to get the admit cards for the entrance exam in the future.
  • Step 7: Appear for the entrance exam.
  • Step 8: After successfully giving the exam, a list of qualified candidates will be issued.
  • Step 9: Qualified candidates will then have to appear for personal interview rounds to enroll themselves in the university.

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PhD Philosophy Eligibility

Following are the eligibility criteria for the PhD Philosophy course-

  • Candidates seeking admission in PhD Philosophy course must have a Master’s Degree in Arts, Philosophy or literature such as M.A. (Philosophy) or M.Phil Degree from a recognized university.
  • A minimum of 50% aggregate or equivalent CGPA is required for admission in the course.
  • Students need to clear entrances followed by a personal interview for admission.

PhD Philosophy Entrance Exams

Some of the PhD Philosophy entrance tests are:

  • CSIR UGC NET: This is a national level Junior Research Fellowship and Lectureship test, conducted by NTA for Ph.D. admission to various Institutes.
  • UGC NET: This is a Junior Research Fellowship and Assistant Professorship test which will be conducted after July for Ph.D. Courses admission.
  • JNUEE: JNUEE is conducted by the Jawaharlal Nehru University in order to shortlist students for various postgraduate degree programs.
PHD Philosophy Entrance Exams
Entrance Exam Exam Dates
IIT JAM Check Here
VITMEE Check Here
UGC NET To be Announced

How do one prepare for the PhD Philosophy entrance exams?

PhD Philosophy entrance exams are one of the most comprehensive exams, therefore following tips should be considered for better performance:

  • PhD Philosophy entrance exams are the most comprehensive competitive exams for research opportunities. Candidates should analyze the time and days that they require for thorough preparation.
  • Science & Mathematical concepts should be studied well. Questions will be asked about Quantitative ability, General Ability, Engineering, Statistics, etc. Candidates should manage the time according to each subject and topic.
  • Candidates should solve sample question papers and take several mocks tests and model tests to know the exam pattern. This way, candidates have an idea about the exam pattern which will save a lot of time during the exam.
  • Candidates should learn to effectively manage their time to answer 65 questions in about three hours, which will carry 100 marks in total. Candidates should have hands-on practice of shortcuts for mathematical questions which will save time for revision.
  • Since it is a research-based subject candidates must subscribe to weekly journals to keep themselves updated about that particular field.

How to get admission in a good PhD Philosophy college?

To get admission in top PhD Philosophy colleges like IIT Kanpur, Jadavpur University, Chandigarh University, keep in mind the following things-

  • Exceptional marks and performance in the Master’s Degree and in required entrance exams are required to secure a place in a top college.
  • Apart from this candidate’s performance in the interview should be excellent, based on which the final selection will be done.
  • Aspirants should be excellent at performing research with findings of research conducted by them.
  • Be informed about the course cut-offs, eligibility, important dates, application process & fee, and deadlines to always stay updated.
  • Candidates should prepare for the exam well in advance and cover all the required topics related to a general attitude, engineering, etc.

PhD Philosophy Colleges

Some of the top colleges providing PhD Philosophy India courses are-

College Name City Average Annual Fees (INR) Average Annual Salary (INR)
Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur Kanpur 64,050 22 LPA 
Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi 1,381 16 LPA
Jadavpur University Kolkata 30,000 10 LPA
Indian Institute of Technology, Indore Indore 70,900 20 LPA
Indian Institute of Technology BHU Varanasi 46,815 14.75 LPA
University of Calcutta Kolkata 4,400 8LPA
Delhi University Delhi 24,000 11.75 LPA
Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar 48,500 6.6 LPA
Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh 9,285 12 LPA
Chandigarh University Chandigarh 85,000 16 LPA 

College Comparison

IIT Kanpur and JNU are amongst the top colleges offering PhD Philosophy. We have done an in-depth comparison of both in the table below.

Parameters Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Jawaharlal Nehru University Delhi
College overview The institute has been ranked 5th by NIRF and offers UG, PG, integrated, and research programs in the field of Engineering, Science, Management, and Design. It is ranked 2nd in NIRF and has been awarded the Best University Award from the President of India. The university offers various UG, PG and research degree courses.
Location Kanpur Delhi
NIRF Ranking 6 8
Eligibility Master’s degree in Science, Arts or Engineering with 55% marks Master's Degree in a related field from a recognized university.
Admission Process Entrance Based Entrance Based
Average Annual Fee INR 64,050 INR 1,381
Average Annual Salary INR 22 LPA INR 16 LPA
Top Recruiters Flipkart, Zomato, Yahoo, Microsoft, Accenture, Bharat Petroleum, Uber, Myntra, IBM, Barclays, Yes Bank, Bosch, Ford, TCS, ITC Limited, Mahindra Finance, Deloitte, KPIT, Capital One, Star labs, EXL, Early Salary, etc. Adobe, Microsoft, Google, Oracle, IBM, NIIT, Newgen, Wipro, HCL, Sopra, Aricent, Cadence, Comverse, Amazon, Genpact, Naggaro, Oracle, Sapient, Siemens, Accenture, etc

PhD Philosophy Syllabus

The core PhD Philosophy syllabus, which every aspirant needs to study throughout the course duration is tabulated below-

Paper I (Research)
Introduction to Research Methodology
Literature Survey
Data Collection and Organization
Principles of Thesis Preparation
Research tools and studies
Paper II (Optional)
Theory of knowledge
Advanced course in philosophy of science
Advanced course in logic
Advanced course in formal methods
Philosophy of statistics
Philosophy of the computer and information science
Decision theory
Philosophy of mathematics
Value theory
Philosophy of language
Philosophical aesthetics
Art Technology
Critical Reading in Philosophical Texts
Political philosophy
Environmental philosophy
Philosophy of language
Philosophy of Social Sciences
Paper III Elective (Indian Philosophical Studies)
Nagarjuna- Mulamadhyamikakarika
Sankara’s Commentary on first Four Sutra
Ishvara Krishna- Samkhya karika
Carvaka- Lokayata,
Jaina- Pancastikayasara
Early Buddhism
The Nyaya Theory of Knowledge
Vaisesika Sutra
The First and Last Freedom
Reason and Tradition in Indian Thought
New Perspectives in Indian Philosophy Chapters
Paper IV Elective (Western Philosophical Studies)
Kant- Critique of Pure Reason,
Plato
Wittgenstein- Philosophical Investigations
A Treatise of Human Nature Book
Logical Atomism
Some Main Problems of Philosophy
How To Do Things With Words
Concept of Mind
‘Freedom and Resentment’ and Other Essays
Being and Nothingness
Being and Time
Paper V (Mandatory)
Thesis presentation
Comprehensive Viva Voce

PhD Philosophy Books

Tabulated below are some of the PhD Philosophy Books books that can help aspirants to have a broader and better understanding of the course.

Name of the book Author
Educational Ideas of Tagore and Gandhi Mani R S
A Guide through the subject C. Grayling
Perspective on Philosophy of Science in Nursing Carol Polifroni
Analytic Philosophy P. Martinich
Fundamentals of Philosophy- Philosophy of Science Alexander Bird
Introduction to Philosophical Logic Anthony C.Grayling

Course Comparison

The table below holds a comparison between PhD Philosophy vs. M.Phil Philosophy

Parameters PhD Philosophy M.Phil Philosophy
Course Overview It focuses on the development and research of thesis such as Indian Philosophical studies, Western Philosophy, Modern Philosophy, etc. and ensuring the safe, well-resourced project completion and thesis development from research. M.Phil Philosophy is a postgraduate academic research degree in Philosophy which focuses on Human Science, Philosophical Foundations, Analysis, advanced research findings, etc.
Duration 3 Years to 6 Years 2 Years
Eligibility Master’s Degree in Arts, Literature, or Philosophy. Master’s Degree from a recognized university/board.
Admission Criteria Entrance exam based followed by a round of Personal Interview Entrance-Based.
Average Annual Fees INR 50,000 - 5 LPA INR 20,000- 1 LPA
Top Colleges IIT Kanpur, Jadavpur University, Chandigarh University, IIT BHU, Jawaharlal Nehru University, IIT Gandhinagar, etc. Jadavpur University, Chandigarh University, Delhi University, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Mumbai University, University of Kolkata, etc
Average Salary INR 10 - 20 LP A INR 6 - 12 LPA
Job Roles Senior Research and Development Manager,, Assistant Professor, Head of the educational department, Philosophical/ Literature Researcher, Senior Market Analyst, Data Analyst, Political Advisor, etc Lecturer, Speaker, Teacher, Assistant Professor, Consultant, Human Services Worker, Scientist, Social Service Workers, Research Assistant, Quality Control Expert, Editor, etc
PHD Philosophy Vs M.Phill Philosophy

Source: University websites and Payscale

PhD Philosophy Jobs Prospects and Career Options

PhD Philosophy graduates have vast career options and higher-paying jobs owing to the knowledge and experience they have acquired over the years of study.

After successful completion of the PhD Philosophy course, graduates can seek employment in various industries like research, Education, Literature, Law, Civil Service, Science Analytics, Politics. Communications, Publishing, etc.

Research Scientist and Philosophy professors are the most popular PhD Philosophy jobS profiles pursued by the graduates. The job prospects are open in both the private and public sectors for the graduate of PhD Philosophy.

Some of the top recruiters are IIT Patna, Mathworks, Archaeological Survey of India, Nalanda University, Election Commission of India, FLAME University, CNN, BBC, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, etc. These top companies hire such professionals offering them an average salary of INR 10-20 LPA

Some of the major job profiles associated with the course, along with the average salary are as follows:

Job Role Job Responsibilities Average Annual Salary (INR)
Assistant Professor They design curriculum plans for student learning, conduct class discussions to ensure student engagement, provide academic counseling, maintain student records, and assess student coursework. 15 LPA
Literature Researcher Their main responsibilities include conducting literature reviews, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing materials for submission. 8 LPA
Human Service Worker Social and human service assistants/workers provide client services, including support for families, in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, and social work. They assist other social workers, and they help clients find benefits or services. 6 LPA
Novelist/Writer Main work is to conjure up ideas and write it in a new and interesting way making Philosophical content more readable and engaging to the audience. 9 LPA
Journalist/Editor Journalists research, write, edit, proofread and file news stories, features, and articles for use on television and other electronic media such as radio and internet or within magazines, journals and newspapers. 12 LPA
Critic To evaluate and rate work according to the piece of work presented in front of them. It can be Movies, books, magazines or other works. 7 LPA
PHD Philosophy Salary Trend

Source: Payscale

PhD Philosophy Scope

The PhD Philosophy course is respected globally as it is one of the highest forms of studies. Post obtaining a degree in the course, candidates have higher job scope and vast job opportunities.

On completion of the PhD Philosophy program, candidates can opt for a wide range of professions such as:

  • With the PhD Philosophy degree, students will be able to make their careers in the field of Research, Professor, Literature, Analyst, etc. The scope in this field is continuously increasing at a fast pace and will continue to accelerate in the future also.
  • There are a large number of domains both in the private as well as in the public sector where a PhD Philosophy Philosophy graduate can work.
  • PhD Philosophy holders are also invited by foreign universities to conduct research and seminars.
  • These professionals can also have their own online portal to share wide philosophical contents as well as can offer various philosophical sessions on interesting topics..

To conclude, PhD Philosophy offers various attractive career options and you can choose according to your skills and areas of interest.

PhD Philosophy: FAQs

Ques. What are some of the PhD Philosophy jobs?

Ans. You get vast career options and can choose from the following fields to work as Senior Research and Development Manager, Assistant Professor, Head of the educational department, Philosophical/ Literature Researcher,Political Advisor, etc

Ques. Is a PhD Philosophy worth it?

Ans. Graduates with a PhD Philosophy degree will be well-positioned to get high-paying research or analyst level jobs with an average annual salary of INR 10 - 20 LPA.

Ques. How is a PhD Philosophy?

Ans. The PhD Philosophy course provides advanced theosophical and research-oriented education and aims at providing a broad professional background in philosophy to the students. Students will be studying a variety of topics based on ongoing research activities at the Department of Philosophy.

Ques. Which top colleges in India provide a PhD Philosophy?

Ans. IIT Kanpur, Jadavpur University, Chandigarh University, IIT BHU, Jawaharlal Nehru University, IIT Gandhinagar, etc are some of the top colleges offering PhD Philosophy courses.

Ques. What Scope does a PhD Philosophy degree have?

Ans. PhD Philosophy course makes an individual familiar with the fundamentals of Philosophy. Post obtaining a degree of the course, candidates are recommended to choose from the prominent career job opportunities such as Senior Research and Development Manager, Senior Research Scientist, Assistant Professor, Head of the educational department, Philosophical/ Literature Researcher, etc.

Ques. What is the admission process to apply for a Ph.D. Philosophy program?

Ans. The admission process for the PhD Philosophy course depends on the entrance tests such as CSIR/UGC-JRF, CSIR/UGC, JEST/GATE, etc. The qualified candidates will be further selected on the basis of personal interview.

Ques. What will I get to study during my PhD Philosophy course?

Ans. You will get to study about Philosophical Statistics, Research Methodology, Theory of knowledge, Advanced course in philosophy of science, Literature Survey, Data Collection and Organization, Advanced course in logic, Principles of Thesis Preparation, etc.

Ques. What is the average fee and salary of a PhD Philosophy pass out?

Ans. The average course fee to study a full-time PhD Philosophy program is around INR 50,000 to 5 lakhs and the average annual salary can range from INR 10 to 20 LPA.

Ques. What can I do with a PhD Philosophy?

Ans. On completion of the PhD Philosophy program, candidates can opt for a wide range of professions. With the PhD Philosophy degree, students will be able to make their careers in the field of Research, Professor, Literature, Analyst, etc. The scope in this field is continuously increasing at a fast pace and will continue to accelerate in the future also. There are a large number of domains both in the private as well as in the public sector where a PhD Philosophy graduate can work.

Ques. Is a PhD Philosophy program challenging?

Ans. PhD Philosophy courses are challenging for the students to conduct intensive research and develop a well-structured thesis. However, graduates with strong motivation and determination skills can compete well to graduate in this course.

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