PhD Engineering: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees
PhD Engineering is a three-to-five-year long doctoral program that deals with computer science and technical knowledge. PhD Engineering full form in engineering is ”Doctor of Philosophy”. Upon graduation from this course, students can start job roles such as Postsecondary Teacher, Computer and Information Research Scientist, Computer Hardware Engineer, IT support analyst, Network Engineer and IT consultant.
PhD Engineering Course Details
| Degree | Doctorate |
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Subjects Required | Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics |
| Minimum Percentage | PG in Engineering with 50% aggregate marks |
| Average Fees | ₹20 - 40K |
| Average Salary | INR 3 to 14 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Postsecondary Teacher, Computer and Information Research Scientist, Computer Hardware Engineer, IT Support Analyst, Network Engineer and It Consultant |
About PhD Engineering
PhD Engineering is a doctorate granted by many universities in India and abroad. Over the past few years, pursuing a PhD course in India has increased manifolds.
According to Wikipedia, "Engineering is the use of science and math to design or make things. People who do engineering are called engineers. They learn engineering at a college or university. Engineers usually design or build things. Some engineers also use their skills to solve technical problems. There are different types of engineers that design everything from computers and buildings to watches and websites. People have been creating engineering things for thousands of years."
Table of Contents
- PhD Engineering Eligibility Criteria
- PhD Engineering Admission Process
- Who Should Do a PhD Engineering
- Types of PhD Engineering
- Popular PhD Engineering Entrance Exams
- Study PhD Engineering in India
- Top PhD Engineering Colleges
- Study PhD Engineering Abroad
- PhD Engineering Fees Structure
- PhD Engineering Syllabus and Subjects
- Why Choose PhD Engineering?
- PhD Engineering Course Comparison
- Preparation Tips for PhD Engineering
- Salary of a PhD Engineering Graduate
- Career Options after PhD Engineering
- Skills to Excel
Eligibility Criteria for PhD Engineering
One can pursue a PhD course in a discipline or stream they have studied in their postgraduate. Qualification for PhD Engineering in Engineering is that the Candidates having a postgraduate degree in Computer Science, Pharmacy or Engineering and Technology from a recognized university with a minimum aggregate of 55% are considered eligible for the PhD Engineering in Engineering course.
How To Get Admission for PhD Engineering?
The admission procedure for PhD Engineering in Engineering is entrance and counselling based. Individuals have to appear and clear the entrance examinations, some of which are conducted by the university, along with the counselling/interview session to enrol in a college in the PhD in Engineering and Technology course.
The admissions are granted to students after the entrance exam and interview.
Selection Process
The procedure for selecting individuals for granting admission to PhD in Engineering and Technology course is based on interviews. The candidates who have successfully cleared the entrance examinations are considered eligible for the selection procedure. The interview round is the last step of the admission procedure, after which the students are enrolled in the college.
Who Should Pursue a PhD Engineering
A PhD Engineering in Engineering in India is considered one of the most valued degrees not just in India but also abroad. A PhD Engineering degree offers a wide range of employment opportunities when it comes to your career graph.
One of the most sought-after jobs for a PhD Engineering degree holder is a lecturer or a professor in a university or a researcher in most fields. A PhD Engineering degree holder can get a job in publishing houses, educational institutes, law firms, consultancy, etc.
Candidates will have in-depth knowledge and develop mastery over the subjects they have chosen for specialization, which will be extremely useful in their careers. Candidates will get an insight into the theoretical aspect of the course and will get practical exposure. It is a good and reputed qualification.
When to do a PhD Engineering?
Aspirants are eligible to pursue a PhD Engineering course only if they have completed their master's degree in a similar course/ field/ stream in which they want to pursue a PhD Engineering. Some colleges also specify that candidates need to have completed an MPhil to pursue a PhD Engineering course.
Types of PhD Engineering
Aspirants can pursue the PhD Engineering course in the full-time or part-time mode. Below are the types of PhD Engineering courses in detail:
Full-Time PhD Engineering
It is a normal Doctor of Philosophy program whose duration ranges between 4-6 years, depending upon the student's research project. Students mostly conduct their research with a focus and concentration on the Doctor of Philosophy subjects. Most PhD Engineering students act as teaching assistants to various professors in their departments in PhD Engineering colleges.
The full-time Doctor of Philosophy course cost is the highest compared to other modes of PhD Engineering degrees. There are 3 major types of Doctor of Philosophy course students who do a full-time PhD Engineering.
Part-Time PhD Engineering
A part-time PhD Engineering typically takes five to eight years, but this period depends on how long the university offers you and how much work you put in. One might have more time than you initially thought and finish it sooner, or your work and life balance may get in the way, and it takes longer. You will have several years to complete the degree if you're doing a PhD Engineering part-time. It will benefit PhD Engineering engineering that it becomes easy to work around commitments or employment.
Distance PhD Engineering
Apart from a Full-time and Part-time PhD Engineering engineering program, there is a Distance PhD Engineering program, which gives the benefits of supervision from one or more leading University of Reading academics. Working at the forefront of their field, access to high-quality training, delivered on campus or via online packages, access to extensive online Library resources, and a reduced tuition fee set at half the standard full- or part-time rate for periods when studying off-campus.
A PhD Engineering qualification is examined at the same level as a campus-based PhD Engineering and a standard PhD Engineering degree certificate that does not state its mode of study.
Popular Entrance Exams for PhD Engineering
Various institutes and testing agencies conduct PhD Engineering entrance exams for admissions regarding PhD in Engineering and Technology. The following are some of these entrance examinations:-
A Quick Glance at the PhD Engineering Entrance Exams
Students can access the PhD Engineering course details by going to the college's official website to which they are interested. The specialization plays a vital role in the college's approach to the entrance exam. Below listed are some of the general guidelines of the PhD Engineering entrance examinations:
- The exam pattern includes common topics from 10+2, graduation and postgraduation level, i.e. technology, life sciences, mathematics, sciences, and general aptitude.
- The papers are objective and MCQ-based.
- The syllabus, mode of examination, and question pattern may change according to a university/conducting body.
Study PhD Engineering in India
India is home to some of the PhD Engineering colleges in the world. Aspirants have many options to choose from in terms of the best PhD Engineering course as per their preferences. Depending on the type of PhD Engineering programs offered, candidates will have to choose. Below are some of the top colleges in India offering PhD Engineering courses:
Top 10 PhD Engineering Colleges in India
Below is the list of the 10 best PhD Engineering Colleges in the country:
| Sl.No. | Name of the Colleges |
| 1 | PSGCT, Coimbatore |
| 2 | Anna University, Chennai |
| 3 | AIIMS, New Delhi |
| 4 | IIT, Bombay |
| 5 | DSCE, Bangalore |
| 6 | RVCE, Bangalore |
| 7 | IIT, Madras |
| 8 | IIST, Thiruvananthapuram |
| 9 | MMU, Ambala |
| 10 | Chandigarh University |
Top PhD Engineering Colleges in New Delhi
Delhi, the educational hub of India, stands in the fourth position in producing PhD Engineering candidates. Here are the top 5 PhD Engineering Colleges in New Delhi:
| Sl.No. | Institution |
| 1 | JMI University |
| 2 | IGNOU |
| 3 | University of Delhi |
| 4 | Amity University |
| 5 | JNU |
Top PhD Engineering Colleges in Mumbai
Below is the list of colleges which are the top PhD Engineering colleges in Mumbai:
| SI.No. | Institution |
| 1 | IIT Bombay |
| 2 | VJIT |
| 3 | ICT, Mumbai |
| 4 | KJ Somaiya College of Engineering |
| 5 | MPSTME, Mumbai |
Top PhD Engineering Colleges in Pune
Below are the list of colleges which are the top colleges of PhD Engineering in Pune:
| Sl.No. | Institution |
| 1 | TMV |
| 2 | UNIPUNE |
| 3 | MIT WPU- Pune |
| 4 | Vishwakarma University |
| 5 | MIT ADT University |
Top PhD Engineering Colleges in Chennai
Top 5 PhD Engineering Colleges of Chennai are given below:
| Sl.No. | Institution |
| 1 | IIT Madras |
| 2 | SRM University |
| 3 | Sathyabama University |
| 4 | Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute |
| 5 | TNDALU Chennai |
Top PhD Engineering Colleges in Bangalore
Bangalore city has some of India's best colleges for PhD Engineering courses. Here is the list of top colleges for PhD Engineering in Bangalore:
| Sl.No. | Institution |
| 1 | Christ University |
| 2 | NLSIU |
| 3 | IISC |
| 4 | REVA University |
| 5 | IIM Bangalore |
Top PhD Engineering Colleges in Kolkata
Check the Table below for the top colleges in Kolkata:
| Sl.No. | Institution |
| 1 | Jadavpur University |
| 2 | Techno India University |
| 3 | Presidency University |
| 4 | IIM Calcutta |
| 5 | Aliah University |
Top PhD Engineering Colleges in Hyderabad
The Telangana state capital has some premier institutions for PhD Engineering courses in India. Check the table below for the top PhD Engineering colleges in Hyderabad:
| Sl.No. | Institutions |
| 1 | Osmania University |
| 2 | IIT Hyderabad |
| 3 | University of Hyderabad |
| 4 | MANUU |
| 5 | Malla Reddy University |
Top PhD Engineering Government Colleges
Several top Government Colleges offer quality PhD Engineering programmes across the country. Check the table below for the top PhD Engineering government colleges in India:
| Sl.No. | Institution |
| 1 | JMI ,New Delhi |
| 2 | UniPune |
| 3 | Aligarh Muslim University |
| 4 | NIMS University |
| 5 | University of Hyderabad |
Top PhD Engineering Private Colleges
India has seen significant growth in the number of quality PhD Engineering private colleges that offer some of the best programmes in the country. Check the table below for the top PhD Engineering private colleges in India:
| Sl.No. | Institutions |
| 1 | Apex University |
| 2 | IIMC, Hyderabad |
| 3 | Loyola College, Chennai |
| 4 | NLSIU, Bangalore |
| 5 | BITS, Goa |
Study PhD Engineering Abroad
Students can opt to study a PhD Engineering course abroad if they can afford it. The PhD Engineering course abroad is for 3 years, depending on the type of course, college and country. Studying a PhD Engineering course abroad is access to some of the best resources, facilities, and faculties, apart from the worldwide subject matter and other cultures.
In addition, PhD Engineering is one of the best courses to study abroad because of its diversity. Below are some of the top PhD Engineering colleges abroad and the relevant fees structure:
Top PhD Engineering Colleges Abroad
The table below contains the list of the some of the best colleges abroad for PhD Engineering:
| Institution | Fees |
| University of Sydney, Australia | AUD 43,932 |
| Southern Illinois University, USA | USD 48,401 |
| University of Dayton, USA | USD 35,587 |
| University of Montreal, Canada | CAD 16,223 |
| Duke University, USA | USD 81,186 |
| Rice University, USA | USD 65,568 |
| University of Idaho, USA | USD 34,875 |
| Columbia University | USD 52,352 |
| Braunschweig University, Germany | EUR 5,163 |
| Lawrence Technology University, USA | USD 30,842 |
Top PhD Engineering Colleges in the USA
The USA is home to some of the best universities and colleges offering top-notch PhD Engineering programmes globally. The US is the best country for PhD Engineering studies and settling abroad. It's at PhD Engineering-level that the USA shines through.
America's rigorous approach to graduate study delivers a standard of training and professional development that often surpasses the minimum requirement for more 'traditional' research-focused doctorates in other countries. The table below contains the list of top colleges of PhD Engineering in the USA:
| Sl.No. | Institution |
| 1 | University of Idaho |
| 2 | Duke University |
| 3 | Rice University |
| 4 | Lawrence Technology University |
| 5 | Columbia University |
Top PhD Engineering Colleges in the UK
A PhD Engineering is a research degree and is the highest award available at universities in the UK. The study is based on a substantial research project on an area of academic interest, typically up to 100,000 words in length, written as a thesis which then must be defended in an oral examination in front of a panel of experts. The table below contains the list of top colleges of PhD Engineering in the UK:
| Sl.No. | Institutions |
| 1 | University of Oxford |
| 2 | University of Cambridge |
| 3 | Imperial College London |
| 4 | King’s College London |
| 5 | University of Warwick |
Top PhD Engineering Colleges in Canada
An increasingly attractive and multicultural study destination, Canada is a great option to consider for your PhD Engineering studies, offering a wealth of research opportunities to help you expand your expertise. Here are the top universities of PhD Engineering in Canada:
| Sl.No. | Institution |
| 1 | University of Toronto |
| 2 | University of British Columbia |
| 3 | McGill University |
| 4 | McMaster University |
| 5 | University of Montreal |
Top PhD Engineering Colleges in Australia
A PhD Engineering in Australia means that you will develop your knowledge and skills, which ultimately increases your chances of employment within Australia and any country. According to the UN's Education Index, Australia's education system ranks first. The table below shows the top universities of PhD Engineering in Australia:
| Sl.No. | Institution |
| 1 | University of Queensland |
| 2 | University of Southern Queensland |
| 3 | University of Melbourne |
| 4 | University of Sydney |
| 5 | University of New South Wales |
Top PhD Engineering Colleges in Germany
It is much easier to get a PhD Engineering at a European university, which takes about 3-4 years in a good university in Europe. The PhD Engineering from Germany in engineering enjoys an outstanding reputation. Germany's research institutions, universities and companies welcome international researchers and offer excellent opportunities for doctoral students.
The table below shows the top universities in Germany colleges of PhD Engineering:
| Sl.No. | Institution |
| 1 | Technical University of Munich |
| 2 | Heidelberg University |
| 3 | LMU Munich |
| 4 | Universitätsmedizin Berlin |
Fee Structure for PhD Engineering
The fee structure for PhD Engineering varies for different Universities. Also, the fee structure varies following the course and University. Students can download the admission brochure and the course curriculum to get the details of PhD Engineering admission and fee structure.
In general, government-aided universities have relatively lower fees than private Universities. Some Universities offer a fee waiver system depending upon the candidate’s economic condition, caste, and merit. The average PhD Engineering in Engineering fee in India is INR 20,000 - 3 LPA. Now, read below to learn about the fee structure of different universities.
| Name of the college | Fees Structure |
| Anna University, Chennai | INR 51,000 PA |
| Chandigarh University | INR 50,000 PA |
| IIT Bombay | INR 1.97 LPA |
| IIST Thiruvananthapuram | INR 54,700 PA |
Syllabus and Subjects for PhD Engineering
Though the actual course offerings might differ from one university to another, here is a list of major subjects which are commonly studied under a PhD Engineering in Electrical Engineering:
- Applied Science
- Applied Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Elements of Electrical Engineering
- Electrical Circuits
- Computer-aided Engineering
- Electrical Circuit Technology
- Electrical Power Generation
Read More: PhD Engineering Subjects and Syllabus
Why Choose PhD Engineering
When students decide to pursue the PhD Engineering qualification, they should research PhD Engineering course details to ensure they know the course they are enrolled in. Students encounter some common queries: "What is PhD Engineering" and "Why PhD Engineering?". To understand the answer to these questions, we can make it simpler by breaking it down into the following three short questions:
What is PhD Engineering All About?
A PhD Engineering or a Doctor of Philosophy is a doctoral research degree and is the highest academic qualification. It involves engaging in in-depth research, understanding research issues, and solving key problems with exceptional analytical and observational skills.
The aspirant should be comfortable with long working hours, analyzing and solving complex problems with calmness. A PhD Engineering is also something to be incredibly proud of.
Why Do PhD Engineering Graduates?
Students can select the subjects of their choice depending on their interest in job prospects available in the specific field. Since graduates with a PhD Engineering degrees possess skills in various subjects, there are career opportunities available in multiple fields. In addition, there are many responsibilities that graduates of this role have to undertake, which makes the role very dynamic and diverse.
Lecturing: One of the popular roles undertaken by graduates of the PhD Engineering course is Lecturer. Since students gain a deeper understanding of a specific subject when studying PhD Engineering, it helps them pursue lecturing.
Reasons Why PhD Engineering Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?
PhD Engineering courses are a very reflective and exciting stream of education. Students can gauge the intrinsic worth of a PhD Engineering course because it offers more employment opportunities than any other stream. Thus, the PhD Engineering job scope is forever widening and appealing.
Diversity in Job roles: There is a diverse range of job roles available for the graduates of this course. Since the specializations available to the students are very flexible, it enables them to pursue a wide range of careers.
Read More: PhD Engineering Jobs & Scope
PhD Engineering Course Comparison
PhD Engineering stands for Doctor of Philosophy and is typically catered to students interested in and inclined towards research-based degrees and professional application.
PhD Engineering vs M.Tech
| Course | PhD Engineering | M.Tech |
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy | Master of Technology |
| Stream | Engineering | Engineering |
| Course Duration | 5 Years | 2 Years |
| Entrance Exams | NET JRF, TIFR GS, SLET, GATE | GATE, IPU CET, BHU PET, and TANCET |
| Top Colleges | P.S.G College of Technology, Anna University, AIIMS, IIT, DSCE | IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi |
| Fees | INR 20,000 - 4 LPA. | INR 50,000 - 4 LPA |
Read More: M.Tech
Preparation Tips for PhD Engineering
There are many tips that students must note when deciding to pursue a PhD Engineering degree. Some important preparation tips are listed below to ensure that the students crack the course and pass the exams without any hurdles.
Improve Vocabulary: Improving vocabulary is necessary as the PhD Engineering course deals with many writing and reading activities. So having excellent communication and writing skills are a plus for the student studying the PhD Engineering course.
Read and Practice More: Being up to date with the syllabus is very important. Practising and reading more will help the student be thorough with the syllabus and do well in the exams.
Have Intrinsic Knowledge and Interest in Subjects: Having intrinsic knowledge about the subject and having the same interest will keep the student motivated to learn more than what's in the syllabus.
Revise Methodically: Revising from time to time can be a key to scoring well in the final exam. Keep revising regularly and understand the subject properly. Revision is the key to scoring good marks.
Salary of a PhD Engineering Graduates
The salary depends on the kind of job you get/you choose to do, your PhD Engineering research area, and your employment. No prior experience is required to be a PhD Engineering Student. The average salary of a PhD Engineering graduate starts from INR 6 - INR 12 LPA (Source: Payscale), depending on the stream you belong from.
Read More: PhD Engineering Salary
Career Options After PhD Engineering
A majority of students pursue a PhD Engineering degree because it offers better career options, for example, in academics and research. PhD Engineering is a broad term. It has many specializations that have different career options and jobs. PhD Engineering Jobs include:
- Research Scientists,
- Executive Engineers,
- Mechanical Design Engineers.
Skills That Make You The Best PhD Engineering Graduates
There are many complex and soft skills that BA graduates need to possess to succeed in their careers. These are not necessarily skills that students can get in a classroom setting. Instead, these are skills that are learned through experience.
Therefore, students should always put in the effort to go out of their comfort zone and gain as much experience as possible. Some of these skills include:
- Academic Ability
- Accountability
- Persistence
- Good Communication Skills
- Time Management
- Open-mindedness and Curiosity to Learn Something New
- Passion
- Ability to Think