PhD Civil Engineering: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees
PhD in Civil Engineering is a 3-6-year-long doctorate course that deals with the designing, constructing, and maintaining of infrastructure that is important to the public, like roads, bridges, railways, sewage systems, etc. PhD Civil Engineering jobs after PhD in Civil Engineering include Quality Assurance Manager, Structural Designer, etc.
PhD Civil Engineering Course Details
| Degree | Doctorate |
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy Civil Engineering |
| Duration | 2 Years 11 Months |
| Age | No age limit |
| Subjects Required | Masters in Civil Engineering or relevant field |
| Minimum Percentage | 55% |
| Average Fees | ₹19K - 73K PA |
| Average Salary | INR 5 - 15 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Building Consultant, Sustainability consultant, Site Surveyor, etc |
| Top Recruiters | JSW Steels, TATA , Bosch, etc |
About PhD Civil Engineering
According to Wikipedia, “Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including public works such as roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways.”
PhD is a Doctorate course which covers subjects like geoinformatics, hydraulics, geotechnical engineering, Water Resources Engineering, etc.
Table of Contents
- PhD Civil Engineering Eligibility Criteria
- PhD Civil Engineering Admission Process
- Who Should Do PhD Civil Engineering?
- Types of PhD Civil Engineering
- Popular PhD Civil Engineering Entrance Exams
- Study PhD Civil Engineering in India
- Top PhD Civil Engineering Colleges
- Study PhD Civil Engineering Abroad
- PhD Civil Engineering Fees Structure
- PhD Civil Engineering Syllabus and Subjects
- Why Choose PhD Civil Engineering?
- PhD Civil Engineering Course Comparison
- Preparation Tips for PhD Civil Engineering
- Salary of a PhD Civil Engineering Graduate
- Career Options after PhD Civil Engineering
- Skills to Excel
Eligibility Criteria for PhD Civil Engineering
Eligibility for PhD in Civil Engineering includes students having to successfully pass their Masters in Civil engineering or any related field from a recognized educational board and a minimum 55% score. In addition, many colleges and universities conduct entrance exams for the evaluation of students. Some of these exams are GATE, VITMEE, NET, ITM NEST, etc. There is no age limit to applying for this course.
How To Get Admission for PhD Civil Engineering?
PhD Civil Engineering admission is possible by both entrance examination and merit-based selection. Many universities offer the option of direct and entrance exams for PhD in Civil Engineering courses.
Candidates applying for the PhD Civil Engineering degree might have their results from the respective entrance exams boards required by the selected/opted universities.
Though the admission process fluctuates from college to college, below are the instructions that one should generally go through to get admission.
How to Apply?
The PhD Civil Engineering degree course applications are available either online from the university website or offline by visiting the university's admissions office. In addition, some colleges might take interviews before admissions to establish if students have strong communication skills.
Selection Process
The selection process for PhD Civil Engineering in India is largely similar, regardless of the subspecialty. In many circumstances, universities make their final selection of candidates based on their admission exam scores after receiving an application for a programme.
Furthermore, the academic achievements of the candidates during their undergraduate degrees have a significant impact.
Who Should Pursue a PhD Civil Engineering?
A PhD in Civil Engineering allows students to establish a centre of excellence and conduct research in the fields of infrastructure and environmentally friendly technologies.
The course is detail-oriented and career-oriented, making it essential for individuals looking for higher-paying employment in civil engineering.
When To Do PhD Civil Engineering?
Typically, it makes sense for PhD Civil Engineering aspirants to apply for their respective courses immediately after completing their Masters's in a relevant field. They can also work and pursue this course in correspondence.
However, students will have to go through one of the many entrance examinations prescribed by national, state or private institutions.
Types of PhD Civil Engineering
Aspirants can pursue the PhD Civil Engineering course in the full-time, part-time mode and Distance modes. Below are the types of PhD Civil Engineering courses in detail:
Full-Time PhD Civil Engineering
The full-time PhD Civil Engineering course is for 3-6 years, where students attend classes physically, submit assignments, and give their exams on-campus.
The importance of a full-time PhD Civil Engineering course is that students will receive a lot more exposure, experience and knowledge through direct communication with their peers and faculty.
Part-Time PhD Civil Engineering
The part-time PhD in Civil Engineering duration is of 6-10 years and is designed for students who cannot attend regular classes. Part-time courses either occur at weekends or night, depending on the type of course.
The advantage of the part-time PhD Civil Engineering course is that students can pursue this course while simultaneously being engaged in employment, research, etc.
Distance PhD Civil Engineering
The Distance learning PhD Civil Engineering duration is of 6-10 years and is provided by lots of institutions and colleges in India.
This course is for students for whom it is unaffordable to attend classes on campus or who are working full-time and are unable to devote the time necessary to complete a full-time course.
Popular Entrance Exams for PhD Civil Engineering
Entrance exams are a popular way for many colleges to have an evaluation to decide which student should be admitted to the course. These colleges need entrance exams, as demand in these colleges is higher than the number of seats available. Listed below are some of the popular entrance exams:
A Quick Glance at the PhD Civil Engineering Entrance Exams
Students can obtain the PhD Civil Engineering course details by going through the college's official webpage in which they wish. The specialization plays an important role in the requirements of the college in the chosen exam.
Below are some of the instructions for the PhD Civil Engineering entrance examinations:
- The exam pattern has topics of English, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Thinking, and subject-specific questions concerning the specialization.
- The papers are objective and MCQ-based.
- The syllabus, method of examination, and question pattern might change concerning a university/conducting body.
Study PhD Civil Engineering in India
In recent years, there has been an increase in demand for experts in Railways, Roads, Bridges, Dams etc. PhD Civil Engineering Colleges are spread across the country to cater to that demand. These institutes have provided various options for candidates and improved the quality of education significantly. Below are some cities and respective colleges for PhD Civil Engineering in India:
Top 10 PhD Civil Engineering Colleges in India
Below is the list tabulated of the top 10 PhD Civil Engineering Colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Name of the College |
| 1 | IIT Varanasi |
| 2 | IIT Roorkee |
| 3 | IIT Madras |
| 4 | IIT Kharagpur |
| 5 | IIT Kanpur |
| 6 | IIT Hyderabad |
| 7 | IIT Guwahati |
| 8 | IIT Delhi |
| 9 | IIT Bombay |
| 10 | NIT Trichy |
Top PhD Civil Engineering Colleges in New Delhi
The PhD Civil Engineering institutes in Delhi are the nation's best colleges. With lots of already established colleges, this city has new institutes coming up. Check the table of the top PhD Civil Engineering colleges established in the city of Delhi.
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | IIT Delhi |
| 2 | JMI |
| 3 | IGNOU |
| 4 | LPU |
| 5 | The NorthCap University |
Top PhD Civil Engineering Colleges in Pune
Pune, Known as the educational capital of India, has a collection of reputed PhD Civil Engineering colleges. It is one of the most preferred higher education destinations for students all over India Check the table below for the top PhD Civil Engineering colleges in Pune:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Dr DY Patil Institute of Technology |
| 2 | Vishwakarma Institute of Information Technology |
| 3 | MIT WPU Faculty of Engineering |
| 4 | Sinhgad College of Engineering |
| 5 | MIT School of Engineering |
Top PhD Civil Engineering Colleges in Chennai
Chennai, Known for its big coastline is equally rich in PhD Civil Engineering colleges and is host to aspirants all over the country. Check the tabulated list for the best PhD Civil Engineering colleges in Chennai:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute |
| 2 | Saveetha School of Engineering |
| 3 | Vel's Institute of Science Technology and Advanced Studies |
| 4 | BS Abdur Rahman Crescent Institute of Science and Technology |
| 5 | Bharath Institute of Higher Education and Research |
Top PhD Civil Engineering Colleges in Bangalore
Bangalore, also known as the startup capital of the nation, has a large count of PhD Civil Engineering Colleges with top facilities and Architecture. Students may find lots of options here. Check the table below for the best PhD Civil Engineering colleges in Bangalore:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Ramaiah Institute of Technology |
| 2 | Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering |
| 3 | REVA University |
| 4 | BMS College of Engineering |
| 5 | Dr Ambedkar Institute of Technology |
Top PhD Civil Engineering Colleges in Kolkata
Kolkata has some of the most established and reputed colleges for PhD Civil Engineering courses spread across the country. Known for its traditions, it has also provided modernized education. Check the table below for the most reputed institutes for PhD Civil Engineering in Kolkata:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Jadavpur University |
| 2 | Aliah University |
| 3 | Techno India University |
| 4 | Rabindra Bharati University |
| 5 | Raja Bazar Science College |
Top PhD Civil Engineering Colleges in Hyderabad
Hyderabad is one of the most sought-after destinations when it comes to higher secondary education, and its range of PhD Civil Engineering Institutes is no exception. It is one of the best locations for students in the southern region of India. Check the table below for the top PhD in Civil Engineering colleges in Hyderabad:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Sikkim Manipal University, Hyderabad |
| 2 | University College of Engineering |
| 3 | IIT Hyderabad |
| 4 | MNIT |
| 5 | IIIT |
Top PhD Civil Engineering Government Colleges
Government colleges for higher education provide high-quality affordable education to deserving candidates. There are a variety of choices when it comes to PhD Civil Engineering Government Colleges.
Check the list tabulated below regarding the top PhD Civil Engineering government colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | College of Engineering, Trivandrum |
| 2 | Bangalore Institute of Technology |
| 3 | Sardar Patel College of Engineering Mumbai |
| 4 | SASTRA University Thanjavur |
| 5 | JNTU Hyderabad |
Top PhD Civil Engineering Private Colleges
With the rise of a vast number of Private Institutes all over India, there has been a magnification in PhD Civil Engineering institutes too. Check the table below listing the top PhD Civil Engineering private colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | SRM IST, Chennai |
| 2 | BIT, Mesra |
| 3 | VIT, Chennai |
| 4 | LPU, Jalandhar |
| 5 | DSCE, Bangalore |
Study PhD Civil Engineering Abroad
A candidate with a little more expenditure can get into a PhD Civil Engineering course abroad. With advantages like great ROI and world-class teaching methodology, PhD Civil Engineering Abroad becomes a significant option for Indian students. A list of top PhD Civil Engineering colleges in various countries is given below:
Top PhD Civil Engineering Colleges Abroad
The table below contains the list of some of the most popular colleges abroad for PhD Civil Engineering:
| Institution | Fees |
| University of Canterbury | GBP 92,200 |
| Texas A and M University-College Station | USD 70,200 |
| University of Newcastle | AUD 175,520 |
| RMIT University | AUD 149,760 |
| University of Birmingham | GBP 74,340 |
| University of New South Wales | AUD 145,440 |
| Curtin University | AUD 152,000 |
| University of Alberta | AUD 152,000 |
| University of Leeds | GBP 71,250 |
| University of Exeter | GBP 55,050 |
| University of Strathclyde | GBP 69,150 |
Top PhD Civil Engineering Colleges in the USA
Known as the land of the free, the USA is a host of world-class institutes. It also has an abundance of institutes concerning the PhD Civil Engineering course. The table below contains the list of top PhD in Civil Engineering in the USA:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Georgia Institute of Technology |
| 2 | Stanford University |
| 3 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| 4 | Carnegie Mellon University |
| 5 | University of California |
| 6 | University of Illinois |
Top PhD Civil Engineering Colleges in the UK
Known for its Large and glorious history, the UK is one of the best nations for a student who desires to pursue PhD Civil Engineering. Below is it most reputed colleges for PhD Civil Engineering UK:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Imperial College London |
| 2 | University College London |
| 3 | University of Leeds |
| 4 | University of Sheffield |
| 5 | University of Strathclyde |
Top PhD Civil Engineering Colleges in Canada
Canada, known for its beautiful flora and fauna, also offers high-quality education for candidates all over the world. Its PhD Civil Engineering offerings are no exception. A list of PhD Civil Engineering in Canada is mentioned below:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Toronto |
| 2 | University of British Columbia |
| 3 | McGill University |
| 4 | University of Alberta |
| 5 | Queen's University |
Top PhD Civil Engineering Colleges in Australia
Australia is one of the most educationally popular countries in the world. Studying in this country is a considerable option considering the quality of education provided. The list of top PhD in Civil Engineering colleges in Australia is as follows:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Curtin University |
| 2 | Monash University |
| 3 | RMIT University |
| 4 | University of New South Wales |
| 5 | University of Sydney |
Fee Structure for PhD Civil Engineering
The PhD Civil Engineering course fee is variable and relies on many factors. Some of the factors which affect the PhD Civil Engineering fees include the Location of the college, faculty, demand, infrastructure, and the provisions for the students. The average PhD Civil Engineering course fee in India is around INR 10,000 to 2 LPA (Source: Ambitionbox).
| Sl.No. | Name of the College | Total Fee Structure |
| 1. | IIT Bombay | INR 73,000 PA |
| 2. | IIT Delhi | INR 34,900 PA |
| 3. | IIT Guwahati | INR 18,100 PA |
| 4. | IIT Hyderabad | INR 25,000 PA |
Syllabus and Subjects for PhD Civil Engineering
The course syllabi included in the curriculum of PhD Civil Engineering course are tabulated below. The crux of the syllabus is consistent throughout most colleges across the country, although minor fluctuation may be observed for a few institutes.
Listed below are some subjects that students will get a chance to study for a duration of 3-6 years:
- Concrete Technology
- Transportation Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Fluid Mechanics
- Building Materials
- Earthquake Engineering
Read More: PhD Civil Engineering Syllabus and Subjects
Why Choose PhD Civil Engineering?
Civil engineering is a globally popular and financially rewarding career. Civil engineers are one of the world's highest-paid professionals. You can apply to numerous worldwide firms and earn a good salary after earning a PHD Civil Engineering degree from a top civil engineering college in India.
PhD Civil Engineering offers a variety of options for students interested in Architecture, Maintenance, EarthQuake Prevention, etc.
What is PhD Civil Engineering All About?
PhD Civil Engineering courses aid students in gaining a systematic and critical grasp of the subject at hand, as well as improving their retention and advanced learning abilities. It encompasses the planning, development, and maintenance of public infrastructures such as roads, dams, bridges, canals, and buildings.
A PhD in Civil Engineering allows students to establish a civil engineering centre of excellence and perform research in the fields of infrastructure and environmentally friendly technologies.
What Does a PhD Civil Engineering Graduate Do?
Some of the best jobs for PhD Civil Engineering Graduates are Systems Engineer, Fire risk Assessor, etc. Government jobs for PhD Civil Engineering consist of Teacher, Designer, Geotechnical Engineer, etc. One of the most popular jobs for PhD Civil Engineering graduates is:
Building Services Engineer: They work on a plethora of government initiatives that help any building, business, or living area function perfectly.
Reasons Why PhD Civil Engineering Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?
PhD Civil Engineering is worthwhile for a lot of reasons. Not only will you be able to expand your topic knowledge and refine your skills in your practice area, but you will also have the choice to grow professionally and know more about yourself.
Diversity in Job roles: There is an abundant range of job roles available for the graduates of this course. Since the specializations provided to the students are very flexible, it helps the students to pursue a wide range of job roles in their careers.
Read More: PhD Civil Engineering Jobs & Scope
PhD Civil Engineering Course Comparison
PhD Civil Engineering stands for PhD Civil Engineering and is typically catered to students interested in and inclined towards concepts of Road and bridge constructions Railways, etc. Below is a differentiation of the PhD Civil Engineering course from other courses:
PhD Civil Engineering vs PhD Chemical Engineering
The table below showcases the differences between PhD Civil Engineering vs PhD Chemical Engineering:
| Course | PhD Civil Engineering | PhD Chemical Engineering |
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering | Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering |
| Stream | Civil Engineering | Chemical Engineering |
| Course Duration | 4-5 years | 3-5 years |
| Eligibility | Masters in Civil Engineering/ Related Field from a recognized university. | Masters in Chemical Engineering/ Related Field from a recognized university. |
| Entrance Exams | GATE, VITMEE, ITM NEST, NET, etc | VITMEE, GATE, NET, ITM NEST, etc |
| Top Colleges | IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, etc. | IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, etc. |
| Fees | INR 19,000 to 73,000 PA | INR 50,000 to 4 LPA |
Preparation Tips for PhD Civil Engineering
When considering pursuing a PhD Civil Engineering degree, students should keep many things in mind. Some important preparation points are stated below to make sure that the students excel in the course and crack the entrance test without any hurdles.
Boost Your Vocabulary: Because the PhD Civil Engineering course requires a lot of writing and reading, it's critical to improve your vocabulary. As a result, students pursuing a PhD Civil Engineering must have strong communication and writing skills.
More Reading and Practice: It is critical to comb and revise the curriculum regularly. More practice and reading will aid the student in mastering the subject and performing well in the exams.
Have Intrinsic Knowledge of Subjects: The student will be enthusiastic to learn more than what is on the curriculum if he or she has prerequisite information about the subject and has similar interests.
Methodically revise: Revising can help you do well in the final test if you do it regularly. Continue to revise on a daily/weekly basis and ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the concepts. The secret to getting a good score is to revise.
Salary of a PhD Civil Engineering
The PhD Civil Engineering salary for the graduates can vary according to the specialization the graduate decides to pursue. Other factors that may affect PhD Civil Engineering Salary in India are experience, geography, and the industry they are employed in.
Graduates can boost their salary by doing internships and work placements as it would be considered in their experiences. The PhD Civil Engineering jobs pay range for graduates is around INR 1.2 LPA to 5.9 LPA [Source: AmbitionBox].
Read More: PhD Civil Engineering Job Salary
Career Options After PhD Civil Engineering Graduation
There are lots of jobs available for candidates looking for a career in Business Analytics. The employment roles will differ based on the niche that one has opted for. PhD Civil Engineering has abundant job opportunities with good salary packages that include the following fields:
- Project Manager
- Head Quality Controller
- Site Engineer/Civil Engineer
- Project Coordinator
- Quality Assurance Manager
- Project Procurement Manager
- Executive Engineer
- Structural Engineer/Structural Designer
Skills That Make You The Best PhD Civil Engineering
To be successful in their employment, PhD Civil Engineering graduates must possess a variety of complex and soft skills. These aren't necessarily talents that can be learned in a classroom. Instead, these are talents that can only be acquired through practice. Students should make every attempt to go outside of their comfort zone and receive as much experience as they can. Among these abilities are:
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Project Management
- Decision-Making Skills
- Technical Skills