PhD in Electrical Engineering: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees

Duration: 3 Years
Avg Fees: ₹15K - 25 LPA
Kripal Thapa
Kripal Thapa

Updated on - Jan 4, 2023

PhD in Electrical Engineering deals with the research and understanding of the subject while learning about the industry and specialising in areas that interest aspirants. PhD Electrical Engineering course duration can last from 3 years and can go up to 5 years. The course opens graduates various doors such as Electrical Engineer, Application Engineer, Sales Engineer, System Engineer, etc.

Table of Contents

PhD in Electrical Engineering Course Details

Degree Doctorate
Full Form Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering
Duration 3 Years
Age There is no age limit for PhD in Electrical Engineering
Entrance Exam GATE, UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR-NET
Subjects Required Master's in Electrical or Electronics
Minimum Percentage A total aggregate of 55% or more.
Average Fees ₹15K - 25 LPA
Average Salary INR 4 - 20 LPA
Employment Roles Electrical Engineer, Application Engineer, Sales Engineer, System Engineer, etc.
Top Recruiters International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), Rockwell Automation (ROK), Boeing Defense, Space & Security (BDS), CGI Group, Nikola Corporation., BHEL

About PhD in Electrical Engineering

PhD Electrical Engineering is a programme that specialises in the study of electricity and the number of methods of electricity used. It gives one access to electrical, electronic, and electromagnetic applications, electrical machines, electromagnetism and electromagnetic devices, generators and motors, electric circuits, etc.

They deal with larger-scale assembly and distribution of electrical power, while electronics engineering deals with miniature electronic circuits and components. Materials science, digital control engineering, signal processing, antennas and propagation and other topics will be covered in the course.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD Electrical Engineering

Students who want to enrol in the PhD Electrical Engineering programme must have an engineering master's degree from an accredited university with a minimum overall grade point average of 55%. Some universities, such as IITs, also require 65 per cent marks at the postgraduate level. In addition to meeting the conventional PhD Electrical Engineering eligibility requirements, students must pass the common entrance exams.

Additionally, students in the reserved category and those with disabilities may receive some relaxation.

Who Should Pursue a PhD Electrical Engineering Course?

For students who desire to work in real estate, there is a PhD programme in electrical engineering. Candidates who have a degree from an accredited university may apply for the PhD Electrical Engineering programme. There is no formal academic prerequisite for entrance to this programme. The course provides comprehensive information on the real estate sector in fields including marketing, finance, human resources, research, etc.

Candidates who successfully complete the programme may be able to secure employment with reputable Electric Machines, Semiconductors and Diodes, Electric Circuits, and consultancy companies that are constantly seeking PhD Electrical Engineering graduates. As a result, students will have a variety of employment options after completing this course.

When To Do PhD Electrical Engineering Course?

If a student wants to pursue a career in electrical engineering, he or she should begin at the 10+2 level. They must pass their master’s / post-graduation degree in Engineering from a recognised university.

How To Get Admission for PhD Electrical Engineering?

The qualifying exam results decide whether an applicant is admitted fully or partially to the PhD Electrical Engineering programme. Whether a candidate is accepted into the programme is determined by how well they perform on an admission exam at the federal, state, or college level. Given that the exam is known for being difficult, enrolling in coaching programmes can help students study the subject. In addition, candidates must fulfil the minimal requirements for PhD Electrical Engineering eligibility.

Although the admissions process for PhD Electrical Engineering differs from institution to university, the typical steps one should take to achieve admission are listed below.

How to Apply?

In preparation for the COVID issue, the majority of institutions are transitioning their admissions processes entirely online. Students must go to the official websites of the universities they are going to in order to begin the application process. Students may also enrol offline by visiting the college of their choosing and submitting an application in person along with the required documentation.

Selection Process

Based on their academic performance in their engineering master's degree from an accredited university, candidates are chosen in a merit-based selection process. For admission-based selection, students are required to take the entrance exam. Candidates are then qualified for the subsequent stage of admission. After selecting a few candidates based on admission exam rankings, top universities like IIT Bombay and a few other colleges administer a written examination.

Students may be chosen by some institutions or universities based on their post-graduation grades. The following admissions procedures vary depending on the college.

Types of PhD Electrical Engineering Courses

Both full-time and part-time options are available to aspirants for the course. The several PhD Electrical Engineering course types are detailed below:

Full-Time PhD Electrical Engineering

The PhD Electrical Engineering programme lasts two years and is full-time. In this subject, practical expertise trumps academic understanding. The advantage of a full-time course is that students can gain much more exposure, experience, and knowledge through close contact with other students and teachers. PhD Electrical Engineering is a semester full-time programme.

Part-Time PhD Electrical Engineering

Students who are unable to attend regular classes should enrol in the part-time PhD Electrical Engineering course. The programme lasts for three years. The benefit of taking a part-time course is that students can do so while also working, going to school, etc. Some institutions offer part-time or distance learning PhD Electrical Engineering programmes.

Distance PhD Electrical Engineering

The distance PhD Electrical Engineering programme for 3 years is not provided in colleges/institutions because some colleges can’t able to provide long-distance learning for any students. 

To be accepted into the PhD Electrical Engineering programme, applicants must pass the admissions tests. The institution in charge of administering the entrance exam may choose to set the requisite cut-off scores. Those who pass the PhD Electrical Engineering entrance exam will be able to participate in the final selection process. The following are some of the most well-liked PhD Electrical Engineering admission tests:

A Quick Glance at the PhD Electrical Engineering Entrance Exams

The requirements for taking the entry above exams vary depending on the organisation administering them, therefore they are entirely dependent on them. The following are some general recommendations for admissions tests:

  • The exam can be offline or online.
  • Three components make up the question paper. Questions with an electrical theme can be found in the general aptitude, engineering mathematics, and discipline-based sections.
  • The exam duration is 3 hours.
  • The question paper is set in English.
  • Questions will be MCQ based
  • There may be negative marking schemes.

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges in India

India is home to some of the best PhD Electrical Engineering universities. Candidates have a variety of choices when it comes to the best PhD Electrical Engineering education, depending on their preferences. Depending on the sort of Electrical Engineering curriculum offered, candidates must choose wisely. Below is the list of the best PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges in India:

Sl.No Name of the College
1 IIT Madras
2 IIT Delhi
3 IIT Kanpur
4 IIT Guwahati
5 NIT Trichy
6 IIT Indore

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges in Delhi

India’s capital city is home to some of the best institutions for PhD Electrical Engineering in India. Check the table below for the top PhD Electrical Engineering colleges in Delhi:

Sl.No Institution
1 DTU
2 JMI
3 IIT Delhi
4 Netaji Subhas University of Technology
5 GGSIPU

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges in Mumbai

Mumbai also has some of the best institutions for PhD Electrical Engineering in India. Check the table below for the top PhD Electrical Engineering colleges in Mumbai:

Sl.No Institution
1 IIT Bombay
2 VJTI Mumbai
3 ICT Mumbai
4 KJ Somaiya College of Engineering
5 Sardar Patel College of Engineering

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges in Pune

Pune is home to some of the premier institutions for PhD Electrical Engineering in India. Check the table below for the best PhD Electrical Engineering colleges in Pune:

Sl.No Institution
1 COEP
2 College of Engineering
3 All India Shri Shivaji Memorial Society's College of Engineering
4 Dr DY Patil Institute of Technology
5 MIT WPU

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges in Bangalore

The capital city of Karnataka is renowned around the country for colleges offering top PhD Electrical Engineering programmes. Check the table below for the best PhD Electrical Engineering colleges in Bangalore:

Sl.No Institution
1 Atria Institute of Technology
2 NHCE
3 School of Engineering and Technology
4 DSCE
5 RVCE

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges in Chennai

The capital city of Tamil Nadu has some of the best colleges for PhD Electrical Engineering courses in India. Check the table below for the best PhD Electrical Engineering colleges in Chennai:

Sl.No Institution
1 IIT Madras
2 CEG, Guindy
3 VIT Vellore
4 Madras Institute of Technology
5 HITS Chennai

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges in Jaipur

The Capital City of Rajasthan has some premier institutions in the country for PhD Electrical Engineering. Check the table below for the top colleges for PhD Electrical Engineering in Jaipur:

Sl.No Institution
1 Manipal University
2 MNIT Jaipur
3 NIMS University
4 Vivekananda Global University
5 Jaipur National University

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Government Colleges

There are several top Government Colleges offering quality PhD Electrical Engineering programmes across the country. Check the table below for the top PhD Electrical Engineering government colleges in India:

Sl.No Institution
1 IIT Kharagpur
2 IIT Kanpur
3 BITS Pilani
4 NIT Surathkal
5 Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, Delhi

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Private Colleges

India has seen significant growth in the number of quality PhD Electrical Engineering private colleges that offer some of the best programmes in the country. Check the table below for the top PhD Electrical Engineering private colleges in India:

Sl.No Institution
1 Manipal University, Jaipur
2 VIT Vellore
3 College of Engineering, Pune
4 NIT Trichy
5 School of Engineering and Technology, Bangalore

Study PhD Electrical Engineering Abroad

Students may decide to pursue a PhD in Electrical Engineering overseas if they can afford it. The duration of the PhD Electrical Engineering programme is at least three years but can be longer depending on the type of course, the college, and the country. When enrolled in a PhD Electrical Engineering programme overseas, students get access to some of the best facilities, lecturers, and resources.

Its topic matter includes electricity, electronics, and electromagnetic components. Below are a few of the top PhD Electrical Engineering programmes offered abroad, together with crucial tuition details:

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges Abroad

The table below contains the list of some of the best colleges abroad for PhD Electrical Engineering:

Institution Fees
University of California, Berkeley USD 5,721
University of Cambridge GBP 21,732
University of Birmingham GBP 21,300
Northeastern University USD 56,452
Technical University of Munich EUR 13800
University of Manchester GBP 2750
King's College, London GBP 23,000
National University of Singapore SGD 38,200
Columbia University USD 74,980

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges in the USA

The USA is home to some of the best universities and colleges offering top-notch PhD Electrical Engineering programmes in the world. The table below contains the list of top colleges for PhD Electrical Engineering in the USA:

Sl.No Institution
1 Yale University
2 Stanford University
3 Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
4 Princeton University
5 California Institute Of Technology

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges in the UK

The UK has institutions that date back to the 13th century. This makes the UK one of the best destinations for pursuing engineering. The table below shows the top colleges for PhD Electrical Engineering in the UK:

Sl.No Institution
1 University Of Cambridge
2 Imperial College London
3 University Of Oxford 
4 University Of Manchester
5 University Of Edinburgh

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges in Canada

Known for Fashion, Luxury and Beauty, France is one of the most sought-after destinations for PhD Electrical Engineering programmes in the world. The table below shows the top universities in France for PhD Electrical Engineering:

Sl.No Institution
1 University Of Toronto
2 University Of British Columbia
3 Mcgill University
4 University Of Ottawa
5 University Of Calgary

Top PhD Electrical Engineering Colleges in Australia

For many students, Australia, also known as the 'Land Down Under,' has emerged as one of the top locations for higher education. The list of top colleges for PhD Electrical Engineering in Australia are as follows:

Sl.No Institution
1 University Of Melbourne
2 Monash University
3 University Of Sydney
4 University Of New South Wales
5 University Of Western Australia

Fee Structure for PhD Electrical Engineering

The PhD Electrical Engineering fee is not fixed and depends on many factors. Some of the factors which affect the PhD Electrical Engineering fees include location, faculty, demand, infrastructure, and the facilities available to the students. The average PhD Electrical Engineering course fee in India is around INR 3 - 20 LPA.

Sl.No. Name of the College Total Fee Structure (INR)
1. IIT Madras, Chennai 19 PA
2. IIT Delhi, New Delhi 52 PA
3. IIT Kanpur 64 PA
4. IIT Guwahati 18 PA

Syllabus and Subjects for PhD Electrical Engineering

A theoretical and internal study technique are both provided to students in the PhD Electrical Engineering degree. The skills necessary for electrical engineering can be learned by students. There is a defined format for the PhD Electrical Engineering programme. The general subjects that will be covered in the course are listed below:

  • Applied Science
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Elements of Electrical Engineering
  • Electrical Circuits
  • Computer-aided Engineering
  • Electrical Circuit Technology
  • Electrical Power Generation
  • Transmission
  • Power Electronics

Read More: PhD Electrical Engineering Syllabus and Subjects

Why Choose PhD Electrical Engineering Course?

Before enrolling in an Electrical Engineering course, prospective students should become as knowledgeable as possible about the subject matter. By breaking the question "Why to choose PhD Electrical Engineering?" into three manageable parts, the answer is made clearer:

What is PhD Electrical Engineering All About?

A professional master's course is the PhD Electrical Engineering. Students learn about the marvels of reverse Electric Machines, Semiconductors, Diodes, Electric Circuits and circuit theory and analysis. Electrical engineering is essential to developments in sectors including Project Manager, Electrical Engineer, Application Engineer, Sales Engineer, and Research and Development Officer.

What Does a PhD Electrical Engineering Graduate Do?

After receiving their degrees, they will be able to create, test, and repair electronic gadgets and electrical systems. Electrical engineering is essential to developments in sectors including Project Manager, Electrical Engineer, Application Engineer, Sales Engineer, and Research and Development Officer. Graduates will be knowledgeable in engineering skills. Here are some of the most common features:

  • Electrical Engineers: They develop and implement the elements needed to make a device electrify. They concentrate on studying, developing, and enhancing electrically powered equipment.

Reasons Why PhD Electrical Engineering Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?

After earning a PhD Electrical Engineering, both fresher and experienced professionals can pursue a variety of career opportunities. It depends on a person's aptitudes, academic performance, skills, and experience. Some of the reasons are

Demand: PhD Electrical Engineering is a great career choice for those with a lot of imagination and ideas. Electrical engineers with the necessary skills are in high demand in developing nations like India to fill positions at critical manufacturing divisions in both private and public sector enterprises. The local electrical businesses now require qualified professionals due to the worldwide supply chain networks. 

Career Growth: Graduates of PhD Electrical Engineering can choose from a variety of positions. After accumulating electrical engineering expertise, candidates can grow in their jobs.

Skill Development: Students get a lot of opportunities in enhancing their design and creativity skills that are required in the PhD Electrical Engineering.

Read More: PhD Electrical Engineering Jobs and Scope

PhD Electrical Engineering Course Comparison

Each PhD programme teaches the fundamentals of business. These are some fundamental Electrical Engineering talents that, when combined with work-specific skills based on core functions and concentrations, will help you land a solid position. Below is a comparison of the PhD Electrical Engineering course with the other courses.

PhD Electrical Engineering vs PhD Mechanical Engineering 

The table below showcases the differences between PhD Electrical Engineering and PhD Mechanical Electrical Engineering:

Course PhD Electrical Engineering PhD Mechanical Engineering
Full-Form PhD Electrical Engineering PhD Mechanical Engineering
Stream Science Science
Course Duration 3 years  3 years 
Eligibility Master’s degree in Electrical or Electronics with more than 55% marks.  Master's degree in Mechanical with a minimum of 65% marks.
Entrance Exams GATE, UGC NET, CSIR-UGC-NET GATE, UGC NET, CSIR-UGC-NET
Top Colleges IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IITM, IIT Delhi etc. Andhra University, Techno India University, Manipal University, etc. 
Fees INR 20 - 5 LPA INR 4 - 18 LPA

Read More: PhD Mechanical engineering

Preparation Tips for PhD Electrical Engineering Course

When choosing to pursue a PhD in Electrical Engineering, students should take a number of things into consideration. The following collection of essential study tips can help students succeed in their studies so they can pass the course and the tests.

Syllabus: The student must fully comprehend the course syllabus. This is the first and most crucial step in the preparation process.

Exam Pattern: Recognize exam structure and the types of questions that are frequently asked. There is a very good chance that the students will be given multiple-choice questions. 

Important topics: Students should focus more on important topics because they are asked about them more frequently. As you read through the chapters, you must keep in mind these sections.  

Practice: Utilize sample exams and test questions from prior years to prepare for questions.

Salary of a PhD Electrical Engineering Graduate

Depending on the specialisation that candidates choose, the pay for PhD Electrical Engineering graduates varies. In addition to experience, geography, and the industry they work in, PhD Electrical Engineering salaries in India may also be influenced by several other variables. Graduates can increase their salary as they obtain more work experience. Starting salaries for PhD Electrical Engineering positions often range from INR 3 to 30 LPA.  [Source: PayScale].

Read More: PhD Electrical Engineering Salary

Career Options After PhD Electrical Engineering Graduation

For PhD Electrical Engineering students, there are many positions available in both the public and private sectors. The job roles will change depending on the specialisation one has chosen. Numerous job possibilities with competitive pay packages are available for PhD Electrical Engineering graduates in the following job profiles:

  • Electrical Engineer
  • Sales Engineer
  • Computer Architects
  • Project Manager 
  • Applications Engineer
  • Research and Development Officer
  • Systems Engineer

Skills That Make You The Best PhD Electrical Engineering Graduate

A graduate degree in electrical engineering has different course requirements depending on the university and programme you choose. Students that take Electrical Engineering courses will also get expertise in that area. They include analytical thinking, critical thinking, and self-learning as well as effective communication, time management skills, and creative thinking. Professional engineers who work alone or in teams on projects that present a variety of difficulties and demand a lot of work need to have these skills. Some of the abilities that PhD Electrical Engineering students should have:

  • Attentive
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • Initiative
  • Communication skills 

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