PhD in Life Sciences: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees
PhD in Life Sciences program is a three year program that provides knowledge of organisms at all levels. PhD in Life Sciences course cover biology at both the microorganism and human levels, making the course's scope very broad. Throughout the course, students are introduced to the workings of the organisms on a more general level, including studying subjects like Biology, Ecology, Evolution, and Neuroscience.
Table of Contents
- About PhD in Life Sciences
- Who Should Pursue a PhD in Life Sciences Course?
- How To Get Admission for PhD in Life Sciences?
- Types of PhD in Life Sciences Courses
- Popular Entrance Exams for PhD in Life Sciences
- Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in India
- Study PhD in Life Sciences Abroad
- Fee Structure for PhD in Life Sciences
- Syllabus and Subjects for PhD in Life Sciences
- Why Choose PhD in Life Sciences Course?
- PhD in Life Sciences Course Comparison
- Preparation Tips for PhD in Life Sciences Course
- Salary of a PhD Life Sciences Graduate
- Career Options After PhD in Life Sciences Graduation
- Skills That Make You The Best PhD in Life Sciences Graduate
PhD in Life Science Course Details
| Degree | Doctorate |
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy Life Science |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Age | There is no upper age limit. |
| Entrance Exam | UGC NET, CSIR, GATE |
| Subjects Required | Masters in Microbiology, Ecology, Genetics, Molecular Evolution, etc. |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% |
| Average Salary | INR 2 - 10 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Analyst & Consultant - Pharmaceuticals products, Research Analyst, Manager-Medical Affairs, Research Scientist-Metabolic Identification, Product Manager, etc. |
About PhD in Life Sciences
PhD in Life Sciences course is a combination of biology at the microorganism level as well as at the human level. It is an advanced level of a Master's degree, so students are required to study organisms and microorganisms at the molecular and physiological levels. PhD in Life Sciences course covers a variety of topics including molecular biology, neurobiology, research trends in Life science, etc. This course falls under the umbrella of PhD.
Eligibility Criteria for PhD in Life Sciences
Students who wish to enrol in the PhD in Life Sciences program must pass their Master's degree in a relevant stream from a recognized university. Students who have attended their M.Sc Final Year exams are also eligible. Students must pass the common entrance examinations and meet the standard PhD in Life Sciences eligibility requirements. This course has no age limits.
Who Should Pursue a PhD in Life Sciences Course?
PhD in Life Sciences is for students who want to study deeply about organisms. PhD in Life Sciences degree is currently at the cutting edge of nano-bio interfaces. Bioinformatics, Environmental protection agencies, and other Bio-related industries are always looking out for PhD in Life Sciences graduates. Since this course is a combination of biology at the microorganism level as well as at the level of human beings, after finishing this course, students will have several work opportunities.
When To Do PhD in Life Sciences Course?
If a student wants to pursue a career in the field of Life science, he or she should begin at the Master’s level. They must pass their Master’s degree in relevant subjects from a recognized university.
How To Get Admission for PhD in Life Sciences?
Admission to the program is entirely based on the candidate's qualifying exam score. A candidate's performance on a National, State, or College-level entrance exam followed by a personal interview determines their admittance to the course. Some colleges conduct their entrance exams for the admission process. Aspirants must also meet the minimal PhD in Life Sciences eligibility requirements include a master’s degree in a relevant subject and an entrance exam score.
Though the PhD in Life Sciences admission process varies from college to college, below are the steps that one should generally go through to get admission.
How to Apply?
In consideration of the COVID scenario, the majority of institutions have moved their admissions processes entirely online. Students must therefore go to the official websites of the colleges to which they are applying and begin the application process by submitting information. Students can also go to the college of their preference for offline enrollment and fill out an application form with all required documents.
Types of PhD in Life Sciences Courses
Aspirants can pursue the course in full-time or part-time mode. Below are the types of PhD in Life Sciences courses in detail:
Full-Time PhD in Life Sciences
The full-time PhD in Life Sciences duration is 3-5 years. This course requires more practical knowledge than theoretical understanding. The advantage of a full-time course is that students can gain a lot more exposure, experience, and knowledge through direct interaction with their peers and faculty.
Part-Time PhD in Life Sciences
The part-time PhD in Life Sciences course is designed for students who cannot attend regular classes. The duration of the course is 1.5 - 3 years. The advantage of the part-time course is that students can pursue this course while simultaneously being engaged in employment, etc.
Distance PhD in Life Sciences
The distance PhD in Life Sciences program lasts 3-6 years and is divided into six-eight semesters of six months each. For those who wish to pursue a PhD in Life Sciences after a Master’s degree but don't have the time to attend normal classes, distance learning is the ideal option.
Popular Entrance Exams for PhD in Life Sciences
PhD in Life Sciences candidates must pass the entrance exams to be admitted to the academic course. The required cut-off marks for the entrance exam are set at the discretion of the institute that administers the test. Those who pass the PhD in Life Sciences entrance exam will be invited to the final selection procedure i.e a personal interview. The following are some of the most popular entrance exams for PhD in Life Sciences:
A Quick Glance at the PhD in Life Sciences Entrance Exams
The eligibility requirements for the above-mentioned entrance exams are entirely dependent on the conducting body and so vary accordingly. The following are some of the general guidelines for entrance exams:
- The exam can be offline or online.
- The exam duration is 2-3 hours.
- The question paper is set in English.
- Questions will be MCQ based
- There may be negative marking schemes.
- The exam structure contains common topics such as English, Evolution, Cell Biology, Genetics, General Ability, etc.
Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in India
India is home to some of the finest PhD in Life Sciences colleges for applicants. Candidates have many choices when it comes to the best PhD in Life Sciences course as per their needs. Depending on the type of PhD in Life Sciences programs offered candidates must make the right choice.
Below is the list of the 10 best PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Name of the College |
| 1 | IISc, Bangalore |
| 2 | AMU, Aligarh |
| 3 | Jamia Milia, Delhi |
| 4 | IIT Kharagpur |
| 5 | TIFR, Mumbai |
| 6 | BHU, Varanasi |
| 7 | IIT Delhi |
| 8 | VIT Vellore |
| 9 | IIT Bombay |
| 10 | University of Delhi |
Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in Delhi
India’s capital city is home to some of the best institutions for PhD in Life Sciences in India. Check the table below for the top PhD in Life Sciences colleges in Delhi:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | IIT Delhi |
| 2 | AIIMS |
| 3 | JNU |
| 4 | University of Delhi |
| 5 | IGNOU |
Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in Mumbai
Mumbai also has some of the best institutions for PhD in Life Sciences in India. Check the table below for the top PhD in Life Sciences colleges in Mumbai:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | IIT Bombay |
| 2 | TIFR |
| 3 | St. Xavier’s College |
| 4 | Kishinchand Chellaram College |
Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in Pune
Pune is home to some of the premier institutions for PhD in Life Sciences in India. Check the table below for the best PhD in Life Sciences colleges in Pune:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | IIIT Pune |
| 2 | IISER |
| 3 | Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics |
| 4 | Deccan College for Post Graduate and Research Institute |
| 5 | Sri Balaji University |
Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in Bangalore
The capital city of Karnataka is renowned around the country for colleges offering top PhD in Life Sciences programs. Check the table below for the best PhD in Life Sciences colleges in Bangalore:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | IIIT Bangalore |
| 2 | Bangalore University |
| 3 | Jain University |
| 4 | Garden City University |
| 5 | JNCASR |
Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in Tamil Nadu
Check the table below for the best PhD in Life Sciences colleges in Tamil Nadu:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Loyola College |
| 2 | Queen Mary’s College |
| 3 | SDNB College for Women |
| 4 | Annamalai University |
| 5 | BSAU |
Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in Kerala
Check the table below for the best PhD in Life Sciences colleges in Kerala:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Central University of Kerala |
| 2 | Kannur University |
| 3 | Kerala University |
| 4 | St. Joseph College |
| 5 | IISER |
Top PhD in Life Sciences Government Colleges
There are several top Government Colleges offering quality PhD in Life Sciences programs across the country. Check the table below for the top PhD in Life Sciences government colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | AIIMS Delhi |
| 2 | University of Delhi |
| 3 | IIT Delhi |
| 4 | IIT Bombay |
| 5 | IIT Kharagpur |
Top PhD in Life Sciences Private Colleges
India has seen significant growth in the number of quality PhD in Life Sciences private colleges offer some of the best programs in the country. Check the table below for the top PhD in Life Sciences private colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai |
| 2 | Mount Carmel College, Bangalore |
| 3 | Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College, Mumbai |
| 4 | VIT Vellore |
| 5 | IPS Eduhub, Meerut |
Study PhD in Life Sciences Abroad
PhD in Life Sciences course abroad is for a minimum of 3 years, depending on the type of course, college, and country. The benefits of studying for a PhD in Life Sciences programs overseas provide students with access to some of the best resources, facilities, and faculty, as well as global exposure to the subject matter and other cultures.
In addition, students must achieve good grades in their master’s degree in relevant subjects and have good English language skills. Below are some of the top PhD in Life Sciences colleges abroad and the relevant fees structure:
Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges Abroad
The table below contains the list of some of the best colleges abroad for PhD in Life Sciences:
| Institution | Fees |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA | USD 63,754 |
| Heidelberg University, Germany | EUR 1,581 |
| University of Montreal, Canada | CAD 20,633 |
| Rice University, USA | USD 66,520 |
| Southern Illinois University, USA | USD 49,072 |
| UT Southwestern Medical Center, USA | USD 37,649 |
| University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Canada | CAD 17,000 |
| York University, Australia | AUD 27,000 |
| University of Idaho, Russia | RUB 2,206,537 |
| University of Debrecen, Hungary | HUF 2,591,455 |
Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in USA
The USA is home to some of the best universities and colleges offering top-notch PhD in Life Sciences programs in the world. The table below contains the list of top colleges for PhD in Life Sciences in the USA:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Stanford University |
| 2 | Yale University |
| 3 | Princeton University |
| 4 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| 5 | California University of Technology |
Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in Canada
The table below contains the list of top colleges for PhD in Life Sciences in Canada:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Ontario Institute of Technology |
| 2 | University of Lethbridge |
| 3 | Brock University |
| 4 | University of Guelph |
| 5 | Simon Fraser University |
Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in Europe
The table below contains the list of top colleges for PhD in Life Sciences in Europe:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | Heidelberg University |
| 2 | Wageningen University and Research Center |
| 3 | Luis Pasture Institute |
| 4 | Sorbonne University |
| 5 | ETH Zurich |
Top PhD in Life Sciences Colleges in the UK
The table below contains the list of top colleges for PhD in Life Sciences in the UK:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | University of Cambridge |
| 2 | Oxford University |
| 3 | University College London |
| 4 | Imperial College London |
| 5 | University of Edinburgh |
Fee Structure for PhD in Life Sciences
PhD in Life Sciences fee is not fixed and depends on many factors. Some of the factors which affect the PhD in Life Sciences fees include location, faculty, demand, infrastructure, and the facilities available to the students. The average PhD in Life Sciences course fee in India is around INR 0.15 - 4 LPA.
| Sl.No. | Name of the College | Total Fee Structure |
| 1. | The University of Delhi, Delhi | INR 1,390 PA |
| 2. | AIIMS Delhi, Delhi | INR 1,920 PA |
| 3. | IIT Delhi, Delhi | INR 1,1 LPA |
| 4. | IIT Bombay, Mumbai | INR 1.83 LPA |
Syllabus and Subjects for PhD in Life Sciences
PhD in Life Sciences course is designed to give students both a theoretical and practical study approach. Students can successfully learn the abilities required in the field of Life science. The PhD in Life Sciences course follows a set pattern. The following is a list of the general topics that will be covered during the course:
- Biochemistry
- Metabolism
- Nutrition
- Molecular Biology
- Research Trends in Life Sciences
- Phytochemistry, etc.
Read More: PhD in Life Sciences Syllabus and Subjects
Why Choose PhD in Life Sciences Course?
When students decide to pursue PhD in Life Sciences, they should first research PhD in Life Sciences course details to ensure that they know the course they are enrolling in. Breaking down the question "Why choose PhD in Life Sciences?" into three brief questions simplifies the answer:
What is PhD in Life Sciences All About?
PhD in Life Sciences is a three-year postgraduate degree that focuses on the study of organisms at all levels. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to provide them with a deep knowledge of the biology of microorganism level as well as the level of human beings used in the core sectors of the Life Sciences. The PhD in Life Sciences course includes advanced study of organisms.
What Does a PhD in Life Sciences Graduate Do?
Graduates who complete this course can work in a variety of areas such as Agricultural sectors, Food processing industries, Bioinformatics and Biotechnology sectors, etc. Here are some of the most common features:
- Product Manager: They look after the cross-functional stakeholders to support the development of a product.
- Pharmaceutical Consultant: They provide expert advice on pharmaceutical development and sales to companies based on their expert knowledge.
- Research Analyst: They make detailed reports about the data and provide results based on their research in medical, pharmaceutical, and much more field-related knowledge.
- Manager-Medical Affairs: They oversee the daily operations of their department as well as shape its long-term vision.
Reasons Why PhD in Life Sciences Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?
After earning a PhD in Life Sciences, both fresher and experienced professionals can pursue a variety of career opportunities. It is dependent on an individual's capabilities, academic record, skills, and experience. Some of the reasons are
- Graduates are always in demand in various sectors such as Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Healthcare, Environmental Protection Agencies, etc. Students have various career opportunities.
- Students get a lot of opportunities in enhancing their knowledge and skills that are required in the world of Life science.
Read More: PhD in Life Sciences Jobs & Scope
PhD in Life Sciences Course Comparison
The art of applying design, aesthetics, or natural beauty to clothing and accessories is known as Fashion Technology. PhD in Life Sciences deals with crafting and producing fabric material. Below is a comparison of the PhD in Life Sciences course with the other courses.
PhD in Life Sciences vs PhD Health Science
The table below showcases the differences between PhD in Life Sciences and PhD Health Science:
| Course | PhD in Life Sciences | PhD in Health Science |
| Full-Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Life Sciences | Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences |
| Stream | Life Sciences | Health Science |
| Course Duration | 3 to 5 Years | 3 to 5 Years |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree in relevant subjects from a recognized university. | Master’s degree with a minimum of 55% marks. |
| Entrance Exams | UGC NET, CSIR-UGC NET, etc. | UGC NET, CSIR-UGC NET, etc. |
| Top Colleges | AIIMS, Delhi University, etc. | Chitkara University, IIT Guwahati, etc. |
| Fees | INR 1.15 - 4 LPA | INR 1.10 - 2 LPA |
Preparation Tips for PhD in Life Sciences Course
There is a lot of advice that students should consider when deciding to pursue a PhD in Life Sciences. Below are some important preparation tips to ensure students complete the course and pass the exams without hurdles.
Syllabus: Students must have a good understanding of the curriculum. This is the first and most basic step in the preparation process.
Exam Pattern: Understand exam patterns and the types of questions that are commonly asked. Students will most likely be asked multiple-choice questions.
Important topics: Students should focus more on the important areas as this is where questions are often asked. These sections should focus on reviewing the chapters.
Practice: Practice questions from past years' question papers and sample papers.
Salary of a PhD Life Sciences Graduate
The salary for PhD in Life Sciences graduates vary depending on the specialization chosen by the candidates. Other factors that can affect PhD in Life Sciences salary in India includes experience and the industry they are working in.
Graduates can increase their salary by getting more work experience. The average PhD in Life Sciences jobs starting salary for graduates is around INR 3 - 12 LPA [Source: PayScale].
Read More: PhD in Life Sciences Salary
Career Options After PhD in Life Sciences Graduation
There are plenty of career options after PhD in Life Sciences students in India in both public and private sectors. The job roles will differ based on the specialization that one has opted for. PhD in Life Sciences graduates have abundant job opportunities with good salary packages that include the following job profiles:
- Food Scientist
- Food Technologist
- Immunologists
- Analyst and Consultant in Pharmaceuticals
- Product Manager - Life Sciences
- Business Intelligence Solution Architect - Life Sciences
- Manager- medical affairs
- Research Scientist - Metabolic Identification, etc.
Skills That Make You The Best PhD in Life Sciences Graduate
Because Life science programs are used by every sector in this era, aspirants are enrolled to transform them from raw aspirants to professional aspirants in the field of Life science. Some of the abilities that PhD. Life Sciences students should have:
- Written and Oral Communication Skills
- Self Management
- Analytical ability
- Problem-solving ability
- Project Management and Organization
- Research and Information Management
- Interpersonal Skills
- Leadership Skills.