PhD Physiotherapy: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees

Duration: 2 Years 11 Months
Avg Fees: ₹5K - 6 LPA
Mandavi Shukla
Mandavi Shukla

Updated on - Dec 18, 2023

PhD in Physiotherapy is a 3-6-year-long doctorate course that deals with the creation and evaluation of rehabilitation treatments, the contexts in which they can be implemented, and patients' lived experiences across a wide range of acute and long-term diseases, etc. Jobs after PhD Physiotherapy include Osteopath Lecturer, Researcher, Therapy Manager, Sports Physio Rehabilitator, Private Physiotherapist, etc.

Table of Contents

PhD Physiotherapy Course Details

Degree Doctorate
Full Form Doctor of Philosophy Physiotherapy
Duration 2 Years 11 Months
Age No age limit
Subjects Required Masters in Physiotheraphy
Minimum Percentage 55%
Average Fees ₹5K - 6 LPA
Average Salary INR 5 - 10 LPA
Employment Roles Physiotherapist, Lecturer, Ergonomic Care Advisor, etc
Top Recruiters Fortis Healthcare, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Narayana Group of Hospitals etc.

About PhD Physiotherapy

PhD Physiotherapy is a discipline of Medicine and Health that is interdisciplinary. A Bachelor's or Master's degree in Physiotherapy teaches students how to assist persons with physical disabilities. The course falls under the umbrella of PhD course, and hence follows a similar structure.

According to Wikipedia, “Physical therapy (PT), also known as physiotherapy, is one of the allied health professions. It is provided by physical therapists who promote, maintain, or restore health through physical examination, diagnosis, prognosis, patient education, physical intervention, rehabilitation, disease prevention, and health promotion.”

Eligibility Criteria for PhD Physiotherapy

Eligibility for PhD in Physiotherapy includes students having to successfully pass their Master's in physiotherapy or any related field from a recognized institute with a minimum 55% score. In addition, many universities conduct entrance exams for the evaluation of students. Some of these exams are BHU-RET, DUET, CU-ET, IPU CET, NPAT, AMU Entrance Exam, Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Exam, etc. There is no age limit to applying for this course.

How To Get Admission for PhD Physiotherapy?

PhD Physiotherapy admission is possible by both entrance examination and merit-based selection. Many universities offer the option of direct and entrance exams for PhD Physiotherapy courses. 

Candidates applying for the PhD Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy 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 in Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy?

Candidates who wish to obtain leadership roles in the field of psychology, particularly strategy analysis in collaboration with the government, should consider pursuing a PhD in Physiotherapy. Candidates with a physiotherapy degree are permitted to work in a variety of companies and practices.

The major goal of the PhD in Physiotherapy programme is to prepare applicants to be responsive and gain expert knowledge in the field, as well as to distribute their theses and earn appropriately.

When To Do PhD Physiotherapy?

Typically, it makes sense for PhD Physiotherapy aspirants to apply for their respective courses immediately after completing their Masters in a relevant feild. 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 Physiotherapy

Aspirants can pursue the PhD Physiotherapy course in the full-time, part-time mode and Distance modes. Below are the types of PhD Physiotherapy courses in detail:

Full-Time PhD Physiotherapy

The full-time PhD Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy course is that students will receive a lot more exposure, experience and knowledge through direct communication with their peers and faculty.

Part-Time PhD Physiotherapy

The part-time PhD in Physiotherapy duration is of 6-10 years and is designed for students who cannot attend regular classes. Part-time courses either occur at weekend or at night, depending on the type of course. 

The advantage of the part-time PhD Physiotherapy course is that students can pursue this course while simultaneously being engaged in employment, research, etc.

Distance PhD Physiotherapy

The Distance learning PhD Physiotherapy 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.

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 Physiotherapy Entrance Exams

Students can obtain the PhD Physiotherapy course details by going through the college's official webpage in which they wish. The specialisation plays an important role in the requirements of the college in the chosen exam. 

Below are some of the instructions for the PhD Physiotherapy entrance examinations: 

  • The exam pattern has topics of English, Logical Reasoning, Analytical Thinking, and subject-specific questions with respect to the specialisation.
  • The papers are objective and MCQ-based.
  • The syllabus, method of examination, and question pattern might change with respect to a university/conducting body.

Study PhD Physiotherapy in India

In recent years, there has been an increase in demand for Physiotherapists, Ergonomic Care advisors, Sports Physicians, etc. PhD Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy in India:

Top 10 PhD Physiotherapy Colleges in India

Below is the list tabulated of the top 10 PhD Physiotherapy Colleges in India:

Top 10 PhD Physiotherapy Colleges in India
Sl.No Name of the College
1 Banasthali University, Jaipur
2 BITS Pilani
3 IIT, Varanasi
4 JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore
5 University of Calcutta, Kolkata
6 Loyola College, Chennai
7 Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Science, Manipal
8 National Institute of Pharmaceutical and Research, Gujarat
9 Presidency College, Chennai
10 ISIC Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Delhi

Top PhD Physiotherapy Colleges in New Delhi

The institutes for PhD in Physiotherapy in Delhi are the nation's best colleges. With many established institutions, there is plenty more cropping up. Check the table of the top PhD Physiotherapy colleges established in the city of Delhi. 

Sl.No Institution
1 HIMSR
2 GGSIPU
3 Amar Jyoti Institute of Physiotherapy
4 JMI
5 ISIC Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences

Top PhD Physiotherapy Colleges in Pune

Pune, Known as the educational capital of India, has a collection of reputed PhD Physiotherapy colleges. It is one of the most preferred higher education destinations for students all over India Check the table below for the top PhD Physiotherapy colleges in Pune:

Sl.No Institution
1 Dr DY Patil College of Physiotherapy
2 Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth
3 Sancheti Healthcare Academy
4 Progressive Education Society's Modern College of Physiotherapy
5 MAEERs Physiotherapy College

Top PhD Physiotherapy Colleges in Chennai

Chennai, Known for its big coastline is equally rich in PhD Physiotherapy colleges and is host to aspirants all over the country. Chennai has the top most colleges when it comes to PhD in Physiotherapy in Tamilnadu State. Check the tabulated list of the best colleges for PhD in Physiotherapy in Chennai:

Sl.No Institution
1 MMC
2 Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research
3 Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute
4 Meenakshi College of Physiotherapy
5 NIEPMD

Top PhD Physiotherapy Colleges in Bangalore

Bangalore, also known as the startup capital of the nation, has a large count of PhD Physiotherapy colleges with top facilities and infrastructure. Students may find lots of options here. Check the table below for the best PhD Physiotherapy colleges in Bangalore:

Sl.No Institution
1 St Johns Medical College
2 MS Ramaiah Medical College
3 St John's National Academy of Health Sciences
4 SIMSRC
5 Dayananda Sagar College of Physiotherapy

Top PhD Physiotherapy Colleges in Kolkata

Kolkata has some of the most established and reputed colleges for PhD Physiotherapy courses spread across the country. Known for its traditions, it has also provided modernised education. Check the table below for the most reputed institutes for PhD Physiotherapy in Kolkata:

Sl.No Institution
1 NIMAS
2 JIS University
3 Swami Vivekananda University
4 University College of Science, Technology and Agriculture
5 Dr KR Adhikary College of Optometry and Paramedical Technology

Top PhD Physiotherapy Colleges in Hyderabad

Hyderabad is one of the most sought-after destinations for higher secondary education and its range of physiotherapy doctoral institutes are 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 Physiotherapy colleges in Hyderabad:

Sl.No Institution
1 Apollo Physiotherapy College
2 Wisdom School of Management
3 Osmania Medical College
4 KIMS
5 Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences

Top PhD Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy government colleges. 

Check the list tabulated below regarding the top PhD Physiotherapy government colleges in India:

PhD Physiotherapy Government colleges
Sl.No Institution
1 Annamalai University, Chidambaram
2 Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati
3 Parul University, Vadodara
4 Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai
5 MMC, Chennai

Top PhD Physiotherapy Private Colleges

With the rise of a vast number of Private Institutes all over India, there has been a magnification in PhD Physiotherapy institutes too. Check the table below listing top PhD Physiotherapy private colleges in India:

Physiotherapy PhD Offered in private colleges
Sl.No Institution
1 CMC, Vellore
2 Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai
3 Parul University, Vadodara
4 Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi
5 Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore

Study PhD Physiotherapy Abroad

A candidate with a little more expenditure can get into a PhD Physiotherapy course abroad. With advantages like great ROI, and world-class teaching methodology, PhD in Physiotherapy Abroad becomes a significant option for Indian students. A list of top PhD Physiotherapy colleges in various countries is given below:

Top PhD Physiotherapy Colleges Abroad

The table below contains the list of some of the most popular colleges abroad for PhD Physiotherapy:

PhD Physiotherapy Colleges Abroad
Institution Fees
Macquarie University AUD 157,200
Bond University AUD 147,840
University of Essex GBP 64,920
Curtin University AUD 163,200
University of Newcastle AUD 158,200
Trinity College Dublin EUR 43,815
La Trobe University EUR 43,815
Robert Gordon University GBP 63,072
Monash University AUD 148,500
Keele University GBP 44,700
University of Brighton GBP 45,846

Top PhD Physiotherapy Colleges in USA

Known as the land of the free, the USA is a host of world-class institutes. It also has an abundance of institutes with respect to the PhD Physiotherapy course. The table below contains the list of top PhD in Physiotherapy in the USA:

Sl.No Institution
1 Northwestern University
2 The University of Delaware
3 The University of Iowa
4 The University of Pittsburgh
5 Washington University
6 Northwestern University

Top PhD Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy. Below is it most reputed colleges for PhD Physiotherapy in UK: 

Sl.No Institution
1 University of Southampton
2 Robert Gordon University
3 University of Birmingham
4 University of Liverpool
5 Glasgow Caledonian University

Top PhD Physiotherapy Colleges in Canada

Canada, known for its beautiful flora and fauna, also offers high-quality education to applicants from all over the world. Its PhD Physiotherapy offerings are no exception. A list of universities offering PhD in Physiotherapy in Canada is mentioned below: 

Sl.No Institution
1 Western University
2 Dalhousie University
3 Queen's University
4 University of Ottawa
5 University of Waterloo

Top PhD Physiotherapy Colleges in Australia

Australia is one of the most educated countries in the world. Studying in this country is a considerable option considering the quality of education provided. The list of top colleges for PhD Physiotherapy in Australia is as follows:

Sl.No Institution
1 Bond University
2 Curtin University
3 Macquarie University
4 Monash University
5 University of Newcastle

Fee Structure for PhD Physiotherapy

The PhD Physiotherapy course fee is variable and relies on many factors. Some of the factors which affect the PhD Physiotherapy fees include the Location of the college, faculty, demand, infrastructure, and the provisions for the students. The average PhD Physiotherapy course fee in India is around INR 10,000 to 2 LPA (Source: Ambitionbox).

Fee Structure for PhD Physiotherapy
Sl.No. Name of the College Total Fee Structure
1. Banasthali University, Jaipur INR 1.8 LPA
2. Birla Institute of Technology and Science, (BITS Pilani), Pilani INR 75,000 PA
3. Indian Institute of Technology, Varanasi INR 1.2 LPA
4. JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysore INR 64,500 PA

Syllabus and Subjects for PhD Physiotherapy

The course syllabi included in the curriculum of the PhD Physiotherapy course are tabulated below. The bulk of the curriculum is consistent across most colleges nationwide, although slight fluctuations may be seen for some institutions.

Listed below are some subjects that students will get a chance to study for a duration of 3-6 years:

  • Basic Nursing
  • Pathology
  • Biomechanics
  • Pharmacology
  • Orientation of Physiotherapy
  • Sociology
  • Exercise Therapy
  • General Medicine

Read More: PhD Physiotherapy Syllabus and Subjects

Why Choose PhD Physiotherapy?

Candidates who wish to obtain leadership roles in the field of Physiotherapy, particularly in collaboration with the government, should consider pursuing a PhD in Physiotherapy. Candidates with a physiotherapy degree are permitted to work in a variety of companies and practices. 

The main objective of the PhD in Physiotherapy programme is to prepare aspirants to be responsive and gain expert knowledge in the field. PhD in Physiotherapy allows practical fieldwork to be integrated with academic disciplines.

What is PhD Physiotherapy All About?

PhD in Physiotherapy is being developed to provide qualified candidates with the necessary abilities to work in the field of medicinal chemistry in a variety of settings, including businesses and government agencies.

PhD in Physiotherapy program provides training and education that facilitate interdisciplinary subject learning, promote critical and theory-based problem-solving abilities, and address the need to serve people. Basic physiotherapy is taught to candidates in this curriculum to help them better grasp people's physical states.

What Does a PhD Physiotherapy Graduate Do?

Some of the best jobs for PhD Physiotherapy Graduates are Physiotherapist, Osteopath, Consultant, etc. Government jobs for PhD Physiotherapy consist of Lecturer, Physician, etc. One of the most popular jobs for PhD Physiotherapy graduates is: 

Physiotherapist: A Physiotherapist is responsible for examining patients. They are also responsible for psychoanalysis and statistical understanding in order to prepare frontline actions and agenda initiatives.

Reasons Why PhD Physiotherapy Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?

PhD Physiotherapy 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 specialisations 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 Physiotherapy Jobs & Scope

PhD Physiotherapy Course Comparison

PhD Physiotherapy stands for PhD Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy course from other courses:

PhD Physiotherapy vs MPhil Physiotherapy

The table below showcases the differences between PhD Physiotherapy vs MPhil In Physiotherapy:

PhD vs M.Phil in Physiotherapy: Course Comparison
Course PhD in Physiotherapy MPhil In Physiotherapy
Full Form Doctorate of Philosophy in Physiotherapy Master of Philosophy in Physiotherapy
Stream Physiotherapy Physiotherapy
Course Duration 3 to 6 Years 2 to 4 Years
Eligibility Masters in Physiotherapy Masters in Physiotherapy
Entrance Exams CU-ET, IPU CET, NPAT, AMU Entrance Exam, Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Exam, BHU-RET, DUET, BHU-RET, DUET, CU-ET, IPU CET, NPAT, AMU Entrance Exam, Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Exam
Top Colleges Chennai, Presidency College, Loyola College, Banasthali University, etc JSS College of Pharmacy Tamil Nadu, BITS Pilani, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, etc.
Fees INR 5,000 to 6 LPA INR 35,000- 50,000 PA

Preparation Tips for PhD Physiotherapy

When considering pursuing a PhD Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy course demands a lot of writing and reading, it's critical to work on your vocabulary. As a result, students pursuing a PhD Physiotherapy must have strong communication and writing skills.

More Reading and Practice: It is critical to comb and revise the curriculum on a regular basis. 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 on a regular basis. 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 Physiotherapy

The PhD Physiotherapy salary for the graduates can vary according to the specialisation the graduate decides to pursue. Other factors that may affect PhD Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy jobs pay range for graduates is around INR 0.3 LPA to 5 LPA [Source: AmbitionBox].

Read More: PhD Physiotherapy Job Salary

Career Options After PhD Physiotherapy 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 Physiotherapy has abundant job opportunities with good salary packages that include the following fields:

  • Consultant Physiotherapist
  • Corporate Physiotherapist
  • Ergonomic Care Advisor
  • Clinical Researcher
  • Lecturer

Skills That Make You The Best PhD Physiotherapy

To be successful in their employment, PhD Physiotherapy 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:

  • Time management
  • Patience
  • Interpersonal Skills
  • Teamwork
  • Flexibility

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