PhD in Public Health: Course Details, Eligibility, Admission, Fees

Duration: 3 Years
Avg Fees: ₹15K - 1 LPA
Mandavi Shukla
Mandavi Shukla

Updated on - Jan 5, 2024

PhD in Public Health is a doctoral programme that specializes in the study of Public Health. The course is designed to give students the abilities they need to work in the fields of Public Health and Management of several institutions, related businesses, and governmental organizations.

Table of Contents

PhD in Public Health Course Details

Degree Doctorate
Full Form Doctorate in Philosophy in Public Health
Duration 3 Years
Age There is no age limit.
Entrance Exam BHU-RET, DUET, IPU CET
Subjects Required Masters in Public Health or Administration
Minimum Percentage A minimum of 50% of the total aggregate is required to be qualified for a PhD.
Average Fees ₹15K - 1 LPA
Average Salary INR 3 to 10 LPA
Employment Roles Public Health Program Evaluator, Epidemiologist, Vaccine Researcher, Behavioral Scientist, Policy Developer, Public Health Veterinarian, Tropical Disease Specialist and Professor, etc.
Top Recruiters National Institute Of Health And Family Welfare, National Health Mission, Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Britannia

About PhD in Public Health

The PhD in Public Health programme offers instruction and opportunities that support interdisciplinary learning, nurture the development of public health professionals' morals and values, and promote critical thinking and theory-based problem-solving.

The PhD in Public Health syllabus includes information on principles, medical prerequisites, field basics, health, etc. The course will help them develop their analytical skills through thesis writing and their leadership qualities by serving as role models in a supportive environment.

Eligibility Criteria for PhD in Public Health

Students who want to enrol in the PhD in Public Health programme must have an engineering Master’s degree or M.Phil degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized university with a minimum overall grade point average of 55 per cent. Some universities also require 65 per cent marks at the master’s level. In addition to meeting the conventional PhD in Public Health 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 in Public Health Course?

For students who desire to work in the health sector, there is a PhD programme in public health. Candidates who have a degree from an accredited university may apply for the PhD in Public Health programme. There is no formal academic prerequisite for entrance to this programme. The course provides comprehensive information on Public Health Program Evaluator, Epidemiologist, Vaccine Researcher, Behavioral Scientist, Policy Developer, Public Health Veterinarian, Tropical Disease Specialist and Professor etc.

Candidates who successfully complete the programme may be able to secure employment with reputable International Public Health Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Hospitals and consultancy companies that are constantly seeking PhD in Public Health graduates. As a result, students will have a variety of employment options after completing this course.

When To Do PhD in Public Health?

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 Postgraduate in the relevant discipline with at least 55% marks from a UGC-recognized Indian or foreign university

How To Get Admission for PhD in Public Health?

The qualifying exam results decide whether an applicant is admitted fully or partially to the PhD in Public Health 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 in Public Health eligibility, which include earning a master's degree in health and scoring well on the public health exam. Although the admissions process for PhD in Public Health 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 public health 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 MAHE, Manipal and a few other colleges administer a written examination.

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

Career as a Health Inspector Career as a Food Inspector

Types of PhD in Public Health

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

Full-Time PhD in Public Health

The PhD in Public Health programme lasts 3-5 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 in Public Health is a semester full-time programme.

Part-Time PhD in Public Health

Students who are unable to attend regular classes should enrol in the part-time PhD in Public Health 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 in Public Health programmes.

Distance PhD in Public Health

The distance PhD in Public Health programme for 3 years is also provided in colleges/institutions because some colleges are able to provide long-distance learning for any students. 

To be accepted into the PhD in Public Health 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 in Public Health entrance exam will be able to participate in the final selection process. The following are some of the most well-liked PhD in Public Health admission tests:

A Quick Glance at the PhD in Public Health 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 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 in Public Health Colleges in India

India is home to some of the best PhD in Public Health universities. Candidates have a variety of choices when it comes to the best PhD in Public Health 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 in Public Health Colleges in India:

Sl.No Name of the College Average Fees
1 MAHE, Manipal INR 30,000 PA
2 University of Hyderabad INR 1.25 LPA
3 Hamdard University, New Delhi INR 1.28 LPA
4 KIIT, Bhubaneswar INR 85,000 PA
5 TISS, Mumbai INR 72,223 PA
6 SRM IST, Kanchipuram INR 2 LPA

Top PhD in Public Health Colleges in Delhi

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

Sl.No Institution
1 AIIMS
2 HIMSR
3 Jamia Hamdard
4 JMI
5 IGNOU

Top PhD in Public Health Colleges in Mumbai

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

Sl.No Institution
1 Central Institute of Fisheries Education
2 Bhavan's College
3 CHM Ulhasnagar
4 Dr DY Patil College of Nursing
5 MGM New Bombay College of Nursing

Top PhD in Public Health Colleges in Pune

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

Sl.No Institution
1 AFMC
2 DYPMCH
3 Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya
4 Sancheti Healthcare Academy
5 Homoeopathic Medical College

Top PhD in Public Health Colleges in Bangalore

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

Sl.No Institution
1 Brindavan College
2 Karnataka College of Nursing
3 IADC
4 Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology
5 Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences

Top PhD in Public Health Colleges in Chennai

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

Sl.No Institution
1 SRMCRI
2 SRM University
3 MVC
4 SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre

Top PhD in Public Health Colleges in Jaipur

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

Sl.No Institution
1 NIA Jaipur
2 Jaipur National University
3 Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women's University
4 NIMS University
5 Mahatma Gandhi Occupational Therapy College

Top PhD in Public Health Government Colleges

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

Sl.No Institution
1 SGT University
2 Santosh Medical College
3 Jaipur National University
4 Hamdard University
5 Jamia Millia

Top PhD in Public Health Private Colleges

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

Sl.No Institution
1 Noida International University
2 Era University, Lucknow
3 Apex University, Jaipur
4 Omayal Achi College of Nursing, Chennai
5 Shyam University

Study PhD in Public Health Abroad

Students may decide to pursue a PhD in Public Health overseas if they can afford it. The duration of the PhD in Public Health 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 in Public Health programme overseas, students get access to some of the best facilities, lecturers, and resources. Its topic matter includes concepts, medicinal requirements, fundamentals associated with the field, Health, etc.

Having a PhD in Public Health from a foreign university would help the students prepare with the knowledge that is helpful in various sectors of the engineering field. Public Health Postgraduate degree holders have two more career options available to them. This is because the students will receive both academic and practical knowledge from this course. As the world swings more toward These abilities are transferable to a number of jobs in the medical field, the public sector, and non-profit (volunteer) organisations. The Professional Doctorate in Healthcare Practice programme, which consists of teaching modules and a research thesis completed over three or five years, will highlight specialised and transferrable research skills. Below are a few of the top PhD in Public Health programmes offered abroad, together with crucial tuition details:

Top PhD in Public Health Colleges Abroad

The table below contains the list of some of the best colleges abroad for PhD in Public Health:

Institution Fees
University of Waterloo USD 64,701
Harvard University USD 54,768
George Washington University USD 1,995 
University of Alabama USD 1,123
East Tennessee State University USD 27,406
Texas A and M University USD 17,558
SUNY University at Albany USD 25,542
National University of Ireland, Galway EUR 35,000

Top PhD in Public Health Colleges in the USA

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

Sl.No Institution
1 Johns Hopkins University
2 Harvard University
3 University of North Carolina
4 Emory University
5 Columbia University

Top PhD in Public Health 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 in Public Health in UK:

Sl.No Institution
1 University of Oxford
2 University College London
3 University of Cambridge
4 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
5 Imperial College London

Top PhD in Public Health Colleges in France

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

Sl.No Institution
1 Sorbonne Universite
2 Université de Paris
3 Universite Paris Saclay
4 Universite de Bordeaux
5 University of Montpellier.

Top PhD in Public Health 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 in Public Health in Australia are as follows:

Sl.No Institution
1 University of Melbourne
2 University of Sydney
3 University of Queensland
4 Monash University
5 University of New South Wales

Fee Structure for PhD in Public Health

The PhD in Public Health fee is not fixed and depends on many factors. Some of the factors which affect the PhD in Public Health fees include location, faculty, demand, infrastructure, and the facilities available to the students. The average PhD in Public Health course fee in India is around INR 15,000 - 1 LPA.

Sl.No. Name of the College Total Fee Structure (INR)
1. MAHE, Manipal 59,000 PA
2. University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 11,000 PA
3. Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi 1 LPA
4. KIIT, Bhubaneswar 2 LPA

Syllabus and Subjects for PhD in Public Health

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

  • Introduction to Public Health
  • Human Biology & Public Health Chemistry
  • Medical & Health Statistics
  • Research Methods in Public Health
  • Health Psychology, Communication & Counseling
  • Epidemiology
  • Demography & Population Sciences
  • Project Planning & Management
  • Communicable & Infectious Diseases
  • Non-communicable Diseases
  • The health of Vulnerable Populations
  • Environmental Health & Sustainable Development
  • Occupational, Industrial and Urban Health
  • Health Policy, Planning & Economics
  • Public Health Internship
  • Public Health Nutrition
  • Health Systems Development & Management
  • International Health
  • Research Project

Read More: PhD in Public Health Syllabus and Subjects

Why Choose PhD in Public Health Course?

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

What is PhD in Public Health All About?

A professional master's course is the PhD in Public Health. Students learn about the marvels of reversing the concepts, medicinal requirements, fundamentals associated with the field, Health, etc. Public Health is essential to developments in sectors including Research Public Health Analyst, Public Health Economist, Public Health Planning, and Education Officer, Public Health Research Epidemiologist etc.

What Does a PhD in Public Health Graduate Do?

After receiving their degrees, they will be able to work in the field of Public Health, particularly in strategy analysis collaborating with the government. Public Health is essential to developments in sectors including International Public Health Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, Hospitals etc. Graduates will be knowledgeable in public health skills. Here are some of the most common features:

  • Public Health Consultant: A public health consultant collaborates with businesses, governmental organisations, communities, and health care facilities to improve residents' overall welfare.

Reasons Why PhD in Public Health Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?

After earning a PhD in Public Health, 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 in Public Health is a great career choice for those with a lot of imagination and ideas. Public Health with the necessary skills is in high demand in developing nations like India to fill positions at critical manufacturing divisions in both private and public sector enterprises. Public Health now requires qualified professionals due to the worldwide supply chain networks. 

Career Growth: Graduates of PhD in Public Health can choose from a variety of positions. After accumulating Public Health 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 in Public Health.

Read More: PhD in Public Health Jobs & Scope

PhD in Public Health Course Comparison

Each PhD programme teaches the fundamentals of business. These are some fundamental Public Health 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 in Public Health course with the other courses.

PhD in Public Health vs PhD Health Science

The table below showcases the differences between PhD in Public Health and PhD Health Science:

Course PhD Public Health PhD Health Science
Full-Form PhD Public Health PhD Health Science
Stream Science Science
Course Duration 3 – 5 years 3 – 5 years 
Eligibility Postgraduate with at least 55% marks in the relevant stream  Master’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university.
Entrance Exams BHU-RET, DUET, IPU CET GATE, UGC NET, GPAT
Top Colleges MAHE, Manipal, University of Hyderabad, Jamia Hamdard University AIIMS Delhi, KMC Manipal, MS Ramaiah Medical College
Fees INR 15,000 – 1.5 LPA INR 10,000 - 2 LPA

Preparation Tips for PhD in Public Health Course

When choosing to pursue a PhD in Public Health, 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.

Scope of PhD in Public Health for Higher Education

Aspirants can pursue higher studies after obtaining a PhD in Public Health. Some of the top courses for higher studies in the field of Public Health are as follows:

Salary of a PhD in Public Health Graduate

Depending on the specialisation that candidates choose, the pay for PhD in Public Health graduates varies. In addition to experience, geography, and the industry they work in, PhD in Public Health 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 in Public Health positions often range from INR 3 to 30 LPA.  [Source: PayScale].

Read More: PhD in Public Health Salary

Career Options After PhD in Public Health Graduation

For PhD in Public Health 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 in Public Health graduates in the following job profiles:

  • Public Health Planning and Education Officer
  • Public Health Consultant
  • Public Health Policy Advisor
  • Public Health Research Epidemiologist
  • Public Health Economist

Skills That Make You The Best PhD in Public Health Graduate

A graduate degree in public health has different course requirements depending on the university and programme you choose. Students that take public health 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. Professionals 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 in Public Health students should have:

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

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