Online PhD : Eligibility , Fees, Admission, Programs 2024

During the online program of Ph.D., doctoral students generally must finish their recruitment course and pass the comprehensive examinations. Students can prepare for Ph.D. in online mode by writing an original essay and without going out of the country.

Mar 9, 2024 - 19:10 Updated: Mar 12, 2024 - 22:37

Online PhD : Eligibility , Fees, Admission, Programs 2024

Online PhD courses are flexible and easy to access. Online gaining a PhD degree is much more convenient, especially for working professionals. The online PhD courses are offered in 2 modes – full-time and part-time. With the growing demand for diverse doctorate degrees, many institutes in India are offering PhD courses online. With dependency on technology and the internet, people are more inclined towards a hassle-free education. Thus, online courses have gained popularity at all levels, whether UG, PG, or PhD / doctorate.
Any Indian University does not offer an online PhD degree as an online PhD has not yet been approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
However, pursuing an online PhD from a foreign University is an option. The candidates can stay in the country and complete their Ph.D. in their home country. The universities offer online PhDs in engineering, nursing, education, design, medicine, science, arts, etc.

How is the online PhD Degree awarded?

This will vary from University to University that offers the online Ph.D. course. To put it in a general manner, the process can include:

Taking up online modules
Completing the dissertation
Appearing for the online viva voce (oral) exam for the dissertation

Further, the PhD candidates are assessed using various methods, including coursework essays, critical review essays, book reviews, research proposals, research papers, conference posters, group project reports, and oral presentations.

Eligibility for Online PhD course

Like the classroom program, to enroll in the online Ph.D. course, candidates must have a relevant master’s degree. Universities can also keep a minimum marks cap in master’s programs; this can vary from University to University.

In short, the basic qualification to pursue an online PhD course is:

Completion of master’s degree
Having minimum marks as set by the university
Others – candidates must visit the website of the university to check detailed eligibility criteria

How do you apply for an online Ph.D. course?

The admission and application process varies from university to university. The basic requirements to apply for any online PhD course may include:

Applying for the course by submitting an application form
Written exam
Interview
Portfolio submission/sample research work

Universities / Institutes that Offer Online PhD Courses

Name of the University / Institute	Online PhD course offered
UNICAF, Larnaca, Cyprus	Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) Business Administration Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD)
University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom	Doctor of Applied Social Research
George Washington University, Washington, USA	Education Specialist in Educational Leadership and Administration
INISEG Instituto Internacional de Estudios en Seguridad Global, Madrid, Spain	Doctorate of Research in Law, Education and Development
University of New York in Prague (UNYP), Prague, Czech Republic	Ph.D. by Research
Liberty University Lynchburg, USA	Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) - Online
SMC Business School	Ph.D. in Finance
Institute of Lutheran Theology, Brookings, USA	Doctor of Philosophy
Texila American University, Lusaka, Zambia	Ph.D. in Management
Atlantic International University Honolulu, USA	PhD in education

Popular Online Ph.D. Courses

Administration Studies	Health Care
Architecture Studies	Humanities Studies
Art Studies	Journalism and Mass Communication
Business Studies	Languages
Construction	Law Studies
Design Studies	Life Sciences
Economic Studies	Management Studies
Education	Marketing Studies
Energy Studies	Natural Sciences
Engineering Studies	Performing Arts
Environmental Studies	Professional Studies
Food and Beverage Studies	Social Sciences
General Studies	Sport
Technology Studies	Sustainability Studies
Tourism and Hospitality	-

Course Structure of Online PhD Courses

The course structure of Online PhD courses also varies from course to course and from University to University. However, a basic outline of the program includes:

Core module
Optional module – students must select one or two, depending on the course structure.

Fees for Online Ph.D. Course

The online PhD course fee depends on the following factors:

University selected for online PhD
The field selected for online PhD
Duration of the course
Nationality of the students

The fee for full-time online PhD courses can range to Rs 13 lakhs. The fee for part-time online PhD courses can go as high as Rs 8 lakhs.

Duration of Online PhD Courses

The duration of the online PhD course will depend on the field selected for the course. This duration can range from 3 to 8 years.

Why Pursue an Online PhD Course?

There are numerous benefits to pursuing an online PhD course. An online course provides the following advantages:

Flexible: The online PhD course is more flexible than the classroom courses. The course can be completed without compromising other responsibilities like professional life, personal commitments, etc.

Easy to access: Online mode of education is always easier to access. Since foreign universities offer most online Ph.D. degrees, accessing them becomes easier if they are online. With the help of a decent internet connection and basic technology, candidates can complete their PhD course online. The course material is also offered online and can be easily accessed.

Effective: With online mode, the candidates can save many expenses like living expenses, traveling expenses, and much more. Candidates can complete their online PhD course without any extra expenses besides the course fee and the basic internet charges.