Eligibility
A candidate holding a higher degree of BITS or its equivalent, namely, M.E./M.Phil./M.S./ M.Pharm.
Candidates holding only a first degree namely, B.E./M.Sc.(Tech.)/B.Pharm./M.Sc./M.A./B.S. etc., provided the candidate is eligible for admission to one of the higher degrees of the Institute
Admissions Modality
1. The Candidate has to apply in the prescribed application form available from the Admissions Officer, BITS, Pilani. For more details on, how to apply, please Click here!
Following information and documents have to be enclosed with the application form:
- Marksheet, the list and syllabus of each course prescribed for the fulfillment of the higher degree, if already completed.
- List of prescribed textbooks for each course.
- Final examination question paper for each course to enable to judge the level of subject treatment
2. If found suitable, the candidate may be asked to come for interview and/or written test at Pilani at his/her own expense.
3. If selected, she/he has to complete admission formalities immediately.
Qualifying Examination
All candidates have to pass the Ph.D. Qualifying Examination, normally held at Pilani. The Ph. D. qualifying examination consists of three written papers (open book) , each normally of 3 hours duration, and viva. The examination will test the student's knowledge, grasp of fundamentals and his ability to use them in unknown situations. It is designed to be equivalent to the standard, content and intent of the comprehensive examination of the named higher degree courses.
Sample question papers of some courses may be seen to know the type of questions asked in the qualifying examination.
For On Campus students, the admission to the PhD programme shall be provisional in the first instance and will be confirmed only after passing the qualifying examination within the prescribed time. Whenever a candidate is unable to pass the qualifying examination within the prescribed time, he will automatically be disqualified from the programme.
Language Requirement
The foreign language will be prescribed as an eligibility requirement for the PhD only when the supervisor and/or Dean, Research and Consultancy have made recommendations for the same for a topic of research and this requirement is accepted by the Research Board. Otherwise English or an Indian Language as the case may be would suffice.
A PhD student for whom foreign language is prescribed, is expected to demonstrate an ability to translate a piece from current periodicals in the area of major interest of the student, in one of the modern European languages, into English with the help of a dictionary.
Duration
No minimum time limit is prescribed. Registration in prescribed minimum number of units and components normally requires 4-6 semesters depending on the time of approval of topic/supervisor and locale of research work by the Research Board. An upper limit of ten semesters for submission of thesis starting from the semester subsequent to passing the Qualifying examination is normally considered.
Financial Assistance
All students admitted to PhD programme normally bring one or the other fellowship from agencies like UGC,CSIR etc. The Institute normally provides support to suitable candidates in the form of Teaching / Project Assistantship. In lieu of this, the candidates have to carryout the assigned tasks by the Institute.