PhD in Management: Course Fees, Admission 2025, Syllabus, Top Colleges, Career Scope

A PhD in Management is a doctoral level degree program where you focus on advanced studies and research in management theory and practice. A PhD in Management will prepare you for academic jobs in research and teaching and also for leadership roles in business, government or NGOs. It will take you 3 to 5 years to complete and requires a significant commitment of time and effort from your end.

Yes, it is definitely worth doing a PhD in Management. While deciding whether a PhD in Management is worth it or not for you than you should consider some factors which includes your career goals, personal interests and opportunities a doctoral degree can give you. Here is the list of some of the important points that you definitely need to consider:

• Expertise and Specialization: PhD degree in Management will allow you to go deeply into a specific area of management which can be helpful for you to become an expert in that domain.
• Research Skills: It equips you with advanced research skills, critical analysis and the ability to contribute new knowledge to the field.
• Career Opportunities: This course open your doors to academia, research institutions, leadership roles in corporations, consulting and specialised positions in many sectors.
• Intellectual Growth: It offers you with intellectual challenge that foster personal growth and satisfaction.
  Contributions to Knowledge: Opportunity to contribute original insights and advancements to the field of management.

There’s no comparison between the two. The MBA is a higher professional degree for students and working professionals who are into business administration. Whereas a PhD is the highest level program for researchers. The intent of both programs is different, their career paths are different, and even the eligibility criteria are different for both programs.

The real value of a course lies in its ultimate objectives, and those can be different for every student.

After completing a PhD in Management, you might choose to further specialize or expand your knowledge in several ways, depending on your interests and career goals:

• Post-Doctoral Research

• Executive Education

• Second PhD

• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) 

A PhD in Management is an advanced academic degree focused on developing expertise in the field of Business Management through rigorous research, theoretical study, and scholarly exploration. PhD in Management is designed for individuals aspiring to become experts in specific areas of management and contribute original insights to the field.

Here are reasons why candidates must opt for PhD in Management.

• Research Skills: Develop advanced research skills, critical analysis, and the ability to contribute new knowledge to the field.
• Academia: Opens doors to teaching and research positions at universities or colleges.
• Industry: Provides pathways to leadership roles in corporations, consulting, and specialised positions based on your concentration.
• Thought Leadership: Position yourself as a thought leader by presenting at conferences, publishing papers, and influencing the direction of management theory and practice.

To get admissions in a PhD management course, you need to secure a minimum of 55-60 percent aggregate marks in post-graduation or equivalent from a recognised university as the minimum eligibility criteria. Additionally, some universities provide entrance examinations or accept national MBA entrance exams such as the CAT, GMAT, and XAT. For example, IIMs accept CAT exam scores for PhD admissions. I hope this helps you.

Yes, it is indeed feasible to pursue a PhD in Management degree without having an MBA degree. An MBA degree is not always a prerequisite for admission to a PhD programme in management, even though it can offer a strong foundation in business and management and be helpful in giving core knowledge in the field. Since obtaining an MBA is not a requirement in order to pursue a Doctorate in Management. Best of luck for your future!

In most cases, there is no maximum age for PhD programs in management. However, some organizations could have certain policies or preferences regarding the age of candidates. Checking the precise criteria of the school and programme you are interested in applying to is therefore recommended. In addition, while considering PhD applications, variables like age are frequently taken into account in addition to professional experience, research background, and career objectives.

Yes, many institutions provide fellowships or financial aid to PhD students in Management. These fellowships are often designed to support students during their research phase and help them cover tuition, living expenses, and other academic costs.

• Fellowships: Renowned colleges and business schools like the ISB and IIMs have fellowship programs that offer financing for research, stipends and financial assistance.
• Teaching Assistantships: In exchange for a stipend or fee waiver PhD students may work as teaching assistants in undergraduate or graduate courses at some universities.
• Government Scholarships: Through initiatives like CSIR Fellowships and the University Grants Commission Junior Research Fellowship (UGC-JRF) the Indian government provides a range of financial aid and scholarship opportunities for research students.
• Institutional Funding: Check with individual institutions as some may offer specific grants, funding opportunities or research assistantships.

In a PhD in Management program, students usually encounter several key examinations that assess their readiness and knowledge. Candidates need to first pass qualifying or comprehensive exams that measures their general comprehension of fundamental management ideas and concepts. Subsequently, exams that are particular to a field assess a student's level of in-depth knowledge in areas like marketing, finance or organizational behavior. In order to assess students readiness for research, there are several programs that additionally provide preliminary tests before the dissertation work. The last step in pursuing a PhD is defending a dissertation proposal in which students stand before a committee and outline their proposed course of study. Finally, they defend their completed dissertation, showcasing the importance and uniqueness of their research. Every programme could have its own special requirements and structure, therefore it's important to check the specifics for the particular school.

Yes, a PhD in Management remains in demand, though the landscape is evolving.
Management Ph.D. is often perceived as more of an academic requirement. A person with Ph.D. usually prefers a lectureship job. The pay and intellectual challenges match in that case. The corporate sector is also willing to pay however it depends on case to case basis. Corporations really won't pay Ph.D. more if they can accomplish the same work from a Masters candidate. Unless the job is highly technical and requires research skills that phds usually develop.
However the skills and expertise gained through a PhD in Management continue to be highly valued across multiple sectors.

Hello,

If you are targeting for UGC NET Exam, you can go with the following steps mentioned below. Paper 1 is easy, scoring & practice, just dedicate one month and it will worth. Always follow the latest syllabus & exam pattern. While starting for UGC NET Preparation you can make a list of topics in the following categories:

• For tough topics you can also check the specific sections of those topics from which questions are asked
• Appear for full length mock tests to assure the clarity of concepts
• Solve previous year test papers to get to know about the actual difficulty level you will appear for

Try and manage to complete the targets on time it can be done by making a right strategy for preparation and following it religiously. 300 to 500 hours of preparation is required in total for CAT.

• CAT is a 180 minutes exam consisting of hundred questions having maximum 300 marks.
• t comprises 34 from quantitative ability, 34 from verbal ability and reading comprehension and 32 from Data Interpretation and logical reasoning.
• The question paper will consist of both multiple choice question and numerical answer type question. The points to be remembered are build basics, practice, do mock test for analysis, learn from your mistakes in mocks

All the best!!

For those who are enthusiastic about research, teaching and expanding their knowledge in a specific field of management, pursuing a PhD in Management after earning an MBA can be a fulfilling professional choice. Here are some of the factors you need to consider when evaluating whether a PhD in Management is a good fit for your career:
Academic Career: Possibilities for a career as a professor or researcher in academia can be increased with a PhD in management degree.
Specialization: You can focus on a particular area of management such as marketing, finance, organizational behavior or strategy by enrolling into a PhD program.
Opportunities in the Industry: Although a PhD in Management usually coincides with academia. It can also lead to high-level careers in research-focused positions in the industry, consulting businesses, think tanks or government organizations.
Long-Term Prospects: Especially in academic or research-focused professions, a PhD can improve your long-term career prospects and earning potential.

Graduates of MBA by distance learning from a recognised university and degree recognised as equivalent to MBA by AIU are eligible for PhD. You can do both MBA and PhD by distance learning from IGNOU.

The choice of subject for a PhD in Management depends on your interests, career goals, and the current trends in the field. Here are several popular areas of focus within management that you might consider:

• Accounting

• Decision Sciences (decision theory and decision analysis)

• Economics

• Entrepreneurship

• Ethics and legal studies

• Finance

• Health care management

• People management or Human Resource Management

You need to complete Master’s in order to pursue Ph.D. If you are very much interested in the subject and want deep knowledge and looking for some research based work then Ph.D is a good option. Mainly, teaching and research work profiles are suited after Ph.D.

Hi Prabhulingayya,

Minimum eligibility for PhD is post graduation degree from any recognized university, with a Bachelor’s degree/ equivalent qualification obtained after a minimum of three years of education after completing higher secondary schooling (10+2) or equivalent. Some institute might have some additional criteria like 2-3 years' post qualification full time relevant work experience in executive capacity, 55 % marks or equivalent CGPA at PG level, entrance test etc. Some of the institutes require GATE/NET for PhD. Every institute has its own selection procedure which you can find out directly from the institute where you are interested to take admission.

These are some of the institutes offering Ph D programs in Management/ Doctoral programs called "Fellow Program in Management or FPM" recognized as equivalent to Ph D by the government of India:

1. IIM Ahmedabad (iimahd.ernet.in) 
2. IIM Calcutta (iimcal.ac.in)
3. IIM Bangalore (iimb.ernet.in)
4. IIM Indore (iimidr.ac.in)
5. IIM Lucknow (iiml.ac.in)
6. IIM Kozikhode (iimk.ac.in)
7. Narsee Monjee, Mumbai (nmims.edu)
8. MDI Gurgaon (mdi.ac.in)
9. XLRI Jamshedpur (xlri.ac.in) 
10. Faculty of Management Studies Delhi University (fms.edu)
11. S P Jain Mumbai (spjimr.org)
12. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade New Delhi (iift.edu)

You may visit respective institute website for all the relevant information like eligibility, selection procedure, expenses etc.

 Hope it helps. Please feel free to revert.

Click on the thumbs up or mark it as the best, if you found this useful. Wish You Luck!

Yes, it is possible to pursue a PhD in Management after completing an MBA programme in distance learning.
Eventually, even though finishing an online MBA programme can be a good starting point for a PhD in management, it's important to fully investigate and comprehend the prospects, expectations and requirements related to doctoral studies in your field of choice. Consult academic advisors, teachers or experts in your field of interest for advice on how to evaluate your preparedness for a PhD programme and how to create a compelling application. I hope you found my answer helpful.

You want to do PhD course after MBA in Distance Education so for PhD course candidate must have Master degree and MBA is master degree that’s why after MBA through distance learning you can do PhD in Management. Here is list of institutes in India offer PhD in Management:

1. Alliance University - Ph. D
2. Apeejay Institute of Management Technical Campus - Doctor of Philosophy in Management
3. Bhavnagar University - Doctor of Philosophy in Business Adminintration
4. Department of Pharmaceutical Education and Research - Doctor of Philosophy in Management
5. Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh - Doctor Of Philosophy in Business Administration
6. Faculty of Management Studies, Banaras Hindu University (FMSBHU) - Doctoral Program in Management Studies
7. G.L.A. Institute of Business Management, Mathura - Doctorate Of Philosophy in Management
8. Gauhati University - Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
9. Goa University - Doctor of Philosophy in Business Adminstration
10. Guru Ghasidas Vishwavidyalaya - Post Doctorial In Business Administration
11. Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla - Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration
12. Indian Institute of Business Management & Studies, Mumbai (IIBMS) - Professional Laureate in Management ( PLM)
13. Indian Institute of Business Management & Studies, Mumbai (IIBMS) - Professional Doctorate in Management (PDM)
14. Jain University - Doctor of Philosophy in Management
15. Jaipur National University (JNU) - Doctor of Philosophy in Management
16. KIIT School of Management - Bhubaneswar - Doctor Of Philosophy
17. Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management & Development Studies - Lucknow - Doctoral Programme In Management (PhD)
18. Loyola Institute of Business Administration - Ph.D. Degree in Business Administration
19. Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Management - Mullana - Post Doctoral In Business Administration
20. Mohanlal Sukhadia University (MLSU), Udaipur - Doctor Of Philosophy In Business Administration
21. National Institute of Management (NIM), Mumbai - Professional Doctorate in Management Studies
22. Pondicherry University - Doctor Of Philosophy In Management
23. Pune University - Doctor of Philosophy In Management
24. Rizvi Institute of Management Studies & Research - Doctorate of Philosophy in Management Studies
25. S.N.S College of Technology - Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration

There are various universities worldwide that are well-known for their PhD programs in management programs. They have a solid academic network, distinguished faculty and reputation for conducting rigorous research. Here are few prestigious and well-known international universities overseas:

• Harvard Business School (Harvard University) - USA
• Wharton School (University of Pennsylvania) - USA
• Stanford Graduate School of Business (Stanford University) - USA
• London Business School - UK
• INSEAD - France/Singapore
• MIT Sloan School of Management (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) - USA
• Columbia Business School (Columbia University) - USA
• University of Chicago Booth School of Business - USA
• University of California, Berkeley (Haas School of Business) - USA
• University of Michigan (Ross School of Business) - USA

A PhD in management candidate's salary in India might vary significantly based on a number of variables, including their experience, area of expertise, location, industry they work in and the reputation of the university they attend. However, the following provides a general summary of the pay scale for various stages of a PhD in management:
Entry-Level: INR 6 - 10 LPA
Mid-Level: INR 10 - 20 LPA
Senior-Level: INR 20 LPA and above 

CAREER OPTIONS AFTER A Ph.D

Let me first try to dispel the most commonly held myth, "Ph.D is a training to become a university professor". This is not true. If a professor graduates 5 Ph.Ds in his lifetime, and if all of them get employed in academia, then the size of academia needs to increase five fold. However, this does not happen.

The proportion of Ph.Ds that join academia is not very large, and is definitely not the most preferred option or the last resort. Before delving into this issue further, we need to understand that a Ph.D is just not a degree. It is the training that is valuable than the actual "Dr." stamp itself. In a good Ph.D, it is exected that the candidate would have engaged in state of the art research. He or she would have understood deep research issues and would have made a modest effort to solve a few problems.

Furthermore, he would be used to putting long hours at work, solve extremely complicated problems, and handle frustrating situations with ease. These skills are just not required to be academic, they are required in almost all other disciplines such as industrial R&D, finance, and public service. The addition of a Ph.D to a resume is two-fold: knowledge and skills. Any job can utilize either of these to different degrees. Let us look at the common career options.

Traditionally, the most preferred jobs for Ph.Ds have been industrial R&D Labs, university positions, and start-ups. Industrial R&D facilities typically have large exclusive Ph.D-only groups. These groups engage in research, design new products, and also take part in long-term strategy decisions. The average salary in an industrial R&D lab is much more than in pure development centers. In India, research lab salaries are about 50% more. This means that a person with a Ph.D joining a research lab at 27 years of age is significantly better paid than his classmate with 5 years of experience after B.Tech.

Candidates with a Doctorate in Management degree expertise are highly sought after by consulting firms and corporations for their analytical and problem-solving skills. They may work as  a business development specialist, do management consulting or even start their own business. Ph.D. In Management helps them to focus on research and develops project management, leadership, public speaking and teamwork skills.

Besides, getting good management education from an institute, you need to keep enhancing your logical reasoning power, analytical abilities, some inclination towards financial accounting with a good command over use of computers.

In India, becoming a professor usually means having a solid academic background, relevant experience and advanced education. 
Here are the steps you can take to pursue a career as a professor after completing an MBA:

• Further Education: Consider pursuing a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in a field related to business, management or a specific area of specialisation within your MBA. 
• Research Experience: By working on research projects, writing scholarly articles and giving presentations at conferences, you can obtain research experience while pursuing your PhD.
• Teaching Experience: Look for chances to work as a teaching assistant while pursuing your PhD, give guest lectures or lead workshops in order to obtain experience in the classroom. 
• Apply for Academic Positions: Once you have completed your doctoral studies and gained relevant experience start applying for academic positions at universities and colleges in India.

A PhD degree in management can be very challenging due to its rigorous academic demands, research-intensive nature and required commitment over several years. Below are some aspects that contribute to its level of difficulty:

Advanced Coursework: A PhD degree in management involves rigorous coursework in management theory, research methods and specialised topics.
Comprehensive Exams: You often require passing comprehensive exams to demonstrate mastery of the subject matter.
Original Research: It includes conducting extensive research, data collection, analysis and presenting original findings in the dissertation.
Lengthy Duration: Typically this course takes 3 to 5+ years to complete, demanding a long-term commitment.
Research Complexity: Conducting in-depth research and contributing original insights to the field can be intellectually challenging.

Yes, you can pursue a PhD after an MBA. Many individuals choose to pursue a PhD in business or management after completing an MBA to deepen their knowledge in a particular field, conduct research and potentially pursue a career in academia or advanced positions in industry.
It's crucial to remember, that getting into a PhD programme usually involves more than just having an MBA. PhD programs frequently have prerequisites including records of excellent academic standing, research experience, letters of recommendation and occasionally results on standardized tests.

Ph.D. in Management is a course that offers an extensive exploration of Business Management and administration.
Here are the benefits of PhD in Management:
Research Skills: Develop advanced research skills, critical analysis and the ability to contribute new knowledge to the field.
Academia: It opens doors to teaching and research positions for you at universities or colleges.
Industry: Provides pathways to leadership roles in corporations, consulting and specialised positions based on your concentration.
Thought Leadership: Position yourself as a thought leader by presenting at conferences, publishing papers and influencing the direction of management theory and practice.

A PhD isn't hard at all, but it does require the necessary abilities and a commitment to consistent research. One of the rarer fields of study that merges so many different fields of inquiry is management studies, which offers a wide range of themes that make it highly engaging. If you are pursuing a PhD in management, you really should consider yourself blessed because there are a plethora of research subjects to choose from.
A PhD is absolutely extremely straightforward if you have the drive and are prepared to work hard with discipline and determination. The kind of problem you've chosen also affects how challenging it is. You can select an issue that calls for a great deal of in-depth experimentation. You can also choose a problem which absolutely has no data, and your entire research would end up in data collection. Sometimes you can use ethnographic techniques as a research methodology. Everything is dependent on your problem. Choose wisely, do well. All the Best.

Yes you can do PhD in Management while working. All India Management Association conducts PhD in collobration with Aligarh Muslim University. IGNOU also has PhD program for working executives. You may evaluate my suggestions.

You can opt for Ph.D. in general management. The scope of this Course is very good and you may get good opportunities to be a part of global institutions and committees as well as professional coaching opportunities at top notch B-schools in India.

Yes, many institutions provide financial support to the students pursuing Ph.D. in Management. Typically, stipends range from INR 25,000 to INR 40,000 per month based on the institution and stage of research is provided in the form of:

• Fellowships and scholarships, like UGC JRF/SRF or institutional fellowships.
• Teaching or research assistantships, which include a stipend and fee waivers.
• Special grants for fieldwork, data collection, and international conferences.
• Some corporate-sponsored Ph.D. programs also offer funding for research relevant to their interests.

A Ph.D. in Management hones a variety of analytical, research, and communication skills in the students after completeing the course including:

• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Quantitative and qualitative research techniques
• Academic writing and publishing
• Presentation and teaching skills
• Data analysis and statistical software usage (like SPSS, R, STATA)
• Project management and time management
• Networking and scholarly collaboration

A Ph.D. is intellectually rewarding but also challenging. Common challenges include:

• Time management and long duration of study.
• Balancing teaching or work responsibilities with research.
• Finding relevant and original research problems.
• Publication pressure in high-ranking journals.
• Mental fatigue and isolation during solitary research phases.
• Navigating bureaucratic or administrative processes in institutions.

However, with proper mentorship, discipline, peer support, and a clear research plan, these challenges can be managed effectively.

A career after a PhD can turn out to be extremely promising in terms of the earning potential, job opportunities, and job satisfaction on the work front. Some of the prominent industries where PhD degree holders can find high-paying jobs are given here for your reference:

• Academia
• Consulting
• Politics
• Research and Development
• Academic Writing
• Government Organizations
• Entrepreneurship

Recommended Link: Career after PhD