PhD in Psychology: Course Fees, Admission 2026, Syllabus, Top Colleges, Career Scope
Bhavya JainContent Author
Psychology courses are a study of the mind and behavior, exploring how people think, feel and also act. In PhD in Psychology course, candidates work on their research and publish it which is also called a thesis.
If we talk about eligibility generally, candidates should pass PG in related Psychology course with passing marks. Admission to PhD in Psychology is based on UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE and ICAR AICE JRF/SRF. Fees can range around INR 1 Lakh to INR 15 Lakh. But candidates should know that eligibility, exam required as well as fees can be different according to the colleges.
Popular colleges are Amity University (Noida), Galgotias University, Amity University (Gurugram), etc.
Jobs available for graduates are Clinical Psychologist, Counsellor, Industrial and organizational Psychologist, etc. Recruiters include Yes Bank, Bajaj Allianz, CRY, Goonj, etc.
Interested students must have completed postgraduate degree in psychology, applied psychology, or a comparable discipline from an accredited university with at least a 55% grade point average. candidate should have done their MA in Psychology with a specialisation or MPhil in Psychology from a recognised University. Some colleges also look for some work experience.
Universities conduct entrance exams for admission to PhD, or accept UGC NET scores if students are able to get desired scores. Through UGC-NET, students can get a scholarship in either JRF or SRF. Followed by entrance exam, students will have to appear for a Personal Interview (PI), where they will also have to present their thesis or synopsis of their field of specialisation.
- PhD in Psychology Course Details
- How to Apply for PhD in Psychology
- PhD in Psychology Entrance Exams
- PhD in Psychology: Admission Process
- Best PhD in Psychology Colleges in India
- Popular Private Ph.D. in Psychology Colleges in India
- PhD in Psychology Syllabus
- PhD in Psychology Career Scope: Jobs, Salary and Recruiters
- PhD in Psychology FAQs
- Popular Ph.D. in Psychology Specializations
- Course Cutoffs
PhD in Psychology Course Details
A PhD in Psychology is a good course for people who want to work in academic research, university teaching, scientific publishing, or advanced clinical science.
Candidates can see a detailed information of PhD in Psychology course in the table below -
|
Particulars |
Course Details |
|---|---|
|
PhD in Psychology Course Level |
Doctorate |
|
PhD in Psychology Duration |
3 - 6 Years |
|
PhD in Psychology Eligibility Criteria |
Postgraduate degree in Psychology or a relevant field with at least 55% marks in PG degree from a recognized university. |
|
PhD in Psychology Entrance Exams |
UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE, LPU NEST, etc. |
|
PhD in Psychology Colleges in India |
Amity University, Christ University, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University Delhi, Jamia Millia Islamia, LPU, Parul University, Sharda School of Humanities & Social Sciences, etc. |
|
PhD in Psychology Course Fees |
INR 3,900 - INR 15.9 Lakh |
|
PhD in Psychology Job Profiles |
Clinical Psychologist, Counsellor, Industrial and organizational Psychologist, Director of Human Resources, Psychotherapist, Rehabilitation Psychologist, Mental hospitals, etc. |
|
PhD in Psychology Top Recruiters |
Yes Bank, Bajaj Allianz, CRY, Goonj, Apollo, Medanta, AajiCare Home Health Services Pvt. Ltd, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research, Fortis Healthcare, NIMHANS, etc. |
|
PhD in Psychology Salary in India |
INR 5.9 LPA |
How to Apply for PhD in Psychology
The PhD in Psychology eligibility criteria are established in accordance with the UGC guidelines. The PhD in Psychology program can be based on either merit or entrance exam score.
There are two categories of entrance exams in India:
- National level exams such as UGC NET, GATE, CSIR NET, etc.
- University level exams such as LPU NEST, KIITEE, Symbiosis SET, etc. - popular private entrance exams conducted by universities such as Lovely Professional University, Kalinga Institute and Symbiosis University. These universities also consider scores of national level or state level exams.
PhD in Psychology Eligibility Criteria
PhD in Psychology Eligibility may vary from university to university. Some universities may have a minimum of 5 years' experience in Psychology or allied subjects.
Below is the tabular representation of key eligibility criteria.
|
Eligibility Criteria |
Details |
|---|---|
|
Academic Qualifications |
Bachelor's degree (4 years, including 1 year of research) in Psychology or a relevant field from a recognized university, or Master's degree in Psychology or a relevant field from a recognized university. Minimum 55% marks (or equivalent CGPA) in the Master's degree. |
|
Entrance Exams |
UGC NET, CSIR NET, GATE, LPU NEST, etc. |
|
Age Limit |
There is no prescribed age limit. |
Yes you can pursue PhD in Psychology after service retirement at any age. There is no minimum or maximum age limit to pursue course. But maximum age limit for UGC NET JRF Fellowship is 30 years. Make sure that you possess required qualifications such as a graduate and postgraduate degree in Psychology. You can apply through entrance exams or through direct admission.
Students can go for undergraduate courses in Humanities and Social Sciences after 10+2. Later, they can also pursue a postgraduate degree for enhanced knowledge. Humanities programmes teach students to think creatively, reason critically, and ask best questions, all of which are necessary skills for success in a variety of fields ranging from art and music to business and politics.
They also teach about civilisations and how they have changed through time, allowing kids to learn about communication, production of ideas and information, how society functions, behaviour patterns and problems, historical and cultural events, and human interactions and relationships.
PhD in Psychology Entrance Exams
PhD in Psychology admissions can be based on the entrance exams in India. The only difference is that some colleges accept national/state level exam scores and some conduct their own university level exams.
PhD in Psychology: National Level Exams
PhD in Psychology national level exams are standardized exams conducted all over India for a smoother and more transparent admission process.
The following table shows some popular PhD in Psychology courses:
|
Exams |
Exam Description |
Exam Schedule |
|---|---|---|
|
University Grants Commission–National Eligibility Test is a CBT conducted by the National Testing Agency for Assistant Professor jobs, Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), and PhD admissions. |
||
|
CSIR UGC Test is mainly for JRF and Eligibility for Lectureshipis. It is a CBT conducted by the National Testing Agency also for PhD admissions in some colleges. |
||
|
Graduate Pharmacy Aptitude Test is a CBT conducted by National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences for admission to Pharmacy programs in India |
||
|
ICMR JRF also known as DHR ICMR Biomedical Research Eligibility Test is a CBT for Phd and fellowship programs |
||
|
ICAR AICE JRF/SRF conducted by the National Testing Agency admission to Ph.D. degree programmes in agriculture and allied sciences |
||
|
The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) is a PG level exam conducted by IITs and IISc on behalf of the Ministry of Education. |
PhD in Psychology: University Level Exams
PhD in Psychology university level exams are conducted by individual private universities/colleges to select students for their programs. Beyond these exams, these institutes also accept national level or state level exams.
This table shows some PhD in Psychology university level exams:
|
Exams |
Exam Description |
Exam Schedule |
|---|---|---|
|
LPU National Entrance and Scholarship Test, conducted by Lovely Professional University is for UG courses |
||
|
Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology Entrance Examination is a national-level entrance test conducted by KIIT University for UG and PG engineering, law, management and science programs. |
||
|
FLAME Entrance Aptitude Test is an entrance test for UG and PG admissions at FLAME University |
||
|
Suresh Gyan Vihar University Entrance Exam is an online entrance exam for Diploma, UG, PG and PhD programs. |
Important Exam Dates
| Dates | Upcoming Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Nov ' 26 - Apr ' 27 | KIITEE 2027 Registration TENTATIVE |
| Apr ' 27 | KIITEE 2027 Phase 1 Exam TENTATIVE |
| Mar ' 27 | OUAT 2027 Registration TENTATIVE |
| 01 Jun ' 26 - 31 Oct ' 26 | IEMJEE 2026 Exam Dates - Phase 3 ONGOING |
| Dates | Past Exam Dates |
|---|---|
| Jan ' 26 | TIFR GS Final Answer |
| 14 Dec ' 25 | TIFR GS 2026 Exam |
| 26 Oct ' 25 | TIFR GS 2026 Application deadline for completing REGISTRATION |
CSIR NET stands for Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, National Eligibility Test. This exam was conducted by CBSE before 2019 but since September 2019, National Test Agency NTA is convener body. It is also conducted twice in a year in month of June and December. It is conducted for aspirants pursuing post-graduation or completed their post-graduation in Science stream. This is also an exam determine aspirants' eligibility as a researcher or Assistant professor in college or university level. I hope that above information will help you to find differences between UGC NET and CSIR NET and help you to prepare accordingly. If you find this article helpful then share with others too and educate others if they are appearing for one of these exams.
PhD in Psychology: Admission Process
Admission to PhD in Psychology course can depend on PG scores as well as entrance exam scores. Students should make sure that they meet all necessary eligibility criteria.
Candidates can see a detailed, step-wise PhD in Psychology admission process below:
PhD in Psychology Admission Process: Government Colleges
-
Ensure clearance a PG degree in relevant field with 50% marks at the least
-
Check the application process for national level exams like UGC NET and CSIR NET and other state level exams.
-
Clear entrance exams
-
Get documents verified during counseling process
-
Confirm your seat after paying tuition fees
PhD in Psychology Admission Process: Private Colleges
-
Ensure clearance a PG degree in relevant field with 50% marks at the least
-
Check application process for the colleges you want to apply to
-
Clear entrance exams, if any
-
For PhD courses some colleges accept the aggregate marks or CGPA of PG degree, check admission criteria on the official website of the college
-
Participate in counseling or interview rounds conducted by the university
-
If selected, submit documents and pay the tuition fees to get a seat
Best PhD in Psychology Colleges in India
Over 100 colleges offer PhD in Psychology courses. Selecting the best colleges for design education may not be easy, particularly with the abundance of choices available in front of candidates. Now it becomes extremely necessary to filter them based on personal preferences, financials and career plans. The following tables will help you get an idea about the colleges and their fees. This information is extracted from official sources and is subject to change.
Best Private Colleges for PhD in Psychology
A number of private colleges have become popular among students for pursuing PhD in Psychology. Fees for PhD in Psychology in private colleges are higher compared to government colleges.
Following table shows the best private colleges offering PhD in Psychology in India along with their fees.
|
Best Private Colleges |
PhD in Psychology Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
|
92,000 |
|
|
3,00,000 - 16,00,000 |
|
|
7,50,000 |
|
|
2,25,000 |
|
|
1,68,000 - 2,52,000 |
Check out the list of best private colleges for PhD in Psychology.
Affordable Private Colleges for PhD in Psychology
There are many colleges that offer PhD in Psychology on a budget in India. Good education does not have to be expensive.
The following table shows some of the best affordable private college options for PhD in Psychology:
|
Best Private Colleges |
PhD in Psychology Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
|
7,000 |
|
|
90,000 |
|
|
19,200 - 2,00,000 |
|
|
21,500 |
|
|
24,570 |
Check out the best affordable private colleges for PhD in Psychology.
Best Government Colleges for PhD in Psychology
There are many government colleges that provide PhD in Psychology in India. Government colleges offer the best of both worlds. They are budget friendly as well as offer good academics.
The following table shows Best Government Designing course Colleges in India:
|
Best Government Colleges |
PhD in Psychology Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
|
60,000 |
|
|
48,550 |
|
|
1,00,000 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
40,000 |
Check the full list of PhD in Psychology Government Colleges
#8 NIRF
College fees is an important requirement that you should see before getting admission to PhD in Psychology course.
Candidates can see a table showing a list of colleges which offer the course with an affordable fee structure below -
PhD in Psychology Colleges | Average Fees (in INR) |
|---|---|
17 K | |
48 K | |
57.45 K | |
30 K | |
51.67 K | |
5 K | |
2.01 L | |
99.92 K |
Note: Info is taken from other sources and can be different.
Hope this helped your query! All the best!
There are many colleges that offer good packages to students of PhD in Psychology course.
Caniddates can see table showing a list of some of these colleges below -
PhD in Psychology Colleges | Average Salary (in INR) |
|---|---|
3.2 - 42.5 LPA | |
39.12 LPA | |
38.2 LPA | |
2.45 - 30 LPA | |
26.6 LPA | |
26.5 LPA | |
25.2 LPA | |
2.4 - 24 LPA |
Note: Info is taken from other sources and can be different.
Hope this helped your query! All the best!
Popular Private Ph.D. in Psychology Colleges in India
Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now
Humanities & Social Sciences Applications open. Apply Now
PhD in Psychology Syllabus
The PhD in Psychology syllabus is designed to provide students with useful and necessary assessments for life. The programme includes both core and elective studies. It is a three-year programme divided into six semesters. A PhD in Psychology equips students for actual life assessment as well as bookish studies. The subjects include clinical psychology, developmental psychology, psychopathology, behavioural neuroscience, counselling psychology, and abnormal psychology.
Candidates can see a general outline of the PhD in Psychology syllabus below -
|
PhD in Psychology Syllabus Year 1 |
|
|---|---|
|
Research Methodology |
Research & Publication Ethics |
|
Social Psychology |
Psychopathology |
|
PhD in Psychology Syllabus Year 2 |
|
|
Health Psychology |
Thesis Submission and Defence |
|
Submission of Research Proposal |
Doctoral Foundation Seminar |
|
PhD in Psychology Syllabus Year 3 |
|
|
Pre Thesis Seminar |
Organizational Behaviour |
|
Doctoral Concentration Seminar |
Psychological Testing |
Candidates can see a list of main subjects for PhD in Psychology exams below -
- General Aptitude
- Research Methodology
- Psychological Theories
- Cognitive Psychology
- Clinical and Counseling Psychology
- Behavioral Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Current Trends in Psychology
Hope this helped your query! All the best!
Yes you can go for PhD in Psychology course in distance mode. There are around 280 colleges in India which offer distance PhD in Psychology.
Candidates can see table showing a list of colleges which offer PhD in Psychology in distance mode below -
| PhD in Psychology Colleges | Average Fees (in INR) |
|---|---|
| Institute of Distance Education, University of Madras | 5.55 K - 30.85 K |
| IGNOU - Indira Gandhi National Open University | 1 K - 50.4 K |
| VMOU - Vardhman Mahaveer Open University | 1.6 K - 16.8 K |
| School of Open Learning, University of Delhi | 500 - 6 K |
| NSOU - Netaji Subhas Open University | 5.2 K - 36 K |
| Tamil Nadu Open University | 500 - 20.8 K |
| Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University | 1.17 K - 41.99 K |
Note: Info is taken from other sources and can be offered.
Hope this helped your query! All the best!
PhD in Psychology Career Scope: Jobs, Salary and Recruiters
Career opportunities for those with a PhD degree are extensive due to the flexibility of the skills acquired in the PhD in Psychology course. Some students may decide to adopt a traditional career in the field such as research and academia, but there are other careers in other industries which require skills such as critical analysis and effective communication.
Professionals in these industries are sought after; thus, they can make a comfortable living and be able to work with patients who have various psychological problems. They can choose a career path in any of the most common employment areas for psychologists, which include social services and mental health.
PhD in Psychology Job Opportunities
The following table provides some of the most popular jobs -
|
Healthcare & Clinical Practice |
|
|---|---|
|
Jobs |
Salary (INR) |
|
Clinical Psychologist |
6.2 LPA |
|
Neuropsychologist |
12 LPA |
|
Mental Health Counselor |
3.4 LPA |
|
Corporate & Private Sector |
|
|
Organizational Psychologist |
6.7 LPA |
|
User Experience Researcher |
16.7 LPA |
|
Market Research Analyst |
4.6 LPA |
|
Academia & Research |
|
|
Research Scientist |
10.4 LPA |
|
Postdoctoral Research Fellow |
13 LPA |
|
Academic Advisor |
6.4 LPA |
|
Education & School Systems |
|
|
School Psychologist |
4.1 LPA |
|
Educational Consultant |
5.2 LPA |
|
Sport Psychologist |
6.5 LPA |
PhD in Psychology Recruiters
PhD in Psychology course graduates can explore career options in various sectors such as government sector, media and publishing houses, corporations, and community service organizations. Here are some of top companies after a PhD in Psychology courses that recruit graduates in various job profiles -
| Top Recruiters for PhD in Psychology | ||
|---|---|---|
|
AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) |
DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) |
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) |
|
Fortis Healthcare |
|
Microsoft |
|
Sports Authority of India |
Decathlon |
Byju’s |
Both psychologists and psychiatrists deal with mental health issues. But their approaches are different. difference is -
- psychiatrist studies for a medical degree to become a doctor of medicine (M. D. in Psychiatry). They have to appear in NEET UG exam to attain MBBS and are called doctors. On other hand, a psychologist studies for an M.Sc or MA in clinical psychology. He or she may also study further to attain a PhD. They will also be required to take RCI exam to gain RCI license to practice.
- Psychiatrists have authority to diagnose and treat patients with medication. whereas psychologists usually have to enlist help of therapy.
- Psychiatrists are mostly employed at hospitals as doctors. Whereas psychologists work as counsellors.
Hope this helped your query! All the best!
PhD in Psychology FAQs
Here are some more FAQs related to PhD in Psychology course:
Yes PhD is highest level of degree in courses offered in India.
It provides deep knowledge to students about any subject and prepares them to face challenges.
Candidates for PhD in Psychology should have scholarship and also capacity to have independent research and analysis.
Hope this helped your query! All the best!
Relevant Link: Ph.D. Course Details
There are many skills that candidates should have if they want to go for PhD in Psychology course.
Candidates can see table showing a list of skills which are needed to go for PhD in Psychology below -
| PhD in Psychology Required Skillset | |
|---|---|
| Dedicated | Passionate |
| Studious | Interested |
| Reasonable | Logical |
| Avid Reader | Good Communication Skills |
| Enthusiastic | Eager |
| Assertive | Confident |
| Decisive | Strong-willed |
| Strong Minded | Determined |
Hope this helped your doubt! All the best!
Psychometric Assessment is a method which is used to test cognitive abilities and personality traits of a person.
Through this assessment we can analyse personality, thought process, aptitude and also behaviour of a person.
There can be mnay types of psychometric tests - some of main two are personality tests and ability tests.
Hope this helped your query! All the best!
Popular Ph.D. in Psychology Specializations
Popular Specializations
- English
5 Colleges
- Hindi
5 Colleges
- Applied Psychology
4 Colleges
- Clinical Psychology
3 Colleges
Course Cutoffs
4
News & Updates
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 22 hours ago
Yes, Ph.D. Soil Science scholars at LPU can work on research related to soil fertility, soil conservation, nutrient management, and sustainable agriculture. These areas are relevant to improving soil health and agricultural productivity.
LPU provides research facilities and faculty guidance to help s
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
The eligibility criteria for a Ph.D. in Soil Science at Lovely Professional University (LPU) generally require a relevant master’s degree in an agricultural discipline with at least 65% aggregate marks or an equivalent grade. Candidates must also qualify the LPUNEST (Ph.D.) entrance test and intervi
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Lovely Professional University (LPU) offers a research-oriented environment for Ph.D. scholars in Soil Science, where laboratory work and practical investigation are important parts of agricultural research. Access to suitable laboratory facilities can help students study soil properties, nutrient a
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
Ph.D. Soil Science scholars at Lovely Professional University (LPU) can explore research areas that address real challenges in agriculture and environmental sustainability. These may include soil fertility and nutrient management, soil chemistry, soil microbiology, soil conservation, soil degradatio
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered Yesterday
A Ph.D. in Soil Science at Lovely Professional University (LPU) can offer promising opportunities for students interested in agricultural research, sustainable farming, and improving soil health. With growing concerns about soil degradation, nutrient deficiencies, water management, and climate chang
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 weeks ago
A PhD is not allowed, as only taught master's courses qualify. An MBA is allowed, but the Chevening Scholarship pays only up to GBP 22,000 of its fee.
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 weeks ago
For an international PhD after an MBA, look for universities where the PhD position itself includes a funded research or teaching role, rather than relying only on tuition scholarships. LPU can also be considered if staying in India is an option, as it has PhD scholarships and research fellowship sc
S
Beginner-Level 1
Answered a month ago
With 88.6 percentile, it is better to shortlist PhD colleges based on the subject, research area, faculty, eligibility and entrance or interview process, not only the NET score. LPU can also be considered if its research areas and faculty match the topic you want to work on. Its PhD structure gives
S
Beginner-Level 1
Answered 2 months ago
At NIT Silchar, full-time regular PhD scholars receive an institutional fellowship of INR 31,000 per month during their initial Junior Research Fellow (JRF) phase. This amount increases to INR 35,000 per month as a Senior Research Fellow (SRF), usually after two years, plus applicable HRA and contin
R
Contributor-Level 9
Answered 2 months ago
For admission to the PhD programme at IIT Patna, candidates must satisfy one
of the following criteria:
- MTech/ME in Engineering/Technology, with minimum CPI of 6.5 or 60% marks.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/ Technology in a relevant branch with
minimum CPI of 7.5 or 70% marks. - Master’s degree in S
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 months ago
The fee structure for Executive PhD programme at IIM Trichy is presented below:
Particulars | Executive PhD Fee |
|---|---|
Total Fee | INR 15 Lacs (excluding food and accommodation) |
C
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
Candidates must pass a master's degree or equivalent Diploma from a recognised university/ institution with at least 55% aggregate or equivalent CGPA/ Grade to apply for PhD at XIME Bangalore. Aspirants with MPhil or master's degree with a minimum of 55% aggregate can also apply provided MPhil admis
N
Guide-Level 15
Answered 2 months ago
Indus Uniersity PhD tuition fee is INR 1.9 lakh. The fee structure includes many components. The total fee may differ at the time of payemnt due to the variables of the fee structure. The fee information is taken from the official/ sanctioning body and is subject to change.
G
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 2 months ago
To get admission in Indus University PhD course, students must meet the eligibility and selection requirement. The eligibility is to have a valid master's degree from a recognised board. Indus University PhD admission is based on entrance exams scores. The applicant must appear for Indus University
G
Contributor-Level 10
Taking an Exam? Selecting a College?
Find insights & recommendations on colleges and exams that you won't find anywhere else
On Shiksha, get access to
- 67k Colleges
- 1k Exams
- 720k Reviews
- 1850k Answers
- B.A. in Liberal Arts
- B.Sc. in Humanities & Social Sciences
- M.Sc. in Humanities & Social Sciences
- BA English Literature
- BA English Hons
- MA English
- BA Hindi
- BA Archaeology
- MA Archaeology
- Negotiation
- Interview preparation
- Public Speaking
- Soft Skills
- BA Economics
- MA Economics
- MPhil Economics
- Ph.D. in Economics
- Certificate in Economics
- BA Geography
- MA Geography
- BA History
- MA History
- BA French
- BA Japanese
- Japanese Languages Certificate Courses
- BA Spanish
- MA Hindi
- BA Sanskrit
- MA Sanskrit
- Diploma in Korean Language Course
- BA Philosophy
- MA Philosophy
- BA Political Science
- MA Political Science
- BA in International Relations
- MA International Relations
- BA Public Administration
- MA Public Administration
- PhD in Public Policy
- BA Psychology
- MA Psychology
- PG Diploma in Psychology
- BA Social Work
- PhD Social Work
- Certificate in Social Work
- BA Sociology
- MA Sociology
- BA Criminology
- MA Criminology
A Psychology course at doctoral level is called PhD in Psychology, or Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology. scientific study of psychology focuses on how human mind works and how those processes affect behaviour in various situations. Psychologists study human behaviour both individually and in groups.
Psychologists are involved with treatment of mental illnesses. They offer advice to clients in order to help them achieve emotional stability. They observe patient behaviour by using research procedures such as interviews and observing their actions. Attention, perception, personality, emotions, behaviour, relationship, subconscious, and intelligence are all areas of study in psychology.
Relevant Link
Clinical Psychology