PhD in History Course, Eligibility, Fees, Admission, Syllabus, Jobs
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PhD in History Course, Eligibility, Fees, Admission, Syllabus, Jobs

#Ph.D
Nikhil VermaUpdated on 01 Oct 2024, 06:24 PM IST

Ph.D. in History is a doctoral-level programme that students can complete in a duration of three to six years. The curriculum is more research-oriented and involves theses, publications, and various research projects and methodologies. Various types of History specialisation at the doctoral level include Ancient Indian History, European History, Islamic History, Medieval Indian History, and Modern Indian History.

This Story also Contains

  1. PhD in History Course Details
  2. PhD in History Eligibility Criteria
  3. PhD Degree in History Admission Procedure
  4. PhD History Entrance Exams
  5. PhD in History Cutoff
  6. Doctorate in History Degree Skills
  7. PhD History Syllabus
  8. PhD History Fees
  9. PhD in History Scope
  10. Career Options After PhD in History
  11. Top Recruiters
  12. PhD in History Salary
  13. List of Top Ph.D. in History Colleges in India with Fees
  14. Top Private Ph.D. in History Colleges in India with Fees
  15. Top Government Ph.D. in History Colleges in India with Fees

Candidates with a master's degree in history (MA history) or other related disciplines are eligible to apply for history Ph.D. programmes. Admission is provided considering the total seat capacity of the university/college, and it is subject to change. UGC NET, LPU NEST, Maha SET, and NESLET are some popular entrance exams that facilitate admission to Ph.D history programmes.

JNU Delhi, JMI New Delhi, and BHU Varanasi are some of the top universities as per NIRF ranking providing doctorate in history courses. Academician, Researcher, Journalist, and Historian are popular job roles available for graduates. The PhD fees start from Rs. 2,000 and go up to Rs. 15 lakhs, depending on the institution.

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PhD in History Course Details

Particulars

Values

Degree Name

PhD in History

Degree Type

Doctoral

Degree Duration

3 to 6 years

Entrance Exams

UGC-NET, LPU NEST, Maha SET, and NESLET

Eligibility Criteria

Master’s degree

Admission Process

Entrance test

Fees for the entire duration

Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 4 lakhs

Average Salary

Rs. 8.0 LPA

Job Profiles

Academician, Researcher, Journalist, and Historian

Top Recruiters

Research institutions, Universities, Government agencies, Publishing houses, Media

PhD in History Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for PhD history courses are set by the governing body or affiliation of the provider college. Like most Ph.D. programmes, it also has similar requirements which are provided below.

  • Candidates should have a master's degree in history or a related subject from a UGC-approved institution.
  • They should score at least 55 per cent marks in their respective degree.
  • Some universities may also require relevant experience of a couple of years.
  • For reserved category candidates, a relaxation of five per cent marks is provided.

PhD Degree in History Admission Procedure

Candidates can easily find the admission procedure on the official website of the provider colleges. Note that there is no direct entry into a PhD in history and candidates must appear for the respective entrance exams. Below, we have provided the PhD history admission criteria followed by most colleges in India.

  • Candidates will be shortlisted based on their scorecard in the respective entrance exams considered by the university/ college.
  • Candidates clearing the cutoff will be called for a personal interview (PI) and group discussion (GD).
  • The final selection of candidates will be made based on their scores in the entrance exam, PI, and GD.
  • Selected candidates can finalise their seats by paying the course fees and submitting valid documents.
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PhD History Entrance Exams

The Ph.D. programmes can only be pursued by passing the entrance examination, as there is no direct entry. Several national/state/university-level entrance exams are conducted annually to facilitate PhD history admission.

UGC-NET: UGC-NET stands for University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test and it is a national-level examination conducted online. It is administered by the National Testing Agency twice a year.

Maha SET: Maha SET stands for Maharashtra State Eligibility Test and it is conducted by Savitribai Phule Pune University. It is a state-level examination conducted once a year in offline mode.

NESLET: NESLET stands for NorthEast State Level Eligibility Test and it is administered by the SLET Commission, Assam. It is conducted offline not annually but based on the vacancy.

PhD in History Cutoff

The cutoff is the minimum mark candidates should score to be considered for the admission process of the course. The PhD history cutoff is determined by the universities based on the scorecard of the entrance examination. The cutoff score is not static and varies annually depending on total seat intake, exam difficulty, and number of applicants.

Doctorate in History Degree Skills

Ph.D. is a long-duration programme but with the right skill set, candidates can be able to complete it in the right duration. Below are some of the PhD history skills that will help candidates not only in the course but in the future as well.

  • Critical Thinking
  • Research
  • Academic Writing
  • Time Management
  • Attention to Detail
  • Strong Communication
  • Presentation Skills

PhD History Syllabus

PhD in history syllabus depends on the governing body of the college and generally includes theses, research work, and publications. The history PhD syllabus is a combination of electives, specialisation, and core subjects. Below we have provided the PhD history topics taught at the BBAU Lucknow.

Course Title

Type of Course

Research Methodology

Core

Historiography

Compulsory

Discipline Specific Any one of the following-

1. Environmental History in North East India.

2. Modern Buddhist Movement.

3. Ecological History of India.

4. Research Methods in Ancient History and Archaeology.

Optional

Social History of India

Compulsory

Research and Publication Ethics

Compulsory

PhD History Fees

The fees for PhD history programs depend on factors like facilities provided, type of college, academic record, and location. The fees for the doctorate in history programme start from Rs. 2,000 and go up to Rs. 16 lakhs in the case of some private institutions.

The PhD history fee structure includes tuition fees, admission fees, security deposit, and examination fees. The average PhD history fees range from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 4 lakhs.

PhD in History Scope

Ph.D. is the highest level of education and it provides specialised knowledge in any subject. With extensive knowledge after completing PhD in history, graduates can pursue a wide range of career opportunities in both private and public sectors. They can also write a book about any topic of history that they are specialised in and become an author.

Graduates can head various departments of government that deal with archives, heritage, museums, and research. Moreover, they can work with various ministries of the government of India that work for Indian culture, archaeology, and heritage.

Career Options After PhD in History

Both private and public industries are open for graduates with a doctorate in art history. Following we have listed some of the PhD in history job roles in India.

Academicians: Academicians are individuals who have specialised knowledge in any particular field. They teach and carry out research activities in colleges and universities.

Researchers: Researchers are professionals who write academic theses and conduct research. They investigate a particular topic and continuously work on new findings.

Journalists: Journalists focus on providing news to the general public by doing proper research and fact-checking. They write articles; click photographs of any particular event, and present news to the audience through various modes including video, newspaper, and magazines.

Historians: Historians study and analyse history and its events for fact-checking. Based on their research, they publish books and reports of a particular event in history.

Top Recruiters

Various recruiters in India as well as abroad hire professionals with expertise in history. It is advisable to pursue a doctorate from the best university for PhD in history, as many top recruiters hire professionals from the campuses of these universities. Some of the top PhD history recruiters in India include:

  • Research institution
  • Universities and colleges
  • Government agencies
  • Publishing houses
  • Cultural and heritage institutions
  • Media

Benefits of Studying PhD in History

Studying a PhD in history offers various benefits to students. Through research; students develop advanced analytical and archival skills, essential for academic and professional success. The degree opens diverse career paths that include academia, research, publishing, museums, and government. PhD candidates also have the chance to contribute original research for the understanding of historical events.

PhD in History Salary

Several PhD history job profiles are available for graduates in India, as well as abroad providing international opportunities. But here we have provided the PhD history salary in India for the respective job roles.

Job Profiles

Average Salary

Academician

Rs. 10.05 LPA

Researcher

Rs. 7.72 LPA

Journalist

Rs. 7.74 LPA

Historian

Rs. 9.82 LPA

Source: Payscale

List of Top Ph.D. in History Colleges in India with Fees

Several colleges in India are renowned for their Ph.D. programmes. In the table below, we have highlighted the best PhD in history colleges, along with their total fees, as per NIRF ranking.

Top Private Ph.D. in History Colleges in India with Fees

Among the best universities for PhD in history, many private universities are ranked higher because of their academic excellence. Following are some of the top private PhD in history colleges along with their fee structure.

Top Government Ph.D. in History Colleges in India with Fees

Government colleges offer more learning opportunities with the best faculty and less fee structure. In the table below, we have compiled some of the government colleges providing PhD history courses and their total fees.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the duration of a Ph.D. in History?
A:

A Ph.D. in History is a doctoral-level degree that has a duration of a minimum of three years to a maximum of six years.

Q: Who is eligible to apply for a Ph.D. in History?
A:

Candidates who have a master's degree in history or related disciplines from a UGC-approved institution are eligible to apply for PhD in History courses. 

Q: What are popular entrance exams for a Ph.D. in History?
A:

Popular entrance exams for PhD in History are UGC-NET, LPU NEST, Maha SET, and NESLET.

Q: What are the career options after completing a Ph.D. in History?
A:

After completing PhD in History, students can pursue careers as academicians, researchers, journalists, and historians.

Q: What are the average fees for a Ph.D. in History?
A:

The average Ph.D. in History fees range from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 4 lakhs, depending on the choice of institution.

Q: What are some top universities in India that offer Ph.D. in History?
A:

Some top universities that provide Ph.D. in History are JNU Delhi, JMI New Delhi, and BHU Varanasi.

Q: How is admission to Ph.D. in History courses conducted?
A:

Admission is based on combined results of entrance exams, personal interviews, and group discussions.

Q: What are some specialisations available in Ph.D. in History?
A:

Ph.D. in History is available in a variety of specialisations such as Ancient Indian History, European History, Islamic History, Medieval Indian History, and Modern Indian History.

Q: What is the average salary for Ph.D. in History graduates?
A:

The average salary for PhD History graduates ranges from Rs. 7.72 LPA to Rs. 10.05 LPA.

Q: What are the top recruiters for Ph.D. in History?
A:

Top recruiters for students with a Ph.D. History includes research institutions, universities, government agencies, publishing houses, cultural and heritage institutions, and media organisations.

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Questions related to Ph.D

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to Ph.D ?

Hello,

PhD in Nursing is a research-based programme. Admission is usually given through entrance exam and interview.

Basic eligibility:

  • Master’s degree in Nursing (M.Sc. Nursing) from a recognised university.

  • Minimum 55% marks (50% for reserved category).

  • Some universities also require teaching or clinical experience.

Admission process:

  • Apply to the university or institute offering PhD Nursing.

  • Appear for entrance test (based on research aptitude, nursing concepts, and subject knowledge).

  • Shortlisted candidates are called for interview or proposal presentation.

  • Final selection is based on entrance test, interview, and academic record.

Duration: Minimum 3 years, can extend up to 5-6 years depending on research work.

Hope it helps !

Hello,

Generally the PhD Law admission timeline can vary at universities, but the application takes place in the first half of the year. If you want to get admission to the specific colleges, you need to visit this specific college website and get this admission info.

I hope it will clear your query!!

Congrats on clearing NET June 2025 that makes you eligible for Ph.D. in Law admissions. Now most universities accept NET scores directly (70% weightage) plus an interview (30%), so you don’t usually need another entrance test. For example, RPNLU Prayagraj offers Ph.D. seats purely on NET basis, while NLU Delhi still requires AILET-Ph.D. (apply Aug–Nov, exam in Dec). Fees vary widely, from about 17k a year in some central universities to 2–3 lakh total in NLUs like NLSIU. Your next step is to shortlist universities, check their notifications, and apply with your NET score.


Hello,

Top universities for PhD in Agriculture are:

  • ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi
  • Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore
  • Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana
  • GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar
  • University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore

Admission is through entrance tests conducted by ICAR or the university itself.

Thank you and all the best!

The PhD Hetu Samanya examination is conducted as part of the common eligibility process for doctoral programs in certain universities. The exact date for the 2025–26 session has not been officially announced yet, as such notifications are usually released by the concerned examination body a few months before the exam. Typically, these exams are held once or twice a year, depending on the institution and the state where it is conducted. To prepare yourself, you should regularly check the official website of the university or state higher education board conducting the test. Usually, notifications will include important details such as eligibility criteria, application deadlines, exam syllabus, and exam pattern. If you are planning to apply, make sure your research proposal and academic documents are ready well in advance.

Thank you and all the best!