PH.D IN MEDIA STUDIES Course

PhD in Media Studies is a doctoral-level program offered by a number of colleges and universities across India. It takes around 3-5 years to complete the entire course including the dissertation, which is part of every PhD program.

The focus of the course is to get a critical understanding of the field of media and how it influences the society, the culture of the people, politics and in turn the economy of a country. By undertaking this academic cum research program, one gets a deep insight into the role of media, be it television, cinema, print media or the digital media in shaping the socio-cultural aspects in today’s world.

The program consists of course work followed by a dissertation. The students will have to carry out original research work on a chosen topic and write a thesis on the same. To apply for this PhD program, the candidate should have completed a master degree in the relevant field. Admissions to the program are done based on the candidate’s performance in an entrance test followed by a personal interview.

Syllabus

The course syllabus for PhD Media Studies differs among colleges. However, the following topics are common for most PhDs in the subject.

Admission Process

Admission to PhD Media Studies in colleges in India are mostly based on entrance tests. The admissions in the program are conducted twice a year, in the month of January and May. 

• Before applying for the test, however, the candidate must ensure that they fulfil the eligibility criteria for admission.
• The colleges and universities conduct their own entrance test, and admission to PhD in Media Studies is also based on qualifying eligibility tests like UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC NET, SET, GATE and so on.
• On successfully qualifying the entrance test, the college scrutinizes the research topic and proposal by the candidate and a personal interview is held.

 Eligibility Criteria

PhD Media Studies aspirants need to fit the following eligibility criteria to apply for the program;

• Master’s degree in a subject relevant to the field of media from a UGC recognized college or university.
• Minimum of 55% marks in their post-graduation.
• Candidates who have completed post-graduation from an international university are also eligible. Such candidates will have to submit an equivalency certificate obtained from Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
• Candidates having undergone M.Phil in Media Studies can also apply.

Entrance Exams?

For admission to a PhD program, the candidates have to appear for an entrance test. These tests are conducted by the colleges themselves. However, as per the guidelines of UGC, candidates who have qualified certain national level tests like UGC-NET, UGC-CSIR NET, GATE and the state-level SET/SLET are exempted from the entrance tests conducted by the individual colleges. The details of some of these popular tests are given below. Direct link: NTA Exam Calendar 2022

• UGC-NET: The test is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA), an autonomous testing body set up by the Govt. of India to conduct various entrance exams. Held online, twice a year in June and December, candidates who have qualified the test can directly appear for the personal interview for admission to the PhD program.
• CSIR-UGC NET: It is a national level test conducted by the NTA for determining the competency of the candidates for JRF and Lectureship/Assistant Professor in colleges across India. It is held twice a year in June and December. 

• SET/SLET: They are conducted by the State Governments and Union Territories for finding eligibility of the candidates for lectureship posts at the state level, conducted in English and in the vernacular medium depending upon the state.

• JNUEE: It is conducted by the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi for admission to various M.Phil and PhD programs. Conducted by the NTA, admissions to the different PhD programs in JNU and some other colleges are done through this test.

Distance Learning 

To benefit candidates, who cannot pursue a regular full-time program due to various reasons, some of the institutions in India offer PhD Media Studies in part-time mode. The students should however, crosscheck the validity of the course and ensure that the institution offering the course is a UGC recognized one.

• The eligibility criteria for the part-time program is the same as for the regular course, that is a post-graduation in the relevant discipline.
• The duration of the course will be 3 to 5 years.
• Admissions to the program are based on entrance exam and merit as well as academic performance of the candidate during past qualifications.

Given below find the colleges offering PhD Media Studies in distance mode.

FAQs 

Ques. What is the minimum duration to complete PhD Media Studies?

Ans. It takes at least 3 years to complete the entire course including submitting the thesis if done on a full-time basis.

Ques. Do I need to write any entrance test for getting selected to the PhD Media Studies program?

Ans. The candidate will have to appear for an entrance test as well as a personal interview for getting selected to this program.

Ques. What minimum qualification is required for applying for PhD Media Studies?

Ans. The minimum criterion for applying for this doctoral program is a postgraduate degree in the field of media or communication from a recognized college or university.

Ques. Are there any distance education program for PhD Media Studies?

Ans. IGNOU or Indira Gandhi National Open Universities provides for a few distance education programs in this field. However, the eligibility conditions are the same as required for a full-time program.

Ques. What are the average fees for pursuing PhD Media Studies as a full-time program?

Ans. The average fees for this PhD course range from INR 1,381 to INR 92,900 depending upon the college.

Ques. What is the role of a Social Media Manager?

Ans. With social media finding increasing relevance to our everyday life and businesses taking it up prominently for promoting their services and goods, there is an increasing role for Social Media Managers. They create awareness of a brand by creating high-quality content and publishing it in various social media platforms.

Ques. Which are some of the recruiting sectors where one can find jobs after doing PhD Media Studies?

Ans. Some of the popular sectors for this field are print industry, television channels, social media platforms.

Ques. Are there any relaxations for candidates who have done an M.Phil in Media Studies? Do I still need to appear for the entrance test?

Ans. Candidates who have completed the M.Phil qualification in media studies or a related field are not required to appear for the entrance test. They are eligible to directly appear for the interview. Moreover, there will be relaxation in coursework also, if the research student has done those modules during their M.Phil.

Ques. What are the average salaries offered after completing PhD Media Studies?

Ans. The average salaries that one can expect after completion of this course range from INR 4,00,000 to INR 8,00,000 a year.