Over 50 colleges are offering Ph.D. programs in Physiotherapy across India. Most of these colleges provide PhD in Physiotherapy Part-Time and Full-time courses with flexibility for working professionals. This post provides a state-wide list of top colleges offering PhD physiotherapy in India, along with details like fees, seats, entrance test admission process, etc. For Guidance for PhD in Physiotherapy Admission, Thesis & Journal Publications etc, Contact Us
PhD in Physiotherapy -Brief Details
- Degree Name: Doctor of Philosophy in Physiotherapy
- Duration: 3–5 years full-time, 4–6 years part-time
- Eligibility: Master’s degree in Physiotherapy with minimum 55% marks
- Entrance Exams: GATE, CSIR-UGC NET, institute level exams
- Course Structure: Research methodology courses, electives in specialization areas, extensive thesis work
- Specializations: Musculoskeletal disorders, Neurological rehabilitation, Cardiopulmonary care, Pediatric physiotherapy etc.
- Program Focus: Training in scientific research methods and techniques, contribution of new knowledge through original research
- Future Prospects: Teaching positions, hospital administration, policymaking roles, independent consulting opportunities
- Top Recruiting Organizations: Major universities, multispecialty hospitals, community healthcare agencies, fitness centers, sports training academies
- Salary Range: Rs. 50,000–1.5 lakhs per month post PhD, based on credentials and experience
Top institutes for Ph.D. Physiotherapy in India
Top institutes for Ph.D. Physiotherapy includes Manipal University, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Dr NTR University of Health Sciences, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences as well as reputed medical institutes like AIIMS.
Eligibility for Physiotherapy PhD Courses
Eligibility requires candidates to have completed a Master’s degree in Physiotherapy (MPT) with a minimum 55% aggregate marks.The admission process involves qualifying entrance exams like CSIR-UGC NET, the Institute’s entrance test, and a personal interview.
Physiotherapy PhD Course Duration
Course duration is a minimum of 3 years full-time and 4 years for part time PhD programs in Physiotherapy.
Types of PhD Physiotherapy Courses
Full-time 3–5 year and part-time 4–6 year PhD programs are available with flexibility. Some have coursework and a thesis, while others are research-focused.
Entrance Exam for PhD in Physiotherapy- Stepping Stone to Doctoral Research
A PhD or Doctor of Philosophy degree represents the highest level of academic achievement in any discipline. Pursuing a Ph.D. in Physiotherapy requires clearing key entrance hurdles that assess one’s aptitude, conceptual knowledge, and alignment with advanced research.
Popular Entrance Exams
Popular exams like GATE and CSIR-UGC NET aim to evaluate the core understanding of methodologies vital for doctoral-level research. Clearing these standardized national tests demonstrates the analytical abilities to comprehend complex rehabilitation concepts and the insight to investigate real-world issues in patient care or recovery approaches.
Popular PhD Entrance Exams are below.
· UGC NET
· NPAT
· BHU-RET
· CUET
· DUET
· IPU CET
· Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance for PhD
· AMU Entrance for PhD etc..
Institute’s Entrance Exams
Several institutes offering PhD Physiotherapy conduct their own entrance exams for admission. This helps gauge the intrinsic motivation behind the research interests of applicants. The customized exams are narrowed down to specialized topics like sports medicine, neuro-rehabilitation, community healthcare, etc., based on faculty specializations. They also examine anatomy, exercise physiology, biomechanics, and kinesiology fundamentals.
The PhD entrance tests underscore the advanced competencies required to excel in rehabilitation research. They act as the gateway for trained physiotherapists to elevate the standards of patient-centric care through relentless discovery and breakthrough innovations.
Contact us for more information about PhD Entrance &Admission Guidance.
Who Should Pursue PhD in Physiotherapy?
Those passionate about advancing patient care should pursue PhD in Physiotherapy. It allows practicing physiotherapists to specialize further and contribute innovations through research. A doctoral degree is worthwhile if one enjoys investigating issues, has patience for in-depth analysis, and aims for leadership roles in healthcare. It opens up career growth in academics, policy-making, and hospital administration beyond just clinical practice.
Physiotherapist Doctor Degree in India
Many esteemed private and public universities offer Physiotherapist Doctor Degrees in India. PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is the highest physiotherapy degree awarded in India, spanning 3–5 years of graduate-level research. The intensive program trains students in concepts like biomechanics, neuro-rehabilitation, and exercise physiology, plus extensive thesis work on a specialized topic. Pursuing a PhD provides the platform to address knowledge gaps, upgrade therapeutic approaches through evidence-based techniques, and steer advancements in rehabilitation outcomes.
Fees Structure
Annual fees range from Rs. 25,000 in Government universities to Rs. 2–5 lakhs in private institutes.
Syllabus and Subjects
It involves advanced courses in areas like biomechanics, kinesiology, sports rehab, and neuro-rehab, plus extensive thesis work.
Syllabus Overview
- The PhD Physiotherapy syllabus is structured to provide advanced training in research methodologies along with building expertise in specialized therapeutic areas. It broadly covers Research Methods — Courses covering research design, statistical analysis, medical ethics, scientific writing, literature review, etc.
- Equip students with core competencies to carry out research.
- Specialization Electives — Students choose elective subjects focused on a rehabilitation specialty like neurological, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, sports medicine, etc. to gain conceptual depth
- Thesis/Dissertation — An extensive research project culminating in writing a thesis under the guidance of a faculty supervisor. Focuses on investigation of a research problem and contributing new insights
Key Subjects
- While the courses vary between universities, some core subjects include Biostatistics — Analyzing health data using statistical methods.
- Research Techniques — Quantitative and qualitative methods, surveys, clinical trials
- Advanced Physiotherapy — In-depth study of assessment, diagnosis, and intervention approaches
- Movement Science/Biomechanics — Scientific principles underlying human movement and function
- Neuroplasticity and Recovery — Neural and functional recovery mechanisms in rehabilitation
- Assistive Technologies — Use of devices and equipment to aid recovery.
Key steps involved in obtaining a PhD degree in Physiotherapy in India:
1.Entrance Exam Qualification
Clear, relevant national-level tests like CSIR-UGC NET, GATE, and state or Institute level exams to demonstrate research aptitude.
2.Institute Application and Selection
- Identify universities and submit applications along with qualification scores.
- Appear for additional written tests and interviews at institutes.
- Get selected based on marks, research interests, and potential.
3. Confirmation and Registration
- Take admission by paying fees and confirming PhD registration
- Get assigned a guide/supervisor for the research tenure
4. Coursework Completion
- Complete foundational courses in research methods, tools, physiotherapy concepts
- Choose electives aligned to the specialization area for advanced learning
5. Research Proposal Formulation
- Identify research problem, knowledge gaps, and formulation of study aims
- Submit a comprehensive research proposal under the supervisor guidance
6.Data Collection and Analysis
- Gather relevant data through lab/field experiments, clinical trials, surveys, etc.
- Analyze using statistical tools and interpret results
7. Thesis Submission
- Document the entire research work in thesis format as per institutional guidelines
- Include literature review, methodology, results, discussions, etc.
8. Viva Voce Exam
- Orally present and defend the research work to the examination committee
- Answer questions rigorously regarding subject competency
9. Award of PhD Degree
- Upon approval, get awarded a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Physiotherapy.
Career Options:
After completing Ph.D. in Physiotherapy, graduates can explore career opportunities in teaching and research roles in universities, managerial positions in hospitals/rehab centers, advisory functions in policy-making agencies, and independent consulting for clinics, fitness centers, sports teams, etc. Advanced research skills open up prospects across academics, the healthcare sector, and private practice.
Salary after PhD:
Post PhD, physiotherapists can expect starting salaries between Rs. 50,000–80,000 per month in academic jobs. Those in managerial hospital roles or independent consulting can earn over Rs. 1–1.5 lakhs monthly. Salaries rise significantly with credentials and experience. The highest-paid physiotherapists take home Rs. 1–2 lakhs per month on average.
Top Employers:
Some leading recruiters of Ph.D. physiotherapists are major public/private universities, multispecialty hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Max Healthcare, sports training academies, community healthcare agencies and NGOs, fitness chains, insurance firms, and more. Opportunities exist across sectors.
Why Pursue PhD:
Pursuing a PhD helps specialize further in assessment and intervention approaches for conditions like sports injuries, stroke rehabilitation, pediatric therapy, etc. The research training equips graduates to take up leadership roles. It also boosts prospects for advancing clinical practice through evidence-based techniques and policy reforms.
Preparation Tips
Focus on research methodology, physio concepts, statistical tools, scientific writing, and aptitude tests performance.
The program’s main components are research methodology courses, electives in specialized areas, research proposals, data collection and analysis, thesis writing, and defense.
- Research topics span areas like neurosciences, musculoskeletal disorders, sports medicine, community healthcare, etc. — aligned with faculty specialization.
List of Colleges Offering PhD in Physiotherapy Part-Time & Full Time
- AIIPMR Mumbai — All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai, Maharashtra, Public/Govt, Fellowship in Rehabilitation Physiotherapy.
- OPJS University, Rajgarh, Churu, Rajasthan, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Pacific Medical University, Udaipur, Rajasthan, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Ravi Nair Physiotherapy College, Wardha, Maharashtra, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- RIMT University, Gobindgarh, Punjab, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- RK University, Rajkot, Gujarat, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Sancheti College of Physiotherapy, Pune, Maharashtra, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Sancheti Healthcare Academy, Pune, Maharashtra, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Sardar Bhagwan Singh University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Saveetha College of Physiotherapy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy Full Time
- School of Physiotherapy, PP Savani University, Surat, Gujarat, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Alva’s College of Physiotherapy and Research Center, Moodbidri, Karnataka, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Amity Institute of Physiotherapy, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Amity University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Ashok and Rita Patel Institute of Physiotherapy, Anand, Gujarat, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Baba Mast Nath University, Rohtak, Haryana, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Bir Tikendrajit University, Imphal, Manipur, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Capital University, Koderma, Jharkhand, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- CSJMU Kanpur — Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Public/Govt, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- Chitkara School of Health Sciences, Jhansla, Punjab, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy
- CT University, Ludhiana, Punjab, Private, Ph.D Physiotherapy.
FAQs
1. What are the eligibility criteria for a Ph.D. in Physiotherapy?
A Master’s degree in Physiotherapy (MPT) with a minimum of 55% aggregate marks is the basic eligibility to apply for PhD admission. Some institutes also conduct entrance tests.
2. How long does a PhD program in Physiotherapy take to complete?
The full-time PhD course duration is typically 3–5 years, including research methodology courses, electives, extensive thesis work, and final defense. Part-time PhD tracks take 4–6 years.
3. Which are the top institutes for PhD in Physiotherapy in India?
Some leading names offering PhD Physiotherapy are Manipal University, Delhi University, Mumbai University, Jamia Millia Islamia University, and Sri Ramachandra Institute Chennai.
4. What is the admission process for PhD Physiotherapy programs?
The admission process generally involves:
- Qualifying for an entrance exam like GATE/NET.
- Written tests evaluating research interests.
- Submitting a proposal.
- Personal interviews.
5. What is the career and salary scope after PhD in Physiotherapy?
Graduates can explore teaching positions, hospital rehab director roles, policy-making agencies, and independent consulting. Starting salaries range from Rs.70,000–1,50,000 per month, rising higher at senior levels.
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