One account
Many possibilites
Ph.D. in Women’s studies is a program that focuses on issues to do with women, gender and feminism across disciplines such as sociology, history, English literature, media studies and the likes. The plan is designed to foster higher education and research in feminist theories and knowledge production. It takes 4-6 years to complete a Ph.D. in Women’s Studies which includes courses and dissertation.
The common entrance exams accepted for admission to Ph.D. Women's Studies programs are: GRE General test, TOEFL or IELTS for international students, GMAT in some university and subject wise test UGC NET etc. Institutes may also set their own aptitude tests in the form of written examinations and interviews to further gauge the readiness of the applicants in conducting research on gender and women. Performance in the qualifying degree, publications, statement of purpose is also evaluated in the admission process.
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| - Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Women Studies |
| - Duration | 3-5 years |
| - Course Level | Doctoral |
| - Eligibility | Master's degree in Women Studies or related fields |
| - Top Colleges | University of Delhi, Jawaharlal Nehru University, IGNOU, Delhi |
| - Entrance Exam | Entrance Exam conducted by respective colleges, UGC NET, JRF, DU Ph.D. Entrance Exam, JNU Ph.D. Entrance Exam, IGNOU Ph.D. Entrance Exam |
1. A postgraduate degree in women’s/gender studies or any other related subject with not less than 55% marks or its equivalent grade.
2. Get through an entrance exam such as the UGC NET, JRF, etc. Certain universities may offer their own tests as well.
3. Prepare a research proposal regarding the topic, objectives, research questions, methods, etc. related to women/gender for the doctorate thesis.
4. Submit two letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources attesting to your research skills and interests.
5. Provide proficiency in English or any other language depending on what the university would wish for its students.
6. This can be cleared in an interview round if the university deems it necessary in order to establish the research interests and goals that are in line with the program.
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Research Methodology | Feminist research methods, Qualitative and quantitative methods, Data analysis |
| Feminist Theory | Liberal feminism, Radical feminism, Marxist feminism, Postmodern feminism |
| Gender and Development | Gender and economy, Gender and politics, Gender and culture |
| Women's Empowerment | Women's rights, Women's education, Women's health, Women's political participation |
| Women's Studies | Women's history, Women's literature, Women's art, Women's culture |
| Gender and Sexuality | Gender identity, Sexual identity, Queer theory, Intersectionality |
| Women and Law | Gender and legal theory, Women's rights and the law, Feminist jurisprudence |
| Globalization and Gender | Globalization and women's work, Globalization and women's rights, Globalization and gender identity |
| Electives | Women and media, Women and technology, Women and environment, Women and religion |
| Dissertation | Original research, Research proposal, Literature review, Research report writing |
Tabulated below is the collection of the Top 10 Government Ph.D. (Women Studies) Colleges in India with Fee Structure, including their key features.
| Name of the institute | Location | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Pondicherry University | Pondicherry, Puducherry | INR 135,600 |
| Utkal University | Bhubaneswar, Orissa | INR 296,000 |
| Acharya Nagarjuna University | Guntur, Andhra Pradesh | INR 226,027 |
| Maulana Azad National Urdu University | Hyderabad, Telangana | INR 14,300 |
| Dibrugarh University | Dibrugarh, Assam | INR 111,420 |
| Gauhati University | Guwahati, Assam | INR 81,000 |
| Panjab University | Chandigarh, Chandigarh | INR 482,400 |
| Ambedkar University Delhi | New Delhi, Delhi NCR | INR 161,080 |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | New Delhi, Delhi NCR | INR 600,000 |
| Goa University | North Goa, Goa | INR 128,875 |
