Admission Guidelines for PhD programmes

Admission to PhD programmes is made through two modes viz. through direct mode and through entrance test mode. Additionally, SAU also offers Executive PhD programme to provide senior professionals and officers the opportunity to pursue research and obtain a PhD degree mid-career.

The PhD programmes are available in the following Disciplines:

1. Mathematics
2. Biotechnology
3. Computer Science
4. Physics
5. Economics
6. International Relations
7. Sociology
8. Legal Studies
9. Media, Arts and Design
10. Climate Change
11. Management

1. Through Direct Mode

(Applications are invited throughout the year)

In this mode, certain categories of candidates will be exempted from the Entrance Test. They will be shortlisted on the basis of their CVs/SOPs/Research proposals/Letters of Recommendations and will be called directly for the interview process. The eligible categories are the following:

• Those who have been already awarded National fellowships in different SAARC countries on the basis of their respective National Entrance Tests.
• Those who are funded by any Government agency to pursue PhD.
• Those who are salaried and can get a leave from their organization for at least the period until the course work is completed.
• Those who are not covered in any of the above categories however, possess the minimum eligibility criteria to pursue PhD. The applications of such candidates will be discussed and forwarded by the FAC of the respective Faculty to CAC. The CAC will recommend the potential candidates to be called for interview.

The students admitted through the direct mode will not be provided with any other financial support/fellowship/stipend throughout the tenure of the PhD programme.

For candidates applying through the above channel, separate merit lists will be drawn keeping in view the reservation of seats for candidates from different SAARC countries defined under SAU’s Rules.

Applications to the PhD programmes through direct mode are invited throughout the year. The candidates are required to apply through the portal using the following link: SAU Admission 2025-26

2. Through Entrance Test

(The admissions through this mode are made once a year only for which the applications are invited usually from January/February each year).

In this mode, the admission procedure for the PhD programme consists of an Entrance Test followed by an interview. Students are required to score at least 50% marks in both, the Entrance Test and the interview separately, to be eligible for admission.

The students admitted through the Entrance Test will be provided the hostel accommodation (as per the Hostel rules) and will be exempted from paying the tuition fee. They will be entitled to the university stipend of INR 25,000 per month for a maximum period of five years provided they are not receiving any other financial support/fellowship/stipend for the purpose of pursuing the PhD programme.

The admission to the PhD programmes through entrance mode is made once a year only for which the applications are invited usually from January/February each year.

3. Executive PhD programme

The Executive PhD Programme is designed to provide senior professionals and officers the opportunity to pursue research and obtain a PhD degree mid-career. This programme aims:

1. To provide opportunity to senior professional/officers to take up research studies and acquire PhD degree mid-career.
2. To facilitate senior professionals to rise the ladder in their organization, thereby contribute significantly in their domain.
3. To help South Asian University in establishing a strong connection between academic and the industry by attracting senior professionals.
4. To explore new areas of research through the amalgamation of curriculum-based knowledge and practice-based knowledge.
5. To boost inter-disciplinary research in an unconventional manner by inviting eminent people to guide the research scholars.

Eligibility:

A professional working in any organization/department public or private, an international body/agency, an NGO, or pursuing a career independently will be eligible to get enrolled in Executive PhD programme

Admission Procedure:

1. The interested candidate should apply by writing to the admission section execphdadmissions@sau.int along with the following:
   • Full CV / Resume
   • Proposed research plan / Area of interest
   • Certificates / Degrees of educational qualification and other documents, if any, which may possibly strengthen the application
   • Names of the person(s) who could possibly act as supervisor(s)/mentor(s). These person(s) can be from SAU or outside. Providing such names is not mandatory.
2. Suitable candidates will be called for an interview by a committee of experts.
3. Successful candidates will be issued the offer letter.

Course Work and Residency Requirement:

Executive PhD scholars will have flexibility in their Course work. The course work, if required, can be in the form of physical / online classes, assignments, self-studies etc. as decided by the supervisor(s).

Fee Structure:

The fee for the Executive PhD program is USD 1,200 (or equivalent) per semester, along with a Student Aid Fund contribution of USD 10 (or equivalent) per semester. A one-time Admission Fee and Security Deposit will also be applicable.

Other modalities:

The modalities such as Progress Monitoring, Duration, Thesis Submission and Evaluation etc. will be governed as per Regulation 13 of SAU Regulations.