PGIS - Ph.D. Programmes

Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The PGIS offers postgraduate research programmes leading to the award of Degree of Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) and Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), which involve course work and research in selected areas of study. The medium of instruction shall be English. A candidate may normally register for an M.Phil./Ph.D. Degree programme in a chosen field of study with the approval of the relevant Board of Study.

General Information

A student registering for a degree of Master of Philosophy or Doctor of Philosophy in the Postgraduate Institute of Science shall be required to pursue his/her studies at a university, research institute or any other recognized institution under the guidance of a supervisor/s appointed by the PGIS with the concurrence of the relevant Board of Study.

Full-time and Part-time students

A full-time student shall be a person duly registered for an M.Phil./Ph.D. degree programme who is engaged in research or related activities during the entire normal working hours of the week. Therefore those who are employed are required to obtain leave of absence from their work places so as to be available for studies during normal working hours and be eligible for registration under this category.

A part-time student shall be a person duly registered for an M.Phil./Ph.D. degree programme who devotes only a percentage of the total working hours of a week for his/her research work.

Admission Requirements

The minimum requirements for registration are:

A

(i) a transfer from an M.Phil. programme conducted by the PGIS on the recommendation of the relevant Board of Study
or
(ii) a Masters Degree in the relevant field obtained after a full-time research component of at least two years duration
or
(iii) any other equivalent qualifications acceptable to the PGIS

and

B

any other requirement/s as stipulated by the relevant Board of Study.

Course Requirements for the Ph.D. Degree

All Ph.D. candidates should meet the following requirements:

I He/ She should engage in full-time research of not less than three years, or its equivalent on a part-time basis under the guidance of a supervisor/s as recommended by the relevant Board of Study, and submit a thesis based on the research carried out. Some candidates may have to take courses as decided by the PGIS.

Duration

The minimum duration for

(i) full-time candidates registered directly - three years

(ii) full-time candidates who are transferred from an M.Phil. programme - three years from the date of registration for the M.Phil. programme

(iii) full-time candidates who are transferred from an M.Sc. to M.Phil. programme and subsequently transferred to a Ph.D. programme - three years and nine months

(iv) part-time candidates - 1 ½ times the period specified under (i), (ii) or (iii) above.

The maximum duration for any candidate would be eight years for full-time students and ten years for part-time students from the date of registration. Exceptional cases may be considered by the PGIS.

On the written application of a student, he/she may be allowed to change over from being a full-time student to a part-time student and vice versa. The minimum period required for completing the remaining course shall be decided by the PGIS.

Application Procedure

Applications are entertained by the PGIS throughout the year. Every application for enrolment must be made in duplicate on the prescribed forms obtainable from the PGIS on payment of a nonrefundable application-processing fee. If the application form is downloaded from PGIS web site, payment of application processing fee should be made at the time of submission of completed application form to the PGIS office. The acceptance of the application will be determined on the basis of the particulars disclosed. The relevant academic/professional qualifications possessed by the candidate should be supported by academic transcripts and authenticated copies of degree/diploma certificates. Applicants should arrange to have the official copy/copies of transcript/s sent directly to the Assistant Registrar of the PGIS. Originals of all certificates should be produced before admission as required by the PGIS. Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which should be from an academic referee, should be sent by the referees under confidential cover to the PGIS. Applicants are advised to submit certified photocopies of original certificates along with the application. The documents submitted in support of an application shall become the property of the PGIS. In the event of any discrepancy between the name/s appearing in an applicant's academic/professional/birth certificates and the name/s given by the applicant in the application form, an affidavit to the effect that the applicant is the one and the same person known by all such name/s or relevant certificates should be sent together with the application form. Duly completed application form should be forwarded to the Assistant Registrar of the PGIS.

Application Form Download: (PDF) (MS Word)

Last Modified: February 2010