PhD in Design

Scholarly research is an important cornerstone that distinguishes professions from trades. Practice-oriented disciplines like design, grow and remain relevant only if their professionals constantly contribute to and expand this body of knowledge.

Our Doctor of Philosophy in Design invites design practitioners and teachers, aspiring design researchers and experienced professionals with a passion for design — to proactively engage with and build into this growing body of design research. It urges introspective designers with years of practical experience to validate and formalize theories, tools and techniques within the scholarly framework. And encourages research in the fertile fields where design intersects with science, humanities, arts, and education.

To pursue a PhD here, your research must match our Faculty's areas of interest. As a first step, go through these and contact the concerned faculty to develop your proposed research.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and there is an opening for your area of research, you may complete the formalities of application through the IITB Website.
 

Eligibility 

The commitment for our PhD is long term requiring a minimum of 4 years. Apart from strong commitment, you require good analytical abilities, excellent language skills, tenacity, self-motivation, open-mindedness along with humility and a willingness to learn.

Encouraging design research in India, our course is currently flexible and inclusive:

Candidates with a Masters degree in design from reputed universities may apply through the postgraduate entry route. In accordance with their experience, they may undertake their thesis as full-time or part-time students.
Candidates with Bdes/BArch/ PGDP Des or masters in other fields having demonstrated interest and outstanding experience in their proposed research area—may use the undergraduate entry route to apply. As students, they will require to complete 56 credits alongside our master’s students before commencing their thesis.
 

PhD Application

All formalities of admission must be done through the IIT Bombay website.
For all details related to the admission and application process, please visit the PhD Admission page:
IDC School of Design - PhD Admission

Future Prospects

Our PhD scholars go on to become better teachers and mentors. Their designing and thinking are transformed. Many build careers in academics or design research; some develop business ideas or design methods, while others go on to pursue post-doctoral research.