PhD Program
ThePhD in Design
Scholarly research is an important cornerstone that distinguishes professions from trades. Practice-oriented disciplines like design, grow and remain relevant only if its 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 upon 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.
Application
All formalities of admission must be done through the IIT Bombay website.
Applications are closed for this year. The last date for online application was 15th May 2020.
Next session for the PhD applications to IDC will open at the beginning of 2021.
The details will be updated on this page.
PhD Interview 2020 [UPDATE]
Due to the pandemic, interviews that were originally planned to be conducted in the summer of 2020 were deferred.
The dates for the PhD Presentation & Interview are 10th & 11th December 2020.
The candidates who have already applied (until 15th May 2020) will be considered for the shortlisting for the interview.
The shortlisted candidates have been notified on 5th November 2020.
Here is the note for the shortlisted candidates (for sending updated SOP and Declaration Form).
The schedule and links for the interview have been mailed to the shortlisted candidates on 4th December 2020.
The PhD selection results will be declared by IIT Bombay on 21st December 2020.
Here is the schedule for the payment of fees, registration and joining.
Important links for the 2020 PhD applicants are available here:
- IITB PhD Application Portal [Next session for applications will open at the beginning of 2021]
- Application Procedure
- Important Dates
- Information Brochure For PhD Programme 2020-21
- IITB PhD Admission - Information Page
Other related links are available here:
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.