1. Course Overview
PhD in Physiotherapy is a 3–5 year advanced research-based doctoral programme aimed at developing high-level expertise in physiotherapy, rehabilitation sciences, and evidence-based clinical practice.
The course focuses on clinical research, scientific writing, biostatistics, physiotherapy innovations, and advanced specialization.
It prepares professionals for careers in academia, research, healthcare leadership, clinical specialization, and R&D.
2. Course Highlights
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | PhD in Physiotherapy |
| Level | Doctorate / Research |
| Duration | 3–5 Years |
| Mode | Full-Time / Part-Time |
| Eligibility | MPT / MSc Physiotherapy or equivalent |
| Minimum Marks | 55% (5% relaxation for reserved categories) |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam + Research Proposal + Interview |
| Average Fees | ₹50,000 – ₹2,00,000 per year |
| Approving Body | UGC / University Research Council |
| Career Level | Senior Research & Academic Roles |
| Skills Learned | Research, Statistics, Evidence-based Clinical Practice |
3. Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- MPT (Master of Physiotherapy)
OR - MSc Physiotherapy (Recognized University)
OR - Equivalent rehabilitation science master’s degree
Minimum Marks
- 55% in PG (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD)
Entrance Exams
Some universities may accept:
- University Research Entrance Test (RET)
- PET (PhD Entrance Test)
- NET/SET (optional advantage)
- Institutional research aptitude tests
Required Documents
- PG degree & mark sheets
- UG degree certificates
- Research Proposal draft
- ID proof & photographs
- Experience certificate (if applicable)
4. Admission Process
A. Entrance Exam-Based Admission
- Written Test (Research Aptitude + Physiotherapy Concepts)
- Interview / Viva-Voce
- Research Proposal Evaluation
- Supervisor Allocation
- Final Admission
B. Merit + Interview
Some private universities may offer admission based on:
- PG marks
- Research interest
- Interview panel clearance
5. PhD Physiotherapy Coursework (1st Year)
Subjects Covered
- Research Methodology
- Biostatistics
- Advanced Physiotherapy Science
- Clinical Trials & Evidence-Based Practice
- Ethical Issues in Research
- Seminar Presentations
Assessments
- Assignments
- Publications (mandatory in many universities)
- Synopsis presentation
6. Specializations Available
- Neurological Physiotherapy
- Orthopaedic Physiotherapy
- Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy
- Sports Physiotherapy
- Paediatric Physiotherapy
- Geriatric Physiotherapy
- Community Physiotherapy
- Women’s Health Physiotherapy
- Manual Therapy & Rehabilitation
- Biomechanics & Movement Science
7. Research Work / Thesis Requirements
PhD scholars must complete:
Research Components
- Detailed Synopsis Submission
- Data Collection (Clinical/Experimental)
- Statistical Data Analysis
- Thesis Writing
- Journal Publications (Scopus/PubMed preferred)
- Conference Presentation
Thesis Structure
- Introduction
- Review of Literature
- Methodology
- Data & Results
- Discussion
- Conclusion & Recommendations
- References & Publications
8. Practical / Lab & Research Training
Students get hands-on training in:
- Gait Analysis Lab
- Biomechanics Lab
- Electrotherapy Research Unit
- Manual Therapy Lab
- Pulmonary Rehab Lab
- Sports Rehabilitation Centre
- Neuro-Physiology Lab
- Clinical Research Lab
9. Skills You Will Learn
- Advanced Clinical Reasoning
- Scientific Research & Data Interpretation
- Biostatistics (SPSS/R software)
- Clinical Trial Design
- Academic Writing & Publications
- Evidence-Based Physiotherapy
- Healthcare Teaching & Curriculum Development
10. Career Opportunities After PhD Physiotherapy
Job Roles
- University Professor / HOD
- Research Scientist
- Clinical Specialist
- Rehabilitation Consultant
- Clinical Trial Investigator
- Medical Research Analyst
- Physiotherapy Curriculum Developer
- Evidence-Based Practice Specialist
Work Areas
- Universities & Colleges
- Hospitals & Rehabilitation Centers
- Research Institutions
- Government Health Departments
- Sports Academies
- NGOs & International Health Agencies
11. Salary After PhD Physiotherapy (2025)
| Job Role | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Professor / Academic Head | ₹8–15 LPA |
| Research Scientist | ₹6–12 LPA |
| Senior Physiotherapy Consultant | ₹10–20 LPA |
| Clinical Trial Researcher | ₹6–10 LPA |
| Healthcare R&D Specialist | ₹7–14 LPA |
12. Higher Studies & Research Opportunities
After PhD, graduates can pursue:
- Post-Doctoral Fellowships (PDF)
- International research programs
- Clinical specialization certifications
- Research funding grants
- Academic leadership roles
13. Course Approvals
- UGC
- University Research Council
- Institutional Ethics Committee
- NAAC (university-level)
- IAP (as applicable for faculty programs)
Top 20 PhD / Research Institutes in Physiotherapy
| College Name | Location | Fees (Approx) | Intake | Approved By |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) | Manipal, Karnataka | ₹1,50,000–₹2,00,000 per year | 10–20 | UGC |
| Jamia Hamdard University | New Delhi | ₹90,000–₹1,20,000 per year | 10 | UGC |
| Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education | Chennai | ₹1,50,000–₹2,50,000 per year | 10–15 | UGC |
| MGM Institute of Health Sciences | Navi Mumbai | ₹1,00,000–₹1,50,000 per year | 10 | UGC |
| Amity Institute of Physiotherapy | Noida | ₹1,00,000–₹2,00,000 per year | 10–15 | UGC |
| NIMS University | Jaipur | ₹80,000–₹1,20,000 per year | 10–20 | UGC |
| KLE Academy of Higher Education | Belgaum | ₹1,20,000–₹1,80,000 per year | 10 | UGC |
| Dr. MGR Educational & Research Institute | Chennai | ₹1,00,000–₹1,50,000 per year | 10–12 | UGC |
| Bangalore University | Bengaluru | ₹60,000–₹80,000 per year | 8–10 | UGC |
| Saveetha University | Chennai | ₹1,50,000–₹2,00,000 per year | 10–15 | UGC |
| JSS Academy of Higher Education | Mysore | ₹1,20,000–₹1,80,000 per year | 8–12 | UGC |
| DY Patil University | Pune / Navi Mumbai | ₹1,00,000–₹2,00,000 per year | 10–20 | UGC |
| Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University | Delhi | ₹60,000–₹80,000 per year | 8–10 | UGC |
| SRM Institute of Science & Technology | Chennai | ₹1,00,000–₹1,50,000 per year | 10–15 | UGC |
| Punjabi University | Patiala | ₹40,000–₹60,000 per year | 8–12 | UGC |
| Manav Rachna University | Faridabad | ₹80,000–₹1,20,000 per year | 10 | UGC |
| Galgotias University | Greater Noida | ₹80,000–₹1,20,000 per year | 10–15 | UGC |
| Sharda University | Greater Noida | ₹1,20,000–₹1,80,000 per year | 10 | UGC |
| Lovely Professional University | Punjab | ₹80,000–₹1,20,000 per year | 10–15 | UGC |
| Vinayaka Missions Research Foundation | Salem | ₹1,20,000–₹1,50,000 per year | 8–10 | UGC |