PhD Immunology is a research level program which is of duration 3 to 5 years. This doctoral program provides state-of-the-art training in immunological research.
Check Top PhD Immunology Colleges in India here.
In this program, students gain an in-depth understanding of the functions and interactions of all components of the immune system, including infections such as cryptococcus neoformans, pseudomonas aeruginosa, Lyme disease and malaria, and diseases such as diabetes.
PhD Immunology syllabus includes the study of subjects like Transplantation, Stem Cell Biology, Infection and Immunity, Tumour Immunology, Auto Immunity, Neuro-Immunology etc.
To be eligible to apply to this course, students must hold a MD or MS degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university.
Admission to this program will be done based on the candidate's performance in the entrance exam which is followed by a personal interview round conducted by the college or university.
The average tuition fees for PhD in Immunology course in Indian colleges usually ranges between INR 6,100 and INR 65,000 per annum.
On completion of a PhD Immunology course, students have many job opportunities in India as well as abroad. Students will be able to find work as an Immunologist, Technical Assistant, Research Scientist, Lecturer/Teacher, Business Development Executive etc. in the areas like hospitals, government organizations, laboratories, colleges and universities etc.
The average salary offered to a degree holder in PhD Immunology is around INR 4,00,000 to INR 8,00,000, but this can be higher on the basis of experience and other factors.
If students wish to do further research, they can become independent researchers and publish their research papers. They can also earn a DSc (Doctor of Science) degree in the related domain in future.
PhD Immunology Course Highlights
Highlights for PhD Immunology program are provided in the table given below:
| Course | PhD Immunology |
| Level | Research level |
| Duration | 3 to 5 years |
| Eligibility | MD/ MS degree from a recognized university |
| Admission Process | Entrance-Based + Personal Interview |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 6,100 to 65,000 |
| Top Recruiting Organizations | All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), National Institute of Immunology, Research Laboratories etc. |
| Job Positions | Research Scientist, Technical Assistant, Lecturer/ Teacher, Business Development Executive, Assistant Product Support Manager, Immunologist etc. |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Hospitals, Laboratories, Colleges/ Universities, Govt. Organizations etc. |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 4,00,000 to 8,00,000 |
PhD Immunology: What is it about?
Information and details about the PhD Immunology program are as follows.
- In this course, students get to study about the immune system in both healthy and diseased states.
- It includes the study of how the body fights infections from bacteria and viruses, the role of the immune system in the progression, development of cancers and the development of medical interventions to treat and prevent diseases.
- The purpose of the PhD program in Immunology is to educate and train students to reach their highest competence to become expert and professional in the field of immunology and biosciences.
- Immunology as a medical course which manages physical, chemist and psychological characteristics of the components of the immune system.
- Immunology is a branch of Biomedical Sciences that deals with the study of an organism’s immune system, in both health and disease.
Why study PhD Immunology?
The goal to attain a PhD in Immunology degree will depend on each individual’s aspirations and goals. Some of the benefits and perks of pursuing PhD Immunology degree program has been mentioned below:
- This course will enable you to gain an understanding of the structure and functioning of the immune system at the cell, molecular and genetic level, and how it relates to health and diseases.
- This course will provide you vital skills needed to pursue doctoral-level research or to enhance your career prospects in other areas of healthcare and related industries.
- Studying Immunology will help a student in advancing his/her understanding of basic Immunology, which is essential for clinical and commercial application and has fascinated the discovery of new diagnostics and treatments to manage a wide array of diseases.
- On completion of this course, students can easily get an average salary package ranging between INR 4,00,000 and INR 8,00,000 per annum.
- After completing this course, students will be able to find jobs in various sectors such as Hospitals, Laboratories, Colleges/ Universities, Govt. Organizations etc.
PhD Immunology Admission Process
- Most of the colleges and universities follow an entrance-based process for admission to PhD Immunology courses.
- On cracking the entrance test, candidate’s research topic, proposal, methodology etc. are checked and an interview is held.
Entrance Based Admission
Most of the colleges and universities offer admission to PhD Immunology on the basis of entrance exams like UGC NET, CSIR NET etc.
The step-by-step procedure for entrance-based admission is as follows:
- Step 1: Students have to register on the official website.
- Step 2: Fill the application form with correct details.
- Step 3: After examination, a cutoff list will be released on the website. Seats will then be allotted to candidates based on their scores in the entrance exam.
- Step 4: Some colleges also conduct personal interviews and group discussion for admission to this course.
- Step 5: On meeting all the eligibility criteria, a student will then be offered admission to the course.
What is the PhD Immunology Eligibility Criteria?
The common PhD Immunology eligibility criteria that candidates need to fulfil to be considered eligible for admission to this course is as follows:
- Candidates must hold a Master’s degree in Immunology from a recognized university.
- Admission will be granted only to those candidates who will clear the cut-off marks set by the respective admission authorities in the entrance test.
Which are the popular PhD Immunology Entrance Exams?
There are many national and state-level entrance exams to appear for the admission into PhD Immunology program. Listed below are some of these popular PhD Immunology entrance exams.
| Exam Name | Registration Date | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|
| CSIR UGC NET (June Session) | 2nd week of March – 2nd week of April 2023 | 3rd week of June 2023 |
| UGC NET (July Session) | December 29, 2022 – January 23, 2023 | February 21, 2023 – March 10, 2023 |
| ICAR AICE JRF/SRF | To be Announced | To be Announced |
How to Prepare for a PhD Immunology Entrance Exams?
The syllabus for PhD Immunology entrance exams will vary from college to college. However, most exams concentrate on Biology and Material Science topic-oriented knowledge and skills.
- Go through the detailed syllabus of the written test, start studying them, revise your concepts.
- One important hack to crack entrance exams is to develop a reading habit, be it a newspaper, novel, books, biographies and case studies.
- Time management is one of the most important aspects to crack entrance exams, this is not only applying to the study schedule but attempting the most exam as well.
- Practicing sample papers and mock test papers will assure you of the time management skills by the time your entrance exam starts.
- Practice is the thumb rule for cracking entrance exams. Ensure that your concepts are clear and you are aware of all the right ways to solve questions within the time frame.
- Start learning from the basic step and thereafter move to higher and difficult levels of concepts.
How to get admission to a good PhD Immunology college?
To get admission in the top PhD Immunology college, the following points must be kept in mind:
- Candidates are shortlisted by the college through respective entrance exams followed by an interview.
- To get a good college for PhD Immunology, appearing for the UGC NET exam is the best way and for some of the colleges’ UGC NET is also considered good to approach.
- A few private institutes are there offering the course to admit students based on their performance in a relevant entrance test followed by a round of Personal Interview.
- Getting into a good college for the admission in PhD Immunology program, candidates need to score well in the respective entrance exams.
- Candidates should put their time and effort into the entrance test as well as be prepared for a personal interview round.
- They should be well versed with their research topic so that they can impress the interview panel with their research idea.
What is the Syllabus of PhD Immunology?
Although the PhD in Immunology program syllabus varies from college to college, it mostly consists of some common foundation courses that students can select based on their interests.
The common subjects that are included in the structured PhD Immunology syllabus are provided in the table given below:
| Unit 1: Transplantation |
| Unit 2: Neuro-Immunology |
| Unit 3: Auto Immunity |
| Unit 4: Stem Cell Biology |
| Unit 5: Infection and Immunity |
| Unit 6: Human Translational Immunology |
| Unit 7: Tumor Immunology |
| Unit 8: Immunobiology and Mucosal Immunity |
Which are the top PhD Immunology Colleges?
The table below shows the best PhD Immunology colleges and universities that offer the course in a full-time mode.
| College Name | Admission Process | Average Annual Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Amity University, Noida, Uttar Pradesh | Entrance-Exam followed by Interview | INR 1,00,000 |
| Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu | Entrance-Exam followed by Interview | INR 1,13,650 |
| Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun, Uttarakhand | Entrance-Exam followed by an Interview | INR 90,000 |
| Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh | Entrance-Exam followed by an Interview | INR 68,000 |
| Amity University, Greater Noida | Entrance-Exam followed by an Interview | INR 1,20,000 |
| Shyam University, Dausa | Entrance-Exam followed by an Interview | INR 65,000 |
| Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science, Srinagar | Entrance-Exam followed by an Interview | INR 67,000 |
Source: College Websites
PhD Immunology College Comparison
The tabulation below depicts the comparison made among the three top PhD Immunology colleges in India.
| Parameter | Amity University, Noida | Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai | Swami Rama Himalayan University, Dehradun |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Amity University was established with the purpose of imparting transparent education to students with the help of holistically designed programs. This university aims at becoming recognized as a leader in providing value-based education to students. | Madurai Kamaraj University is a UGC approved State University which was established in 1966. The University has been accredited Grade 'A' by NAAC and offers a large number of courses at the UG, PG and the Research level. | The Swami Rama Himalayan University is established to provide for instruction, teaching, training, and research in such branches of study as the University deems appropriate for higher education. |
| Location | Noida, Uttar Pradesh | Madurai, Tamil Nadu | Dehradun, Uttarakhand |
| Eligibility Criteria | Master’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university | Master’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university | Master’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university |
| Admission process | Entrance-Based followed by an Interview | Entrance-Based followed by an Interview | Entrance-Based followed by an Interview |
| Average Fees | INR 1,00,000 | INR 1,13,650 | INR 90,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 10,00,000 | INR 6,84,000 | INR 4,50,000 |
| Top recruiters | Citibank, Coca Cola, DCM Benetton India, Duncan Industries, ESPN Sports, Frito-Lay India Ltd., Gillette India Ltd., Glaxo SmithKline Beecham, GE Capital, FCB Ulka etc. | Hyatt Group of Hotels, Marriott, Crowne Plaza, IBM, HCL, Infotech, Wipro etc. | THDC India Limited, Vodafone, Amazon, Axis Bank, ICCI, Kirby, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Maintech etc. |
Source: College Websites
PhD Immunology vs PhD Microbiology
PhD Immunology deals with the study of how the body fights infections whereas PhD Microbiology deals with the Microorganisms.
Check the list of Top PhD Microbiology Colleges in India.
Check the table below for more comparative details:
| Parameters | PhD Immunology | PhD Microbiology |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | This program includes the study of how the body fights infections from bacteria and viruses, the role of the immune system in the progression and development of cancers, and the development of medical interventions to treat and prevent diseases. | This program covers aspects of the Biochemistry, Physiology and Genetics of Microorganisms. This program is meant to prepare students for a prosperous career in the field of Microbiology. |
| Duration | 3 to 5 years | 3 to 5 years |
| Eligibility Criteria | MD/ MS degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university | Postgraduate degree with minimum 55% marks aggregate. |
| Exam Type | Annual/ Semester | Annual/ Semester |
| Admission Process | Entrance + Personal Interview | Entrance/ Merit-Based followed by Interview |
| Average Fees | INR 6,100 to 65,000 | INR 20,000 to 3,00,000 |
| Job Positions | Research Scientist, Technical Assistant, Lecturer/ Teacher, Business Development Executive, Assistant Product Support Manager, Immunologist etc. | Laboratory Technologist, Medical Technologist, Laboratory Scientist, Lecturer, Technical Specialist etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 4,00,000 to 8,00,000 | INR 8,00,000 to 16,00,000 |
Source: College Websites
What are Job Prospects and Career Options after PhD Immunology?
After getting a degree in this field, a candidate can get a variety of jobs to choose from. It will be easy for them to work for the government and private organizations and many other sectors. They can also choose to teach as a professor or a lecturer in colleges or universities.
- PhD Immunology degree holders can find employment at academic institutions and in high-level research and development positions in industry and other institutions.
- PhD degree holders in Immunology seek positions in various sectors as a Professor, Immunologist, Research Assistant, Researcher, Therapist etc.
Tabulation below shows some of the most common PhD Immunology job profiles and career prospects after completing the course are as follows:
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Immunologist | The job of an Immunologist includes diagnosing and treating disorders and diseases of the immune system or immunologic conditions, educating patients and their family members about some of the treatment options, prognosis, performing laboratory procedures and examining tissue samples to determine the sources of allergies, conducting blood and patch tests in an effort to identify the presence of harmful allergens etc. | INR 7,88,000 |
| Cytotechnologists | The duties of Cytotechnologists are to prepare slides of cells for examination by staining and mounting specimens, to examine slides of human cells under microscopes, to classify all examined slides and prepare a preliminary diagnosis of each, to keep a daily log of specimens examined and document all findings in the log. | INR 4,96,000 |
| Researcher | Researcher’s main duty is to do research using various methodologies and sources. A Researcher must be able to obtain recent and relevant data for the employers. | INR 6,76,000 |
| Lecturer/Teacher | The responsibilities of Lecturer/Teacher is to teach the students a particular subject and make their concepts clear. | INR 5,58,000 |
| Therapist | The duties of a Therapist are to conduct regular meetings with their clients who wish to converse with a mental health professional, to establish a positive and a trusting relationships with their clients, to maintain the strictest confidentiality of each and every client situation etc. | INR 3,85,000 |
Source: College Websites
What are the Future Scope of PhD Immunology?
PhD degree is a doctorate level degree and is the highest educational degree one can earn in the country. Generally one does not pursue further studies post completion of the PhD Immunology degree.
Employability is high and graduates are hired quickly upon completion of their degree in high pay job profiles. With this knowledge, there is no limit to learning and knowledge.
- They have teaching jobs in colleges/universities after this course and then clearing the UGC-NET exam required for becoming a permanent lecturer.
- They have many jobs in hospitals, medical equipment manufacturing units, industrial firms, educational and medical institutions, pharmaceuticals, government regulatory agencies, and so on.
- Students can also opt for a DSc (Doctor of Science) degree in any related field.
- After gaining adequate experience in the related field, Immunologists can work in govt. and private hospitals.
- Once you finish your PhD you can also be qualified for a lecturer post in Immunology and also to teach in colleges and universities with UGC scales.
PhD Immunology FAQs
Some of the most frequently asked questions pertaining to the PhD Immunology program are as follows:
Ques. How can I study PhD Immunology?
Ans. The Immunology subject is such that all the processes are at the cellular level, which makes this subject difficult to comprehend sometimes. So, it is always recommended to all the students who wish to study PhD Immunology program to watch video lectures and animations on different topics of Immunology.
Ques. Can a Pharm D apply for a PhD Immunology course? What are the job and career prospects?
Ans. Yes, if you are a graduate of PharmD you are eligible for a PhD in Immunology. If you want to pursue it from a Government college/university, then you need to clear the UGC NET exam and if you have an option to do a doctorate from a private institution, then you need to have support from any of your professors.
Ques. How do I start studying a new field (Immunology) from scratch at a PhD level? What will be the best method to quickly acquire a good grasp of the field without feeling too lost in all the details/papers?
Ans. There is no way to study at the PhD level from scratch. The PhD level implies that you have already a very solid background and have mastered all the foundational material in your field. Usually people who are at the PhD level are involved in original research. You wouldn’t be able to do that if you didn’t already have a mastery of your field. If you feel lost in details and papers that you read, you don’t have a good grasp of the field, and you need to start at the beginning level. The best method to acquire the background you need is to read and study the foundational books in the field, and devote long hours to study. You will also need some experience working with experts in the field.
Ques. What is the benefit of pursuing a PhD Immunology course?
Ans. Immunology is a growing field and the job opportunities for Immunologists are projected to grow 15-20 percent from 2012-2022, which is faster than average for all occupations, becoming an immunologist requires extensive education and training. A bachelor's degree is only the first step to get success in this field.
Ques. How do I study a PhD in immunology in Medical school?
Ans. In a medical school, you can gain experience in this area by pursuing a physician shadowing opportunity for a physician in this field. This will allow you to gain valuable hands-on learning experiences. See if any research is being done in this area and try to volunteer to be a part of it.
Ques. What is the best Immunology book?
Ans. Kuby is a very well-known book always recommended by everyone for its detailed explanation of topics starting from the basics and Abbas is also a very good book where all the topics are well explained and also being written by an Indian author. It is a bit easier than Kuby. So, you can go for either of these 2 books or both if you want.
Ques. I'm a Medical student. How can I get a solid grasp on Immunology course?
Ans. You should start from scratch, after learning the basics in school, start learning Immunology from a standard Physiology book (Ganong/Guyton), then head on to read about it in pathology and then medicine. Now you can move over to professional immunology books if you are interested to specialise in this particular field.
Ques. What are some of the top institutes in India offering PhD Immunology program?
Ans. Some of the top universities/ institutes offering PhD Immunology programs in India include Amity University, Madurai Kamaraj University, Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Amala Cancer Research Centre, Indian Institute of Science etc.
Ques. What type of questions are expected in the NIU, Delhi PhD interview?
Ans. They will ask your research interest, this is one of the most commonly asked questions which is very tricky and if you say clearly about your interests but you have no idea about its basics then you are in a deep mess, they will start asking questions about it. They will ask questions about your training if you have done any, they will ask questions from your dissertation thesis, they might give you some hypothetical scenario like how will you check protein interaction.
Ques. What is the syllabus for the PhD entrance exam in the National Institute of Immunology?
Ans. There is no fixed syllabus for the PhD entrance exam. The entrance exam conducted for PhD Immunology course is a mix of questions from all major Science fields such as Physics, Chemistry and Biology. At times even Computer and Mathematics questions might be asked in the exam.
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