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A Professor is a scholar with a doctorate or equivalent degree who teaches across various colleges and universities. Professors are specialized in a wide variety of academic subjects and fields and usually conduct research on their area of expertise. To become a Professor, candidates must complete their PhD in a relevant subject from a recognised University. Students aspiring to become a Professor After 12th can pursue PhD Courses across various streams depending on the subject that they want to specialise in. Apart from the educational qualifications, it is very essential for candidates to inculcate certain professional skills such as communication skills, interpersonal skills, being able to explain and explore new ideas and others.
There are various important steps to become a Professor, which include choosing the correct subject combination, preparing and clearing entrance exams, choosing the correct colleges, and pursuing relevant degrees. There are various types of Professors based on their designation and specializations, such as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Head of Department (HOD). PhD Admissions are done on the basis of entrance exams such as UGC NET, and CSIR. After clearing the entrance exams candidates have to sit for GD / PI rounds to be finally selected for any PhD course. The average course fee ranges from INR 20,000 – 1,50,000. India is home to several top PhD Colleges in India where candidates can choose to pursue PhD Courses. Check: Professor Qualifications
A Professor is considered a teacher of the highest rank in most countries. The average pay of a Professor in India is INR 5.11 LPA and may go beyond INR 35 LPA depending upon the experience and type of institution. The monthly salary of a Professor in India ranges between INR 40,000 - INR 90,000. The salary of a Professor also depends on their designation as well. An Associate Professor earns around INR 1,50,000 – 3,00,000 per month where as an Assistant Professor earns around INR 50,000 – 75,000 per month. Read More: Salary of a Professor
3.1 Researcher
3.4 HOD
4.1 How to Become a Professor after 12th
5.1 PhD Science
5.2 PhD Commerce and Management
5.3 PhD Engineering
5.4 PhD Arts
6.1 USA
6.2 Canada
6.3 UK
6.4 Australia
- Benefits of Career as a Professor
- Skills Required to Become a Professor
- Top Recruiters of a Professor
- Salary of a Professor
10.2 Designation Wise
How to Become a Professor: Quick Facts
| Eligibility | PhD in relevant subjects |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 4,50,000 – 6,00,000 |
| Top Recruiters | Colleges and Universities |
| Skills Required | Patience, Teaching Skills, Research Knowledge |
What does a Professor Do
Professors provide education in courses that they have specialized in at their colleges and universities. They instruct students who are studying for a degree or a certification. They also play the role of supervisors for research scholars and may also carry out independent research for publishing scholarly papers and books. Professors participate in the development of curriculum for courses and in preparation of textbooks.
- Professors are incharge of teaching subjects and interact with students while clearing their doubts
- Professors plan lessons and assignments and assess the progress of students through grading papers and tests.
- Professors conduct research and experiments to advance knowledge in their field
- Professors supervise and guide students working toward doctoral degrees
- A Professor is responsible for sharing knowledge and expertise with their students in their relevant field of study
Types of Professors
A career as a Professor offers immense scope in the education sector in terms of stability and job prospects. They are classified into different roles as mentioned below:
Researcher
| Job Profile | A Researcher is responsible for conducting research activities in their specialized stream and writes papers on the defined findings |
| Average Salary | INR 2.17 LPA |
Assistant Professor
| Job Profile | An Assistant Professor is responsible for providing guidance and supervision to the students, assisting the senior Professors in their departmental meetings, providing academic support and overviewing the different aspects of teaching. |
| Average Salary | INR 5.67 LPA |
Associate Professor
| Job Profile | Associate Professor is responsible for conducting research activities, solving administrative issues, attending conferences, supervising students, teaching etc. This job role is considered amongst low ranks of teaching. |
| Average Salary | INR 8.49 LPA |
HOD
| Job Profile | HOD is the Head of the Department who looks after the management of the leading particular education department. They are required to exercise leadership, demonstrate vision, and empower others in their faculty. |
| Average Salary | INR 11.09 LPA |
How to Become a Professor in India
Becoming a Professor in India needs a lot of dedication and hard work with years of experience in the relevant field of teaching. Students who wish to become a Professor must select their preferred stream in their higher studies.
Candidates aspiring to become a Professor can opt for any stream of the subject of their choice. After which they can pursue various degrees, diplomas, certificates, and integrated degree courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. To become a Professor, candidates have to also appear for various entrance exams conducted at the bachelor’s, master’s and PhD to add points to their academic career.
Candidates also need to have teaching experience with professional certification established through independent research and publications in journals. There are different kinds of assistantships available depending on the academic departments of the students.
- School Level Preparation: In order to become a Professor, students can opt for any stream depending on the subject that they wish to pursue. Students aspiring to become a Professor can pursue Arts, Science and Commerce courses, depending on the subjects that they want to study further.
How to Become a Professor in India After 12th
Some of the key steps that should be followed to become a Professor across various educational stages after clearing class 12th are listed below for your reference.
- UG Level Preparation: Students need to follow certain steps in order to become a professor in India. After the completion of 10+2, students have to clear the entrance examination conducted in some institutions. Some colleges offer seats based on their merit marks. The students are required to get 50% marks in their bachelor's degree.
- PG Level Preparation: Students must plan for a Master’s in the relevant subject. It takes a minimum of 2 years to complete a master’s in India after which students can go for a PhD degree if they are interested in the research field which takes 3-5 years to complete.
Aspirants also need to clear the competitive examinations conducted at the national or institute level to become professors. Candidates can also start working in private universities and colleges to gain experience and knowledge.
PhD Courses
Some of the top courses that can be pursued in order to become a Professor are listed below for your reference.
PhD Science
PhD Science involves research and studies in any of the Science specializations such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Any candidate with an MSc or MTech background can opt for this course.
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Duration | 3-5 Years |
| Examination Type | Semester Wise |
| Eligibility | Master's degree in relevant discipline with 55% aggregate marks |
| Admission Process | Entrance Based |
| Average Course Fee | INR 50,000 - INR 1,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 6 LPA - INR 20 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | KPMG, Google, Apple, IBM, CITI bank, BP, Black rock, Aecom, AMEC, Atkins |
PhD Commerce and Management
PhD Commerce and Management is a specialised degree in the field of finance, banking, management, and economics.
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Examination Type | Semester Wise |
| Eligibility | Master's degree in Commerce or equivalent with 55% aggregate marks |
| Admission Process | Entrance based |
| Average Course Fee | INR 30,000 - INR 3,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 3 LPA - INR 40 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Businesses, Marketing, Finance sectors, Public Sectors etc |
PhD Engineering
PhD Engineering involves the study of engineering-related subjects such as EEE, ECE, IT, CSE etc. Candidates with an engineering background can opt for this course.
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Duration | 2-5 Years |
| Examination Type | Semester Wise |
| Eligibility | Master's degree in Engineering Subjects |
| Admission Process | Entrance based |
| Average Course Fee | INR 30,000 - INR 4,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 15 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | DRDO, CSIR, HAL, Microsoft, Google, etc |
PhD Arts
PhD Arts is a specialized research field which deals with the study of Arts, Social Science and Humanities related subjects such as English, Literature, Psychology, Political Science and History.
| Course Level | Doctorate |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Examination Type | Semester Wise |
| Eligibility | Master's degree in relevant subjects |
| Admission Process | Entrance based |
| Average Course Fee | INR 15,000 - INR 2,00,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 4 LPA |
| Top Recruiters | Art galleries, Colleges, Boutiques, Fashion Houses, Textile Industry |
PhD Entrance Exams
Admissions to a doctorate are based on entrance exams mostly. However, few colleges provide admissions based on academic merit followed by personal interviews. Below mentioned are some of them:
| Entrance Exam | Date of Form Published | Exam Date | Result Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IIT JAM | September 7 – October 11, 2022 | February 12, 2023 | To be Notified |
| GPAT | 4th week of December 2022 – 4th week of January 2023 | 4th week of February 2023 | 4th week of March 2023 |
| GATE | September 1, 2022 - September 30, 2022 | February 4, 5, 11 and 12, 2023 | March 13, 2023 |
How to Become a Professor Abroad
Choosing a career path to become Professor abroad is different from India. Abroad, they require extensive research programs that most foreign Universities demand in a Professor role. The selection process is tricky but the candidates need to have a PhD degree. The candidates have to adapt to the culture, Ethos, standards, and reputation of the University. Countries like Canada, Australia and the USA and so provide PhD and master courses. Work experience is required to become a Professor abroad.
Read More: PhD Abroad
How to Become a Professor in the USA
Studying a PhD course in the USA has its perks. Compared to other countries, America shines through its rigorous standard of development and study. Students can have access to develop a more detailed understanding of their dissertation based on their research subject. The candidates are required to earn a master's degree in a specialized subject. To pursue a fully-fledged career as a Professor, they need to complete their doctoral and post-doctoral degree.
| College Name | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Princeton University, Princeton | 32.97 L |
| Northwest University, Evanston | 52.85 L |
| University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh | 32.44 L |
| Brown University, Providence | 45.15 L |
| Ohio State University, Columbus | 27.49 L |
How to Become Professor in Canada
PhD in Canada allows you to work with leading experts and profit from the modern, high-tech facilities offered at Canadian universities. The country offers you a wealth of research opportunities to expand and enhance your expertise. There are countless research opportunities in Canada to look out for as an international student after completion of their higher education.
| University | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| University of Toronto | 16.77 L |
| University of British Columbia | 16.62 L |
| McGill University | 14.46 L |
| McMaster University | 12.18 L |
| University of Montreal | 15.71 L |
| University of Alberta | 17L |
| University of Ottawa | 15.25 L |
| University of Calgary | 19.29 L |
| University of Waterloo | 10.20 L |
| Western University | 18.51 L |
How to Become Professor in the UK
PhD in the UK, also referred to as a doctorate, is a 3 to 4-year full-time and 6 years part-time degree. For an Indian student, it is equivalent to 17 lakhs - 34 lakhs INR per year. This cost can be easily supported by scholarships available in the UK for international students such as studentships, scholarships, grants by UK Research and Innovation, etc.
| Program | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Ph.D. in Computer Science | 32.94 L |
| Ph.D. in Medical Science | 32.05 L |
| Ph.D. in Engineering | 32.95 L |
| Ph.D. in Sociology | 24.22 L |
| Ph.D. in Law | 25.52 L |
How to Become Professor in Australia
PhD in Australia also referred to as Doctorate is a premier research award and the highest qualification on the Australian Qualifications Framework. It is usually three years full-time, and some students take longer, but this usually depends on registration and funding arrangements. PhD can be undertaken in all faculties or across disciplines in top universities of Australia and comprises independent research and writing on an approved topic toward a thesis for examination.
| University | Average Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|
| Australian National University | 25.22 L |
| University of Sydney | 27.44 L |
| University of Melbourne | 24.71 L |
| University of New South Wales | 22.81 L |
| University of Queensland | 20.81 L |
| Monash University | 19.09 L |
| University of Western Australia | 19.54 L |
| University of Adelaide | 25.20 L |
Benefits of Becoming a Professor
One of the significant advantages of becoming a Professor is that it is a respected profession. They enjoy a good scope and salary in this profession. A Professor gets to enjoy the benefits of interacting with talented minds of the future generation.
- Professors enjoy the benefits of stability, performance, excellent pay, social status, and Job security.
- A Professor can be promoted to senior Professor.
- A Professor can be promoted to overseas universities. Apart from that, they will travel to different parts of the world for research-based projects and journals.
- They can get many opportunities to travel to various institutions for research or conference visits.
Skills Required to Become a Professor
Some of the most crucial skill sets that are essential to become a Professor are tabulated below for your reference,
| Teaching Skills | Creative Teaching Skills | Presentation Skills |
| Writing Skills | Patience | Should be aware of writing research reports |
Top Recruiters for Professors
Some of the top recruiters who hire fresh PhD candidates as well as experienced candidates are tabulated below for your reference,
| Private Institutions | Government Institutions |
| Coaching Institutes | Online Coaching Portals |
| Research-based institutions | Colleges and Universities |
Salary of a Professor in India
The salary of a Professor in India is based on their qualification, type of organization, and experience. The starting salary of a professor can range from INR 5 LPA and may exceed INR 35 LPA. The salary offered usually depends upon the type of institution hiring, the skills and experience of a person etc.
Read More: Salary of a Professor
Tabulated below is the average salary of a Professor based on the designations that they are working for.
| Work Profile | Average Monthly Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Professor | 44,900 |
| Researcher | 24,800 |
| Assistant Professor | 28,100 |
| HOD | 60,100 |
| Associate Professor | 43,100 |
How to Become a Professor: FAQs
Ques. How long does it take to become a Professor?
Ans: It takes around 6-8 years to become a Professor after getting post-graduation and prior experience working as a Professor.
Ques. Is a PhD degree mandatory for a Professor as a career?
Ans. Yes, it is mandatory to hold a PhD degree to become a Professor.
Ques. Is there any age criteria restriction for becoming Professor?
Ans. No, there are no age criteria restrictions. As the candidates can opt to become a Professor as per their choice. Either they can work as an Assistant Professor and gain knowledge or as a researcher.
Ques. What are the duties of Professor?
Ans. Apart from teaching and lectures, a Professor has many duties to perform such as monitoring, research-based, keeping records, supervising students, Presentations, etc.
Ques. How much does an experienced professor get paid?
Ans. An experienced Professor can get paid up to 3,00,000 monthly.
Ques. What are the different types of roles Professor?
Ans. The different types of roles are Associate Professor, HOD, Researcher, Assistant Professor, and Professor.
Ques. Is GATE necessary for a PhD Degree?
Ans. Yes, it is mandatory to write GATE or other equivalent examinations to pursue a PhD degree for a career as a Professor.
Ques. What are the working conditions as a Professor in a private institution?
Ans. A Professor is regarded as the highest post with knowledge and experience skills. They are required to work among students in private and government institutions.
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