Note: As of December 2023, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has declared that MPhil will not be considered a valid degree in India. Learn More
Master of Philosophy in Philosophy or M.Phil. (Philosophy) is a 2-year full-time postgraduate course, the minimum eligibility for which is a master’s degree in Science, Arts or Engineering. Students need to score minimum of 55% marks in their chosen subject at the post-graduate level in order to be eligible for an M.Phil. course. A written test followed by a round of Personal interviews may be conducted to test the student’s knowledge. The course duration may also vary according to the rules and regulations of the respective institution.
The course is best suited for candidates who seek a job in areas such as national health services, civil service, advertising, marketing and public relations agencies investment banks, and the like. Students seeking admission in M.Phil. in Philosophy must possess keen analytical and reasoning skills. They will be required to construct sound arguments which require analysing and distinguishing the fine and minute differences between views and finding a common ground. At the end of course, the students will have a sound knowledge of the techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their respective research.
Such students may be hired as Teachers/Professors, Novelist/Non-Fiction Writer/Poet, Technical Writer, chief Executive Officer, Mediator, Public Relation Journalist, Counsellor and Therapist, etc. in areas such as Coaching Centers, Editing and Publishing Houses, Mediation Centres, Public Relations and Journalism, Philosophical Counselling/Philosophical Practices, etc.
The average annual fee charged for the course in India ranges between INR 2,000 to 1 lakh per academic year whereas the average salary offered to such professionals ranges between INR 2 lacs to 12 lacs per annum, increasing with experience and expertise.
Table of Content
M.Phil. in Philosophy: Course Highlights
| Course Level | Post Graduate |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Examination Type | Yearly |
| Eligibility | Master’s degree in Science, Arts or Engineering with 55% marks |
| Admission Process | Entrance exam based followed by a round of Personal Interview |
| Course Fee | INR 2000 to 1 Lac |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 2 lacs to 12 lacs |
| Top Recruiting Companies | Coaching Centers, Editing and Publishing Houses, Mediation Centers, Public Relations and Journalism, Philosophical Counselling/Philosophical Practices, etc. |
| Job Positions | Teachers/Professors, Novelist/Non-Fiction Writer/Poet, Technical Writer, chief Executive Officer, Mediator, Public Relation Journalist, Counsellor and Therapist and others such. |
M.Phil. in Philosophy: What is it about?
M.Phil. in Philosophy has been designed to offer to eligible candidates a comprehensive course in the higher and more nuanced studies of Philosophy. The course requires students to have innate problem-solving and analytical skills along with keen understanding and communication abilities. Such candidates are required to be able to construct practical arguments and communicate them in an understandable and well-thought-out manner.
The course concentrates on the theoretical basis of a branch of knowledge or experience. Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems such as those connected to existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Students, during these 2 years will be working on two term papers, two seminar papers, dissertation since the course is heavily research-based. It serves as the most efficient base for students who wish to seek further education in Philosophy such as a Ph.D. in Philosophy.
The students will also be capable of demonstrating originality in the application of knowledge, teamed with a practical understanding of how research and inquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field. For this, students must be very hard-working and must possess the capacity for independent study and thought. They must also possess clear communication and presentation skills. They will often be under the pressure of chasing deadlines and hence must know how to prioritise and function efficiently according to time crunches. After successful completion of the course, students will be fully eligible to pursue employment in schools and colleges.
M.Phil. in Philosophy: Admission Process
Admission to the course is based on an entrance test conducted by various colleges/universities to test the student’s knowledge. If the candidate clears the written text, he/she will be required to appear for a personal interview.
Some such entrance tests held in the country for admission are:
- University of Delhi, New Delhi
- Osmania University, Hyderabad
- Christ University, Bangalore
- University of Calcutta, Calcutta
Eligibility for M.Phil. in Philosophy
Candidates who wish to pursue the course must fulfil the below-mentioned eligibility criteria.
- Completion of Master’s degree in Science, Arts or Engineering
- A minimum of 55% marks in their chosen subject at post-graduate level
Top Institutes Offering M.Phil. in Philosophy
Listed below are some of the top institutes in India that offer the course.
| Name of Institute | City | Average Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Panjab University | Chandigarh | 8,707 |
| University of Delhi | New Delhi | 5,138 |
| Kurukshetra University | Kurukshetra | NA |
| Savitribai Phule University | Pune | 14,000 |
| Assam University | Silchar | 7,760 |
| Annamalai University | Cuddalore | 45,000 |
| Christ University | Bangalore | 60,000 |
| Guru Nanak Dev University | Amritsar | 27,000 |
| Jadavpur University | Kolkata | 2,160 |
| Khallikote College | Orissa | NA |
| Madras Christian College | Tamil Nadu | 1,83,000 |
| Mewar University | Mewar | 53,000 |
| Osmania University | Hyderabad | NA |
| Pondicherry University | Pondicherry | 3,900 |
| Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University | Ajmer | NA |
| Rabindra Bharati University | West Bengal | 5,608 |
| Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College | Mumbai | NA |
| Rani Durgavati University | Jabalpur | 4,200 |
| Saurashtra University | Rajkot | NA |
| University of Calcutta | Calcutta | 3,395 |
M.Phil. in Philosophy: Syllabus and Course Description
A semester-wise breakup of the course’s syllabus is tabulated here.
During the first two semesters the students are required to complete the course as under:
| Paper No. 1 | Subjects of Study |
|---|---|
| - | First Half (Research Methodology) |
| 1. | Norman Blaikie: Approaches to Social Enquiry, Polity Press Cambridge, 1993 |
| i) | Basic concepts of Methodology |
| ii) | Nature of Social Science: Classical and Contemporary Responses |
| iii) | Research Strategies: Inductive and Deductive, Reproductive and Abductive |
| - | Second Half |
| 1. | Richard Viet, Christopher Gould, and John Clifford: Writing Reading and Research (Second Edition), Macmillan, New York, 1985 |
| i) | Beginning a research project |
| ii) | Finding library sources |
| iii) | Putting your resources to work |
| iv) | Paraphrasing sources and qouting sources |
| v) | Bibliography (MLA Format), Chapter A |
| Paper No. 2 | Subjects of Study |
| - | Group A : First Half (Optional Papers) |
| - | Group B : Second half (Optional Papers) |
| Note | Two Term Papers |
| - | Two Seminars |
| - | Dissertation |
During the first two semesters, students are required to present two seminars and to submit two book reviews & one research proposal.
M.Phil in Philosophy: Career Prospects
M.Phil. in Philosophy course caters to students who seek jobs in areas such as national health services, civil service, advertising, marketing and public relations agencies investment banks, and the likes. It concentrates on the study of Philosophy which essentially focuses on general and fundamental problems pertaining to existence, knowledge, value, reason, mind, and language. It requires candidates to possess keen problem-solving and understanding skills. They might be subject to work under tight deadlines in their chosen professional careers.
Candidates who are hard-working, patient and possess the will and ability to conduct independent study and thought along with understanding and analysing abilities are best suited for the course. At the end of the course, they will have a sound knowledge of the techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature, applicable to their respective researches. The curriculum will involve two term papers, dissertation, and two seminar papers.
Besides theoretical knowledge, candidates must be able to sustain and thrive in their chosen academic careers. Not only this, they must also possess clear communication and presentation skills when working as a counsellor and therapist or as a mediator. It will also be useful for when the student applies for further education in the field, such as a Ph.D degree in Philosophy.
Such graduates may be hired as Teachers/Professors, Novelist/Non-Fiction Writer/Poet, Technical Writer, chief Executive Officer, Mediator, Public Relation Journalist, Counsellor and Therapist, etc. in areas such as Coaching Centres, Editing and Publishing Houses, Mediation Centres, Public Relations and Journalism, Philosophical Counselling/Philosophical Practices, etc.
Some of the popular professional avenues open to successful graduates of the course are listed below with the corresponding salaries offered for the respective positions.
| Job Position | Job Description | Average Annual Salary in INR |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive Officer | Chief Executive Officer or the CEO, has a crucial leadership role which also entails being ultimately responsible for all day-to-day management decisions and for implementing the company's long and short term plans. He/she acts as a direct liaison between the Board and management of the Company and communicates to the Board on behalf of management | 29,34,823 |
| Public Relations Specialist | Public relations specialists act as liaisons between their employer or client and the public. They establish and maintain cooperative relationships with the news media, consumers, the government, local communities and other public-interest groups | 4,84,604 |
| Counselling Psychologist | Counselling Psychologist is a mental health professional who works with patients on mental, emotional and behavioural problems and disorders. Counselling psychologists discuss issues with clients in an intimate, thorough fashion and provide advice on the best strategies and techniques to address their problems. | 8,28,435 |
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