Content Curator | Updated 3+ months ago

Ph.D. (Film Studies) at DBS Global University, Dehradun is a 3-year full-time doctoral programme offered on campus under the Doon School of Modern Media. The programme is designed for scholars seeking to undertake advanced research in areas such as Film Studies, Film Direction, Film Production, Cinematography, Screenwriting and Story Boarding, Film Visual Communication, and Theatre and Performing Arts. The total fees for the programme is Rs. 3,30,000 for the minimum duration of 3 years, with admissions held twice a year for January and July sessions. The programme is popular among media professionals, filmmakers, and academics who wish to contribute original research to the field of cinema and visual arts, and is conducted in full-time on-campus mode with mandatory coursework, seminars, and progress presentations.

Admissions for the July 2026 batch are currently open. Applications can be submitted online at admissions.dgu.ac with a last date of 31st July 2026. Candidates must appear for the Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET) followed by an interview, unless exempted due to a valid UGC-NET or equivalent national-level qualification.

Key Points

Specialisations available include Film Studies, Film Direction, Film Production, Cinematography, Screenwriting and Story Boarding, Film Visual Communication, and Theatre and Performing Arts
Both Full-Time (minimum 3 years) and Part-Time (minimum 4 years) formats available; this course is Full Time
Candidates who qualify UGC-NET, CSIR-NET, GATE, GPAT, ICMR, or DST-INSPIRE within the last 2 years are exempted from the written PET
Mandatory coursework period of minimum 6 months with a comprehensive examination at the end
Selected scholars with CGPA 7.5+ in coursework may be appointed as Teaching/Research Associates with a fellowship of Rs. 40,000 per month
Applications accepted online only; a single form is valid for one programme and one session

Official Link:

Go To Website

Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

DBS Global University Ph.D. (Film Studies) Fees

The Ph.D. (Film Studies) programme at DBS Global University has a straightforward fee structure comprising one-time charges and per-semester academic fees. For a full-time scholar, the total fees for the minimum 3-year duration amounts to Rs. 3,30,000. The one-time charges include Registration, Coursework Examination, and Thesis Evaluation fees of Rs. 10,000 each.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Registration Fee (One-time)	10,000
Course Work Examination Fee (One-time)	10,000
Thesis Evaluation Fee (One-time)	10,000
Academic Fee (Full Time) - Rs. 50,000 per semester x 6 semesters (3 years)	3,00,000
Total Fees (Full Time - 3 Years)	3,30,000
Hostel Fees	Available separately (not mandatory)

Fees are payable on a semester basis (2 semesters per year).
Scholars must pay fees for the minimum period (3 years for Full-Time) and for any additional period until thesis submission, up to a maximum of 6 years.
Sponsored category scholars are charged Rs. 75,000 per semester.
Scholarship/fee concession is available for DBSGU staff, JRF/SRF/RA holders, and national-level fellowship holders as per current university policies.
Fees are subject to revision as decided by the university from time to time.
Application fee for Ph.D. programme: Rs. 750 (online payment via Credit/Debit card).

DBS Global University Ph.D. (Film Studies) Admission 2026

DBS Global University accepts Ph.D. applications twice a year for January and July sessions. The selection process involves a Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET) followed by an interview conducted by the Faculty Research Committee (FRC). Candidates holding valid national-level qualifications such as UGC-NET, GATE, or equivalent are exempted from the PET and need to appear only for the interview. For the July 2026 batch, applications are currently open with the last date being 31st July 2026.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Application Open (July 2026 Batch)	Open (Applications ongoing)
Last Date of Application	31st July 2026
PET Admit Card Download	As per Admission Microsite
Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET)	As per schedule on Admission Microsite
Interview (FRC)	After PET result
Admission Confirmation / Fee Payment	Within stipulated time after selection
Batch Commencement (July Session)	July 2026

Exam	Event	Date
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Registration	October 7 - November 7, 2025
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Exam Date	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 1)	Result	February 4, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Registration	April 1 - May 1, 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Exam Date	June 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Result	July 2026 (Tentative)

A valid UGC-NET score in a relevant subject (e.g., Mass Communication, Performing Arts) exempts candidates from the DBS Global University PET. Candidates must submit the exemption certificate (not scorecard) at least 2 days before the PET date.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Master's degree from a recognised university in a relevant discipline (Film Studies, Mass Communication, Performing Arts, or related field) with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/Differently Abled candidates)
Alternatively, a 4-year Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 75% marks or 8 CGPA from a recognised university
Professional qualifications such as CA (ICAI), CWA (ICWAI), or CS (ICSI) with minimum 55% marks are also eligible for admission in relevant fields

Admission Process

Submit online application at admissions.dgu.ac along with required documents and application fee of Rs. 750
Upload scanned passport-size photograph, Class X marksheet, Post-Graduation marksheet, and a Preliminary Research Idea (not exceeding 1000 words)
Download Admit Card and appear for the Ph.D. Entrance Test (PET) - 90 minutes, 100 MCQs (50 General Aptitude + 50 Subject-Specific); total 100 marks
PET-qualified or PET-exempted candidates appear for Interview by Faculty Research Committee (FRC) - 30 marks
Check selection status on Admission Microsite; download and print Admission Letter
Confirm seat by paying fees within the stipulated time
Part-time candidates must submit NOC from employer at the time of registration and orientation

DBS Global University Ph.D. (Film Studies) Scholarships 2026

DBS Global University offers merit-based and special category scholarships applicable across all programmes. For Ph.D. scholars, fee concessions are available through the university's internal scholarship policy for specific categories. Additionally, the university provides a Research Assistantship fellowship for eligible scholars. Scholarship applications must be submitted along with the admission form and no application is entertained beyond 15th July 2026.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Concession	Eligibility	Benefit
Research Assistantship Fellowship	Ph.D. scholars completing coursework with CGPA 7.5+	Rs. 40,000 per month (from 2nd year)
Fee Concession for DBSGU Staff	Academic/Non-academic staff of DBS Global University	As per current university policy
Fee Concession for JRF/SRF/RA	JRF/SRF/Research Associates employed at the university	As per current university policy
Fee Concession for National Fellowship Holders	DST-INSPIRE, UGC-JRF, CSIR-JRF, or equivalent	As per current university policy
Uttarakhand Domicile Scholarship	Students with Uttarakhand domicile	25% of tuition fee
Ward of Defence Personnel	Wards of defence personnel	10% of tuition fee
Ward of Single Mother	Wards of single mothers	10% of tuition fee

Scholarships are open for the first 15% of seats in each programme on a first-come, first-served basis.
No scholarship application will be entertained beyond 15th July 2026.
Candidates should preferably send scholarship applications along with their admission forms.
No scholarship is approved unless issued in writing by the Office of the Registrar.
Scholarship percentages are on tuition fee component only.

DBS Global University Ph.D. (Film Studies) FAQs

Ques. Is Ph.D. (Film Studies) at DBS Global University a recognised degree for academic positions?

Ans. Yes, DBS Global University is a UGC-recognised university and its Ph.D. programmes are conducted as per UGC Ph.D. Regulations. A Ph.D. in Film Studies from DBS Global University is valid for applying to academic positions such as Assistant Professor in Film Studies, Mass Communication, or Performing Arts departments in universities and colleges across India.

Ques. What is the difference between Ph.D. in Film Studies and Ph.D. in Film & Drama at DBS Global University?

Ans. Ph.D. (Film Studies) focuses specifically on the academic and theoretical study of cinema, including Film Direction, Cinematography, Screenwriting, Film Production, and Film Visual Communication. The broader Film & Drama category also includes Theatre and Performing Arts. Both fall under the Doon School of Modern Media and share the same admission process and fee structure.

Ques. Do I need a background in filmmaking to apply for Ph.D. (Film Studies)?

Ans. Not necessarily. The eligibility requires a Master's degree in a relevant discipline with 55% marks. Candidates with postgraduate degrees in Mass Communication, Journalism, Performing Arts, Fine Arts, or related fields may also be eligible, subject to the availability of a suitable research guide at the university. Your Preliminary Research Idea (submitted during application) plays a key role in the selection process.

Ques. Can I pursue Ph.D. (Film Studies) while working in the film or media industry?

Ans. The Full-Time Ph.D. requires full-time presence on campus on all working days (9:15 am to 6:10 pm). If you are a working professional, the Part-Time Ph.D. option (classes on Saturdays and Sundays) would be more suitable. Part-time candidates must submit an NOC from their employer and ensure their workplace provides necessary research infrastructure.

Ques. What is the Preliminary Research Idea that needs to be submitted during application?

Ans. The Preliminary Research Idea is a document of not more than 1000 words that outlines your proposed research. It should include the purpose of the study, factors prompting the research, a broad outline of the planned research work in your chosen specialisation, and an indication of the methodology you intend to employ. This document is uploaded during the online application process.

Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing Ph.D. (Film Studies) from DBS Global University?

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as University Professors or Lecturers in Film Studies, Mass Communication, or Performing Arts departments. Other opportunities include Film Critic and Researcher, Documentary Filmmaker, Film Archivist or Curator, Editorial positions in film journals and publications, Research Scientist in media studies, and Policy Analyst in the creative industries sector.