Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

Christ University Bangalore offers the Ph.D. in Music in Part-Time mode at the Bangalore Central Campus, under the Department of Performing Arts, Theatre and Music, within the School of Humanities and Performing Arts. The Part-Time mode is designed for working musicians, music educators, performers, and practitioners who wish to pursue doctoral research while continuing their professional activities. The programme prepares students for careers in academia, the public sector, cultural heritage policy-making, and the music industry. The programme accepts research only in two primary areas: Ethnomusicology/Anthropological approaches to Music of South Asia, and Music Pedagogy. The annual tuition fee is Rs 80,000, and the minimum duration for Part-Time scholars is 4 years, with a maximum of 6 years. The selection process uniquely includes an Audition in addition to the standard Written Test and Personal Interview.

Admissions for the June 2026 cohort (Cycle 1) are currently ongoing. Applications opened on March 3, 2026, and the last date to apply online is June 14, 2026. The selection process including Written Test, Audition, and Personal Interview is scheduled for June 19, 2026, with the batch commencing on July 10, 2026.

Key Points

The Part-Time PhD in Music is offered at the Bangalore Central Campus, with both on-campus and fieldwork components.
Research is accepted only in two specific areas: (1) Ethnomusicology/Anthropological approaches to Music of South Asia, and (2) Music Pedagogy.
The selection process uniquely includes an Audition in addition to the Written Test and Personal Interview, reflecting the performance-based nature of the discipline.
Eligibility is open not only to postgraduate Music graduates but also to graduates of any discipline with a minimum of 55% marks who have master-level competency in a musical instrument (including voice). Accomplished performers and teachers with alternative qualifications are also encouraged to apply.
Part-Time PhD scholars are NOT eligible for the institutional Research Fellowship (exclusive to Full-Time scholars), but are eligible for the annual scholarship of Rs 20,000.
Christ University follows UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degrees) Regulations, 2016 and subsequent amendments.

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Christ University Latest Updates and News

05 Mar, 2026 Christ University Ph.D Music Application (Jun 2026 Cohort) is open till Jun 14. Entrance Test, SA, Research Proposal, and PI will be held on Jun 19, 2026. Read more.

Christ University PhD Music Fees

The Ph.D. in Music (Part Time) at Christ University carries a uniform annual fee of Rs 80,000, the same as the Full-Time programme. A thesis adjudication fee of Rs 25,000 is payable separately at the time of thesis submission. Since this is a Part-Time programme, hostel accommodation is generally not availed by scholars, though it is available on campus on a first-come-first-served basis. The total minimum cost for the Part-Time programme (4 years) is Rs 3,20,000 in tuition fees.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount
Tuition Fee	Rs 80,000 per year
Thesis Adjudication Fee (one-time, at submission)	Rs 25,000
Total Academic Fees (per year)	Rs 80,000
Total Fees for 4 Years (minimum duration for Part Time)	Rs 3,20,000
Hostel Fees (optional, varies by room type)	Rs 38,000 - Rs 1,00,000 per year

The annual fee of Rs 80,000 is applicable to both full-time and part-time PhD scholars.
Thesis adjudication fee of Rs 25,000 is a one-time payment at the time of thesis submission and is not included in the annual fee.
Part-Time scholars are NOT eligible for the monthly Research Fellowship (Rs 15,000-20,000/month), which is exclusive to Full-Time scholars.
Part-Time scholars are eligible for the annual scholarship of Rs 20,000.
Hostel accommodation is optional and generally not availed by Part-Time scholars.
No EMI or instalment options are officially published; fee payment is typically required by the deadline specified in the admission offer.

Christ University PhD Music Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. in Music (Part Time) at Christ University Bangalore (Central Campus) are conducted through a cycle-based model, with four cycles per year. The current open cycle is Cycle 1 for the June 2026 cohort, with applications open until June 14, 2026. The selection process for PhD Music is unique and includes a Research Proposal, Written Test, Audition, and Personal Interview. Candidates holding UGC-NET/JRF, CSIR-NET/JRF, SLET, GATE, or M.Phil. qualifications are exempted from the Written Test but must still appear for the Research Skill Assessment, Audition, and Personal Interview.

Christ University PhD Music Admission Dates

Event	Date	Time
Application Forms Available Online	March 3, 2026 (Tuesday)	16:00 Hrs
Last Date to Submit Application Online	June 14, 2026 (Sunday)	23:00 Hrs
Release of Admit Card for Eligible Candidates	June 15, 2026 (Monday)	22:00 Hrs
Orientation for Applicants	June 16, 2026 (Tuesday)	18:00 Hrs
Written Test, Research Skill Assessment, Audition, and Personal Interview	June 19, 2026 (Friday)	As per E-Admit Card
Publishing of Final Selection List	June 24, 2026 (Wednesday)	17:00 Hrs
Last Date for Payment of Fees	July 6, 2026 (Monday)	12:00 Hrs
Last Date to Complete Admissions	July 7, 2026 (Tuesday)	12:00 Hrs
Inauguration and Commencement of Coursework	July 10, 2026 (Friday)	09:30 Hrs

Relevant Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
UGC-NET Phase 2 (2026)	Registration Start	April 1, 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET Phase 2 (2026)	Registration End	May 1, 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET Phase 2 (2026)	Exam Date	June 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET Phase 2 (2026)	Result	July 2026 (Tentative)
UGC-NET Phase 1 (2025-26)	Result Declared	February 4, 2026

Note: UGC-NET qualification (including JRF) exempts candidates from the Written Test only. All candidates, including NET/JRF holders, must appear for the Audition and Personal Interview.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have passed a postgraduate programme in Music with a minimum of 55% marks, with competency in a musical instrument (including voice).
Alternatively, candidates with a postgraduate degree in any discipline with a minimum of 55% marks and master-level competency in a musical instrument (including voice) are also eligible.
Accomplished performers or teachers with alternative qualifications are encouraged to apply.
Candidates who have completed their post-graduation from an international university must submit an equivalency certificate from the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Admission Process

Apply online at espro.christuniversity.in before June 14, 2026. Select Bangalore Central Campus and Part-Time mode.
Pay the application fee (up to Rs 1,800) at the time of online application.
Submit a detailed Research Proposal as part of the application, specifying the research area (Ethnomusicology or Music Pedagogy) and topic.
Download the E-Admit Card after June 15, 2026.
Appear for the Written Test, Research Skill Assessment, Audition, and Personal Interview on June 19, 2026 at the Bangalore Central Campus.
Candidates with UGC-NET (including JRF), CSIR-NET (including JRF), SLET, GATE, teacher fellowship, or M.Phil. qualification are exempted from the Written Test; they appear for the Research Skill Assessment, Audition, and Personal Interview.
Check the Final Selection List published on June 24, 2026.
Complete fee payment by July 6, 2026 and admission formalities by July 7, 2026.
Attend the inauguration and commencement of coursework on July 10, 2026.

Christ University PhD Music Scholarships 2026

Christ University offers financial support to PhD scholars through its institutional scholarship schemes. While Part-Time scholars are not eligible for the monthly Research Fellowship (exclusive to Full-Time scholars), they are eligible for the annual scholarship. The prestigious St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara Research Fellowship is also available for outstanding scholars.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship / Fellowship	Amount	Eligibility / Conditions
Annual Scholarship (Institutional)	Rs 20,000 per year	All PhD scholars including Part-Time
Research Fellowship (Year 1-3)	Rs 15,000 - Rs 20,000 per month	Full-Time scholars only; NOT applicable to Part-Time scholars
Contingency Allowance	Rs 10,000 per year (max 3 years)	Full-Time scholars only
St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara Research Fellowship	Rs 45,000 per month (max 3 years)	Competitive; awarded to outstanding PhD scholars; renewable annually based on satisfactory performance
UGC-JRF / CSIR-JRF (External)	As per UGC/CSIR norms	Scholars with national-level JRF qualification; separate university guidelines apply

Part-Time PhD scholars are NOT eligible for the monthly Research Fellowship or Contingency Allowance, which are exclusive to Full-Time scholars.
The St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara Research Fellowship may be available to Part-Time scholars on a competitive basis; candidates should check with the Centre for Research.
Scholars receiving UGC, ICSSR, CSIR, or similar external fellowships are governed by separate university guidelines.

Christ University Ph.D Music Ranking

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#103 out of 300 in India 2026

#4th in Bangalore

#5 in Karnataka

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Christ University PhD Music FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between the Full-Time and Part-Time PhD in Music at Christ University?

Ans. Both modes are offered at the Bangalore Central Campus. The Full-Time PhD has a stated duration of 4 years and requires full-time on-campus engagement, with scholars eligible for the Research Fellowship (Rs 15,000-20,000/month). The Part-Time PhD is designed for working musicians and educators, with a minimum duration of 4 years and a maximum of 6 years. Part-Time scholars are not eligible for the Research Fellowship but receive the annual scholarship of Rs 20,000.

Q2. Is the Audition mandatory for Part-Time PhD Music applicants, including those with UGC-NET?

Ans. Yes. The Audition is mandatory for all candidates, including those who have qualified UGC-NET/JRF, CSIR-NET/JRF, SLET, GATE, or M.Phil. NET/JRF holders are only exempted from the Written Test; they must still appear for the Research Skill Assessment, Audition, and Personal Interview.

Q3. Can I apply for the Part-Time PhD in Music at Christ University if my postgraduate degree is not in Music?

Ans. Yes. Candidates with a postgraduate degree in any discipline with a minimum of 55% marks are eligible, provided they have master-level competency in a musical instrument (including voice). Accomplished performers or teachers with alternative qualifications are also encouraged to apply.

Q4. What research topics are currently invited under the PhD in Music at Christ University?

Ans. The department invites research in two primary areas: (1) Ethnomusicology/Anthropological approaches to Music of South Asia, with specific topics including Drums and drumming of South Asia, Temple performers/Temple performing communities, Ritual music, Neuroscience applications of Music, and Phenomenology of Music; and (2) Music Pedagogy, with topics including innovative learner-centred approaches, curriculum design, assessment, social justice in music education, and music teacher education.

Q5. Can a music teacher or performer pursue the Part-Time PhD in Music while continuing to work?

Ans. Yes, the Part-Time mode is specifically designed for working musicians, music teachers, and performers. However, scholars are required to attend campus for coursework, seminars, and research activities, including fieldwork. The schedule is structured to accommodate professional commitments, but regular campus presence is expected.

Q6. What career options are available after completing a Part-Time PhD in Music from Christ University?

Ans. Graduates can advance their careers as university/college music educators and professors, ethnomusicologists and cultural researchers, music curriculum designers and pedagogues, curators of music events and archives, music critics and reviewers, consultants for cultural heritage policy, and senior professionals in music education institutions and cultural organizations.