Bharathiar University Coimbatore Ph.D Medical Physics: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. The department holds AERB RSO Level-III Certificate approval from BARC, Mumbai, making it one of the few university departments in India with this accreditation. Research scholars have direct access to clinical facilities at PSG Hospitals (Diagnostic Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, and Radiotherapy) and receive field training at cancer hospitals across India. The department has nine Mentor Professors from premier institutions including BARC, IGCAR, SAMEER (IIT Mumbai), Armed Forces Medical College, and international institutions in Australia, providing exceptional mentorship for doctoral research.

Ans. The four officially notified thrust areas are: Radiation Dosimetry, Radiation Protection, Molecular Design and Modelling, and Medical Biophysics. The department's laboratories are equipped with OSL dosimetry, Gel dosimetry, MOSFET, Radiochromic film dosimetry, Nanodosimetry, Biological dosimetry, GM counter, Gamma Spectrometer, alpha/beta/gamma/neutron counting systems, and Treatment Planning Systems (TPS). Candidates are advised to align their research proposal with one of these thrust areas and identify a faculty supervisor before applying.

Ans. Candidates who have qualified CSIR-NET (Physical Sciences, including JRF), UGC-NET (including JRF), SLET/SET, GATE, DST-INSPIRE fellowship awardees, M.Phil. degree holders (with minimum 55% marks), and teacher fellowship (FIP/FDP) holders are all exempt from the BU CET. Such candidates can apply directly for Ph.D. admission through the university's research portal at https://fms.b-u.ac.in/research. For all other candidates, the CET is compulsory and a minimum score of 15 out of 50 is required for eligibility.

Ans. The minimum duration for a Full Time Ph.D. at Bharathiar University is 3 years. The programme is also available in Part Time mode for working professionals (such as medical physicists employed at hospitals), with a minimum duration of 3 years. Part-time scholars are required to spend a minimum number of days on campus as per university regulations. The fees for Part Time Ph.D. are lower (tuition fee is Rs. 2,310 per annum vs. Rs. 4,620 for Full Time; lab fee is Rs. 1,400 vs. Rs. 2,800). Both modes lead to the same Ph.D. degree from Bharathiar University.

Ans. Graduates can pursue careers as Medical Physicists and Radiation Safety Officers (RSOs) in cancer hospitals, radiotherapy centres, and nuclear medicine departments across India. The department's alumni have been employed at cancer hospitals throughout the country, and some outstanding graduates are working at the World Health Organization (WHO) and pursuing research programmes internationally. Ph.D. holders can also pursue academic careers as faculty in Medical Physics departments, apply for scientist positions at BARC, AERB, IGCAR, SAMEER, and other research institutions, or pursue post-doctoral research in India and abroad.

Ans. Ph.D. scholars who qualify CSIR-NET with JRF (Physical Sciences) or UGC-NET with JRF receive a monthly fellowship of Rs. 37,000 (first two years) and Rs. 42,000 (from the third year onwards). Medical Physics scholars are also eligible for the DST-INSPIRE Fellowship (Rs. 31,000/month + Rs. 20,000 annual contingency) as it falls under the Physical Sciences domain. SC/ST scholars are exempt from tuition fees. Scholars who clear the BU CET but do not hold JRF should explore state government scholarships and apply for CSIR-NET/UGC-NET JRF to secure financial support throughout the programme.