UPES PhD Management FAQs
Ques. What are the three specialisations available in the Part Time PhD in Management at UPES, and how do I choose one?
Ans. The program offers three specialisations: Energy Management (focused on energy resources, sustainability, and energy policy), General Management (broad business practices, organisational behaviour, strategy, and innovation), and Transportation Management (logistics, supply chain, and transportation systems). Candidates typically choose a specialisation based on their professional background and research interest. The choice is discussed during the research proposal submission and interview stage, where the candidate outlines their intended area of research.
Ques. Can a working professional pursue this Part Time PhD in Management while continuing their job?
Ans. Yes, the Part Time PhD is specifically designed for working professionals. The program allows candidates to continue their employment while pursuing doctoral research. Interviews and coursework interactions are conducted online via MS Teams, and the research can be aligned with the candidate's professional experience in management, energy, or transportation. Candidates must be able to dedicate adequate time to coursework (22-25 credits in the first two years) and dissertation work alongside their professional responsibilities.
Ques. Is the RET exam mandatory for Part Time PhD in Management applicants at UPES?
Ans. The RET (Research Entrance Test) is required for all applicants unless they hold a valid qualification in UGC-NET, GATE, SET, GPAT, CSIR, or INSPIRE. Exempted candidates can directly proceed to the research proposal submission and interview stage. The RET is a 3-hour online proctored test (100 marks: 50 General/Research Aptitude + 50 Domain-specific) conducted on the Codetantra platform. For the School of Business, the domain-specific section covers management concepts.
Ques. What is the difference between the Full Time and Part Time PhD in Management at UPES in terms of fees and benefits?
Ans. Full-time scholars receive a 75% fee waiver (effective fee: INR 25,000/semester) and a monthly fellowship of INR 25,000-30,000. Part-time scholars pay the full INR 1 lakh per semester with no waiver and are not eligible for the fellowship. Part-time admission is also restricted to Master's degree holders only. The research and coursework requirements are the same for both modes, but part-time scholars typically take longer to complete the program.
Ques. What career opportunities are available after completing a Part Time PhD in Management from UPES?
Ans. A PhD in Management from UPES opens diverse career paths including faculty/professor positions at business schools and universities, senior research roles in corporate R&D and consulting firms, leadership positions in energy companies (for Energy Management specialisation), logistics and supply chain leadership (for Transportation Management), and policy advisory roles in government and non-profit organisations. The program also supports entrepreneurship, enabling graduates to launch research-driven ventures or consultancies. The ABDC A* and Scopus Q1 publication support from UPES faculty enhances academic career prospects significantly.
Ques. Are UPES alumni eligible for any fee concession on the Part Time PhD in Management?
Ans. Yes, UPES alumni who graduated from 2021 onwards are eligible for a 50% fee waiver on the semester fee under the Alumni Scholarship for Part-Time PhD programs. This reduces the effective semester fee from INR 1 lakh to INR 50,000. The scholarship is subject to maintaining a minimum CGPA of 8 per year, no disciplinary cases, and passing every semester without backlogs. The scholarship is applicable for the full tenure of the PhD program.
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