Ph.D. in a language is very different from the one in sciences. It can be way more challenging though interesting. However, eligibility criteria to pursue doctoral study in English are not very different from other streams.
Eligibility Criteria
UGC NET in English
One has to qualify UGC NET exam conducted by NTA twice a year. It allows the candidate to appear directly for the interviews held by the Institutes. One then does not need to appear for the institutional entrance test. Also, after clearing this exam, one becomes eligible to receive a monthly stipend as decided by UGC. This fellowship, however, is activated only after you have joined an institute for Ph.D. There is a 10 unit syllabus set by UGC for the NET exam in English. (Click here)
To appear in this exam, one must have completed M.Phil or Masters’s degree in English literature with a minimum of 55% for General category students and 50% for others. Also, the age must not be more than 31 years for General category candidates with a relaxation of 5 years for other categories.
Ph.D. in English from DU
At Delhi University, a Ph.D. program in English was introduced in 1964. Earlier, the department used to promote research in canonical areas. Scholars were encouraged to go abroad to conduct their research. But with the increased availability of literary sources online, things have changed. Also, the department is exploring newer areas for research. At Delhi University, one can pursue PhD. in English with the major areas of research as follows:
Renaissance studies, gender studies, visual culture, Modernism, Queer Theory, Dalit Literature, Autobiographical Studies, Indian Literature, Post-colonial Studies, Translation, Postcolonial Literature and Theory; Literary Gerontology; Families in Literature; Urban Cultures; the nineteenth-century novel.
Ph.D. in English from IGNOU
IGNOU also offers a Ph.D. program in English. Forms are released in the months of July and December. You can get a Ph.D. degree in English from IGNOU in a minimum of 3 years. The good thing about it is that there is no age bar in doing a Ph.D. from IGNOU. But, one has to qualify for the entrance test that IGNOU conducts at the national level.
Private Universities
Many private universities such as Chandigarh University, Lovely professional university, Christ University, Bangalore, SNU, Greater Noida, CSJMU, Kanpur, CURAJ, Ajmer, Ashoka University have also started Ph.D. programs in English on their campuses recently. However, course fees are higher as compared to government institutes.
Ph.D. in English outside India
Most aspirants stay confused about doing it at home country or going abroad. Going abroad is also a great idea for pursuing a doctoral degree in a language like English. Coz as Elen turner says, English is not a single, static language and is constantly affected by history, politics, culture, and the other languages spoken in the place. There are many discussions going on at Quora regarding which country is best for doing a Ph.D. in English. (Click here) England, Australia, New Zealand, The Caribbean, India are some of the preferred choices. Here is an interesting article by an English Ph.D. student in the UK. (Click here)
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