PhD in Marketing - Eligibility, Admission, Syllabus, Institutes, Scope

  • Posted 3 weeks ago

Mohit Dhulia

A PhD in marketing is a three- to five-year doctorate program in sales and marketing management. This is a professional degree that focuses on preparing students to teach and conduct research through a variety of courses that cover theoretical aspects of marketing.

The act or business of promoting and selling products or services is known as marketing. The development of sophisticated, cutting-edge research skills that aid in the creation of new knowledge in a specific area of marketing is emphasized in the PhD Marketing program. Students will study quantitative models in marketing literature and learn how to analyze and evaluate current models in this course. Students spend a lot of time thinking about issues like research design, measurement and scaling, and data collection.

Marketing is a multidisciplinary field that incorporates theory and methodology from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, mathematics, statistics, and economics. New methods and theories for understanding buyers’ perceptions and preferences, probabilistic choice models, models for allocating marketing resources, econometric analysis of large data bases, and micro-economic models for marketing strategy are among the most recent developments in the field.

Consumer behavior, which is primarily psychology-based, and quantitative modeling, which is largely based on economic and statistical theories, are taught to PhD (Marketing) candidates. Students in the Marketing doctoral program are expected to become active participants in the academic community.

Students who complete a PhD marketing course have numerous job opportunities both in India and abroad. Students can work as brand managers, market research analysts, new product managers, teachers and lecturers, and so on in marketing firms, management companies, and multinational corporations.


PhD in Marketing: An Overview

The following table lists the highlights of the PhD marketing program:

Course NamePhD Marketing
Also referred as Doctor of Philosophy in Marketing
Level of CourseDoctorate
Duration of Course3 Years
Criteria for EligibilityHold a Master’s degree in relevant discipline from a recognized university
Process of Admission Merit based/Entrance exam
Average Fees
(Annually)
INR 50,000 to 4,00,000
Positions of Job Deputy Manager, e-Marketing Manager, Internet Marketing Manager, Market Research Analyst, Marketing Communications Leader, Marketing Executive,Brand Manager, Marketing Executive, Marketing Manager, New Product Manager, Resident Marketing Executive, Teacher & Lecturer, Tell Caller/Telesales etc.  
Top Areas of Recruitment Accenture in India, Print venue, Basil Lifecare Pvt. Limited, DHTC Logistics Limited, Research & Educational Institutes,Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Limited, and Raymond Limited etc. 
Average Salary
Per Annum
INR 2,00,000 to 10,00,000

PhD in Marketing Eligibility

A student must be eligible to enroll in a specific course. The following are the requirements for the PhD in Marketing program:

  • The student must earn a Master’s or M.Phil in Marketing.
  • He or she must receive a minimum of 60% of the total marks from any recognized university.
  • To be admitted to this program, you must achieve the required cut-off scores on the entrance examination.
  • In addition, students must perform well in the personal interview round.

PhD in Marketing Syllabus

Although the PhD in Marketing program syllabus varies by college, it generally consists of a few common foundation courses from which students can choose according to their interests.

The following table lists the most common subjects covered in a structured PhD marketing curriculum:

FIRST SEMESTER SECOND SEMESTER
Marketing ModelsBrand and Product Management
Marketing ModelsReading Seminar in advertising management
Theories in Consumer BehaviourSupply Chain Management
Advances in Retail ManagementMarketing and Public policy
Research MethodologyStatistics

Relevant Links
Ph.D. (pharmacology) Ph.D. (pharmacy) Ph.D. (operation Management)
Ph.D. (medicinal Chemistry) Ph.D. (pharmaceutical Sciences) Ph.D. (pharmaceutics)

PhD in Marketing Admission Procedure

The PhD marketing admission process varies depending on the university’s rules and regulations. Some universities admit students to PhD marketing programs based on their master’s degree accomplishments. Some of India’s most prestigious universities prefer to admit qualified candidates through entrance exams.

The admission procedures for PhD Marketing admission in Indian universities are listed below.

Based on Merit:

Universities offering PhD Marketing programs offer merit-based admission, which allows students to be admitted based on their graduation grades.

Based on Entrance

Below are the steps of the entrance-based admission process:

  • Students must register for the entrance exam by providing an email address, a mobile phone number, and a password, after which a login ID will be generated.
  • Filling out the application form: Candidates must correctly enter the required information when creating a login id.
  • Candidates must upload the required documents, such as a photograph, signature, photo id, Class 10 and 12 certificates, a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s degree, and so on, in this step.
  • Application Fee: Students must pay the required application fee online after uploading the required documents.
  • The admission authority will issue admit cards to eligible students based on the information provided by the students.
  • Exam dates will be released by various conducting bodies after receiving the admit card. Candidates must take and pass an entrance exam in order to be considered for admission.
  • Admission authorities will release the results of the entrance test they took in the final stage.
  • Enrollment: After that, successful candidates will be assigned seats at their chosen institutes.

Ph.D. in Marketing: Important Documents Required

  • Mark-list of the last qualifying degree examination
  • Research Proposal:
  • Migration Certificate (No objection certificate from the university last attended)
  • No objection certificate from the employer (if employed)
  • A character certificate (from the head of the institute from which the student has obtained his qualifying degree)
  • Gap certificate (if applicable)
  • passing/degree certificate of the last qualifying degree examination.
  • Documentary proof of the date of birth

Students should be aware that if the aforementioned certificates are not attached to their application, their application will not be taken into account for admission.


Ph.D. in Marketing: Focus Areas

The following is information and details about the PhD Marketing program.

  • The goal of this program is to help students become active members of the academic community.
  • This course focuses on computer-assisted multivariate statistical analysis and introduces students to statistical techniques such as data reduction, classification, and hypothesis testing.
  • This course delves into the rapidly growing field of behavioral marketing.
  • Students will learn how to compile data using a variety of technologies in this course, allowing them to solve statistical problems that arise when monitoring consumer behavior.
  • Microeconomics, consumer behavior, and data analysis are some of the most common courses offered in PhD Marketing programs.

PhD in Marketing: Top Institutes

The table below lists the top PhD marketing schools and universities that offer full-time programs.

Ranking by NIRFInstitute NameAverage Fees
(Annually)
Process of Admission  Average Salary
Per Annum
44KIIT, BhubaneswarINR 2,25,000Entrance Exam + PIINR 6,50,000
151Nirma University, AhmadabadINR 40,000Entrance Exam + PIINR 8,00,000
151IIFT, KolkataINR 2,00,000Entrance Exam + PIINR 10,50,000
151Alliance University, BangaloreINR 1.50 LakhsEntrance Exam + PIINR 4,19,000
151Amity University, MumbaiINR 80,000Entrance Exam + PIINR 7,50,000
151Sharda University, Greater NoidaINR 50,000Entrance Exam + PIINR 5,00,000
Gitam Institute of Management, VisakhapatnamINR 73,200Entrance Exam + PIINR 5,20,000
Singhania University, JhunjhunuINR 66,500Entrance Exam + PIINR 4,00,000
YBN University, RanchiINR 1.04 LakhsEntrance Exam + PIINR 3,75,000
Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management, MumbaiINR 25,800Entrance Exam + PIINR 4,80,000

PhD Marketing and PhD Management Studies: Key Differences

PhD Marketing and PhD Management Studies are two doctoral-level courses offered by a variety of institutes across India. For more comparison information, see the table below:

Basis of ComparisonPhD MarketingPhD Management Studies
HighlightStudents will learn about consumer behavior, which is primarily psychology-based, as well as quantitative modelling, which is largely based on economic and statistical theories.This course’s goal is to provide comprehensive information and perspectives on the management skills needed to run a company or business.
Process of Admission Merit/ Entrance-BasedMerit/ Entrance-Based
Eligibility CriteriaMasters or equivalent degree in a relevant field from a recognized universityMasters or equivalent degree in a relevant field from a recognized university
Average Fees
(Annually)
INR 50,000 to 4,00,000INR 20,000 to 5,00,000
Positions of Job Marketing Executive, Marketing Executive, Marketing Manager,Marketing Communications Leader, New Product Manager, Resident Marketing Executive, Teacher & Lecturer etc.HR Manager, Data Analyst, Business Development Manager, Senior Marketing Manager, Associate Manager etc.
Average
Annual Salary
INR 2,00,000 to 10,00,000INR 4,00,000 – 8,00,000

PhD in Marketing: Suitable Candidates

  • A PhD in Marketing is suitable for those who can join as a marketing executive and progress quickly to become a marketing manager or product manager.
  • They should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, which are crucial in the marketing field. It’s unlikely that you’ll be able to communicate effectively with clients or customers if you can’t communicate information or messages clearly with colleagues.
  • Other essential skills include creativity and analytical abilities. If you’re working in advertising, you’ll need to be creative, while those in market research will need to be analytical.
  • They also have the ability to create integrated campaigns or a comprehensive marketing strategy, which necessitates good time management skills and the ability to effectively prioritize your workload.

PhD in Marketing: Preparation Plan

If a student wishes to pursue a PhD in marketing program, he or she must first pass the entrance exam. While preparing for the PhD entrance exam, students should keep the following important tips in mind so that they can properly prepare for the exam and pass the qualifying examination with flying colors.

  • Practice: It is critical to practice on a regular basis in order to prepare for a PhD marketing program. Make time every day to put everything you’ve learned in class into practice. If you’re studying by correspondence, spend more time practicing all of the problems and derivations.
  • Revision: Reviewing previous year’s question papers will help you understand different types of questions and the question paper pattern. Question papers provide a wealth of information about various types of questions.
  • Checking out various reference books will enable you to quickly learn about various solutions to the problem. Keep referring to different books until you’ve found one that you like.
  • Get immediate feedback on every topic you learn as well as every practice exam you take, as this combined analysis will aid your expert trainer in identifying flaws in your learning style and suggesting solutions.
  • The exam pattern is designed to assess applicants’ verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills—skills that have been developed over time and are not specific to a field of study but are important in all fields.
  • The college selects candidates based on their performance on the respective entrance exams, which are followed by an interview.
  • Taking the UGC NET exam is the best way to go to get into a good college for a PhD marketing program.
  • A few private institutes offer the course, which allows students to be admitted based on their performance in a relevant entrance exam followed by a round of personal interviews.
  • Candidates must score well on the respective entrance exams in order to gain admission to a good college for the PhD Marketing course.
  • Candidates should devote time and effort to the entrance exam and be prepared for a personal interview.
  • They should be well-versed in their research topic so that their research idea can impress the interview panel.

PhD in Marketing: A Comparison among Institutes

The table below shows the comparison between India’s three top PhD marketing colleges.

Basis of ComparisonIIFT, KolkataKIIT, BhubaneswarNirma University, Ahmedabad
HighlightIIFT Kolkata offers full-time and part-time MBA programs. Furthermore, it is the only MBA in International Business program among India’s top ten business schools.The Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) was established in 1992 as a private university. NAAC, NBA, and IET all accredit the university. KIIT is one of India’s top-ranked private universities, with UGC and NIRF accreditation. The University offers a variety of courses in medicine, biotechnology, law, computer application, management, and engineering.It is well-known for its academic atmosphere and facilities. It is accredited by NAAC and recognized by the University Grants Commission [UGC]. The Association of Commonwealth Universities [ACU] and the Association of Indian Universities [AIU] are both members of the KIIT university. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at the university. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at the university.
Ranking by NIRF15144151
PlaceKolkataBhubaneswarAhmedabad
Process of Admission Entrance Exam + PIEntrance Exam + PIEntrance Exam + PI
Average
Annual Fees
INR 2,00,000INR 2,25,000INR 40,000
Average
Annual Salary
INR 10,50,000INR 6,50,000INR 8,00,000
Top Employers IBM, ICICI Bank, Practo, Google, Goldman Sachs, Godrej Industries, Glocal Healthcare, Philips,Honda, Air India, American Express, American Express, Arga Investments, Reebok etc.Amazon, L&T Technology Services, KPIT, ITC InfoTech, Ramky Environ Engineers, Samsung R&D, Accenture,Skylark Drones, Zomato, Hexaware, HP, TVS Motors, Tudip Technologies, Tata Steel Processing & Distribution etc. Cybage India Software, IBM, Saint-Gobain Glass, Synopsys, Essar group, Fractal Analytics Ltd, Cognizant,Hewlett-Packard (HP), Samsung, TCS, Easy Commerce, L & T INFOTECH, MphasiS, Sanmar Group etc.

PhD in Marketing: Important Entrance Exams

There are a variety of national and state-level entrance exams to take in order to be admitted to a PhD marketing program. Some of the most popular PhD marketing entrance exams are listed below.

  • GATE: GATE is a national-level exam held jointly by the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) to select candidates for PhD degree jobs or lectureships in Indian universities and colleges.
  • UGC NET:The National Testing Agency administers the University Grants Commission’s National Eligibility Test (UGC NET). Admission to the various doctorate-level courses is granted to qualified candidates. This test is also used to determine whether or not a candidate is eligible for a JRF or Assistant Professor position in colleges and universities.

PhD in Marketing: Top Job Profiles

A candidate with a degree in this field has a wide range of job opportunities. Working for the government, private organizations, and a variety of other sectors will be simple for them. They can also teach in colleges or universities as professors or lecturers.

PhD marketing graduates can work in academic institutions as well as in high-level research and development positions in industry and other organisations.
PhD holders in marketing seek jobs as Professors, Brand Managers, Marketing Managers, Marketing Executives, Deputy Managers, and other positions in a variety of industries.

The following is a list of some of the most common PhD marketing job profiles and career prospects following completion of the course:

Profile of JobDescription of JobAverage Salary
(Annually)
Teacher/LecturerA lecturer’s and teacher’s responsibilities include developing curricula and delivering course material, conducting research, fieldwork, and investigations, and writing up reports, publishing research, delivering presentations, and networking with others in the field, travelling to other universities or academic settings to participate in learning opportunities and gain experience, participating in committee, departmental, and faculty meetings, and providing professional development opportunities.INR 3,33,000
Marketing ManagerA Marketing Manager’s day-to-day tasks include managing and coordinating marketing and creative staff, leading market research efforts to uncover the viability of current and existing products or services, and liaising with med.tech companies to develop, implement, and execute strategic marketing plans for an entire organisation (or lines of business and brands within an organisation) in order to attract potential customers and retain existing ones.INR 4,13,000
New Product ManagerProduct managers’ responsibilities include determining customers’ needs and desires through market research, recommending the nature and scope of current and future product lines through product specifications and requirements, and evaluating new product ideas and/or product or packaging changes.INR 8,64,000
Brand Manager  A brand manager’s job is to come up with and design promotional activities that will help an organization’s service or product get the message out there. Advertising, promotion creation, and marketing campaign generation are some of their responsibilities.INR 3,50,000
Deputy ManagerA deputy manager, also known as an assistant manager, assists the manager in developing, coordinating, and planning projects and programs. Deputy managers’ duties and responsibilities differ depending on where they work.INR 5,60,000

Some other important areas of employment are:

  • Marketing Executive
  • e-Marketing Manager
  • Research & Educational Institutes
  • Basil Lifecare Pvt. Ltd.-Mumbai
  • Resident Marketing Executive
  • DHTC Logistics Ltd.-Ahmedabad
  • teacher and lecturer
  • Marketing Manager
  • Market Research Analyst
  • Daimler India Commercial Vehicles Pvt. Ltd.-Mumbai
  • The Internet Marketing Manager
  • Raymond Limited-Thane
  • New Product Manager
  • Marketing Executive
  • The Marketing Communications Leader
  • Tell Caller/Telesales
  • Accenture in India: Mumbai
  • Deputy Manager
  • Printvenue-Gurgaon
  • Brand Manager

PhD in Marketing: Benefits and Scope

The aspirations and goals of each individual will determine whether or not they pursue a PhD in marketing. The following are some of the advantages and benefits of pursuing a PhD in Marketing degree program:

  • This program requires a significant time and financial investment. However, your dedication will pay off as you choose from a variety of career options.
  • As a result, you’ll be in charge of training the next generation of marketers, whether they work in marketing or pursue a doctorate. It’s a rewarding opportunity for students who are passionate about marketing and want to share their knowledge with others.
  • A PhD marketing course also prepares you for a research career in non-profit organizations, government agencies, and the private sector if you prefer to focus on advanced market research and survey analysis.
  • This field offers less flexibility in terms of what you can do with your research, but it pays better than an academic job.
  • As a top-level marketing researcher, you’ll satisfy your natural curiosity about any marketing topic, such as target demographics, social influence, and consumer behavior, and you’ll influence the actions of other researchers, marketers, consumers, and policymakers as you conduct and publish research, advancing the field of marketing as a whole.
  • Candidates who earn a PhD in Information Technology will have a bright future in any of the above-mentioned fields.
  • Advertising and marketing professionals working in a variety of industries, including Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, Manufacturing, Wholesale Trade, and Retail Trade, have opportunities.
  • They can work as marketing executives in a variety of settings, depending on the size of the company and industry, as well as whether the goal is to sell a product or service or to raise public awareness about a public issue.
  • They can also work as teachers in schools and colleges.

FAQs

I intend to pursue a PhD in marketing in the United States. Will you be able to find a good job after that?

PhD in Marketing degree holders can work in a variety of settings, including teaching, research, large, small, private, religious, secular, and even a few industry positions.

What is the value of pursuing a PhD in marketing?

It is beneficial if you want to pursue an academic career or work in the field of education, or if you want to work as a consultant for marketing consulting firms doing research-related projects.

What is the best country to pursue a PhD in Marketing course? 

USA and Australia are the best in the world for Business and Marketing PhD courses.

Which Indian universities offer PhD marketing programs?

Sharda University, Amity University, Alliance University, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Nirma University, and others are among the top universities in India that offer PhD marketing programs.

Which is more important, a Verbal or a Quantitative GMAT score for a PhD in Marketing (specifically, Consumer Behavior focus) course?

Because both CB and Quantitative Marketing are scientific and require hard Mathematics skills, the quant score matters more than the verbal score for PhD students. The quantitative score demonstrates to admissions committees that you will be able to complete coursework.

Which  exam should I take in order to apply for a PhD in Marketing in the United States, GRE or GMAT?

A GRE score is often required for a PhD in Marketing. GMAT, on the other hand, can be useful in certain circumstances. The important thing to remember is that the GRE and GMAT are just requirements for standardized testing. The verbal section of the GMAT is more difficult, while the math section of the GRE is more difficult. Choose the exam that best matches your skills and ensures a high score.

What would you get if you got a PhD in Marketing?

Most PhDs in business subjects will be academicians as faculty, according to career mentors. PhDs in economics and quantitative methods in business may have a better chance of landing a job in the financial sector.

What are the advantages of pursuing a PhD in marketing?

This field offers less flexibility in terms of what you can do with your research, but it pays better than an academic job.

What is the average annual salary for someone with a PhD in marketing?

A PhD Marketing degree holder can expect an annual salary ranging from INR 2,00,000 to INR 9,00,000.

Is it possible to pursue a PhD in marketing after completing an MBA?

Yes, after an MBA, one can pursue a PhD. Several business schools around the world offer PhD programs that can be pursued after completing an MBA. Many schools require some years of work experience for the MBA program.

What are the requirements for a PhD in marketing?

A Master’s degree or M.Phil in Marketing is required of the student. He or she must receive at least 60% of the total marks from any recognized university. In addition, the students must perform well in the Personal Interview round.

What is a PhD Net exam?

The National Eligibility Test (NET), also known as the UGC NET or NTA-UGC-NET, is a National level exam conducted by NTA on order to assist Indian universities and colleges to determine eligibility for assistant professorships and Junior Research Fellowships.

What does a marketing PhD entail?

Students will be able to choose from a wide range of courses, including those that look at consumer behavior, microeconomics, and data analysis. Throughout their studies, they will also concentrate on other topics, such as econometrics. Branding Techniques Modeling.

How do I go about becoming a marketing professor?

To become a professor, you must first complete a master’s degree. You should apply for the UGC NET Exam, which is organised by one of the well-known agencies, the National Testing Agency, once you have passed it with a minimum aggregate score. Management is the subject for which you can apply.

Are PhD students compensated?

Some will be paid a stipend, while others will be responsible for their own expenses. Some PhDs require only research, while others require classes and exams, as well as teaching undergraduates.

Is a PhD required for a lecturer?

From 2023 onward, a PhD degree will be required for all those wishing to join university departments as assistant professors, according to the latest UGC rule. The rule was supposed to go into effect last year, but the deadline was pushed back from July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2023 “due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Who is eligible to take the NET exam?

Candidates who have received at least 55 percent (without rounding off) in a Master’s Degree OR equivalent examination in Humanities (including languages), Social Science, Computer Science & Applications, Electronic Science, etc. from universities/ institutions recognized by the UGC are eligible for this exam.

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