The Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is awarded to a candidate who, as per the rules and regulations has submitted a thesis on the basis of original research under a supervisor (guide) in any particular discipline making a vital and original contribution to the advancement of knowledge. The candidates registered for Ph.D will be either under the category – Full time or Part time. As per the UGC guidelines for Ph.D, the rules & regulations prescribed for the Full time scholars are also applicable to the Part time scholars.

Ph.D. students will be admitted to Fatima College only in the month of June and July for odd semester and January and February for even semester. They should appear for entrance test in Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) and are asked to choose their respective guides based on their choice of preference in the given department.

Scholars have academic flexibility, whereby they can choose their guide.

Male candidates can also register for Ph.D under the category Part time.

• 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. (For Full Time Scholars)
• No Specific Time (For Part Time Scholars)

Scholars who intend to do research work outside are eligible to avail OD by submitting a letter of permission from supervisor and HOD to Dean of Research.

Doctoral Committee meeting should be convened once in six months and a copy of the minutes should be forwarded by Research supervisor, HoD and Principal to the Research section of the University.

Minimum duration for Ph.D. Research is 3 years and maximum is 8 years from the date of registration (especially for women candidates and persons with disability).

Women candidates may be provided Maternity Leave/Child Care Leave once in the entire duration of Ph.D. for upto 240 days.

If the candidate fails to submit the thesis for the Ph.D. degree within the stipulated period of eight years, her registration will be treated as cancelled.

The maximum period shall not be extended for any reason and the candidates are subjected to re-registration.

The syllabus of research methodology, research and publication ethics and course work paper and a core paper have to be approved by an external expert/university nominee or by the Board of Studies of the Department.

According to UGC Regulations 2016 for award of Ph.D Degree, the course work shall be treated as pre-requisite for Ph.D preparation. The Department where the scholar pursues research shall prescribe the courses based on the recommendation of the Research Advisory Committee for each scholar stipulated under regulations 2016 of the University. All candidates admitted to Ph.D program are required to complete the course work within one year of provisional registration. If the course work is not completed within the stipulated period, the minimum duration will be two more years from the date of completion of course work .

The course work shall comprise of following papers with a minimum of 8 credits for M.Phil. students and 12 credits for P.G students.

Course-I

Research Methodology

4 Credits

Exempted for M.Phil degree holders provided they have secured 55 % in Research Methodology course

Course-II

Core Subject Paper 

4 Credits

Both for P.G. & M.Phil qualified 

Course-III

Relevant to research topic (or) Mini Project

4 Credits

Both for P.G. & M.Phil qualified

Course-I

Research Methodology

4 Credits

Exempted for M.Phil degree holders provided they have secured 55 % in Research Methodology course

Course-II

Core Subject Paper 

4 Credits

Both for P.G. & M.Phil qualified 

Course-III

Relevant to research topic (or) Mini Project

4 Credits

Both for P.G. & M.Phil qualified

Course-IV

Research and Publication Ethics

2 Credits

For all students registering from the academic session 2020-21 onwardsed

Presentation of research work will be done once in a year.

Progress of research work and reports should be submitted periodically to MKU.