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Ph.D. Programme in Psychology

The Ph.D. programme in Psychology at Ashoka University is cross-disciplinary research spanning different domains of psychology. Our faculty expertise spans social, developmental, biological, cognitive, clinical, and counseling psychology. Methodologies span qualitative and quantitative, theoretical and experimental.

The Psychology Ph.D. program at Ashoka University seeks qualified candidates for its Ph.D. program starting September 2021. We especially encourage applications from individuals from historically marginalized communities, e.g. individuals with Dalit Bahujan and Adivasi backgrounds who fulfill the eligibility criteria. Prospective students are requested to visit the faculty web pages to find out more about individual faculty research and contact faculty prior to their formal application. Please read through the instructions carefully before proceeding with applications.

Eligibility

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Psychology, Neuroscience, Cognitive Science, Biology, Life Sciences, Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics, Social Science, Political Science, Philosophy, Literature, Law, or allied disciplines.

All candidates need a minimum score of 55% in their respective degrees. M.Phil. / M.Tech entrants are also encouraged to apply in the above disciplines.

We are particularly looking for candidates who have a passion for research, who are highly motivated, and can create and take forward their own ideas in research. We value candidates who enjoy collaboration and forging work with a sense of team spirit.

Application Process

  1. Submit an online application and upload all documents mentioned below via application portal
  2. Full, up to date CV
  3. Two letters of recommendation

The letters should be from current or former professors, academic/ professional advisors, or supervisors who know your academic work and/or are in a good position to assess your professionalism, aptitude towards research, individual strengths, and weaknesses.

Personal statement (1000-1500 words)

Prior to writing the essay, please visit the program website and faculty webpages to know what sort of research is being pursued in the department prior to writing your statement.  In your statement, you should identify at least 2 faculty members whose work might interest you, and who could become your prospective thesis advisor.

Use this essay to state what draws you to research with emphasis on your reasons of interest in the Psychology Ph.D. program at Ashoka University. In addition, you might want to consider these questions:

  • How do you think your academic background is related or ties into the research you want to conduct?

  • What kind of research do you want to conduct, in broad terms at the Department of Psychology at Ashoka University?

  • Who are the two faculty members who can become your prospective thesis advisor(s)?

  • What skillsets and experiences do you have already that can help you attain your research goals?

  • How can the program help you attain the goals, and what do you hope to learn?

In addition, you may give the admissions committee any information about your life, your long-term, and short-term career goals, or anything else that you deem crucial for the committee to know, in order to make a decision on your application.

One original sample of academic writing

This can be your undergraduate or master’s thesis, a project report, a term paper that you wrote for a course. The work has to be completely original and will be checked for evidence of plagiarism. Any plagiarism detected can lead your application to be summarily rejected.

Prospective applicants are advised to consult these books before preparing their application materials:

American Psychological Association (Ed.). (2007). Getting in: A step-by-step plan for gaining admission to graduate school in psychology. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Keith-Spiegel, P., & Wiederman, M. W. (2000). The complete guide to graduate school admission: Psychology, counseling, and related professions. New York, NY: Psychology Press.

Faculty who have openings for Ph.D. students

  • Bittu
  • Madhavi Maganti
  • Krishna Melanattur
  • Simantini Ghosh

Process of selection and admission

After an initial review of all applications, shortlisted candidates will be asked to take an online examination, followed by an online interview. Please review the structure and syllabus of the written test as provided on the website. The final list of candidates selected for admission will be uploaded to the website at the end of the screening process.

Click here to view the structure and syllabus of the written test

Important Dates

  • Application Opens: February 15, 2021
  • Application deadline: June 30th, 11:59 pm IST

The psychology Department will be holding an entrance test on July 30th. Interviews will be conducted between July 31 and August 1 and admission offers will be sent out within the week

Contact

For any queries please email phd.psychology@ashoka.edu.in.

Study at Ashoka

Study at Ashoka

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