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DOCTORAL PROGRAMS (Ph.D.)

Research is an integral component in an institute of higher learning. BITS Pilani Dubai campus with its state-of the-art research facilities offers Ph.D. programmes with strong emphasis laid on interdisciplinary, mission oriented and relevant research. Topics of Research can be chosen from any of the disciplines in which the Institute offers the First Degree and Higher Degree programmes or any interdisciplinary or allied areas.

BITS Pilani Dubai offers the following Ph.D. programmes:

Full-Time Ph.D.

Candidates registered for the Full-Time programmes will undergo the entire pursuit of their thesis on campus. Candidates admitted under this scheme will work full time towards their Ph.D. research and will not take any other assignment till the submission of the final thesis. The required components for Full-Time Programmes are: Qualifying Examination, Course Work, Teaching Practice, Research Methodology, Seminar and Doctoral Thesis.

Overseas Student Doctoral Programme (OSDP) - (Full-Time Ph.D)

Overseas Students Doctoral Programme provides opportunity for the overseas students to pursue doctoral studies at BITS Pilani, Dubai campus. The required components are: Qualifying Examination, Course Work, Teaching Practice, Research Methodology, Seminar and Doctoral Thesis.

Part-Time Ph.D.

This unique opportunity is offered for employed professionals working in Industries, Academic Institutes and R&D organizations and having long experience and proven competence in various fields to work towards the Ph.D. degree. Candidates meeting the input qualifications and working in an organization, which encourages and facilitates research and situated preferably in the close vicinity of the BITS Pilani campus are eligible to apply for admission in “Part-Time” Ph.D. programmes. The required components for Part time Doctoral programmes are: Qualifying Examination, Course Work, Practice Lecture Series, Research Methodology, Seminar and Doctoral Thesis.

Ph D Aspirant scheme - (Part-Time Ph.D)

  • Industries and R & D Organizations collaborating with BITS Pilani, Dubai campus can sponsor candidates to work for Ph.D under the Ph.D Aspirants Scheme. Under this Scheme such employed professionals working in Industries and R&D Organizations having long experience and proven competence aspiring for Ph.D. programme will be considered and will be allowed to pursue their research at their own locations of work. They will choose one BITS faculty as supervisor and or as co-supervisor. The required components for Ph D Aspirant Doctoral programmes are: Qualifying Examination, Course Work, Practice Lecture Series, Research Methodology, Independent Study and Doctoral Thesis.

Ph.D. IMPACT (Industry Mentored PhD in Advanced and Cutting-edge Technologies) - (Part-Time Ph.D)

PhD IMPACT programme is for working professionals, highly motivated to pursue high impact research at their workplace leading to a PhD degree in collaboration with BITS Pilani. The PhD IMPACT aspirant will need to identify (a) problem statements that are relevant to his/her work which are challenging and will generate new knowledge (b) mentor from the company to guide him/her for PhD along with BITS faculty (c) sources of funding, if required to pursue the project from within the company. The key advantages of this programme are (i) Mentorship from both BITS Pilani Dubai campus faculty and scientists at the workplace (ii) Utilize state-of-the-art resources available at any BITS Pilani Campus (iii) Be a part of world class PhD programme at BITS Pilani (iv) Focused programme to complete project work in a defined time frame. The required components for Part time Doctoral programmes are: Qualifying Examination, Course Work, Practice Lecture Series, Research Methodology, Seminar and Doctoral Thesis.

Apart from the regular Ph.D. programmes, BITS Pilani Dubai Campus offers the following programmes based on specific projects obtained by the faculty members in different schemes. The Ph.D. scholars will be recruited across all the campuses for the following programmes centrally and guided by a team of faculty members involved in the project. The projects will be announced twice in a year in the respective portals. The recruited scholars will be provided attractive stipends and fee concessions.

  1. The BITS-RMIT PhD Programme (Full-Time Ph.D) is a unique transnational programme that allows to obtain a joint PhD, from two leading universities BITS (Birla Institute of Technology and Science) and RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology). The scholars will have an opportunity to spend a year in RMIT. The required components for Full-Time Programmes are: Qualifying Examination, Course Work, Teaching Practice, Research Methodology, Seminar and Doctoral Thesis. (For details, refer the link: https://bitsrmit.in/).
  2. The School of Interdisciplinary Research and Entrepreneurship (SIRE) – BITS Pilani aims to promote interdisciplinarity in Research and Innovation, to carry out breakthrough research with high Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs).

Flagship Programmes:

  • Research: CDRF (Cross Disciplinary Research Fellow)
  • Entrepreneurship: Ph.D. DRIVE.

 

CDRF (Cross Disciplinary Research Fellow) – (Full-Time Ph.D)

The Cross-Disciplinary Research Framework (CDRF) of BITS Pilani supports intramural research projects that offer Cross-Disciplinary Research Fellowship and Ph.D. programme enrolment. The required components for Full-Time programmes are: Qualifying Examination, Course Work, Teaching Practice, Research Methodology, Seminar and Doctoral Thesis.

PhD DRIVE (Deep-tech Research, Innovation, Value generation & Entrepreneurship) – (Full-Time Ph.D)

PhD DRIVE programme is expected to result in the creation of a start-up based on research conducted during the PhD. This program focuses on the creation of deep tech and deep science start-up ventures, that will solve some of the most critical societal and business challenges. The core of the program will also include course work on venture creation, and mentoring by entrepreneurs and investors. The required components for Full-Time programmes are: Qualifying Examination, Course Work, Teaching Practice, Research Methodology, Seminar and Doctoral Thesis.  (For details, refer the link: https://sire.bits-pilani.ac.in/).

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Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria For Ph.D.

The following eligibility criteria is applicable for admission to BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus:
M.E./M.S./M.B.A./M.Phil. of BITS Pilani or its equivalent with a minimum of 60% aggregate.

Eligible Candidates will be required to take a written test and interview. The admission will be based on the performance in the qualifying degree, experience, test and interview.

Application procedure

Application Procedure For Ph.D.

The Application procedure for admission is listed in detail. Please ensure that you read the instructions carefully and submit all of the documents to avoid disqualification.

  1.  Read the Admission Bulletin 2025-26 carefully.
  2.  Application for Admission must be filled online.
    • Visit admission.bitspilanidubai.ae
    • If you are a candidate for admission to On Campus Ph.D. Programme, sign up as a new user and select the “ Apply Now” link under the Programme “Ph.D. On Campus”
    • If you are a candidate for admission to Part Time/Off Campus Ph.D. Programme, sign up as a new user and Select the “ Apply Now” link under the Programme “Ph.D. Part Time”
    • Enter all the information required carefully and correctly in the online form.
    • Ensure the correctness of all entered data before submission. Once you confirm the correctness of the entered information and submit the form, the entered data will be recorded and you will not be able to change it.
    • On starting the application, you will be allotted a unique reference number and you will be directed to proceed for Application fee payment.
    • You have the option of paying the fee online through Debit or Credit Card or paying offline either by Cash or Bank Transfer.
    • Upon successful completion of online application fee payment, you will be allotted a unique application number and you will be instructed to upload your documents.
    • In the event you opt for offline application fee payment (Cash or Bank Transfer), print the filled application form and attach the documents required. (Refer section 4 below) send the proof of fee payment along with Applicant’s name and Application reference number by email to admission@bitspilanidubai.ae for the allotment of unique application number.
    • Upon receipt of the unique application number, you can proceed to upload the required documents (jpeg or pdf format) and your submission will be complete.
  3. For candidates submitting the application and fee online, the system will generate a unique application number. You may note down the number for all future references. For those candidates who are opting for offline submission or payment, a unique  application number will be allotted and informed to the candidate by the institute on receipt of the application and fee. In all subsequent correspondence with the Institute, the candidate must quote this application number.
  4. Following enclosures must accompany the Application form:
    • Copy of Degree certificate and Transcript/Mark sheets of the first degree programme.
    • Copy of Degree certificate and Transcript/Mark sheets of the higher degree programme.
    • List of courses and syllabus of each course prescribed for the fulfillment of the Higher degree programme.
    • List of prescribed text books for each course.
    • Final examination question papers for each course.
    • Passport copy.
  5. Candidates applying as off-campus or part-time students must also add the following enclosures to the above:
    • Outline of Proposed Topic of Research.
    • Profile of your organization.
    • Employment Certificate is required by the employer /organization.
    • Consent or No-Objection Certificate from Parent Organization from Part-time candidates.
    • Proposed supervisor’s consent and his biodata (for off-campus only).
    • Consent of supervisor’s organization permitting him to act as a supervisor (for offcampus only).
    • Nature of his association with the candidate’s organization if working in a different organization (for off-campus only).
  6. Application Fee to be paid at the time of submission of application form:
    • An amount of AED 220.00 only (Arab Emirates Dirhams Two hundred and twenty only) payable online by Debit/Credit Card or offline either by Cash or Bank Transfer (refer page 25 of Admission bulletin for details).
    • Application received without application fee will not be considered.
  7. The last date for submitting the Application form is 30 May 2024
  8. Incomplete applications will be rejected.

Fee Structure

Fee Structure - Ph.D.

BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus offers a very competitive fee structure.

A. One-time Fee (payable at the time of Admission)
Application Fee** AED. 220/-
Admission Fee* AED. 2,000/-
Activity Fee* AED. 1,200/-
Caution Deposit$ AED. 2,000/-
B. Tuition Fee
On-campus per semester
(Payable in 2 installments)		 AED. 2400/-
Off-campus/Part-Time per semester
(Payable in 2 installments)		 AED 6000/-
C. Visa and Insurance Fee (For students availing Visa/Insurance)
Visa Fee (For Students on Visa provided by the institute)
Fresh Visa Fee** AED. 2,900/-
Visa Renewal Fee** AED. 2,150/-
Medical Insurance Fee* AED. 3,000/-
(Current prevailing Visa & Insurance Fee, subject to change)
D. Hostel Fee (For students availing Hostel)
First Semester*** TBA
Second Semester*** TBA
Summer Term*** TBA
Hostel Caution Deposit$ TBA
Facility Fee* TBA
Laundry charges and Service charge for using refrigerator in room are additional
E. Transport Fee** (For Day Scholars availing Institute Transport)
For Dubai AED. 2,500/-
For Sharjah & Ajman AED. 2,800/-
(Current prevailing Transport Fee, subject to change)

Note:
* VAT of 5% is applicable on this fee ; **VAT of 5% is included in this fee; ***VAT of 5% will be charged on the food cost of this fee;
$ Refundable on graduation or on leaving the institute, after due adjustment for damages, breakages caused by the student, if any.

  • Self-funded Scholars: For the full-time scholars, 80% concession will be provided on their tuition fee of AED 12000 (VAT excluded)/ semester whereas 50% concession will be given on their tuition fee for the part time scholars and aspirants. This is subjected to the allotment of duties in the respective departments 6-8 hrs. per week.
  • Research Assistants: Applicants with prior research experience and excellent academic credentials will be awarded research assistantships up to AED 2000 per month for 4 years maximum. The tuition fee concession as specified in #1 is also applicable. Research Assistants have to support the institute in teaching theory and lab classes.
  • Hostel fee concession will be given for the self-funded scholars as well as Research Assistants.
  • Self-funded full-time scholars can apply for Research Assistantships after 1 year. The award of the research assistantships is based on their excellence in the performance after joining the programme.

 

Fee Payment Instructions

The admission fees can be paid by any one of the modes given below:

  • Payment by Cash: The fee can be paid by Cash in AED or USD at the Fee counter in the Institute.
  • Payment by Cheque: Payment by cheque will be accepted only if the cheque is from a bank based in UAE. All Cheques should be drawn in favor of “BITS Pilani FZ LLC” and payable in AED at a bank in Dubai. There should be no corrections or alterations on the cheque.
  • E-payment: We offer a secure e-payment facility to pay your fee. For e-payment click here.
  • Payment by Telex/Bank transfer: Payment can be made directly to one of our bank accounts given below through your bank along with collection charges if any. The TT advice/receipt copy received from your bank must be sent to the Accounts department, by email (accounts@dubai.bits-pilani.ac.in), mentioning the name & application number of the student.
  • Payment by Demand Draft: All Demand Drafts should be drawn in favor of “BITS Pilani FZ LLC” and payable in AED at a bank in Dubai.
BANK DETAILS
BANK HSBC Bank CitiBank
Account Title BITS PILANI FZ LLC BITS PILANI FZ LLC
Account No. 026-307181-001 011-068-6617
IBAN AE450200000026307181 001 AE790211000000110686617
SWIFT Code BBMEAEAD CITIAEAD
Branch P.O. Box: 66,
Main Branch, Dubai, UAE.		 P.O Box 749, Oud Metha Road,

Dubai, UAE

Please note that the fee must be paid in full and any charges towards collection or clearance of DD/TT must be borne by the students. The Institute will give credit only to the Net Amount credited in its bank account.

Refund Policy

  1. One-Time fee:
    • Application fee and Admission Fee are non-refundable.
    • Activity fee is fully refundable if the student withdraws before the date of registration. If the student withdraws within four weeks from the date of registration, whether the student registers or not, 75% of the Activity fee is refundable. If the student withdraws after four weeks from the date of registration, the entire Activity fee is non-refundable.
  2. Tuition Fee:
    • If a student accepts the admission offer and completes the admission formalities but withdraws before the date of registration, 80% of the first installment of first semester tuition fee is refundable.
    • If a student withdraws within one week of the date of registration irrespective of whether the student registers or not, 50% of the first installment of first semester tuition fee is refundable.
    • If a student withdraws after one week of the date of registration irrespective of whether the student registers or not, the first installment of first semester tuition fee is non- refundable.
  3. Hostel Fee:
    • If a student opts not to avail the hostel facility after paying the hostel fee and if the request for the same is received before the commencement of the semester, 90% of the semester’s hostel fee and facility fee is refundable.
    • If request for not availing the hostel facility is received within one week of the commencement of the semester, 50% of the semester’s hostel fee and facility fee is refundable.
    • If request for not availing the hostel facility is received after one week of the commencement of the semester, the entire first semester’s hostel fee and facility fee is non-refundable.
  4. Visa and Medical Insurance fee:
    • Visa fee and Medical Insurance fee is non-refundable, if the same has been applied.
  5.  Transport Fee:
    • If a student opts not to avail the transport facility after paying the transport fee and if the request for the same is received before the commencement of the semester, 90% of the semester’s transport fee paid is refundable.
    • If request for not availing the transport facility is received within two weeks of the commencement of the semester, 50% of the semester’s transport fee is refundable.
    • If request for not availing the transport facility is received after two weeks of the commencement of the semester, the entire first semester’s transport fee is non refundable.

    Note: All refunds will take a minimum of 4 weeks from the date of withdrawal.

Visa Information

Visa Terms & Conditions

Terms and Conditions

  1. It is mandatory for all students to have a valid U.A.E. residence visa to study at BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus (BPDC).
  2. If the parent or guardian cannot sponsor the student or if the student is a non-resident of UAE, then the BPDC can facilitate U.A.E. Student Residence Visa (visa) under the sponsorship of Dubai Development Authority (DDA) through Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) subject to the submission and approval of necessary documents given in the student residence visa application form (visa form), rules & regulations of BPDC and Government of UAE (Govt). As a facilitator, BPDC only co-ordinates between DDA and students for obtaining the visa.
  3. The visa is valid for one year and is subsequently renewable every year. The issue of fresh visa and renewal of visa are subject to the submission of necessary documents and as per rules and regulations of BPDC, DDA, DIAC, General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs Dubai (GDRFAD), Ministry of Health (MOH) and Govt. BPDC is not responsible for any delay or non issuance of new visa or rejection of visa renewal by the Govt.
  4. The rules & regulations regarding conditions for visa issuance of GDRFAD, MOH and Govt may change from time to time.
  5. The mandatory documents as mentioned in the visa form should be submitted on or before the scheduled date by the BPDC Admissions Department and/or BPDC Administration (Admin Dept.).
  6. For visa renewal either the student should submit the necessary documents on or before the scheduled date by the Admin Dept or at least 8 weeks before the actual visa expiry date stamped in the passport.
  7. Submission of invalid documents or non-submission of required documents or late submission of required documents, or delaying the visa medical and/or related formalities beyond the scheduled date by DHA / National Emirates ID Authority (EIDA) / Institute will lead to immigration fines and penalty. The student is responsible for such fines and penalty.
  8. Valid health insurance is mandatory. Students are required to undergo a medical examination as prescribed by MOH / GDRFAD in the specified Govt. hospitals after their arrival in UAE to stamp the multiple entry visa in their passport. The medical examination and the related process usually take 3 – 5 weeks. If any student is declared medically unfit by MOH/GDRFAD, his/her residence visa will not be stamped / renewed and the student should leave the country immediately after canceling the visa.
  9. After the visa stamping in the passport, student can travel outside UAE any number of times with the prior approval of BPDC. Student should not stay outside UAE for more than 180 days continuously after the visa is stamped on the If the student stays beyond 180 days, his visa becomes invalid and will not be allowed to enter UAE
  10. Visa facilitated by BPDC is for the purpose of education only and students are not permitted to work.
  11. Student should contact the Admin Dept at least a month before the visa expiry for the visa renewal.
  12. Student should pay 2,900/-* for fresh visa & related service fee. The amount paid towards fresh visa & related service fee is non-refundable.
  13. In case of students, who are a resident of U.A.E. on their own visa sponsorship and wish to come under the visa facilitated by the Institute by in-country & local amendment should pay a sum of 4,700/-* towards fresh visa and related service charges. In such case, the student is required to submit the original passport and visa cancellation paper immediately after the cancellation of the existing visa along with all other required documents to process the student visa.
  14. Students should pay a sum of 2,150/-* per year towards visa renewal and related service charges.
  15. The visa and related services fee include Dhs 280/- towards mandatory EIDA Card** issued by Govt.
  16. The visa renewal and related service charges should be paid before applying for subsequent year visa renewal.
  17. The visa cancellation can be done only inside UAE by DDA through BPDC. After completion of the program and/or before leaving the Institute, the student residence visa must be cancelled by the BPDC Admin Dept irrespective of the visa validity stamped in the passport of the student. Hence student must complete the necessary formalities including submission of the original passport, EIDA card and payment of cancellation fees (Normal process AED 850/- with time frame of 10 to 15 working days) as informed by the Admin Dept. Students who have stayed outside UAE for more than 180 days continuously are also required to cancel their visa through Admin Dept even though the visa is invalid. Failure to do so will result in serious consequences as per rules and regulations of Institute, DDA, GDRFAD and Govt.
  18. Students should keep themselves updated about the rules and regulations pertaining to the terms and conditions of their residence visa as stipulated by GDRFAD.
  19. Student should abide by all the rules and regulation of the BPDC, DDA, GDRFAD and Govt. Non-compliance of any laws and regulation by various Authorities may lead to penalty including deportation for which BPDC is not responsible.
  20. Cancellation of Entry permit will take a minimum of 10 to 15 working days.

*All the fee charges as mentioned above for visa & related services are indicative only and or subject to change as per rules and regulations of the Institute, DDA, DIAC, GDRFAD and Govt .

**With regards to EIDA log on to https://uae/en/information-and-services/visa-and-emirates-id/emirates-id

In case of any changes in the personal information provided in the visa form, the student should notify the same to the Administration Department of BPDC immediately.

Important Dates

Important Dates for Ph.D.

 

IMPORTANT DATES FOR HIGHER DEGREE ADMISSION 2026-27

Event First Semester Second Semester
Last Date for receipt of Application 01-May-26 05-November-26
Admission Test and Interview 20-May-26 09 December 26
Registration & Orientation 28-August-26 22-January-27
Classwork Begins 31-August-26 25-January-27

Contact Us

Admissions Office
BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus
Dubai International Academic City
P.O. Box: 345055,
Dubai, UAE
Admission Office (Direct): +9714 2753 711
Admission Office (Board): +9714 2753 700 Extn. 122 / 123 /124 / 138
Office Timings (Dubai)
Monday to Friday– 7:30 am – 3:45 pm
India Office:
Address: 1008, Survey No: 80,83,84
Floor: 10th
Gowra Fountain Head,
Patrika Nagar, Madhapur,
Hitech City
Hyderabad- 500081
Telangana.
Office Timings (India)
Monday to Friday– 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday– 9:00 am – 1 pm

Call us  on: +9714 2753 711 (Dubai)
+91 63 09 88 3904 (India) +91 72 07 89 9869 (India) +91 91 21 90 7799 (India)

Write to us: admission@bitspilanidubai.ae

Useful Links:

Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.)

Master of Engineering (M.E.)

Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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