Program duration and fees

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Program details

  • The PhD duration will be maximum 4 years.
  • Students will be co-supervised by academics from both BITS and RMIT throughout their candidature.
  • While at a BITS campus in India students will complete the required coursework and be required to develop their research proposal for confirmation of candidature by the end of their first year.
  • Students will typically visit RMIT for up to 12 months (normally occurs after Confirmation of candidature in line with agreed research plan and consultation with supervisors across both institutions).
  • RMIT coursework requirements will be completed when the students are at RMIT.

Please note that:

  • Students with a 4+2 Master’s degree (in Eng/Tech) need to do at least 2 BITS-related credits in the first 6 months
  • Candidates with a 3+2 Master’s degree and 4 Years Bachelors degree will need to complete course requirements (24 credits) in the first two semesters
  • In addition to coursework that needs to be completed, students will need to also propose and defend their PhD proposal by the end of year 1.

RMIT compulsory courses per College

As part of their program at RMIT, STEM College candidates are required to complete three compulsory courses:

  • OENG1233 or BIOL2522 – Doing Research for Engineering and Computing or Doing Research for Sciences
  • OENG1234 or BIOL2523 – Research for Impact in Engineering and Computing or Research Impact in Sciences
  • OENG1160 – Entrepreneurship in Research

College of Design and Social Context candidates at RMIT are required to complete two compulsory courses:

  • HUSO2438 – Doing Research for Design and Social Context
  • HUSO2439 – Research for Impact in Design and Social Context

College of Business and Law (CoBL) candidates are required to complete the following coursework:

  • OMGT2365 – Research Philosophy and Design
  • OMGT2374 – Research Methods and Impact
  • OMGT2368 – Higher Degree Research Practice
  • OMGT2362 – Advanced Seminars in Global Business and Law Research

BITS candidates enrolled in a STEM or DSC program may apply for credit exemptions for the applicable Doing Research course. BITS Candidates enrolled in a CoBL program may apply for credit exemptions for OMGT2368 Higher Degrees Research Practice coursework.

To apply for an exemption, candidates must apply for credit assessment and submit evidence of completing the following BITS courses: BITS G540 Research Practice, BITS G529 Research Project I and BITS G539 Research Project II.

Costs, fees and scholarships

Costs when at BITS campuses in India

  1. Tuition fees at BITS India campuses:
    • Fee to be paid at the time of joining: INR 39,175 (this fee is for the academic year 2024-2025. There could be a marginal increase that will be initiated a later date).
    • The first semester fee includes a non-refundable admission fee of INR 10,000 and a refundable deposit of INR 3,000.
    • Semester fees from second semester onwards are INR 25,950 (the fees are reviewed annually).
    • Student aid fund is INR 225 p.a.
    • There is a PhD submission fee of INR 15,000 which needs to be paid at the time of submission.
    • You will also be required to pay boarding charges which depend on your campus and living arrangements.
  2. A stipend will be made available:
    • Annual stipend for those with first degree (B.E. / M.Sc.) qualification: INR 5,13,600.
    • Annual stipend for those with higher degree (M.E. / M.Tech.) qualification: INR 5,49,600.
  3. Tuition fees at BITS Dubai campus include:
    • Fee to be paid at the time of joining: AED 37,755 (this fee is for the academic year 2024-2025. There could be a marginal increase that will be intimated at a later date).
    • The first semester fee includes a non-refundable admission fee of AED 2,000 and a refundable deposit of AED 2,000.
    • There is an application fee of AED 220 and activity fee of AED 1,200 p.a.
    • There is a PhD submission fee of AED 1,000 which needs to be paid at the time of submission.
    • Semester fees from second semester onwards are AED 2,400 (the fees are reviewed annually).
    • There is a Ph.D. thesis submission fee of AED 1,000 which needs to be paid at the time of thesis submission.
  4. A stipend will be made available:
    • Annual stipend of AED 30,000.
    • In addition, you will receive an annual top-up stipend of around AED 4,900.

Costs when at RMIT campuses in Australia

  1. Your tuition fees at RMIT
    • You will not have to pay tuition fees at RMIT for the duration of your time in Melbourne (up to one year).
  2. A stipend will be made available:
    • During the period of stay in Melbourne (up to 12 months), you will receive a stipend amount, equivalent to the RTP stipend rate of AUD$35,886 per annum (2025 rate), pro rata to cover your cost of living including accommodation, food and entertainment.
  3. Other costs and fees
    • Tuition fee offset will be applied against your student account during your time (up to 12 months only) in Melbourne.
    • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) through Medibank (up to 13 months) will be provided by RMIT.
    • BITS will organise the booking of a single return economy airfare (India/Dubai to Melbourne return).
    • Candidates will be responsible for any associated travel expenses such as taxi, additional baggage or visa application and fee costs.
Note, these figures will be reviewed annually.
Overview and qualifications required
How to apply for the PhD partnership