BITS-RMIT PhD Program

Transform your future with a transnational joint PhD from two leading universities – start your research at BITS, then undertake up to one year of your candidature in a scholarship-funded position at RMIT in Melbourne, Australia. 

Apply for the BITS-RMIT PhD Program

The BITS-RMIT PhD Program is a unique transnational program that allows you to obtain a joint PhD from two leading universities BITS (Birla Institute of Technology and Science) and RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology).

This PhD program is designed specifically for Indian students.

As part of this program, students will receive a generous scholarship with nominal tuition fees from BITS, plus a full RMIT tuition fee scholarship, and stipend for the duration of your time in Melbourne (up to one year) and return flights to Melbourne.

You will have the opportunity to develop your research skills, network with renowned academics, access cutting edge facilities and gain hands-on experience conducting original research across:

  • Business
  • Science
  • Engineering
  • Computer Science and IT
  • Mathematics
  • Health
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • Design

 

PhD Program duration and fees

What makes the BITS-RMIT PhD Program unique?

A joint PhD from two leading universities

Acquire an internationally recognised qualification from an Indian Institute of Eminence University and a top Australian university

Generous scholarships

Receive a full RMIT tuition fee scholarship for the duration of your enrolment and a generous scholarship with nominal tuition fees from BITS (see costs, fees and scholarships below)

Experience two global universities

Benefit from the combined expertise of two leading universities, be jointly supervised by faculty from BITS and RMIT and access world-class research facilities in both India and Melbourne

Explore Australia

Travel to Australia for up to one year of your candidature and be supported by an Australian stipend for the duration of your time in Melbourne (see costs, fees and scholarships)

Minimum qualification requirements

Candidate must meet the requirements specified below before applying. Applications that do not provide evidence of meeting the minimum requirements will not progress further.

  • Master’s degree from CEP S2* (“Good Institutions” with “Very Good” grade scale or “First Division/Class” or equivalent). Examples may include (not limited to) M Technology, M Engineering, M Pharmacy, MBA, MA, MPhil

OR

  • Master’s degree from CEP S2 *(“Good Institutions” with “Very Good” grade scale or “First Division/Class” or equivalent). Examples may include (not limited to) MSc, MCA

OR

  • Bachelor’s degree *(e.g. BTech/BEng) requiring at least four (4) years of full-time study
    • In a relevant discipline awarded with honours
    • The degree should include a research component comprised of a thesis, other research projects or research methodology subjects that constitute at least 25% of a full time (or part time equivalent) academic year.
    • The applicant must have achieved at least a distinction average in the final year.

AND

  • GATE Score OR a high score in UGC-NET, CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, DST-INSPIRE**

*Where degree certificate or final year transcripts are not yet available, applicants may upload the previous semester / year transcripts

**Candidates without a valid GATE/ UGC-NET, CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, DST-INSPIRE score can be considered if they have undertaken GATE in the last five years AND/OR have a minimum of two years professional work experience, AND if they meet all other eligibility requirements. Where applicants wish to use the option of providing 2 years professional work experience as evidence – please include evidence within your uploaded documents

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

Based on the Candidate’s program, BITS candidates may apply for credit exemptions for the applicable Doing Research course. To apply for exemptions, 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.

English Language Requirements

Students need to meet the minimum English language requirements for admission into programs at RMIT University. More information is available on our website.

English can be met via:

  1. An accepted English language proficiency test (e.g.TOEFL/IELTS)
  2. An accepted English language provider
  3. A recognised qualification.

Applicants for HDR programs who are not from an English speaking country can demonstrate English language proficiency by the following:

  1. A postgraduate qualification from an accredited university or institution where:
    1. English was the medium of instruction and assessment of study, and
    2. the final year of university study was completed during the five years immediately prior to the commencement of study at RMIT University.
  2. Successful completion of at least two years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) university study from an accredited university or institution where:
    1. English was the medium of instruction and assessment of study, and
    2. the final year of university study was undertaken during the two years immediately prior to commencement at RMIT.
  3. Evidence of professional experience and/or academic publications in English, such as:
    1. sustained work for two years immediately prior to commencement at RMIT in a country where English is an official language
    2. authorship or co-authorship of at least two English language peer-reviewed journal articles or a book chapter written and published in English within the three years prior to commencement at RMIT.

Apply now

Applications generally open during September (for January intake) and March (for July/August intake).

Contact us

BITS related PhD application queries – enquiry-bitsrmitphd@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in
RMIT related applications queries – BITSRMIT.PhD@rmit.edu.au
RMIT related candidates queries – submit a ticket or visit the School of Graduate Research

How to apply for the PhD program