PhD in Physical Education is short for Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Education is a specialized course approved by the University Grants Commission. The course duration is 3 years, which can be extended up to 5 years depending on the time taken by the student.
PhD Physical Education eligibility is that the candidate must have completed, if not, a relevant master’s degree like M Phil, MA Physical Education, or MPE. PhD Admission in Physical Education mostly happens based on entrance exams.
PhD in Physical Education fees may vary depending on the Institute. Some public Universities and Institutions like BPCA's College of Physical Education may offer the course in INR 12,865. Meanwhile, some private universities or institutions like Rabindranath Tagore University, and YMCA College of Physical Education may offer the same course in somewhere between INR 2,50,000 – and 3,50,000.
Doing a PhD in Physical Education is the highest qualification you can achieve, and it opens a lot of doors for your career. Candidates, after completing their PhD in Physical Education, can pursue profiles like Physical Education Teacher, Sports Trainer, Gym Instructor, Yoga Instructor, Sports Nutritionist, Sports Psychologist, Sports Manager, etc. The average salary students can earn after completing their degree is around INR 6,00,000 – 12,00,000.
- PhD in Physical Education Course Highlights
- PhD in Physical Education Eligibility Criteria
- PhD in Physical Education Entrance Exams
- PhD in Physical Education Admission Procedure 2025
- PhD in Physical Education Colleges In India
- PhD in Physical Education Syllabus
- PhD in Physical Education Job Opportunities
- PhD in Physical Education FAQs
PhD in Physical Education Course Highlights
Listed below are some of the basic details for the course PhD in Physical Education:
Details | Particulars |
Course Name | PhD Physical Education |
Course Level | PhD |
Duration | 3 Years - 5 Years |
Course Type | Full-Time/Part-Time |
Admission Process | Entrance Based |
Eligibility Criteria | a Master’s degree in physical education or a relevant degree with a minimum of 55%. |
Course Fees | INR 12,865 – 3,50,000 |
Subjects | Foundation of Physical Education and Sports, Research Methodology and Computer Applications in Physical Education and Sports, Science of Training, Training Load and Methods, Technical and Tactical Preparation for Sports, Bioenergetic, Fitness Testing, Sports Skill and Psychological Test, Normal Probability Curve. |
Top Colleges | RNTU University, YMCA College of Physical Education, BPCA’s College of Physical Education, Aligarh Muslim University, IIMT University, Lovely Professional University, Pondicherry University, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational & Research Institute |
Job Profile | Physical Education Teacher, Sports Trainer, Gym Instructor, Yoga Instructor, Sports Nutritionist, Sports Psychologist, Sports Manager |
Top Recruiters Areas | Sports Centres, Schools, Colleges, Fitness training centers, Healthcare Clinics, Yoga Centres, Etc. |
Average Salary in India | INR 6,00,000 – 12,00,000 |
PhD in Physical Education Eligibility Criteria
- The Eligibility Criteria for Physical Education PhD programs, as per the UGC, are a Master’s Degree in Physical Education.
- Students with an equivalent degree to a Master's degree in Physical Education can also apply for the course, but in some institutions. For eg, M Phil, MA Physical Education, or even MPE.
PhD in Physical Education Entrance Exams
As PhD Admission in Physical Education is mostly based on an entrance exam, listed below are some of the entrance exams that the students need to appear in to pursue this course:
Exams | Conducting Body | Application Date (Tentative) | Exam Date (Tentative) | Application Fee |
UGC NET | National Testing Agency | Closed | 21 June 2025 to 30 June 2025 | INR 1,150/- |
CSIR UGC NET | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Yet to Release | June/December | INR 1,150/- |
BHU Research Entrance Test | Banaras Hindu University | Yet to Release | Yet to Release | INR 600/- |
PhD in Physical Education Admission Procedure 2025
The Physical Education PhD admission process may differ depending on the institution or university you’re taking admission in.
To give students a general idea about the Physical Education PhD admission process, below we have listed the admission procedure for the BPCA College of Physical Education, Mumbai:
- Candidates aspiring for admission to BPCA College of Physical Education need to go through an entrance examination conducted by the university (PET).
- Students who appeared for the entrance examination, like UGC NET/UGC CSIR NET/SLET/GAT, E, or teachers are relieved from the conducted exam.
- Also, candidates who have completed their M Phil program will be relieved from the entrance examination.
- Students who want to pursue a P.hD. in Physical Education and have neither appeared in the entrance examination nor have a degree of M Phil but an equivalent master’s degree need to take the Entrance Test (PET) conducted by the institute.
- In the PET, students need to score as high as possible in that 100 Marks entrance test. Only the candidates, who have scored over 50% are to be considered eligible.
If you want to upskill yourself with the basics of Physical Education, check the details of the Diploma in Physical Education.
PhD in Physical Education Colleges In India
For students who want to pursue a PhD in Physical Education, given below is a list of some of the best colleges that offer a P.hD. in Physical Education. Let’s have a look at them:
Colleges | NIRF Ranking
(University) | Course Fees (Approx.) |
Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh | 8 | INR 35,000/- |
Lovely Professional University, Punjab | 27 | INR 3,00,000/- |
Pondicherry University, Pondicherry | 30 | Not Disclosed |
RNTU University, Madhya Pradesh | - | INR 2,50,000/- |
YMCA College of Physical Education, Chennai | - | INR 23,510/- |
BPCA’s College of Physical Education | - | INR 12,865/- |
IIMT University, Meerut | Not Disclosed | |
Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational & Research Institute, | - | INR 2,42,000 |
PhD in Physical Education Syllabus
The syllabus of a PhD Physical Education may vary depending on the institution the candidate has chosen. However, to give students an overall idea, we have listed some of the subjects that are taken from the BCPA’s College of Physical Education:
Foundations Of Physical Education And Sports | Research Methodology And Computer Applications In Physical Education And Sports |
Philosophical Basis of
Physical Education | Research in Physical
Education and Types |
Historical Basis of Physical
Education in India | Sampling, Tools, and
Techniques for Data
Collection |
Biological Basis of Physical
Education | Methods of Research: |
Sociological Basis of Physical
Education | Writing a Research Report |
Science Of Training And Coaching In Sports And Games | Exercise And Sports Physiology |
Sports Training, Coaching, and Rules of Games and Sports | Introduction to Exercise Physiology |
Training Load and Methods | Work Performance & Environment |
Technical and Tactical Preparation for Sports | Bioenergetic |
Planning, Periodization, and Preparation for Competition | Responses and Adaptations to Exercise and Training |
Test, Measurement, And Evaluation In Physical Education And Sports | Psychology Of Physical Education And Sports |
Introduction to Test, Measurement, and Evaluation | Psychology of Physical Education and Sports |
Construction and Classification of the Test | Learning in Physical Education and Sports |
Fitness Testing | Motivation and Personality |
Sports Skill and Psychological Tests | Psychology of Competition |
Statistics In Physical Education And Sports Research | Sports Biomechanics |
Introduction to Statistics | Introduction to Biomechanics |
Normal Probability Curve | Human movement and biomechanics |
Descriptive Analysis of Data | Introduction to Kinesiology |
Inferential Analysis of Data | Applied kinesiology |
Applied Yoga In Physical Education And Sports | Management Of Physical Fitness And Wellness |
Introduction to Yoga | Fitness and Wellness |
Yoga and Exercise for Health | Behavior Modification |
Effect of Yogic Exercise | Daily Schedule of Achieving Quality of Life and Wellness |
Application of Yoga |
Health Education | Sports Medicine |
Health and Health Education | Introduction |
Health and Fitness | Injury & tissue response |
Environmental Health | Therapeutic modalities & rehabilitation |
Diseases and Health | Medical Problem and Rehabilitation |
Management And Professional Preparation In Physical Education And Sports | Sports Nutrition |
The Management Process | Overview of Nutrition |
Aspects in Physical Education and Sports Management | Human Energy |
Teacher Education | Dietary Requirement |
Curricular aspects | Vitamin, water, electrolyte, and temperature |
PhD in Physical Education Job Opportunities
Completing a PhD in Physical Education opens up a wide range of opportunities for candidates. Here are some of the job profiles candidates can pursue after completing a PhD in Physical Education. The roles and salaries are taken from sources like Naukri, Indeed, and Payscale.
Job Profiles | Average Salary |
Physical Education Teacher | INR 3,00,000 – 3,75,000 |
Sports Trainer | - |
Gym Instructor | INR 1,00,000 - 2,75,000 |
Yoga Instructor | INR 1,00,000 - 4,00,000 |
Sports Nutritionist | INR 3,00,000 - 8,00,000 |
Sports Psychologist | INR 4,00,000 - 6,00,000 |
Sports Manager | INR 6,00,000 - 8,00,000 |
PhD in Physical Education FAQs
How many years is a PhD in Physical Education?
A P.hD. in Physical Education is primarily a 3-year program. However, it can extend up to 5 years, depending on the time taken by the students.
What can you do with a P.hD. in Physical Education?
Upon completing a PhD in Physical Education, you can pursue several exciting roles that align with your career or field. After completing a PhD in Physical Education, one can pursue roles like a nutritionist, fitness trainer, sports manager, physical therapist, physical education teacher, etc.
Is Phd in Physical Education worth it in 2025?
Yes, a PhD in Physical Education is the highest qualification you can achieve in this field. Completing a PhD broadens your choices, especially in these times when everybody needs to stay healthy and fit; a degree in that field will prove to be beneficial.
What is the highest degree in Physical Education?
A PhD in Physical Education is the highest qualification you can get. Expanded as Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Education, this role is above all. Also, completing PhD commands respect that the candidate have earned showcasing their skills and dedication.
