Ph.D

KUHS offers a full-time PhD programme across health sciences disciplines including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health sciences. The doctorate runs for a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 5 years. Total fees are INR 3.3 Lakhs for the programme, payable at INR 1.1 Lakhs per year. Admission is through a KUHS-conducted entrance test followed by an interview, making it the only KUHS programme with its own entrance examination.

📋 Admission Status: Applications are currently open. Last date to apply is 31 July 2026.

Key Points

• KUHS PhD is the only programme at the university that uses an institution-conducted entrance test, unlike all other KUHS courses which admit on merit.
• Applications open twice a year in January and July, giving candidates two admission windows per year instead of the usual single annual cycle.
• KUHS offers a University Fellowship for full-time PhD scholars, providing financial support during the research tenure.
• The programme imposes an upper age limit of 45 years as on 31 December of the admission year, unlike most research doctorates that have no age cap.

KUHS PhD Fees 2026

The PhD programme fee at KUHS is structured as an annual payment spread over the course duration.

• Fee is payable annually throughout the programme tenure.
• Fees are subject to change. Verify with KUHS before admission.

KUHS PhD Admission 2026

Important Dates

• Two cycles open annually: January and July.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

• Master’s degree in a relevant health sciences discipline from a recognised university with a minimum of 55 per cent marks in aggregate.
• Age not more than 45 years as on 31 December of the admission year.
• Research proposal to be submitted at the time of application for evaluation at the interview stage.

Admission Process

• Apply online through the KUHS portal during the January or July application window.
• KUHS conducts a written entrance test to shortlist candidates.
• Shortlisted candidates appear for a research interview conducted by the university.
• Final selection is based on combined performance in the entrance test and interview.
• Selected candidates register and enrol under a recognised KUHS guide at an affiliated institution.

KUHS PhD vs Other Colleges

Here is how KUHS PhD compares with other health sciences PhD programmes on fees, exams, and research environment.

✓ Opt for this if

• Health sciences PG graduate in Kerala wanting to pursue a PhD close to home
• Two admission windows per year allow flexibility if the first attempt is missed
• Planning an academic career within Kerala’s public health or teaching institutions
• KUHS University Fellowship partially offsets the annual fee burden

✗ Skip if

• INR 3.3 Lakhs in fees is a constraint when AIIMS or JIPMER charge negligible fees
• Targeting internationally ranked research output linked to AIIMS or JIPMER
• Already above 45 years, as the age cap disqualifies mid-career professionals

KUHS PhD Scholarships 2026

National fellowships and the KUHS University Fellowship are available to eligible PhD scholars.

• Fellowship amounts are revised periodically by awarding bodies.
• National fellowships require host institution approval from KUHS.

KUHS PhD FAQs

Ques. How is the KUHS PhD entrance test different from national PhD entrance exams?

Ans. The KUHS entrance test is tailored specifically to health sciences disciplines such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health, making it more focused than general tests like UGC-NET. It is followed by a research interview that evaluates the proposed research area, methodology awareness, and postgraduate-level subject knowledge. Unlike most national tests held once a year, KUHS runs two cycles in January and July, so there is no year-long wait if the first attempt is unsuccessful.

Ques. Can a working professional pursue KUHS PhD on a part-time basis?

Ans. KUHS offers a part-time PhD option, allowing working professionals to pursue the doctorate over up to 5 years. Part-time scholars must register at an affiliated institution with a recognised guide, attend seminars and review meetings, and meet publication and thesis milestones. The part-time route does not attract the KUHS University Fellowship, which is reserved for full-time scholars. Candidates should confirm part-time availability with the specific affiliated institution before applying.

Ques. What disciplines can a KUHS PhD scholar choose?

Ans. KUHS PhD covers disciplines across modern medicine (clinical and basic sciences), nursing, pharmacy, ayurveda, homoeopathy, siddha, yoga, naturopathy, unani, and allied health sciences including physiotherapy and medical laboratory sciences. Available subjects depend on recognised guides at affiliated institutions, so candidates should identify a potential research supervisor and affiliated research centre before applying, as guide availability varies by institution and discipline.

Ques. What is the KUHS University Fellowship and who qualifies for it?

Ans. The KUHS University Fellowship provides financial support to full-time PhD scholars enrolled at KUHS-affiliated research centres who do not hold any other national fellowship such as JRF or ICMR. The amount and tenure are announced in the admission notification each cycle and are subject to revision. Candidates who hold JRF, ICMR, or DST-INSPIRE fellowships at the time of joining are not eligible for the KUHS fellowship but can carry their existing fellowship into the programme.

Ques. Does the PG degree for KUHS PhD eligibility need to be from a KUHS-affiliated institution?

Ans. No. The candidate’s own postgraduate degree does not need to be from a KUHS-affiliated college. Candidates who completed their PG from other universities such as Kerala University, Calicut University, RGUHS, Rajasthan University, or even central universities are eligible to apply, provided the degree is in a relevant health sciences discipline and the aggregate marks are at least 55 per cent. Only the PhD guide and research centre must be recognised by KUHS.