PhD Pathology- Admission, Eligibility, Top Colleges, Syllabus, Duration, Jobs and Salary

Updated October 18, 2022

PhD Pathology or Doctor of Philosophy in pathology is a three-year doctorate program. The program deals with the study of diseases and all aspects of biomedical science for a comprehensive understanding of disease processes to develop techniques for diagnosing, preventing, and treating conditions.

Candidates aspiring to pursue the Ph.D. Pathology must be a master’s degree holder in Pathology or other relevant disciplines from a recognized institution. Admission to Ph.D. in Pathology program is based on the applicant’s performance in a relevant entrance exam and a resulting round of counseling sessions.

Some institutes that offer Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology admissions are Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (Wardha), Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (Meerut), etc. The average fee for a Ph.D. Pathology course in India ranges from INR 10K to 1 LPA, depending on the selection of institute for admission.

Important PhD Pathology Course Details

The table below presents some major highlights of the Doctor of Philosophy in pathology course.

Course NamePhD Pathology
Course LevelDoctorate Level
Full form             Doctor of Philosophy in pathology
Course Duration   Three Years
Examination TypeSemester- Wise
Minimum EligibilityPost graduate degree in pathology or other related discipline
Admission ProcessEntrance Exam or Merit Based
Average Course FeesINR 10K to 1 LPA
Average initial SalaryINR 3 to 10 LPA
Top Recruiting FirmsApollo Hospital, National Institute of Health, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Dr. Lal Path Labs, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, etc.
Top Employment AreasGovernment or Private Hospitals, Medical Colleges, Private clinics, Medical and Research Labs, etc.
Top Job ProfilesProfessor, Pathologist, Marketing Executive – Pathology Services, Sales Executive/Manager and BDM – Pathology Testing, Professor – Oral Surgery, Oral Surgeon Consultant, Research Associate – Oral Drug Delivery etc.

PhD in Pathology Admission Process

Admission to the Ph.D. pathology is based on the candidates’ scores in the relevant entrance tests for the course. While some Institutes consider the score of national entrance tests like NET, GATE, SET, etc., administered by apex bodies like UGC, CSIR, ICAR, ICMR, etc., some conduct their own entrance test for providing admission to the program.

PhD in Pathology Eligibility Criteria

We have listed below the minimum eligibility criteria for Ph.D. in pathology that candidates must meet to enroll in the program. The eligibility criteria might differ from institution to institution, but below are considered by most colleges/universities offering the program.

  • Candidates must have a Post Graduate degree in pathology (Like MSc pathology) or other relevant disciplines with a minimum of 50% marks in aggregate.
  • They also have to clear the relevant entrance examination of the course conducted by the University or other administering bodies.

Top PhD Pathology Colleges in India  

Colleges and universities across the country that offer PhD pathology courses are in significant numbers Below are some top institutes in India that offer the course.

  • Loyola College   Chennai              
  • Presidency College, Chennai       
  • Basanthali University, Jaipur       
  • Jadavpur University, Kolkata       
  • University of Calcutta, Kolkata
  • Nalanda Open University, Patna
  • University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad
  • Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth, Pune
  • Maharishi Dayanand University, Rohtak 
  • Indian Institute of Technology, Varanasi               
  • Meenakshi College for Women, Chennai               
  • Jyoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, Jaipur       

PhD in Pathology Course Syllabus

Ph.D. Pathology is a three-year doctorate program, and the course syllabus incorporates various subjects and topics related to pathology and biomedical sciences. The table presents the year-wise breakup of the course’s syllabus.

Particulars of PhD Pathology Syllabus

YearsSubject/Topics of Study
First YearCancer
Inflammation and Immunology
Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms
Second YearBiology
Cell Death and Regulation
Stem Cell and Developmental
Third YearNeurobiology
Gene Regulation

Scope after PhD in Pathology Program

Since there are many different pathology subspecialties, postgraduates have a wide range of career options. They can choose to specialize in any of these fields, histology, cytopathology, or clinical pathology, and work under the direction of some of the best pathologists. And after graduating successfully, they can work as Specialists in any sub-branches of pathology such as clinical pathology, surgical pathology, anatomical pathology, molecular pathology, veterinary pathology, plant pathology, and forensic pathology.

Post completing the program, postgraduates can find job opportunities in various fields like Government or Private Hospitals, Medical Colleges, Private clinics, Medical and Research Labs, etc. They can be employed as consultants to doctors or medical examiners. Career opportunities for experienced pathology professionals in universities, laboratories, and hospitals abound. They also work for government organizations, law enforcement, the public health sectors, etc.

PhD Pathology Jobs and Career options

Post completing the program, postgraduates can find job opportunities in various fields like Government or Private Hospitals, Medical Colleges, Private clinics, Medical and Research Labs, etc. They are designated on various profiles with handsome salary packages. Below are some top job profiles that candidates can aspire to after completing the Ph.D. Pathology program.

  • Medical Examiner
  • Medical Pathologist
  • Forensic Pathologist
  • Pathology Professor
  • Veterinary Clinical Pathologist

Graduates of PhD Pathology Salary in India

The average initial salary of the postgraduates in Ph.D. pathology ranges from INR 3 to 10 lakh per annum, depending on job profiles, work organization, and job location. Still, with gaining work experience, their salaries increase. Their salaries vary depending on factors like Job profile, knowledge, skill set, recruiter, work hours, etc. Listed below are some top profiles in Ph.D. pathology with average salary trends.

  • Medical Examiner:- INR 10 Lakh Per Annum
  • Medical Pathologist:- INR 4 Lakh Per Annum
  • Pathology Professor:- INR 8 Lakh Per Annum
  • Forensic Pathologist:- INR 7 Lakh Per Annum
  • Veterinary Clinical Pathologist:- INR 9 Lakh Per Annum

FAQs on Doctor of Philosophy in Pathology

Q. Can I do PhD in Pathology?

Ans:- Yes, you can do a Ph.D. in Pathology after completing a postgraduate degree in the related discipline from a recognized college or university. It is a three-year doctorate program that deals with studying diseases and all aspects of biomedical science for a comprehensive understanding of disease processes to develop techniques for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases.

Q. Can I do PhD in Pathology after MSC Microbiology?

Ans:- Sure, you can. However, it’s usually preferable to avoid a cross-major. So, one wise recommendation is to pursue your Ph.D. in streamlining your Master’s degree.

Q. How is Pathology as MD?

Ans:- MD in Pathology is a three years postgraduate program after completing an MBBS degree. It involves studying Pathology, Immunology, and Neuroscience and helps the students to be able to learn about the effects, process, development, and cause of the ailments.

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