Dhanwyn K

Please help..MSc through Distance mode and Regular PhD

I am a B.Tech (Biotech) graduate and I am currently working as JRF. I would like to go for doctoral research after completing my current project which is for 3 years.Meanwhile I would like to do distance mode MSc course to enhance my chances of getting into good institutes for doctoral research. Will my distance mode MSc be recognized? or shall i resign my job and go for regular mode education? Please guide me...

by Dhanwyn K
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3 answers

RE: Please help..MSc through Distance mode and Regular PhD

Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma
Verified Career Expert
Career Counselor & Volunteer at Manovikas Kendra
  • Hyderabad

Its my pleasure Karna, We are here to help you in a best possible way we can.

RE: Please help..MSc through Distance mode and Regular PhD

Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma
Verified Career Expert
Career Counselor & Volunteer at Manovikas Kendra
  • Hyderabad


Hi karna,

Distance courses values for people with work experience. So, you can continue with your job and take a distance course along with it.

All the best

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RE: Please help..MSc through Distance mode and Regular PhD

Dr Aparna
Dr Aparna
Verified Career Expert
PhD Organizational Psychology
  • Hosur

Dear PhD aspirant,


Many congratulations on your decision to study a PhD. I see you are in the field of biotech. You have mentioned that you are in the post of JRF. Could you please make it clear for me if it is the work position titled "Junior research fellow" or you got it after qualifying UGC JRF exam? Because these two are different.

Coming to your question of studying PhD at the top universities:
You have mentioned your desire to studying PhD Biotech at top universities. This is very much possible even without getting an MSc degree.Almost all the universities in India will still offer you a PhD seat with your bachelors degree and JRF position. However I would strongly recommend the following two steps to help you join a top uni for your PhD.

1. Qualify UGC NET/ JRF: As I mentioned earlier, I am not sure if you have sat up for the UGC NET - JRF exam. Lots of students take work positions on the title "Junior research assistant" or "Junior researcher" or "Junior research fellow" even without sitting for the UGC exams. If this is your case, it is strongly recommended to sit for the UGC NET exam. This is known as national eligibility test for being qualified for a PhD entrance or lecturing jobs. This exam is conducted two times a year, one in the month of June and the other one in Dec. If you have not appeared for this exam before, please sit for one in the next intake. Passing this will qualify you for sending PhD applications.

The criteria to be qualified for sending the PhD application is either of this:
10+2+Bachelors+Masters+Net = PhD
OR
10+2+Bachelors+JRF(Work experience)+Net = PhD

2. Publish/ present papers:The second best way to increase your chances of getting the PhD in top universities is through publication. By the end of your JRF, try publishing one or two research papers in top journals. You can also participate in national workshops, seminars and present your research papers there. Every university will receive upto 100-200 PhD applications and hardly five will have publications. And these five are often prefered the most and their success rate of getting the PhD offer is high. So ensure you too do some publications.

Should you do an MSc?
A masters course by distance is never advisable. Especially in science subjects a masters by distance is not seen valid. You may know that you require to conduct a lot of laboratory work and a distance course might not give you that 100% lab facility. Though you may still be able to do lab work only during your final year distance MSc. However a masters by distance in science subject is not alt all pleasing in the eyes of PhD admission committe.

The main reason why you want to do a masters is when you personally feel like updtaing your knowledge before you embark on your PhD study. For example, you could have decided on what you want to do your PhD right? See if that PhD is almost a continuation of your work in JRF. If the PhD topic is completely new, then you have to really sit for a masters degree.

Finally, doing a masters degree is upto your personal satisfaction. But a masters by distance is not pleasing and advisable. You can definitely get a PhD seat in top tier unis if you have three years JRF experience, qualified UGC JRF exam and as well published one or two of your research papers.

All the very best.
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RE: Please help..MSc through Distance mode and Regular PhD

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Caching Date: 12/3/2023 3:28:17 AM