Mass communication(s) is a broad field, spanning traditional media to contemporary, technology-driven new media (e.g. web and social media). At its core, mass communication is messaging that is created for, delivered to and consumed by large audiences. A comprehensive academic discipline, the study of mass communication considers the function and effects of media in its various forms and how it is shaped by and impacts social, cultural, political, and social institutions.
Whether it is the study of how media influences social activities and trends or how consumer behavior informs advertising methods, doctoral-level studies in mass communication integrate communication theory, research methods, and critical analysis. The Ph.D. in mass communication prepares students to become academics, teachers, and researchers, but may also offer them pathways to careers in media-related industries, such as public relations, journalism, advertising, and mass media.
PhD in Mass Communication Course Details
| Degree | Doctorate |
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy Mass Communication |
| Duration | 3 Years |
| Age | There is no upper age limit. |
| Entrance Exam | GATE, UGC NET |
| Subjects Required | Masters in Mass Communication or relevant field |
| Minimum Percentage | 50% |
| Average Fees | INR 10,000 to 2 LPA |
| Average Salary | INR 3 - 7.5 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Editor, Researcher, Lecturer, Associate Professor, Media Consultant, etc. |
Types of PhD in Mass Communication Courses
A PhD in Mass Communication is a research-based doctorate program and that's the reason this course can be done in any of three modes i.e full-time, part-time, and distance learning mode. Aspirants can pursue the PhD in Mass Communication courses at many top universities.
Full-Time PhD in Mass Communication
A full-time PhD in Mass Communication duration is three to six years that is provided by many top respected colleges or universities. Scholar that is doing a full-time PhD is in a position to adjust their schedule so that it goes in line with the institution where they are doing their course.
This full-time course is all about classroom-based studying, research projects, and assignments. There are no limitations on the age for taking admissions. One of the most common advantages of a full-time PhD is that a candidate can complete their course in a short time. Some doctorate programs take as little as three years to complete.
Part-Time PhD in Mass Communication
A part-time PhD in Mass Communication program is for 5 years. This course is created for students who are working somewhere or are professionals. A part-time mode is all about having limited classes. Part-time PhD is mainly focused on research for the development of the company rather than individual research work.
Distance PhD in Mass Communication
A distance PhD in Mass Communication in India program is quite easy for getting knowledge at any time from anywhere. Many people believe in pursuing this course because of no issue of being physically present at the universities.
The objective behind the creation of this distance learning program is to provide the degree along with the knowledge while working.
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in India
India has some best universities that are holding the best placements, faculties, and education systems with the perfect fee structures. Below is the list of the top best PhD in Mass Communication colleges in the country:
| SL. NO. | NAME OF THE COLLEGES |
| 1 | Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Delhi |
| 2 | Jamia Millia, Delhi |
| 3 | SIMC, Pune |
| 4 | UNIPUNE |
| 5 | Manipal Institute of Communication, Manipal |
| 6 | XIC, Mumbai |
| 7 | Gauhati University, Guwahati |
| 8 | SPPU, Pune |
| 9 | Department of Communication, University of Hyderabad |
| 10 | Department of Media Studies, Christ University, Bengaluru |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in New Delhi
Delhi, the educational hub of India, stands in the fourth position in producing PhD in Mass Communication candidates. Here are the top 5 PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in New Delhi:
| SL. NO. | Institution |
| 1 | University Of Delhi |
| 2 | Hindu College |
| 3 | JawaharLal Nehru University |
| 4 | Lady Shri Ram College |
| 5 | PGDAV |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in Pune
Below is the list of colleges which are the top colleges for PhD in Mass Communication in Pune:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | Vishwakarma University |
| 2 | Fergusson College |
| 3 | Dr DY Patil Arts Science and Commerce College |
| 4 | Annasaheb Magar College |
| 5 | NIMS University |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in Chennai
The top 5 PhD in Mass Communication Colleges of Chennai are given below:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | Annamalai University |
| 2 | Loyola College |
| 3 | Madras Christian College |
| 4 | IIT Madras |
| 5 | Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College for Women |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in Bangalore
Banglore city has some of the best colleges for PhD in Mass Communication courses in India. Here is the list of top colleges for PhD in Mass Communication in Bangalore:
| SL. NO. | Institution |
| 1 | Mount Carmel College |
| 2 | Christ university |
| 3 | Bangalore University |
| 4 | Reva University |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in Kolkata
Check the Table below for the top colleges in Kolkata:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | St. Xavier's College |
| 2 | Presidency University |
| 3 | Maulana Azad College |
| 4 | NSHM Knowledge Campus |
| 5 | LBS |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in Hyderabad
The Telangana state capital has some premier institutions in the country for PhD in Mass Communication courses in India. Check the table below for the top PhD in Mass Communication colleges in Hyderabad:
| SL.NO. | Institutions |
| 1 | NMIMS University |
| 2 | Nizam College |
| 3 | Indian Institute of Management and Commerce |
| 4 | Osmania University |
| 5 | University of Hyderabad |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Government Colleges
There are several top Government Colleges offering quality PhD in Mass Communication programmes across the country. Check the table below for the top PhD in Mass Communication government colleges in India:
| Sl.No | Institution |
| 1 | IGNOU, New Delhi |
| 2 | Delhi University, New Delhi |
| 3 | University of Hyderabad |
| 4 | AMU, Aligarh |
| 5 | Gujarat University, Ahmedabad |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Private Colleges
India has seen significant growth in the number of quality PhD in Mass Communication private colleges that offer some of the best programmes in the country. Check the table below for the top PhD in Mass Communication private colleges in India:
| SL.NO. | Institutions |
| 1 | MIT WPU, Pune |
| 2 | Manipal University, Jaipur |
| 3 | Amity University, Noida |
| 4 | Singhania University, Jhunjunu |
| 5 | OPJS University, Rajgarh |
Study PhD in Mass Communication Abroad
Students can opt to study a PhD in Mass Communication course abroad if they can afford it. The PhD in Mass Communication course abroad is up to 5-8 years, depending on the type of course, college and country.
The benefits of studying a PhD in Mass Communication course abroad are access to some of the best resources, facilities, and faculties, apart from worldwide exposure in terms of subject matter and other cultures.
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges Abroad
The table below contains the list of some of the best colleges abroad for PhD in Mass Communication:
| Institution | Fees |
| New York University, USA | USD 20,000 |
| University Of Cambridge, UK | USD 30,100 |
| Stanford University, USA | USD 50,200 |
| University Of Southern California, USA | AUD 18,000 |
| Yale University, USA | USD 33,250 |
| University of Chicago, USA | USD 66,096 |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in USA
It's a PhD in Mass Communication-level that the USA really shines through. The table below contains the list of top colleges of PhD in Mass Communication in the USA:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | Stanford University |
| 2 | University Of California |
| 3 | Yale University |
| 4 | University of Chicago |
| 5 | Cornell University |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in the UK
The table below contains the list of top colleges of PhD in Mass Communication in the Uk:
| SL.NO. | Institutions |
| 1 | University of Oxford |
| 2 | University of Cambridge |
| 3 | Imperial College London |
| 4 | King’s College London |
| 5 | University College London |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in Canada
An increasingly attractive and multicultural study destination, Canada is a great option to consider for your PhD in Mass Communication studies, offering a wealth of research opportunities to help you expand your expertise. Here are the top universities for PhD in Mass Communication in Canada:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | University of Toronto |
| 2 | University of Manitoba |
| 3 | McGill University |
| 4 | McMaster University |
| 5 | University of Montreal |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in Australia
According to the UN's Education Index, Australia's education system ranks first. The table below shows the top universities for PhD in Mass Communication in Australia:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | University of Queensland |
| 2 | Monash University |
| 3 | University of Melbourne |
| 4 | University of Sydney |
| 5 | University of New South Wales |
Top PhD in Mass Communication Colleges in Germany
Germany's research institutions, universities and companies welcome international researchers and offer excellent opportunities for doctoral students. The table below shows the top universities in Germany colleges of PhD in Mass Communication:
| SL.NO. | Institution |
| 1 | Technical University of Munich |
| 2 | Heidelberg University |
| 3 | Free University of Berlin |
| 4 | Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich |
Fee Structure for PhD in Mass Communication
The fee structure for PhD in Mass Communication varies for different Universities. Also, the fee structure varies following the course and University. Students can download the admission brochure as well as the course curriculum to get the details of PhD in Mass Communication admission and fee structure.
The average PhD in Mass Communication fee in India is INR 10,000 - 2 LPA. Read below to know about the fee structure of different universities.
| Name of the college | Fees Structure (INR) |
| SPPU, Pune | 34,500 PA |
| University of Mysore, Mysore | 11,000 PA |
| Tezpur University, Tezpur | 32,377 PA |
| GU, Guwahati | 14,400 PA |
Syllabus and Subjects for PhD in Mass Communication
PhD in Mass Communication is a doctorate course in Mass Communication The course may have a duration of 3 years and it is a full-time course. It is a research-based course. In the PhD in Mass Communication duration, the candidates get to learn the collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of numerical data.
The list of major subjects which are commonly studied under a PhD in Mass Communication:
PhD in Mass Communication Course Comparison
PhD in Mass Communication stands for Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication and is typically catered to students interested in and inclined towards research-based degrees and professional Mass Communication. Here are course comparisons of PhD in Mass Communication with another course:
PhD in Mass Communication vs PhD in Mass Media Studies
Here is the difference between PhD in Mass Communication and with PhD in Mass Media Studies
| Course | Doctorate | Doctorate |
| Full Form | Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication | Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Media Studies |
| Stream | Mass Communication | Arts |
| Duration | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Eligibility | Any course with a minimum of 55% marks | M.Phil course with a minimum of 55% marks |
| Entrance Exams | UGC NET, SET, SUAT, GATE, IGNOU PET | UGC-NET, IBSAT, JET, LPUNEST, CUCET, |
| Top Colleges | Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Presidency College, and Savitribai Phule Pune University-[SPPU] | Delhi University, Jadavpur University, Calcutta University |
| Fees | INR 10,000- 2 LPA | INR 9,000- 85,000 LPA |
Preparation Tips for PhD in Mass Communication Course
There are many tips that students must note when deciding to pursue a PhD in Mass Communication degree. Some important preparation tips are listed below to ensure that the students crack the course and pass the exams without any hurdles.
Improve Vocabulary: Improving vocabulary is very necessary as the PhD in Mass Communication course deals with many writing and reading activities. So having excellent communication and writing skills are a plus for the student studying the PhD in Mass Communication course.
Read and Practice More: Being up to date with the syllabus every day is very important. Practising and reading more will help the student be thorough with the syllabus and do well in the exams.
Have Intrinsic Knowledge and Interest in Subjects: Having intrinsic knowledge about the subject and having the same interest will keep the student motivated to learn more than what's in the syllabus.
Revise Methodically: Revising from time to time can be a key to scoring well in the final exam. Keep revising regularly and understand the subject properly. Revision is the key to scoring good marks.
Salary of a PhD in Mass Communication Graduates
The salary depends on the kind of job you get/you choose to do, what your PhD in Mass Communication research area is and where you are employed.No prior experience is required to be a PhD in Mass Communication Student. The average Salary of a PhD in Mass Communication graduate starts from INR 3 - INR 7.5 LPA (Source: Payscale), depending on the stream you belong from.
Career Options After PhD in Mass Communication
After completion of PhD in Mass Communication candidates get the opportunity to work in Research and Educational Institutions, Media Marketing Companies, Television and Broadcasting, Radio, Digital Media platforms and Print Media in a much Senior position as they have the experience, skill and knowledge better than a fresh graduate. PhD in Mass Communication degree holders can get top positions in popular TV, and OTT companies in Executive, Operation Head and Managerial positions.
Skills That Make You The Best PhD in Mass Communication Graduates
For studying a course like PhD in Mass Communication, there are so many skills that a student needs to have. The skills help the students to get well-maintained dignity, respect, and so much attention. So, that’s why the students need to put their efforts to come out of their comfort zones and earn respect as much as possible. Some of these skills include:
Eligibility for PhD in Mass Communication requires the students to have minimum marks of 55% in any of the available postgraduate programs. There are few PhD in Mass Communication entrance exams that have cutoffs to qualify. There is no age limit for the students to take admission to this course.
As all the students know how valuable a PhD in Mass Communication course is, that’s why it’s quite difficult to get admitted into their respective interested universities. Those students who want to take enrollment in this doctorate program have to qualify for the eligibility criteria.
Here are some tips on how to prepare for a PhD in Mass Communication:
Getting a PhD in Mass Communication can be a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of being accepted into a top program and getting a head start on your career.
Here are some additional tips that may be helpful:
Why Choose PhD in Mass Communication Course?
When students decide to pursue the PhD in Mass Communication qualification, they should research PhD in Mass Communication course details to ensure that they know the course they are enrolled in. Some of the common queries that students encounter are, "What is PhD in Mass Communication" and "Why PhD in Mass Communication?". To understand the answer to these questions, we can make it simpler by breaking it down into the following three short questions:
What is PhD in Mass Communication All About?
A PhD in Mass Communication or Doctor of Philosophy is a doctoral research degree and normally the highest level of academic qualification one can achieve. The course objectives should be in alignment with the candidate's aim. The course describes a holistic approach to communication research methodologies.
Why PhD in Mass Communication Graduates?
Students can select the subjects of their choice depending on their interest in job prospects available in the specific field. Since graduates with a PhD in Mass Communication degree possess skills in various subjects, there are career opportunities available in multiple fields for them.
Students holding a PhD in Mass Communication have a wide range of job opportunities in India and abroad. Students can work as Editors, Researchers, Lecturers, Associate Professors, Media Consultants, and so on in sectors including Print Journalism, Communication, And Media.
Reasons Why PhD in Mass Communication Can Fetch You a Rewarding Career?
PhD in Mass Communication courses are a very reflective and exciting stream of education. Students can gauge the intrinsic worth of a PhD in Mass Communication course because it offers more avenues of employment opportunities than any other stream. Thus, the PhD in Mass Communication job scope is forever widening and appealing.
Diversity in Job roles: There is a diverse range of job roles available for the graduates of this course. Since the specializations available to the students are very flexible, it enables the students to pursue a wide range of roles in their careers.
Admission to the PhD in Mass Communication course is not impossible if the students ensure that they research the details well. The universities follow the process of entrance-based admissions. The admission process with respect to admission through exams varies from college to college. Online and offline both facilities are available to the students for enrollment. The students are guided to check the college website to get detailed information.
How to Apply?
There are two ways to apply for admission to the PhD in Mass Communication course. Either online by visiting the college website and following the steps given there or offline by visiting the university's office.
There are certain colleges that take interviews for checking the knowledge and communication skills of the candidates.
Selection Process
The selection process of the candidates for getting admission to the respective PhD in Mass Communication course ends with an interview. The students who have cracked the entrance exams with good marks can give interviews for the further joining process. The last step of the admission procedure decides whether the student is eligible to take admitted or not.
There are various universities that conduct entrance exams for checking the capability of the candidates. The following are some of these entrance examinations:
A Quick Glance at the PhD in Mass Communication Entrance Exams
Below listed are some of the general guidelines of the PhD in Mass Communication entrance examinations:
