Philosophy Courses in India: Types, Online, Subjects, Jobs, Skills, Distance, Admission 2026

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Ishika Ray

Updated 3+ months ago

Philosophy is a study of general and basic problems. If we follow the literal meaning, philosophy refers to the love of wisdom. In a broader way, philosophy can be defined as an activity taken by people when they generate curiosity and want to find fundamental facts about themselves, the surroundings they belong to, their bonding and relationship with each other.

These courses are offered in Offline as well as Online mode. These courses are offered at Graduate, Postgraduate, Doctorate, and as well as at the Diploma level presently. Apart from that, there are plenty of Philosophy short courses offered by colleges as well as online websites like Coursera and some universities.

The duration of courses depends upon the level, of course, you are pursuing. The duration may vary from 1 year to 4 years. The certification programs are the shortest courses that can run for very few hours to 1 year. Many institutes like Coursera offer many free programs that you can enroll in without spending money. These are online courses so you don’t even have to visit the college.

Once you pursue a degree or master’s degree in philosophy, you can get a variety of job offers. One has to decide which domain you want to work in. Students are getting a good scale after completing their degree. The average salary package offered to a philosophy student is INR 4,44,000.

Philosophy Courses: Highlights

Philosophy Courses: Highlights

The following table denotes the highlights of Philosophy courses held in India.

Popular Courses
  • Certificate: Introduction to Philosophy, Certificate Course in Indian Philosophy, Certificate Course in Jainology, etc.
  • Diploma & PG Diploma: Post Graduate Diploma in Indian Philosophy and Religion, Diploma Course in Indian Aesthetics, Diploma in Jain Religion and Philosophy etc.
  • UG: BA Philosophy
  • PG: Master of Arts in Philosophy
  • Doctorate: PhD Philosophy.
Duration
  • Certificate: few hours to 1 year (for Offline)
Few days to 6 months (for Online)
  • Diploma & PG Diploma: 1 to 2 years
  • UG: 3 to 4 years
  • PG: 2 years
  • Doctorate: 3 years
Eligibility
  • Certificate: Class XII Pass from a recognized board
  • Diploma: Class XII from a recognized board
  • PG Diploma: Graduation in Arts with philosophy as a subject.
  • UG: Pass in 10+2 from a recognized board
  • PG: Pass in UG from a recognized University
  • Doctorate: Pass in PG program with Philosophy as a subject
Average Fees
  • Certificate: Free to INR 8,000
  • Diploma & PG Diploma: INR 2,000 to 8,000
  • UG: INR 5,000 to INR 1,50,000 per year
  • PG: INR 7,000 to 1,00,000
  • Doctorate: INR 50,000 to 5,00,000 per year
Online Courses Available
Types of Online Courses Coursera, edX, Udemy etc. (Includes Paid and free courses)
Top Job Prospects Human Resources Assist. Director, Teacher, and Lecturer, Religious Sales Artefacts Representative, Religious Preacher, Indian Scriptures Librarian
Average Salary
  • Certificate: INR 5,000 to 2,50,000
  • Diploma: INR 5,000 to 1,50,000
  • UG: INR 15,000 to 1,50,000
  • PG: INR 20,000 to 7,00,000
  • Doctorate: INR 10,00,000 to 20,00,000

Now, we will discuss these courses one by one.

Certificate Courses in Philosophy

Certificate Courses in Philosophy

The certification courses in Philosophy are short term courses and address many vital questions that evolve us with ethics, rationality, human morality aspects while living in modern society. Many ancient practices are taught in the syllabus in accordance with their modern implementation.

  • Many deemed and recognized universities are offering this short-term course so that students can quickly learn the subject.
  • The fee structure is quite affordable so that interested candidates do not have to hinder themselves from enrolling in their favourite course.

Students can take these courses after 12th or graduation in the respective stream. These courses are essential if you want to take philosophy as a career option.

Many students who have pursued the certification courses have seen a 20% hike in salary or promotion.

Philosophy Certificates in Online mode

The below table illustrates leading certification courses in philosophy through online mode.

Certificate Name Provider Duration Fees
Introduction to Philosophy Coursera 19 Hours Free
Greek and Roman Mythology Coursera 25 hours Free
Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking Specialization Coursera Duke university 4 months Free
The Philosophy of Emotion University of Oxford 10 weeks £220.00
Justice for Future Generations: Environment, Population, and Climate University of Oxford 10 weeks £220.00
Philosophy and Critical Thinking edX The University of Queensland 6 Weeks Free
Religion, Conflict, and Peace edX Harvard University 8 weeks Free Add a Verified Certificate for INR 7,290

Offline Philosophy Course Certificate

There are many institutes that offer a traditional way of learning through the classroom method. The below table explains the leading certification courses in Philosophy in offline mode.

Certificate Name Colleges Offering Average Fees
Certificate Course in Jainology University of Mumbai INR 2,390
Certificate Course in Indian Philosophy University of Mumbai __
Certificate in Indian Philosophy Maitri Institute of Management and Study, Uttarakhand __
Certificate Course in Vallabh Vedanta (Shuddhadvaita) and Vaishnavism University of Mumbai INR 2,500
How are Admissions in Certificate Programs of philosophy Done?

How are Admissions in Certificate Programs of philosophy Done?

  • The admission process for certificate programs of philosophy is simple. You need not have to appear for any entrance test.
  • Students have to visit the institution’s website. Select the course and click apply.
  • But before applying, check the eligibility criteria. Candidates need to have the passing certificate of the secondary certificate examination (XII) from the Maharashtra state board of secondary education.
  • Some of the courses are part-time in nature.

Top Colleges for online certifications courses in philosophy

Many universities including foreign universities offer online certification courses in philosophy.

Times Higher Education Global Ranking College/ University Name Location
1 University of Oxford, England Merit-Based
3 Harvard University, USA Merit-Based
62 The University of Queensland, Australia Merit-Based
Diploma and PG Diploma Courses in Philosophy

Diploma and PG Diploma Courses in Philosophy

Philosophy courses come in diploma and PG diploma format also. The basic eligibility criteria for diploma courses in philosophy is PDC/PUC/ higher secondary passing certificate along with proficiency in English.

  • Diploma courses have a duration of 2 years and it covers all basic courses from all major branches of philosophy.
  • The duration of PG Diploma courses is 1 year and it can be pursued after completing your graduation. The required stream is BA or BA (Hons.) with a minimum of 50% marks.
  • As these are short duration courses, you can have in-depth knowledge in minimum time duration.

Top Diploma Philosophy courses

Some of the top diploma courses which can be pursued in the field of Philosophy are given below.

Diploma Name Colleges Offering Average Annual Fees
Diploma Course in Indian Aesthetics University of Mumbai INR 3,610
DIPLOMA IN BUDDHIST STUDIES AND VIPASSANA University of Mumbai INR 2,450
Diploma Course in Jainology University of Mumbai INR 2,390
Diploma in Indian Culture and Philosophy University of Allahabad, Allahabad INR 3,200
Diploma in Jain Religion and Philosophy University of Technology, Jaipur INR 10,000
Diploma in Indian Philosophy Kavikulguru Kalidas Sanskrit University, Nagpur INR 2,000

Top PG Diploma Philosophy Courses

  • PG Diploma courses are 1-year duration courses.
  • The study may involve different religious philosophy streams like Hindu philosophy, Jain philosophy, Buddhist philosophy.

The below table illustrates top universities offering PG diploma Philosophy courses with all relevant details.

PG Diploma Name Colleges Offering Average Fees Mode
Post Graduate Diploma in Indian Philosophy and Religion Banaras Hindu University - BHU, Varanasi INR 4,940 Full-time
Post – Graduate Diploma in philosophy of communal harmony and social peace Mumbai University INR 2,350 Part-time
P.G. Diploma in Communal Harmony and Social Peace Shivaji University, Kolhapur INR 1,925 Full-time
PG Diploma in Philosophy Dharmaram Academy INR 6,600 Full-time
What is the process of Admission for Diploma and PG Diploma in Philosophy?

What is the process of Admission for Diploma and PG Diploma in Philosophy?

Students who have a deep interest in philosophy are keen to take admission in Diploma/PG Diploma courses. The admission process is simple.

  • For taking admission in diploma courses, you need to have a 12th pass certificate from a recognized board/university.
  • For PG Diploma courses, candidates must have passed the 10+2+3 level that is graduation completion. The preferred stream for admission is BA or BA(Hons.)

Top Colleges Offering Diploma and PG Diploma in Philosophy

Given below are the top colleges in India which offer philosophy courses as both diploma and PG diplomas.

NIRF Ranking College/ University Name Admission Process Average Annual Fees
9 University of Pune, Pune Merit-Based INR 17,800
78 University of Allahabad, Allahabad Merit-Based INR 5,600
95 University of Mumbai, Mumbai Merit-Based INR 10,800
Bachelor Philosophy Courses

Bachelor Philosophy Courses

BA Philosophy is a full-time undergraduate course having a 3-year duration. Each year includes 2 semesters.

  • The duration of bachelor courses in philosophy is 3 years.
  • Students having 10+2 from a recognized university with a minimum of 50% marks are eligible for bachelor courses in Philosophy.
  • Admissions for the Bachelor's course are done through entrance tests. Students have to appear for one of the GATA, MUEE, PUEE exams and get qualified.
  • After completion of the Bachelor's courses, students can get offers as HR executive, Student Counselor, journalist, teacher.

Students who pursue bachelor degree courses in Philosophy can expect an average salary of INR 5,000 to 1,50,000 per year at the starting of the career.

Top Colleges for Undergraduate Philosophy Courses

The following table gives the details along with top colleges that conduct the undergraduate courses in Philosophy.

Course Name Top Colleges Average Fees Admission Process
BA Philosophy Madras Christian College INR 38,600 Merit-based
Hans Raj College INR 18,895 Merit/ Entrance-Based
Fergusson College INR 2,000 Merit-based
Christ University INR 22,500 Merit-based
Azim Premji University Free to INR 8,46,000 Entrance-Based
How are Admission in Bachelor Philosophy Courses Done?

How are Admission in Bachelor Philosophy Courses Done?

Colleges give admissions for BA Philosophy courses either on merit basis or entrance basis.

  • There are national level or institute level entrance exams like SAT, GATA, MUEE, PUEE.
  • The basic eligibility for seeking admission is you have to pass 10+2 education with a minimum of 50% from a recognized board.
  • There is a government-certified reservation applicable for this course, students from the reserved category have to submit the valid concerned certificates.

Colleges for Bachelor Philosophy Courses

The table below shows some of the best colleges in India to pursue Philosophy courses.

The Week Ranking College/ UniversityName Admission Process Average Annual Fees
8 Hans Raj College, New Delhi Merit-Based INR 18,895
10 Fergusson College, Pune Merit-Based INR 9,245
12 Christ University, Bangalore Merit-Based INR 22,500
25 Jai Hind College, Mumbai Merit-Based INR 5,730
Master Philosophy Courses

Master Philosophy Courses

Master's degree in Philosophy is a 2 years PG course. The study in this course involves the combination of modern and classical philosophy.

  • As with other master courses, M.A. Philosophy is also a 2-year course.
  • The master in Philosophy syllabus is designed to study moral philosophy, ethics, religion, philosophy of mind, Early Buddhism, and other aspects of Philosophy.
  • Students have to appear for the entrance test before seeking admissions in Master's courses of Philosophy.

Generally, students interested in research opt for Master Philosophy courses. There are many entrance tests like BHU PET, JNU Entrance Test, Aligarh Muslim University Entrance Exam, DUET that offers admissions for the M.A. Philosophy course.

After completion of MA Philosophy, students get a pretty handsome package as Administrator, Researcher, Lecturer, Content writer, and other job profiles. They can even apply for higher studies and enroll for PhD or MPhil in Philosophy.

Top Postgraduate Philosophy Courses

Given below are details of top Philosophy courses after graduation in India.

Course Name Top Colleges NIRF ranking Average Fees Admission Process
MA Philosophy Miranda House, New Delhi 1 INR 14,530 Merit-Based
Lady Shri Ram College for Women, New Delhi 2 INR 17,976 Merit-Based
Hindu College, New Delhi 3 INR 16,590 Merit-Based
Loyola College, Chennai 6 INR 7,200 Merit-Based
Indraprastha College for Women, New Delhi 43 INR 10,500 Merit-Based

See more:

Minimum eligibility for admission in Master Philosophy Courses is a Bachelor’s degree with Philosophy or other related subjects as a major from a recognized university.

  • Admissions are offered based on entrance scores and scores of previous courses.
  • A bachelor's degree with a minimum of 50% marks is the first step in the admission process.

Doctorate Courses in Philosophy

Enroll in the Doctorate courses in Philosophy if you want to make a career in the research field.

  • These courses are 2 years and may extend if the demands of research exceed.
  • With Doctorate course completion, you can be a professor or lecturer in Institutes for teaching Philosophy.

One can get INR 10,00,000 to 20,00,000 n India salary package after completion of Doctorate in Philosophy.

Top PhD Philosophy Courses

The table below indicates the top colleges and other parameters that conducts PhD in Philosophy courses.

NIRF Ranking College/ University Name Admission Process Average Fees
6 IIT Kanpur, Kanpur Entrance-Based INR 64,050
8 JNU, New Delhi Entrance-Based INR 1,381
12 Jadavpur University, Kolkata Merit-Based INR 30,000
51 Chandigarh University, Chandigarh Merit-Based INR 85,000
How are Admission in Doctorate Philosophy Courses Done?

How are Admission in Doctorate Philosophy Courses Done?

  • The admission process for Philosophy courses is done through an entrance exam. CSIR UGC NET, UGC-NET are national level entrance exams. Many colleges conduct college-level entrance tests like the JNU entrance exam.
  • The candidates need to appear for the counseling procedure or personal interview after the entrance exam.

What are the Top Job opportunities After Philosophy Courses?

A philosophy degree can yield diverse job opportunities. As the fundamentals of Philosophy can be applied in various sectors like education, PR, research, there are various job offers one can get after completion of Philosophy courses.

Average Annual Salary vs Job Profiles

Student Counselor

Candidates can get a job as a student counselor in various educational institutes. Many education institutes reserve this post as it directly deals with student’s mental problems. A counselor discusses with students about their problems and provides all the help they need to come out of these problems.

Starting Salary: INR 2,00,000 to 3,00,000

Skills Required

  • Communication Skills
  • Analysis skills
  • Philosophical knowledge
  • Ability to match the current generation pace

Researcher

A Researcher works individually or in a team. He/she may involve in critical research by presenting his/her philosophical research skills. This research can be helpful for students in the academic sector.

Starting Salary: INR 6,00,000 to 8,00,000

Skills Required

  • Presentation skills
  • Research ability
  • Critical thinking
  • Planning and scheduling
  • Data Analysis

Archivist

The archivist is responsible for the management, care of collection of data. He/she organizes publicity events like exhibitions, talks. He/she generates teaching materials.

Starting Salary: INR 4,00,000 to 5,00,000

Skills Required

  • Communication skills
  • People Management
  • Data Analysis
  • Top-level organizational and time management skills

Literature Researcher 

The job responsibilities of a Literature researcher include conducting a literature review, data analysis, assisting students for material submission.

Starting Salary: INR 6,00,000 to 8,00,000

Skills Required

  • Written and verbal communication skills
  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Data Analysis

Journalist/ Editor

Students who are interested to work in PR/media can work as a Journalist/Editor after completion of the Philosophy course. The journalist is responsible for editing, proofreading stories, articles that are going to be presented in social media/press media.

Starting Salary: INR 10,00,000 to 12,00,000

Skills Required

  • Verbal and written skills
  • Editorial skills
  • Interpersonal management
  • Communication skills
  • Initiative

The following chart compares the average salary of these top jobs after philosophy courses in India.

Comparison of leading institutes Offering online Philosophy Courses

edX and Coursera are two leading institutes that provide online courses in philosophy. Let us compare them on the basis of a certificate course in Logical and critical thinking.

Parameters edX Coursera
Fees Free
Add a Verified Certificate for INR 7,282
Free
Student Rating 4.5 4.6
Enrolment 99,222 12,124
Duration 6 weeks 4 months
Created by University of Queensland Duke University
Philosophy courses: FAQs

Philosophy courses: FAQs

Ques. What are the advantages of philosophy certificates?

Ans. Philosophy certificates enable you to think logically, analyze problems, and solve them wisely.

Ques. How philosophy can help society?

Ans. Philosophy mainly deals with logic, relationships, ethics. Philosophy helps to bridge between people and culture. It also strengthens the demand for standard quality education for all.

Ques. What jobs one can get after a philosophy degree?

Ans. Students who complete the philosophy degree may apply for barrister, chaplain, local government officer, paralegal services, civil service fast streamer.

Ques. What can I do if I pursue a Phd. degree?

Ans. If you complete a Ph.D. degree from a renowned institute, you can become a survey researcher, political scientist, market research analyst. Even some may apply for postsecondary education administrator posts.

Ques. What is the highest qualification in philosophy?

Ans. A doctorate in Philosophy is the highest degree one can pursue.

Ques. Can I enroll in courses in philosophy abroad?

Ans. Yes, there are many universities from foreign countries that offer quality courses in philosophy. Universities like Harvard, Oxford, Queensland offer these types of courses. Some of these courses are free also.

Ques. I am interested in Philosophy and want to pursue a degree in it. But reviews about the courses are not that good. What should I do?

Ans. Education teaches you different perspectives. Philosophy enables you to analyze things wisely so that things are better to understand. So, if you are interested in Philosophy, just go for it. The skills you get from philosophy will survive a lifetime.

Ques. Can I get an online certificate for philosophy?

Ans. Yes. Many institutes like Coursera, edX conduct online courses in philosophy.

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