MANUU Ph.D Social Work: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. MANUU's Ph.D. in Social Work is unique in several ways. First, it is conducted in Urdu medium, making it the only doctoral programme in Social Work accessible to Urdu-speaking scholars in India. Second, the department has a strong focus on minorities, marginalized communities, and social exclusion, which aligns with MANUU's core mandate. Third, the department has built an extensive network with NGOs and government agencies in Hyderabad, providing research scholars with real-world exposure and field work opportunities. The department's innovative academic interventions, including documentary film screenings, skill labs, and weekly individual conferences, make the learning experience particularly enriching for social work researchers.

Ans. The Department of Social Work at MANUU focuses on research related to minorities, marginalized sections, social exclusion, community development, and social welfare policy. Specific research areas include issues affecting Muslim minorities, women's rights, child welfare, disability studies, tribal welfare, urban poverty, and social work with NGOs and government agencies. The department's location in Hyderabad, a city with a significant Muslim minority population, provides a rich context for research on minority social issues. Prospective candidates are advised to contact the Head of Department (hod.socialwork@manuu.edu.in) to discuss their research interests and identify a suitable supervisor before applying.

Ans. The eligibility for Ph.D. (Social Work) at MANUU requires a Master's degree (MSW or equivalent) from any recognised university with a minimum of 55% marks. The degree does not have to be from MANUU specifically. However, candidates who have completed their MSW from MANUU are automatically exempted from the Urdu language requirement. Candidates from other universities must demonstrate Urdu proficiency (having studied Urdu at 10th/12th/graduation level) or agree to enrol in and pass the Diploma in Urdu offered by MANUU as a condition of admission.

Ans. While the Ph.D. is primarily a research programme, the Department of Social Work at MANUU has a strong tradition of field work engagement. Research scholars are expected to conduct primary field research as part of their doctoral work, and the department's extensive network with NGOs and government agencies in Hyderabad facilitates this. The department conducts regular field work seminars and skill labs that help research scholars develop practical skills alongside their academic research. This combination of theoretical rigour and field engagement makes MANUU's Ph.D. in Social Work particularly valuable for those who want to bridge academic research with community practice.

Ans. The seat intake for Ph.D. (Social Work) at MANUU is 5 seats per year, making it a competitive programme. The MANUU-ET for Social Work is a written objective-type test covering topics from the MSW syllabus, including social work theory, methods of social work, social welfare administration, community organisation, research methodology, and social policy. For the interview, candidates should have a clear and well-articulated research proposal, demonstrating awareness of the research gap they wish to address, the methodology they plan to use, and the relevance of their research to marginalized communities. Candidates with UGC-NET/JRF qualification in Social Work are given preference and may be exempted from the written test.

Ans. A Ph.D. in Social Work from MANUU opens up a wide range of career opportunities. Graduates can pursue academic careers as Assistant Professors or Lecturers in Schools of Social Work and departments of Social Work across India (subject to UGC eligibility norms). The degree is also valued for senior positions in NGOs, government social welfare departments, international organisations (UNICEF, UNDP, UN Women, Save the Children), and policy research institutions. MANUU's emphasis on minority and marginalized community issues gives its Ph.D. graduates a distinctive edge in roles related to minority welfare, social inclusion, and community development. Many graduates also go on to establish their own NGOs or social enterprises focused on Urdu-medium communities.