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Sarala Birla University (SBU), Ranchi offers a full-time Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication under its Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication. The programme is a 3-year (minimum) doctoral research degree spread over 6 semesters, designed to foster advanced research in media studies, communication theory, digital journalism, broadcast media, public relations, and allied areas. The total course fee is Rs. 3,14,000 for the entire duration, with a per-semester fee of Rs. 47,500. The programme is conducted in full-time on-campus mode and is governed by UGC Regulations 2018, making it suitable for candidates aspiring for careers in media research, academia, and communication policy.

Admissions for the Ph.D. programme 2026-27 (Spring session) are currently closed, with the last batch admitted between December 29, 2026 and January 5, 2027. For the upcoming 2027-28 session, admissions are expected to open tentatively in November 2027, based on the previous year's schedule. Candidates holding UGC-NET/CSIR-NET or equivalent national fellowships are exempted from the entrance test but must appear for the interview.

Key Points

The Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication at SBU offers both undergraduate (BA) and postgraduate (MA) programmes, providing a strong academic ecosystem for Ph.D. research.
Ph.D. scholars with UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE/SET or similar national fellowship qualifications are exempted from the university entrance test.
The minimum residential requirement for full-time Ph.D. scholars is six semesters at the university campus.
Candidates can apply for only one department; multiple department applications are not permitted.
The university does not provide any financial assistance or fellowship to Ph.D. scholars from its own funds.
Research areas include digital journalism, media ethics, broadcast communication, public relations, advertising, and communication policy.

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Highlights
Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

SBU Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Communication) Fees

The Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at SBU involves a one-time payment of Rs. 29,000 at the time of admission (including application fee, provisional admission fee, degree fee, and refundable caution money), along with a per-semester fee of Rs. 47,500. The total course fee for the 3-year (6-semester) programme is Rs. 3,14,000. The caution money of Rs. 10,000 is refundable upon successful completion of the programme.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Application Fee (One-Time)	2,000
Provisional Admission Fee (One-Time)	12,000
Degree Fee (One-Time)	5,000
Caution Money (One-Time, Refundable)	10,000
Tuition Fee (Per Semester)	38,500
Development Fee (Per Semester)	5,000
Exam Fee (Per Semester)	2,500
ICT Fee (Per Semester)	1,500
Per Semester Total	47,500
Total Tuition + Charges (6 Semesters)	2,85,000
One-Time Fees (Non-Refundable)	19,000
Caution Money (Refundable)	10,000
Total Fees (Entire Programme)	3,14,000
Hostel Fee (Per Semester, Optional)	51,000

Caution money of Rs. 10,000 is refundable upon programme completion.
Hostel fee of Rs. 51,000 per semester is inclusive of Non-AC shared accommodation, food (4 meals/day), and laundry.
Hostel is optional for Ph.D. scholars.
Students opting for hostel must avail it for a minimum of two consecutive semesters.
If a student withdraws mid-session, all fees including caution money are forfeited.
Application fee of Rs. 2,000 is non-refundable under any circumstances.
Fees are payable via net banking, debit card, or credit card through the IOB Payment Gateway.

SBU Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Communication) Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at SBU are conducted through an offline entrance test followed by an interview. The selection is merit-based, combining entrance test scores, academic record, and interview performance. For the 2026-27 Spring session, admissions are now closed. The next session (2027-28) is expected to open tentatively in November 2027.

SBU Ph.D. Admission Schedule

Event	2026-27 (Actual)	2027-28 (Tentative)
Online Application Opens	November 11, 2026	November 2027
Last Date to Apply Online	December 11, 2026	December 2027
Offline Entrance Test	December 22, 2026	December 2027
Interview of Selected Candidates	December 18, 2026	December 2027
Final Selected Candidates List	December 24, 2026	December 2027
Admission Period	December 29, 2026 - January 5, 2027	January 2028

UGC-NET Entrance Exam Dates

Event	Phase 1 (2026-27)	Phase 2 (2027, Tentative)
Registration Start	October 7, 2026	April 1, 2027
Registration End	November 7, 2026	May 1, 2027
Admit Card	December 28, 2026	June 1, 2027
Exam Date	December 31, 2026 - January 7, 2027	June 2027
Answer Key	January 14, 2027	July 1, 2027
Result	February 4, 2027	July 2027

Note: UGC-NET qualification in Journalism and Mass Communication (Paper I + Paper II) exempts candidates from SBU's Ph.D. entrance test. Candidates still need to appear for the interview.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must hold an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication, MA in Communication, or equivalent postgraduate degree from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks (or 6.0 CGPA on a 10-point scale).
SC/ST candidates are eligible with a minimum of 50% marks (5% relaxation).
Sponsored candidates must have a minimum of two years of professional work experience and a valid sponsorship letter for at least three years.

Admission Process

Fill the online application form on the SBU website (www.sbu.ac.in) and pay the application fee of Rs. 2,000 via the IOB Payment Gateway.
Candidates shortlisted based on application will be called for the offline entrance test (100 marks).
Candidates who qualify UGC-NET/CSIR-NET or equivalent national fellowships are exempted from the entrance test but must appear for the interview.
Final selection is based on: Entrance Test (100 marks, minimum 40% for General / 35% for SC/ST) + Academic Record (60 marks) + Interview (40 marks); minimum aggregate of 45% for General and 40% for SC/ST.
Final selected candidates list is published on the university website and notice boards.
Admission is completed by paying the semester fee and submitting required documents.

SBU Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Communication) Scholarships 2026

SBU offers institutional scholarships on tuition fees for Ph.D. scholars based on merit and special categories. These scholarships are applicable on the tuition fee component and can meaningfully reduce the overall cost of the programme for eligible candidates.

Scholarship Categories

Scholarship Category	Discount on Tuition Fee
Merit Scholarship	Up to 50%
Defence Personnel (Ward/Spouse)	15%
Freedom Fighters (Ward)	10%
SBU/SBPS Students/Staff Ward	25%
Ward/Spouse of BAGM Employees	25%
Differently Abled	25%
Kashmiri Migrants	15%

Scholarships are applicable on the tuition fee component only (Rs. 38,500 per semester for Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication).
Merit scholarship of up to 50% is awarded based on academic performance in the qualifying examination.
Only one scholarship category is applicable at a time; scholarships are not cumulative.
Scholarship application must be made at the time of admission with supporting documents.
Candidates are advised to separately check UGC fellowship schemes (e.g., UGC-JRF) for additional financial support.

SBU Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Communication) FAQs

Ques. What research areas are available under Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at SBU?

Ans. The Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at SBU covers research areas including digital journalism, media ethics, broadcast communication, public relations, advertising, communication policy, social media studies, and media management. The specific research topic is finalized in consultation with the assigned supervisor after admission. Candidates are advised to contact rnd@sbu.ac.in to check supervisor availability in their area of interest before applying.

Ques. Is a postgraduate degree in Journalism mandatory to apply for Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at SBU?

Ans. Candidates must hold an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication or an equivalent postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks. Candidates with postgraduate degrees in related fields such as communication studies, media studies, or social sciences may also be considered, subject to the university's assessment of relevance.

Ques. What is the minimum duration to complete the Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication at SBU?

Ans. The minimum duration is 3 years (6 semesters) for full-time scholars, with a mandatory residential requirement of six semesters on campus. The maximum duration is 6 years as per UGC Regulations 2018.

Ques. Does SBU have a dedicated media lab or studio for Ph.D. research in Journalism?

Ans. SBU's Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication is equipped with facilities to support practical and research-oriented learning. Candidates are advised to contact the department directly at admissions@sbu.ac.in or rnd@sbu.ac.in for specific details about research infrastructure available for doctoral scholars.

Ques. Can a working journalist or media professional apply for the part-time Ph.D. in Journalism at SBU?

Ans. Yes. SBU offers both full-time and part-time Ph.D. programmes. Working media professionals can apply for the part-time Ph.D., provided they have a minimum of two years of professional work experience and a valid sponsorship letter from their employer for at least three years. The minimum residential requirement for part-time scholars is one semester.

Ques. Is UGC-NET in Journalism and Mass Communication accepted for entrance test exemption at SBU?

Ans. Yes. Candidates who have qualified UGC-NET in Journalism and Mass Communication (or any other relevant subject), along with CSIR-NET, GATE, SET, or similar national fellowships, are exempted from SBU's offline entrance test. However, they must still appear for the interview as part of the selection process.

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SBU Ph.D Journalism And Mass Communication: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Table of Contents

SBU Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Communication) Fees

Fee Components

SBU Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Communication) Admission 2026

SBU Ph.D. Admission Schedule

UGC-NET Entrance Exam Dates

Eligibility Criteria

Admission Process

SBU Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Communication) Scholarships 2026

Scholarship Categories

SBU Ph.D. (Journalism and Mass Communication) FAQs

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