PhD in Physical Education: Colleges, Fees, Admission 2025, & Career

• Updated on  Aug 20, 2025, by Shivam Kumar

PhD in Physical Education is short for Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Education is a specialized course approved by the University Grants Commission. The course duration is 3 years, which can be extended up to 5 years depending on the time taken by the student.

 

PhD Physical Education eligibility is that the candidate must have completed, if not, a relevant master’s degree like M Phil, MA Physical Education, or MPE. PhD Admission in Physical Education mostly happens based on entrance exams.

 

PhD in Physical Education fees may vary depending on the Institute. Some public Universities and Institutions like BPCA's College of Physical Education may offer the course in INR 12,865. Meanwhile, some private universities or institutions like Rabindranath Tagore University, and YMCA College of Physical Education may offer the same course in somewhere between INR 2,50,000 – and 3,50,000.

 

Doing a PhD in Physical Education is the highest qualification you can achieve, and it opens a lot of doors for your career. Candidates, after completing their PhD in Physical Education, can pursue profiles like Physical Education Teacher, Sports Trainer, Gym Instructor, Yoga Instructor, Sports Nutritionist, Sports Psychologist, Sports Manager, etc. The average salary students can earn after completing their degree is around INR 6,00,000 – 12,00,000.

 

Table of Contents
  1. PhD in Physical Education Highlights
  2. What is Ph D in Physical Education?
  3. Why Pursue a Ph.D in Physical Education?
  4. Who should pursue a Ph.D in Physical Education?
  5. PhD in Physical Education Eligibility Criteria
  6. PhD in Physical Education Entrance Exams
  7. PhD in Physical Education Colleges In India
  8. PhD in Physical Education Admission Procedure 2025
  9. PhD in Physical Education Syllabus
  10. PhD in Physical Education Vs PhD in Sports Science
  11. PhD in Physical Education Job Opportunities
  12. PhD in Physical Education FAQs

 

PhD in Physical Education Highlights

Listed below are some of the basic details for the course PhD Physical Education:

Details

Particulars

Course Name

Ph.D Physical Education

Course Level

PhD

Duration

3 Years - 5 Years

Course Type

Full-Time/Part-Time

Admission Process

Entrance Based

Eligibility Criteria

a Master’s degree in physical education or a relevant degree with a minimum of 55%.

Course Fees

INR 12,865 – 3,50,000

Top Colleges

RNTU University, YMCA College of Physical Education, BPCA’s College of Physical Education, Aligarh Muslim University, IIMT University, Lovely Professional University

Job Profile

Physical Education Teacher, Sports Trainer, Gym Instructor, Yoga Instructor, Sports Nutritionist, Sports Psychologist, Sports Manager

Top Recruiters Areas

Sports Centres, Schools, Colleges, Fitness training centers, Healthcare Clinics, Yoga Centres, Etc.

Average Salary in India

INR 6,00,000 – 12,00,000

 

What is Ph D in Physical Education?

Ph.D. in Physical Education is a research-based program that focuses on health, fitness, sports science, and physical training. It explores how physical activity, exercise, and sports contribute to overall well-being and human performance.

 

The course teaches students to study areas like sports psychology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and training methods. It helps them develop advanced knowledge for careers in academics, sports research, coaching, and policy-making in the field of physical education.

 

Why Pursue a Ph.D in Physical Education?

Listed below are some important points on why one should pursue a Ph D Physical Education, what benefits it provides, etc.

  • To develop a professional knowledge in the field of sports science, exercise physiology, and fitness research that would be applicable in academics and practice.
  • To develop a career as a teacher and a researcher in the field of universities, colleges, or special sports schools.
  • In order to make contributions in the policy-making process in health, wellness and sports education, to influence the way the various fields of physical education are built in the country.
  • To learn about advanced research studies in sports psychology, biomechanics and performance enhancement of athletes.
  • To create opportunities in coaching, athletic training and sports consultancy with good scientific base.
  • To deal with contemporary growing problems of sedentary lifestyles, fitness education, and rehabilitation using exercise as a means.

 

Who should pursue a Ph.D in Physical Education?

Given below are some points on who should pursue a Ph D Physical Education. Let’s have a look at them:

  • Students interested in pursuing sports science, fitness and exercise physiology to advanced levels.
  • Physical education teachers or lecturers who wish to advance their qualifications to take up teaching and research positions at the university level.
  • Trainers and coaches who wish to develop evidence-based training mechanisms and performance enhancement practices.
  • Individuals interested in careers in sports policy, health promotion, or the development of physical education curriculum.
  • Those who love learning about biomechanics, sports psychology, and the science of rehabilitation to help athletes and active individuals.
  • Individuals seeking to make original research contributions in fields such as wellness, physical activity programs, or sports medicine.

 

PhD in Physical Education Eligibility Criteria

Given below is the detailed eligibility criteria for the PhD in Physical Education. Student must the certain criteria if they wish to pursue the course from a renowned institute:

  • Candidate must hold a master’s degree in Physical education with an aggregate of 50-55% marks from a recognized university.
  • Admission to the Ph D Physical Education is based on the entrance exam scores. Students need to have a valid score in entrance examinations like UGC NET/CSIR NET, etc.

 

PhD in Physical Education Entrance Exams

As PhD Admission in Physical Education is mostly based on an entrance exam, listed below are some of the entrance exams that the students need to appear in to pursue this course:

Entrances

Registration Date (Tentative)

Exam Date (Tentative)

Application Fees

UGC NET 2026

April - May 2026

June 2026

General: INR 1,150

 

OBC-NCL/EWS: INR 600

 

SC/ST/PWD: INR 325

CSIR NET 2026

June 2026

July 2026

General/EWS: INR 1150

 

OBC-NCL: INR 600

 

SC/ST/PWD: INR 325

 

PhD in Physical Education Colleges In India

For students who want to pursue a PhD in Physical Education, given below is a list of some of the best colleges that offer a P.hD. in Physical Education. Let’s have a look at them:

Colleges

Location

NIRF Ranking

 

(University)

Course Fees (Approx.)

Aligarh Muslim University

Aligarh

8

INR 35,000/-

Lovely Professional University

Phagwara

27

INR 3,00,000/-

Pondicherry University

Pondicherry

30

-

RNTU University

Madhya Pradesh

-

INR 2,50,000/-

YMCA College of Physical Education

Chennai

-

INR 23,510/-

BPCA’s College of Physical Education

Mumbai

-

INR 12,865/-

IIMT University

Meerut

-

-

Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational & Research Institute

West Bengal

-

INR 2,42,000

 

PhD in Physical Education Admission Procedure 2025

The Physical Education PhD admission process may differ depending on the institution or university you’re taking admission in.

 

To give students a general idea about the Physical Education PhD admission process, below we have listed the admission procedure for the BPCA College of Physical Education, Mumbai:

 

Step 1: Candidates aspiring for admission to BPCA College of Physical Education need to go through an entrance examination conducted by the university (PET).

 

Step 2: Students who appeared for the entrance examination, like UGC NET/UGC CSIR NET/SLET/GAT, E, or teachers are relieved from the conducted exam.

 

Step 3: Also, candidates who have completed their M Phil program will be relieved from the entrance examination.

 

Step 4: Students who want to pursue a P.hD. in Physical Education and have neither appeared in the entrance examination nor have a degree of M Phil but an equivalent master’s degree need to take the Entrance Test (PET) conducted by the institute.

 

Step 5: In the PET, students need to score as high as possible in the 100-mark entrance test. Only the candidates who have scored over 50% are to be considered eligible.

 

PhD in Physical Education Syllabus

The syllabus of a PhD Physical Education may vary depending on the institution the candidate has chosen. However, to give students an overall idea, we have listed some of the subjects that are taken from the BCPA’s College of Physical Education:

Foundations Of Physical Education And Sports

Research Methodology And Computer Applications In Physical Education And Sports

Philosophical Basis of

 

Physical Education

Research in Physical

 

Education and Types

Historical Basis of Physical

 

Education in India

Sampling, Tools, and

 

Techniques for Data

 

Collection

Biological Basis of Physical

 

Education

Methods of Research:

Sociological Basis of Physical

 

Education

Writing a Research Report

Science Of Training And Coaching In Sports And Games

Exercise And Sports Physiology

Sports Training, Coaching, and Rules of Games and Sports

Introduction to Exercise Physiology

Training Load and Methods

Work Performance & Environment

Technical and Tactical Preparation for Sports

Bioenergetic

Planning, Periodization, and Preparation for Competition

Responses and Adaptations to Exercise and Training

Test, Measurement, And Evaluation In Physical Education And Sports

Psychology Of Physical Education And Sports

Introduction to Test, Measurement, and Evaluation

Psychology of Physical Education and Sports

Construction and Classification of the Test

Learning in Physical Education and Sports

Fitness Testing

Motivation and Personality

Sports Skill and Psychological Tests

Psychology of Competition

Statistics In Physical Education And Sports Research

Sports Biomechanics

Introduction to Statistics

Introduction to Biomechanics

Normal Probability Curve

Human movement and biomechanics

Descriptive Analysis of Data

Introduction to Kinesiology

Inferential Analysis of Data

Applied kinesiology

Applied Yoga In Physical Education And Sports

Management Of Physical Fitness And Wellness

Introduction to Yoga

Fitness and Wellness

Yoga and Exercise for Health

Behavior Modification

Effect of Yogic Exercise

Daily Schedule of Achieving Quality of Life and Wellness

Application of Yoga

Health Education

Sports Medicine

Health and Health Education

Introduction

Health and Fitness

Injury & tissue response

Environmental Health

Therapeutic modalities & rehabilitation

Diseases and Health

Medical Problem and Rehabilitation

Management And Professional Preparation In Physical Education And Sports

Sports Nutrition

The Management Process

Overview of Nutrition

Aspects in Physical Education and Sports Management

Human Energy

Teacher Education

Dietary Requirement

Curricular aspects

Vitamin, water, electrolyte, and temperature

 

PhD in Physical Education Vs PhD in Sports Science

Given below is the detailed course comparison for the Phd in Physical Education Vs Ph D in Sports Science:

Aspect

Ph.D. in Physical Education

Ph.D. in Sports Science

Level of Study

Doctoral (research in education, health, and sports training)

Doctoral (research in advanced scientific aspects of sports & exercise)

Duration

3 – 5 years

3 – 5 years

Eligibility

Master’s in Physical Education (M.P.Ed) with 55%+, entrance exam + interview

Master’s in Sports Science/Physical Education with 55%+, entrance exam + interview

Focus Area

Curriculum design, pedagogy, health education, exercise psychology, sports policies

Biomechanics, exercise physiology, kinesiology, performance analysis, nutrition in sports

Learning Outcome

Develops academicians, researchers, and policymakers in physical education

Prepares researchers and scientists to improve athletic performance & health

Career Opportunities

Professor, Education Policy Advisor, Sports Researcher, Fitness Consultant

Sports Scientist, Researcher, Biomechanics Expert, Consultant for Athletes

Average Salary Range

INR 6 LPA – INR 10 LPA

INR 7 LPA – INR 12 LPA

 

PhD in Physical Education Job Opportunities

Completing a PhD in Physical Education opens up a wide range of opportunities for candidates. Here are some of the job profiles candidates can pursue after completing a PhD in Physical Education. The roles and salaries are taken from sources like Naukri, Indeed, and Payscale.

Job Profiles

Average Salary

Physical Education Teacher

INR 3,00,000 – 3,75,000

Sports Trainer

-

Gym Instructor

INR 1,00,000 - 2,75,000

Yoga Instructor

INR 1,00,000 - 4,00,000

Sports Nutritionist

INR 3,00,000 - 8,00,000

Sports Psychologist

INR 4,00,000 - 6,00,000

Sports Manager

INR 6,00,000 - 8,00,000

 

PhD in Physical Education FAQs

How many years is a PhD in Physical Education?

A P.hD. in Physical Education is primarily a 3-year program. However, it can extend up to 5 years, depending on the time taken by the students.

What can you do with a P.hD. in Physical Education?

Upon completing a PhD in Physical Education, you can pursue several exciting roles that align with your career or field. After completing a PhD in Physical Education, one can pursue roles like a nutritionist, fitness trainer, sports manager, physical therapist, physical education teacher, etc.

Is Phd in Physical Education worth it in 2025?

Yes, a PhD in Physical Education is the highest qualification you can achieve in this field. Completing a PhD broadens your choices, especially in these times when everybody needs to stay healthy and fit; a degree in that field will prove to be beneficial.

What is the highest degree in Physical Education?

A PhD in Physical Education is the highest qualification you can get. Expanded as Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Education, this role is above all. Also, completing PhD commands respect that the candidate have earned showcasing their skills and dedication.

Explore Other Popular Ph.D. in Physical Education Colleges

Exam Accepting

Online|
PG|
IITs and IISc|
Engineering
ExamFeb 1, 2025
ResultMar 19, 2025
Online|
PG|
Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs)|
Business & Management Studies
ExamNov 30, 2025
ResultDec 19, 2025
Online|
PG|
Xavier Labour Relations Institute|
Business & Management Studies
ExamJan 5, 2025
ResultJan 17, 2025
Online|
PG|
Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies|
Business & Management Studies
ExamNov 5, 2025 - Dec 23, 2025
ResultNov 5, 2025 - Dec 24, 2025
Online|
UG|
Consortium of National Law Universities|
Law
ExamDec 1, 2024
ResultMay 17, 2025
Online|
PG|
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay)|
Design
ExamJan 19, 2025
ResultMar 5, 2025
Online|
PG|
CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research)
ExamJul 25, 2024 - Jul 27, 2024
ResultSep 12, 2024
Online/Offline|
UG|
All India Management Association (AIMA)
Exam-
Result
Online|
PG|
National Testing Agency (NTA)|
Business & Management Studies
ExamJan 25, 2025
ResultFeb 13, 2025
Online|
PG|
Directorate of Technical Education, Maharashtra|
Business & Management Studies
ExamApr 1, 2025 - Apr 3, 2025
Result

Explore Popular Ph.D. Courses

Loading exam list...

Students learning mobile

Your opinion matters to us!

Rate your experience using this page so far.