PhD in Data Science

If you’re interested in working independently in research fields after completing a master’s in mathematics, statistics, science, etc, then pursuing a PhD may be the right choice for you. It offers many reputed career choices along with satisfaction. The field is continuously growing and top companies Microsoft, Wipro, HCL, etc, are demanding data science graduates. So, read about PhD in Data Science to know about the course, its duration, after options, salary, top recruiting companies, and more.

Level	Doctorate
Duration	4-5 Years
Basic Eligibility	Postgraduate Degree in Relevant Field with minimum 55% marks.

What is a PhD in Data Science?

A PhD in Data Science gives students an edge and provides them with relevant knowledge in the fields like AI, Statistics, Machine Learning, Data Analysis, and the list goes on. Like all other PhD-level courses, it enables students to work independently in research fields and helps them apply both their practical and theoretical knowledge in data models.

Also Read: Fully-Funded PhD Programs

Eligibility Criteria

A PhD in Data Science has emerged as one of the leading courses as it enhances the career prospects of the candidates providing them with research and in-depth academic knowledge. Different universities have different specific criteria for admission that has to be met by the candidates. The basic eligibility requirements are given below:

• Candidates willing to pursue a PhD in Data Science and related courses must have a master’s degree in related fields like computer science, Statistics, Mathematics, etc
• Some universities have their own entrance exam for PhD level courses
• Marks scored by the candidate in related entrance examinations such as GATE, UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC-NET, etc are also considered for the admission process and these candidates are exempted from giving university entrance exams. But these candidates have to undertake a research skill assessment test. (Only valid for Indian Universities)
• Some colleges also take personal interviews and written tests in shortlisting candidates.
• English test scores of exams like IELTS/TOEFL etc (Only valid for foreign universities)
• Candidates require a set of documents like a 10th Marksheet, 12th Marksheet, Bachelor’s Degree & Marksheets, and Master’s Degree & Marksheet.

Book a FREE session with Leverage Live to ace your English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and more!

List of Top Universities Offering PhD in Data Science Abroad

When applying abroad it’s always wise to know your options beforehand! Sometimes choosing the right university for you might look like a daunting task.

University	Rankings by QS (2023)
University of Utah	392
Arizona State University	219
Rice University	100
University of Michigan	25
University of North Texas	1001-1200
University of Central Florida	801-1000
University of Maryland	164
University of Washington	80
University of Bristol	61
Cardiff University	166
The University of Edinburgh	15
University of York	162
Newcastle University	122
University of California	27
Princeton University	16
Cornell University	20

Universities Offering PhD in Data Science in India

The following are the top universities in India offering PhD in Data science:

University	Rankings
Indian Statistical Institute	41
Techno India University	429
JISIASR	–
IISc	1
IIIT	149
Christ University	14
NMIMS	22
Woxsen University	11
IIT Guwahati	9
JIS University	76

Must Read: How to Write Acknowledgement for Dissertation?

Career Choice after PhD in Data Science

The following are the top career choices after PhD in Data Science:

Researchers 

Researchers conduct their research in an organized and systematic way. They are responsible for communicating their research honestly and ethically. Also, they transfer and exploit their knowledge for the betterment of employees, the environment, and society as a whole and also collaborate with others whenever necessary. 

College Professors 

A data science college professor is expected to design, develop and teach courses in the Data Science domain and related areas. Sometimes, they engage in exploring new methodologies and technologies through research. Also, they mentor and supervise students in their projects and internships too.

Senior Data Scientist

A senior data scientist engages in formulating, suggesting, and managing data-driven projects which are in favour of business interests. They also collate and clean data from various entities in order to help their junior data scientists. 

Business Analysts

Business analysts help organizations in improving their processes and systems. They conduct research and analysis to solve business problems and introduce solutions to businesses and their clients. 

Machine Learning Professionals

A machine learning professional is an expert in using data to train models. These models are used to automate processes like image classification, market forecasting, speech recognition etc. 

Average Salary for PhD Graduates

The average salary in Data Science after doing a PhD can range from Rs 70-75 Lakhs per annum. With more experience, it can be raised to Rs 1 Crore or more. Although it depends on what career path you are choosing and in which state or country you are employed.

Must Read: What is a PhD Stipend?

Top Companies Hiring Data Science Graduates

1. IBM
2. Wipro
3. Cloudera
4. Splunk
5. Numerator
6. HCL
7. Slack
8. Microsoft
9. Jacobs
10. Thomson Reuters 

FAQs

We hope this blog helps you in understanding all the essential aspects of PhD in Data Science. Aiming to study a similar course or thinking of doing a PhD in another field? Sign up for your free 30 minutes of e-counselling with the Leverage Edu team now!