Pioneering Research in Design

Pursue a Ph.D. at ASU's School of Design & Visual Arts.

Transform Ideas into Impactful Research

Join ASU’s Ph.D. Program in Design & Visual Arts.

Ph.D in Design and Visual Arts

Specialisations

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme represents the highest level of education at the School of Design & Visual Arts (SDVA), Apeejay Stya University (ASU). Professionals working in the field of design & visual arts education, research & practice, and allied areas, who are interested in enhancing their research capability and careers, further their understanding of the design domain or learning new design skills are eligible to participate in the programme.

The Ph.D. students at SDVA, ASU get to experience the essence of learning through multi & trans-disciplinary collaborations with partners from industry, institutions and the field. During the Ph.D. programme, students will have the chance to attend national & international conferences, research seminars, gain industry experience and expand their professional network.

Today design & arts is at the crossroads of philosophy, arts, science and technology. This field is now recognised as a catalyst to bring about a meaningful change and create value across sectors. Innovation through design, necessitates a multi-disciplinary approach at various levels: product, process and system levels.

The primary forces driving the university’s research pedagogy are empathy-based research, experiential learning, and contextual intelligence. The generation, dissemination and networking of new knowledge created in the Ph.D. studies are expected to open new frontiers in the design field benefitting the community, industry and society at large.

Directions/Topics

The Ph.D. programme in Design & Visual Arts shall include a range of topics around eight areas this year:

Art and Design
Design and Culture (such as traditional skills and handicraft)
Design Education (such as learning & teaching environment, pedagogy)
Design and Environment (such as sustainable solutions and experiment with materials)
Design Innovation (such as future of fashion and smart homes)
Design and Technology (such as computer-human interface and digital products)
Social-Business Innovation (such as entrepreneurship and business processes)
Product-Service-System (such as smart cities and complex human systems)

Objectives

The focus of the Ph.D. study is to reflect & realise the potential of design & visual arts by:

Building the theoretical, methodological foundation of design with an understanding of the nature and value of design & visual arts
Developing reflective practices, enhancing competitive skills and setting new frontiers and benchmarks in design & visual arts practice
Harnessing the inter-disciplinary process of design & visual arts, and developing collaborative approaches for design innovations through the creation of products, services, and sustainable system models
Generating insights & new knowledge for humanity through field study, experimentations & deep research in the various domains of design & visual arts;

Award of Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.)

After successfully completing the course of study, which must be attended for a minimum of three years, doctoral candidates are awarded their degrees. Completion of Ph.D. may entail an open viva, a research seminar to showcase the new knowledge, submission of the thesis document and an exhibition/display for practice-led, field study-based doctoral work. The goal of this endeavour is to fill up the gaps in existing knowledge that is currently held around the world. Also, to broaden the overall scope and understanding of design in the current context.

Collaborations

Eligibility and Duration

Minimum 55% at Master’s degree or equivalent in design/allied disciplines in relevant area with consistent good academic record,
Written test and research proposal presentation and personal interview,
Coursework equivalent to 12-16 credits
Applicants for part-time Ph.D. programme will have to submit No-Objection-Certificate (NOC) from their employer.

Note

Ph.D. programme shall be for a minimum duration of three years, including course work and a maximum of six years.

Fee Structure (2025-26)

Consequent upon the approval of the competent authority, Semester wise Fee structure of Ph.D. Programme is as under:
Particular	Sem-I	Sem-II	Sem-III	Sem-IV	Sem-V	Sem-VI
Tution Fee	52,500	52,500	52,500	52,500	52,500	52,500
Development Fee	20,000	—	—	—	—	—
Online Book Bank	4,000	—	4000	—	4000	—
Security Fee	5,000	—	—	—	—	—
Insurance	400	—	400	—	400	—
Total	81900	52,500	56,900	52,500	56,900	52,500

Note:

Thesis Evaluation Fee (Before Pre thesis via): Anamount of Rs.45000/- to be paid by the candidate separately at the time of submission of thesis as

the Thesis submission Fee.

In case the Ph.D.Thesis is not submitted in stipulated time period of three years, theScholar has to pay fee for the extended semester(s) as per the applicable fee schedule tillthe final submission of the thesis.

Academic Late Fee Fine Policy
Particular	July Session	January Session	Late Fee Fine
Fee Submission within Due Date	Till 15th Aug.	Till 15th Jan	NIL
Fee Submission during Grace Period	16th Aug- 31st Aug	16th Jan-31st Jan	Rs.llOO
Fee Submission after Grace Period	Qlst Sep -15th Sep	Qlst Feb -15th Feb	Rs. 200 per day
Registration stands provisionally cancelled.Re- registration to be done on recommendation by Dean{HoD	16th Sep onward	16th Feb onward	Rs. 300 per day + Rs.5000 (Re- Registration charges)

Note:

• No Academic Late Fee Fine shall be applicable to newly admitted students for the admitting
Semester.
• The fine for the previous period will also be added, in addition to the ongoing fine applicable as per the specified dates.

Fee Structure for Ph.D. Program for Academic Year 2025-26 – International Students
*Particular*	Year 1st	Year 2nd	Year 3rd
Tution Fee	US $ 1300	US $ 1300	US $ 1300
Development Fee	US $ 250	—	—
Online Book Bank	US $ 100	US $ 100	US $ 100
Security Fee	US $ 100	—	—
Insurance	US $ 100	US $ 100	US $ 100
Thesis Evaluation Fee (Before Pre Thesis Viva-Voce)	—	—	US $ 550*
Total	US $ 1850	US $ 1500	US $ 2050

Training & Placements

Student Speaks

Prerna

B.Des, 2022-2026

As a final-year B.Des (Graphic Design) student at Apeejay Stya University, my experience has been both meaningful and transformative. The constant support and guidance of my mentor—especially during portfolio development—helped...

Meenakshi Sharma

B.Ed, 2017-19

At the School of Education, ASU, the curriculum is really impressive. Teachers are very well-informed and act as mentors to help us succeed in the teaching profession.

Gunjan Verma

B.Ed, 2017-19

I completed my two-year B.Ed programme from Apeejay Stya University in June 2019. The University provided me with an enriching curriculum, full of resource materials, field-based practices and experiential learning....

Ms. Madhu

B.Ed, 2021-23

Apeejay Stya University provides an excellent interactive learning experience to students. During my first year of B.Ed, I could publish an article in a Book under the guided mentorship of...

Priyanka Patel

B.Sc. B.Ed (2020-2024)

had completed my four year integrated B.Sc. B.Ed from Apeejay Stya University and find that its enriched curricula, pedagogy and teaching internship helped me in beingjob ready. I am happy...

Muskan Gandas

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As an ex-student of B.A. B.Ed, I felt that my university not only provided me a conducive study environment in a green campus free from environment and noise pollution, but...

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I am working as an Independent Management Consultant and as CEO of a Japanese Company, I am extremely happy being a student of School of Behavioural Sciences at Apeejay at...

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Iflah Imtiyaz

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My experience at Apeejay Stya University has been amazing. Apeejay stya University is one of best university which always promote the research in multidisciplinary areas as well as encouraging for...

Megha Dass Saini

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Thanks to CRC at ASU for helping me get selected for multiple projects during my summer internship. These included my brief stints with Inoviea Ventures, Motilal Oswal & OYO Rooms...

Megha Dass, IT Consultant, Daffodil Software Ltd.

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The dual specialisation gave me more domain knowledge and this helped me gain an entry into the IT sector.

Rosy Hashmi, Finance Executive, Iris Worldwide

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The industry-aligned Accounting and Finance syllabus along with Liberal Arts, enabled me to get a good job.

Abhishek Sharma, HR Executive, Wipro Infotech

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The summer internship, industry-centric assignments, guest lectures and other industry interface enabled me to pursue a career in HR.

Varchasa Shandilya, Cluster Lead, Accenture

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The faculty was almost like family and the considerable amount of time invested by them, bought out the best in me.

Rupa Barua

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Apart from the lush green campus, studying in Apeejay Stya University (ASU) gave me a lead with a lifelong career excellence. The hands-on nature of the programmes makes learning very...

Therese Ntamvutsa

B.Pharmacy (2015-19) Country- Rwanda

I like the interaction between faculty members and students here. Faculty members are really supportive. We have got industry exposure because of industrial visits that we’ve done so far and...

Yukti Kasera

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I found the course very useful and fulfilling. The faculty is really helpful and friendly which helped a lot in academics as well as personality enhancement. The ambience is sociable...

Razeenah Kurreeman

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Throughout my stay here, I’ve had a wonderful experience. The University has great infrastructure: a well-equipped studio, video editing room, language room and Internet Radio. The focus is more on...

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The University has given me lots of exposure in terms of field exposure, industrial exposure, etc. It helps to bridge the gap between school atmosphere and Industry. We have proper...

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ASU is India’s first Liberal Arts and Meta University. I am not saying this just to brag about my university but because I am taking full advantage of this fact....

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Knowing how to study is more important than knowing what to study and that is what Apeejay Stya University (ASU) has taught me. The well structured notes, one-to-one doubt solving...