PhD
Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health Sciences
ABOUT THE COURSE
Introduction
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program aims to develop a new generation of scholars and leaders who are equipped to respond to pressing health issues. Through their doctoral research, students will be able to generate evidence that has the potential to shape health policy and practice. At the same time they will gain valuable skills in conducting research and leading projects.
Remarkable progress has been made in improving population health over recent decades, with significant gains in life expectancy, reductions in maternal and child mortality, and advances in disease control, in particular, the communicable diseases. Despite these achievements, there is the need to face complex and evolving public health challenges. These include persistent health inequities, the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, environmental health risks, emerging infectious diseases, and the impacts of climate change on health to name a few. Addressing these multifaceted challenges requires a well-trained cadre of public health scientists who possess the capacity to generate context-specific knowledge, conduct rigorous multidisciplinary research, and inform effective public health policies and practices.
At Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS), we are committed to advancing health in Nepal through education, research, and service. Building on our foundations of medical care, research and education of undergraduates and postgraduates, this PhD program in Public Health Sciences aims to produce context relevant research and train public health scientists for the future. This program aligns with PAHS’s mission to improve the health of the people of Nepal, particularly the underserved and living in rural areas, through excellence in education, research, and service.
Program Mission
The mission of the PhD Program in Public Health is to develop highly skilled, independent researchers who are equipped to lead and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of public health in Nepal and beyond. The program aims to cultivate academic excellence, critical thinking, and methodological rigor, empowering scholars to conduct innovative and policy-relevant research on pressing public health issues. Grounded in the principles of equity, service, and social accountability, the program fosters leadership and interdisciplinary collaboration in pursuit of improved population health outcomes. Graduates will be well-positioned to shape public health policy, drive system improvements, and contribute to global health discourse.
Program Goals
The PhD in Public Health Sciences at Patan Academy of Health Sciences (PAHS) aims to develop a cadre of highly skilled, ethical, and socially responsible public health scholars equipped to address pressing health challenges in Nepal. The specific goals of the program are to:
- Emphasize core competencies as defined by PAHS, including professionalism, scholarship, leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, community orientation, social accountability, and communication skills.
- Foster a research-oriented mindset, enabling scholars to formulate, investigate, and respond to emerging and complex public health problems through scientific inquiry.
- Equip students with advanced competencies in data analysis and interpretation, essential for evidence-based public health practice and policy development.
- Develop technically competent researchers with the knowledge and skills necessary to address public health issues of national and local significance.
- Instill strong ethical principles and value-based attitudes, ensuring that graduates uphold integrity and social accountability in all aspects of their research and professional practice.
- Promote the conduct of impactful and contextually relevant research that contributes to the advancement of public health in Nepal.
APPLICATION DETAILS
Who should apply to this course?
Applicants should have a Master’s Degree in Health Sciences* or a related field.
Applicants preferably should have research experience in public health and a proven academic or publication record.
Applicants should be prepared for rigorous academic work and field-based research.
* This includes all the subjects listed by the Medical Education Commission(MEC), Nepal under Health Professional Education as per the Nation Medical Education Act, 2075 BS.
How should an applicant apply for this course?
Applicants should comply with administrative requirements and fill the electronic application form available at Notices in www.pahs.edu.np
Applicants should submit the following documents:
- A covering letter
- A statement of purpose highlighting why they want to undertake a PhD course
- A detailed curriculum vitae including qualifications, experience and publications
- Two recommendation letters from academic institution or immediate past employer
- Transcripts from the Bachelor’s degree program and Master’s degree program
SELECTION PROCESS
Candidates must bring all their original documents for verification on the day of the written exam
Candidates must take a written exam
Shortlisted candidates based on the written exam will be invited to
- submit a written research proposal
- make a presentation
- take part in an interview
COURSE DURATION, STRUCTURE, DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
COURSE DURATION, STRUCTURE, DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
What is the duration of this course?
Candidates are eligible to graduate three years after the start of this course.
The generally expected duration is 3-4 years.
Candidates can take a maximum of six years (twelve semesters).
What is the structure of the course like?
The academic program follows the outcome/competency based education model. The content is divided into mandatory common course credits that are common for every scholar and core knowledge and core skills that are unique to each program.
Mode of Delivery
The course will follow a blended learning approach, combining onsite didactic sessions with virtual classroom components. Onsite sessions will focus on theoretical foundations and interactive discussions, while virtual sessions will support continued learning through resource sharing, feedback, and collaborative activities.
Delivery will align with the credit requirements of the PhD curriculum in Public Health Sciences, integrating both theoretical instruction and practical application. Regular progress seminars and academic reviews will support skill development and track research progress.
Public Health Core Subjects
This course has a total of 24 credits dedicated to the mandatory courses required for all educational programs with a PhD equivalence as per the University Grants Commission (UGC), Nepal guidelines. The first semester will cover 15 credits while the second semester will cover 9 credits. An additional six credits are dedicated to thematic and research seminars. The details of the courses are available in the curriculum.
The theory for these credit courses will be covered through common classes. Each course has its own course books and reference books. Additional reading materials will be provided dynamically by the teaching faculties and can vary with each new batch.
Each course will end with a certification examination. Each mandatory course will be evaluated by continuous assessments and it will bear 60% weight whereas end course assessment will bear 40% weight.
Thematic and Research Seminars
As part of the academic training and scholarly engagement within the PhD program, candidates will be required to actively participate in regular seminars, journal clubs, and research presentations. These comprise a total of six credits.
These forums are designed to foster critical thinking, enhance scientific communication skills, and encourage interdisciplinary dialogue. Seminars will provide opportunities for candidates to present their ongoing work and receive constructive feedback from faculty and peers. Journal clubs will involve critical appraisal of recent publications in public health and related fields, enabling students to stay abreast of current developments and methodological advancements. Participation in these academic activities will be considered an integral component of the doctoral training process, contributing to the overall intellectual development of the candidate.
PAHS Core Competencies
Aside from the mandatory credit courses candidates are expected to excel in the core competences as outlined by the Patan Academy of Health Sciences. These include professionalism, being person-centered as well as community oriented, communicating well, scholarship, leadership and endowed with practical skills and logical reasoning capabilities. All core competencies will be systematically documented by the course supervisors and program director. Satisfactory achievement in each domain is a required part of completion of the course.
The details regarding the course and requirements are in the curriculum.
What is the research work expected from candidates in this PhD?
Each PhD candidate is expected to undertake independent, original research that contributes meaningfully to the field of Public Health Sciences. At the end of the first semester, each PhD candidate is expected to have identified a tentative thesis topic along with one or more alternative research directions. At the end of the second semester the candidate should have a clearer idea of the research question and obtained approvals from the subject committee and other permissions and clearance.
What is the role of the PhD supervisor?
Each PhD candidate will receive close guidance from an assigned advisor or supervisor, who will meet with the candidate regularly and review progress and discuss further steps. At the end of each academic semester the advisor will submit a detailed written progress report to the subject committee and the scholar shall deliver a brief presentation summarizing his/her development.
What is the criteria for PhD degree award?
The PhD candidate is expected to publish two articles related to his/her research topic and present two papers in any National or International conferences. Following this a doctoral thesis must be submitted in the form of a monograph. The thesis defense will be a public defense conducted before a panel comprising two external examiners and one internal examiner. It is anticipated that the research contributing to the thesis will require a minimum of two to three years of sustained, focused, and rigorous scholarly work.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
1. PhD Program Fee Structure
This fee structure will apply for the batch starting BS 2082/83 (2026 CE)
Fee Payment Schedule
- Fees are paid at the beginning of each semester.
Standard Program Duration & Fees
- The standard program duration is 3 years (6 semesters).
- For a given candidate, the fees that have been set at the start of the course will apply for the duration of the entire program until graduation.
Extension Fee
- Candidates who require more than 6 semesters to complete their thesis will be charged a continuation fee.
- Candidates can extend their program by up to six(6) additional semesters, thus needing to complete their program by a maximum of six(6) years (12 semesters).
Applicability of Fees
The fee structure applies uniformly to all enrolled candidates, including:
- Faculty members of PAHS.
- Grant awarded candidates.
- Self-financing candidates.
Summary of fees
| Particulars | Nepalese Students | Foreign students SAARC countries | Foreign students Non-SAARC countries | |
|
Academic Fee |
NRs 1,27,746 | US$ 1,500 | US$ 2,000 | First Semester |
| NRs 1,27,746 | US$ 1,500 | US$ 2,000 | Second Semester | |
| NRs 1,27,746 | US$ 1,500 | US$ 2,000 | Third Semester | |
| NRs 1,27,746 | US$ 1,500 | US$ 2,000 | Forth Semester | |
| NRs 1,27,746 | US$ 1,500 | US$ 2,000 | Fifth Semester | |
| NRs 1,27,746 | US$ 1,500 | US$ 2,000 | Sixth Semester | |
| Total | NRs 7,66,476 | US$ 9,000 | US$ 12,000 | |
| Academy Registration | NRs 5,000 | US$ 500 | US$ 500 | One time |
| Health Insurance | NRs 4,000 | US$ 50 | US$ 50 | Annual |
| Security Deposit | NRs 20,000 | US$ 200 | US$ 200 | Refundable on completion of course |
| Supplementary semester fee | NRs 63,873 | US$ 750 | US$ 1,000 | If required per semester |
2. PhD Program Grants and Stipends
PhD Grants
PhD grants may be awarded to selected candidates. These grants are allocated based on availability of institutional or external funds, institutional priority and are contingent upon the alignment of the candidate’s research with the academy’s strategic interests or the grants’ provisions.
Stipend Policy
- Self-Financing Candidates: PAHS does not provide a stipend or funding source.
- Grant-Supported Candidates: For those eligible for a stipend (e.g., through a scholarship, sponsorship or grant), the recommended monthly stipend is equivalent to the salary of a Lecturer on Contract Basis, Level 9 ‘ka’, payable for 36 months. The stipend for each candidate will be fixed for the duration of the three years of the program.
CONTACT
For additional details about the course please contact
Academic Administration
Patan Academy of Health Sciences
Lagankhel
Lalitpur
Nepal
Email: academicadmin@pahs.edu.np
Phone: +977-1-5445112