Have you ever wondered what you want to do after your PhD? Do you think there is nothing to do after PhD? If you answered yes, you might be wrong. D.Litt. is the perfect degree for you. D.Litt. full form is Doctor of Literature or Letters. One can mistake it for only focusing on Literature and related fields. But it extends to humanities and related fields.
It is a two-year post-doctoral research degree with an eligibility criterion of having a PhD degree in literature and related field with a minimum score of 55% aggregate. The admission process of the Doctor of Litt. depends on university. It can either be on merit basis or entrance exam.
The average fee ranges between INR 2,000 to INR 1,50,000. Some of the best colleges include BHU, Manipur University, Rabindra Bharati University, SOA, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research. The salary ranges between INR 2,00,000 to INR 10,00,000.
Table of Content
• What is D.Litt. and What is it About?
• Why Study?
• Doctor of Literature Admission Process
• How to Apply for Doctor of Literature degree?
• Eligibility Criteria
• Entrance Exams
• Doctor of Literature Syllabus
• Important Books
• Course Comparison: Doctor of Literature vs PhD
• Doctor of Literature Job Profiles
• Future Scope
• D. Litt. Frequently Asked Questions
Doctor of Literature Course Highlights
Below is a summarized table for a brief and easy introduction to D.Litt.:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| D.Litt. Full Form | Doctor of Literature or Letters |
| Course Type | Doctorate |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Admission Process | Merit or Entrance Exam based |
| Course Fee | INR 2,000 to INR 1,50,000 |
| Average Salary | INR 2,00,000 to INR 10,00,000 |
| Recruiting Companies | Horizon, ITM Edutech, Government Authorities, and many more |
| Job Position | Professor, Senior Research Scientist, Educational Department Head, Operation Head, and much more |
What is D.Litt. and What is it About?
The full form of Litt is Literature. And D.Litt. full form is Doctor of Literature. Doctor of Literature is a 2-year doctoral degree which recognizes specialization in disciplines including Humanities, Social Sciences and Creative Arts.
The course includes core subjects like Literary Theory and Criticism, Research Methodology, Historical and Cultural Context, Author Studies, Comparative Literature depending on different universities.
It also includes Dissertation or Thesis Writing. Along with that some of the electives include Literature of Specific Periods, Translation Studies, Visual Arts.
Why Study?
Doctor of Literature short form is D.Litt. Professionals who want to focus and pursue subjects relating to literature would be the most interested. D.Litt. is beneficial as:
1. One can apply to be a part of the editorial team in any publication.
2. It helps you further in deeply studying a specific topic.
3. It helps one in interpreting everything with a critical eye.
4. D.Litt. Full form is Doctor of Literature, and it counts as one of the honorable degrees in Literature.
Doctor of Literature Admission Process
1. The admission process for D.Litt. is simple and it is usually based on merit in most of the colleges.
2. Professionals who want to pursue Doctor of Litt must fill in an application form which would be available on the website of the deemed college.
3. A merit list will be announced at a later date. In case any university decides to hold entrance exam, the date is announced almost a month before.
4. With the merit list one can check and enroll in their desired university. Students need to visit the university to verify all the documents.
How to Apply for Doctor of Literature degree?
Below are the steps to help you apply for Doctor of Literature:
1. Register yourself in the desired university.
2. Fill in an online application form and submit the payment before the due date.
3. Admit Card for the entrance exam along with the date will be available in your portal. Appear for the entrance exam. And in some colleges, merit lists will be released.
4. Results will be declared, and the counselling process will take place. Qualified students will be eligible for admission.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible in Doctor of Literature degree one needs to have:
1. PhD in the same or similar fields from a recognized university
2. A minimum of 50% marks as an aggregate
3. At least 5-10 years of post-PhD experience (depending on university)
4. A portfolio of published scholarly work such as books, journals, articles, etc.
Entrance Exams
Entrance Exams are held by universities or comprise of Nation Level exams like UGC NET or State Level exams like NEE for D.Litt.
| Entrance Exam | Description |
|---|---|
| UGC NET | UGC NET exam is conducted to test and determine the eligibility of Indian nationals for Assistant Professor, PhD and Junior Research Fellowship. It holds a lot of prestige with many students taking the exam every year. |
| NEE | NEE exam is conducted by NERIST for admissions to various undergraduate, postgraduate and other doctoral level exams specifically for the North-Eastern Universities of India. |
Doctor of Literature Syllabus
The syllabus of D.Litt. depends on university to university. D.Litt. But the most common syllabus for Doctor of Literature is written below:
| Year 1 | Year 2 |
|---|---|
| Literary Theory and Criticism | Genre Study |
| Research Methodology | Independent Research |
| American Literature | Literature and Visual Arts |
| Contemporary Literature | Creative Writing |
| Author Studies | Translation Studies |
| Historical and Cultural Studies | Dissertation/ Thesis |
Important Books
For an individual to excel in literature and related fields, a list of books does not compete with the number of novels that have been published throughout centuries. But mentioned below is a compiled list of novels and books that one can read to understand the syllabus of D.Litt. degree
1. Beowulf, Unknown Author
2. The Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer
3. Hamlet, William Shakespeare
4. Doctor Faustus, Christopher Marlowe
5. Paradise Lost, Milton
6. Poems of Romantic Age by Poets like William Blake, John Keats, ST Coleridge
7. Hard Times, Charles Dickens
8. The Birthday Party, Harold Pinter
9. Waiting for Godot, Samuel Beckett
10. Mrs. Dalloway, Virginia Woolf
11. The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood
12. Myth of Sisyphus, Albert Camus
13. Metamorphosis, Franz Kafka
Course Comparison: Doctor of Literature vs PhD
A professional might feel confused with which degree suits them as the best option. Here is a tabular comparison side-by-side to help one easily with what they want to pursue:
| Parameters | D.Litt. | PhD |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | D.Litt. full form is Doctor of Literature | PhD full form is Doctor of Philosophy |
| Course Type | Doctorate | Doctorate |
| Duration | 2 years | 2-5 years (depending on university) |
| Eligibility | PhD degree with 50% marks on average | Master’s degree with 55% marks on average |
| Admission Process | Merit or Entrance Exam Based | Entrance with an Interview Based |
| Best Universities | Mumbai University, SOA, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, BHU | Delhi University, JNU, BHU, IITs, EFLU |
| Career Opportunities | Senior Research Assistant, Senior Political Advisor, Operations Manager, Educational Department Head, and much more | Author, Copywriter, Content Developer, Public Relations Options |
| University Fee | INR 2,000 to INR 1,50,000 | INR 50,000 to INR 6,00,000 |
| Salary Package | INR 2,00,000 to INR 10,00,000 | INR 8,00,000 to INR 10,00,000 |
Doctor of Literature Job Profiles
D.Litt. promises good career opportunities for professionals as they are adequately qualified. D.Litt. is considered one of the highest achievements in Literature. Below are some of the job profiles with an aggerate salary.
| Job Profiles | Description | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Research Scientist | They are exceptionally qualified, and they conduct research, analyze data, and publish findings. | INR 7,00,000 |
| Director of Research and Development | They provide strategic leadership and oversight for an organization. | INR 2,50,000 |
| Assistant Professor | The role of assistant professor is to teach and guide graduate students in universities. | INR 3,33,000 |
| Educational Department Head | The role of departmental head is to provide leadership amongst the administrative and academic management of a particular department. | INR 2,50,000 |
Future Scope
Doctor of Literature in India is an exceptional but at the same time a very privileged kind of doctorate. One can pursue short-term courses based on specializations after D. Litt. Along with that, they can also write novels and be an author.
Professionals can apply for jobs in various sectors with only success. They can be copywriter, content creator, editor, and even freelancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Doctor of Literature an online degree?
No, Doctor of Literature is not typically offered as an online degree. However, some universities may offer it in online or distance mode. Candidates must regularly check whether the program is properly accredited.
What is the full form of D.Litt.?
D.Litt. full form is Doctor of Literature or Doctor of Letters.
Who can opt for Doctor of Literature?
Anyone with a strong interest in English literature and related academic fields can opt for the Doctor of Literature program.
Is the entrance exam a common requirement for Doctor of Literature?
In most universities, qualifying UGC NET is a common requirement for admission to the Doctor of Literature program.
Can you name some famous D. Litt. graduates?
Yes, several renowned personalities have earned a Doctor of Literature degree, including Chinua Achebe, Toni Morrison, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Edward Said, Salman Rushdie, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and C. Rajagopalachari.
