PhD Doctor of Philosophy in Management
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
The PhD programme is a research-based programme, with a practical approach, designed for professionals who have already completed an MBA or an equivalent qualification and are looking to expand their knowledge in the field.
The duration of the PhD programme is 3 academic years but it can be completed in less time, depending on the student’s motivation to deliver the final project.
Online delivery
Practical learning, projects, and learning through research.
Flexible programme
All programs are totally flexible and can be started at any time. Work at your own pace.
Support 24/7
Our support team is available every day to make sure that your education runs smoothly.
Course Fees
Application fee : € 100 (waived)
Tuition Fees : € 6,490 per year.
Discounts available for payments made in full prior to commencing the programme.
Teaching methodologies
The main teaching and learning methods at SSBR includes virtual classroom lectures, webinars and tutorials, practical learning, projects, and learning through research.
Assessment and verification
All units within this qualification are internally assessed by the centre. The qualifications are criterion referenced, based on the achievement of all the specified learning outcomes.
Flexible courses to fit around your busy schedule
Highly qualified and experienced professors available to help you get the qualification you deserve.
WHAT IS THE STRUCTURE OF THE PHD?
The PhD programme is a fast track program that takes place entirely ONLINE. Students can complete the program within 2 academic years, giving them a Swiss quality doctorate degree. The programme has 240 ECTS (European Transfer Credit System).
Our PhD students are guided throughout the entire programme, from commencement through the defense of the final research project (PhD viva).
First year
Research Methodology I
Research Methodology II Publish or Perish – Preparing for the Journal Review Process
Paper Clinic in General Management Taxonomies and Typologies in Research
Second Year
Publishing in Management
Technology and Innovation
Final Thesis of your programme
The Ph.D. dissertation should include: (1) title page, (2) dedication page (optional), (3) table of contents, including List of Tables and List of Figures pages, (4) abstract, (5) acknowledgments page (optional), (6) list of abbreviations, (7) dissertation body (Introduction, methods, results and discussion and a final chapter/conclusion) (8) reference list and (9) appendices (optional).
Word count: 70,000-80,000 words EXCLUDING appendices.
Completion Option
If you have achieved all-but-dissertation (ABD) status in another institution of higher education’s Ph.D. in Management programme, there’s no need to start from scratch. Our programme offers a completion option that allows you to pick up where you left off. You’ll benefit from integrated dissertation support to help ensure you reach the finish line..
WHY A PHD IN MANAGEMENT?
Distinctive benefits you can expect
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Thought leadership with practical relevance: Design and execute research that addresses real organizational challenges, producing frameworks, models, and tools others can apply.
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Advanced research capability: Master qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches; learn to operationalize constructs, build robust datasets, and derive causal or theory-building insights.
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Credibility and influence: A doctorate confers scholarly authority that enhances your professional voice—useful for C-suite decision making, high-stakes client engagements, and public discourse.
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Career agility: Move fluidly among academia, industry, and the public sector; teach at university level, publish in practitioner outlets, and lead research-driven change initiatives.
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Scholarly communication: Develop a strong publication and presentation profile (articles, white papers, conference talks), amplifying your reach and reputation.
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Network effects: Join a global community of supervisors, peers, alumni, and partner organizations—accelerating collaboration, co-authorship, and career opportunities.
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Ethical and responsible management: Embed rigorous ethics, governance, and data-integrity practices into every stage of your work, essential in AI-augmented and data-rich environments.
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Future-ready skillset: Integrate analytics and AI-supported inquiry with classic management theory, ensuring your research remains timely, transparent, and reproducible.
Outcomes that matter
Graduates of a PhD in Management are positioned to lead, teach, publish, and transform. Whether your goal is to become faculty, elevate to strategy-defining roles, launch an advisory practice, or shape policy, the doctorate provides the depth, discipline, and credibility to deliver lasting, measurable impact.
In short: a PhD in Management is not just another qualification; it is the highest standard of evidence-based leadership—a platform for advancing management science while delivering tangible value to organizations and communities.
A PhD in Management is a strategic investment in intellectual leadership and long-term impact. Unlike short, skills-based credentials, the doctorate equips you to create new knowledge—not merely consume it—so you can solve complex organizational problems, shape evidence-based strategy, and influence practice at the highest levels. Through rigorous training in research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, and scholarly writing, you will learn to frame the right questions, generate defensible insights, and translate those insights into decisions that move organizations and societies forward.
Beyond methodological mastery, a PhD in Management broadens your professional horizon. You will engage deeply with advanced topics—strategy, innovation, leadership, organizational behavior, operations, finance, entrepreneurship, digital transformation, and sustainability—while collaborating with experienced supervisors and a peer community of senior practitioners and scholars. This intellectual immersion strengthens your analytical acuity, your ability to synthesize large, conflicting bodies of evidence, and your confidence presenting findings to executive, academic, and policy audiences.
The degree is also a decisive signal of commitment to excellence and continuous learning. Doctoral work demonstrates independence of thought, ethical research conduct, and the stamina to complete an ambitious, multi-stage project to publication-ready standards. These attributes are prized in boardrooms, classrooms, and consultancy settings alike—opening doors to roles such as faculty member, research-active executive, chief strategy/innovation officer, internal or external consultant, policy advisor, think-tank researcher, or entrepreneur.
ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS
IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 75 (official English exam results) or proof of studying previously in an English-speaking environment for a minimum of 2 years.
Scanned copy of all required academic diplomas, transcripts, certificates
Extensive previous business/professional experience
Photocopy of a valid passport/national ID
Resume/CV
Reference letters from a former academic institution or from current employer (if applicable)
Completion of the Thesis Proposal Form
Initial Proposal
Please provide a short academic description of your ideas regarding the topic you would like to explore during the programme.
This will be an initial proposal to show the school that you are clear about your plans for the programme and to help us support you in your work. Your project will be expected to change and evolve once you begin the course.
Outline the topic, question or issue you intend to explore
Explain why this is worthy of exploration.
Provide an overview of the current ideas surrounding this issue. You should refer to the latest academic or practitioner research in this filed.
Which methods do you intend to use during your research?
How might your study contribute to the theoretical understanding of this issue and/or solving real-world management problems in your own context?
ADMISSIONS 2025
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REQUEST INFORMATION
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Our organization is classed as a Business School, distinguishing its status from that of a standard university. As such, Swiss School of Business Research is not beholden to regulations imposed by the Swiss Higher Education Act (HEdA) and not listed on Swissuniversities’ list of accredited higher education institutions therefore the School is free to provide higher education and confer private degrees, from bachelor’s to doctorate levels.
Validity of degrees issued by private institutions in Switzerland
“Validity of degrees issued by private institutions in Switzerland
While higher education in Switzerland is primarily dispensed by public institutions, there are also many private ones. In Switzerland no prior authorisation is required in order to offer higher education courses, organise examinations or issue private degrees. In certain cases, however, the federal or cantonal authorities, depending on their respective area of authority, will supervise private institutions and/or authorise them to offer courses and issue degrees.
Private institutions based in Switzerland that are not accredited under the HEdA may only issue private degrees. Such degrees:
– may be used by the holder to carry out an unregulated profession; appreciation of the value of private degrees is left up to employers.
Generally speaking, there are no international agreements protecting the value of private degrees; in all cases, it is up to the national authorities in the host country to decide whether to recognise foreign qualifications. Private institutions are able to legitimately carry out their activities in Switzerland by virtue of the principle of economic freedom.*
SSBR is authorised by the Canton of Zurich for the provision of quality standards in adult education so the lessons comply with the cantonal regulations.
The Canton of Zurich authorizes SSBR to issue bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees.
* From the State Secretariat for Education and Research SER Directorate
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