Doctor of Philosophy, PhD

Europe's online PhD with a global impact.

The SMC Doctor of Philosophy is a truly leading European PhD program with a unique research methodology. It is a rigorous and advanced course of study that prepares students for careers in academia, research, or industry. The PhD usually takes four to six years to complete in a part-time mode, depending on the discipline and the progress. This online PhD program is a rewarding and challenging opportunity for those who want to pursue the highest level of academic excellence and make an impact in their chosen field.

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PhD Degree Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD degree) program aims to develop participant’s abilities to undertake independent research at an advanced level and make an original and significant contribution to knowledge and professional practice. SMC PhD program students can be mid-career individuals who have already established themselves as business leaders or are on track to being appointed to executive positions and are supported in their academic ambition by their employing organization. PhD candidates can also be students in their late 20s who excelled in their bachelor’s and master’s degrees and are ready for the next step in academic research. The degree is intended for both senior practitioners in their field, who are used to identifying and dealing with various “real life” issues, as well as researchers whose main strength lies in theoretical knowledge.

Available Research Fields

Academic doctorates are awarded for original research and scholarship in a given research area. They prepare research candidates for various careers through their main focus of broadening theoretical understanding of a subject.

PhD in Business Administration

This doctoral research field prepares students for advanced research and teaching careers in business and management.

PhD in Political Economy

The PhD in Political Economy prepares students for careers in academia, policy-making, consulting, journalism, and civil society organizations.

PhD in Political Sciences

Students typically choose a subfield of political science, such as comparative politics, int. relations, political theory, and public policy.

PhD in Public Administration

Advanced research in the field of public management and policy to improve the performance of public organizations and programs.

PhD in Economics

Research focus on micro- and macroeconomics, econometrics, int. economics, development economics, labor economics, industrial organization, public economics, and behavioral economics.

PhD in Finance

This field focuses on the study of financial markets, institutions, and decision-making. It prepares students for careers in academia, research, or policy-making in the fields of finance, economics, or business.

PhD in Information Technology

Students focus on the research and application of IT in various domains, where they can apply their skills and expertise to solve complex problems, create innovative solutions, and lead teams or projects.

PhD in Cybertech

This research field aims to advance the state of the art in the field of protecting information systems and networks from various threats. Theoretical, experimental, or applied aspects of cybersecurity.

PhD Target Group & Career Objectives

PhD students can be mid-career individuals who have already established themselves as business leaders or are on track to being appointed to executive positions and are supported in their academic ambition by their employing organisation. PhD candidates can also be students in their late 20s who excelled in their bachelor’s and master’s degrees and are ready for the next step in academic research. The degree is intended for both senior practitioners in their field, who are used to identifying and dealing with various “real life” issues, as well as researchers whose main strength lies in theoretical knowledge. The Doctor of Philosophy degree can open a wide range of professional opportunities in a variety of settings from lecturing at Universities or Higher Education Institutions, to top management positions, to consulting or even further entrepreneurship.

Program Structure & Curriculum

This Doctor of Philosophy degree program has a clear milestone system made up of eight successive phases. Students are initially registered as MPhil. Students. The enrollment status is upgraded to Ph.D. status after at least 24 months of part-time study once the candidate passes the Transfer Interview. Transfer is allowed on clear evidence of progress in their work (Phase Five). The applied milestone system provides a rigorous quality assurance system making sure that only those who reach the expected level of scholarship are allowed to move on.

Developing a Letter of Intent

Phase One consists of the writing of a 1000-word Letter of Intent aimed at communicating one’s intentions regarding the area of study

Phase 1

Developing a Research Proposal

An affirmative reply to the Letter of Intent from the SMC Doctoral Committee constitutes the approval for the candidate to move on to the formal Research Proposal. The length of the proposal should be around 3,000 words

Phase 2

Research Proposal Interview

The proposal is reviewed by the SMC Doctoral Committee, followed by a presentation, interview and Q&A session.

Phase 3

Commencement of Studies

The research phase commences once the candidate receives a formal letter of acceptance, which includes the approved title of the thesis, the supervisor and co-supervisor, and the timeframe in which the thesis has to be conducted.

Phase 4

Transfer from MPhil to PhD Interview

Transfer occurs on condition that the work submitted is approved by the appointed Board of Examiners. The transfer can take place after a minimum of 24 months and a maximum of 48 months of part-time study

Phase 5

Writing of the Thesis

Ph.D. candidates need to attend the quarterly SMC Doctoral Seminars and present chapters from their thesis. Candidates are also be expected to attend international conferences related to their studies as well as online webinars. Candidates are also expected to meet with their tutors on a regular basis and engage in discussion about their research.

Phase 6

Submission of Thesis, Evaluation & Oral Defence

The candidate submits a thesis of around 100,000 words. An appointed Board of Examiners is set up to examine the thesis.

Phase 7

Doctor of Philosophy degree is Conferred

Following the verification of the Board of Examiner’s declaration that the student has passed the dissertation component of their course, and the verification of any required changes, the Doctor of Philosophy degree is conferred.

Phase 8

Dissertation

Students who are accepted for the course work closely with the assigned supervisors to go through the Eight Phases of the course as explained in detail above. Research Candidates are to write a thesis that clearly demonstrates competence in the subject area at an advanced level and contribute towards new knowledge. The length of a thesis is of around 100,000 words. At the end of each term, the researcher and their supervisors must each submit a progress report to the SMC Doctorate Committee. When the supervisors are satisfied that the work is ready for examination, the thesis is submitted to an appointed Board of Examiners. After examination, the Chairperson may give approval for the oral defense or ask for resubmission with corrections. This PhD is a part-time program of 6 years. The SMC Doctoral Committee may grant candidates an extension of up to two years in order to enable them to complete their studies within 8 years. In exceptional cases and pending approval, the thesis may be submitted in 4 years.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, learners will have acquired the following competences, knowledge, and skills (click on each heading to see the details):

Competences

Lead the development of new ideas or new processes in the respective field.
Make judicious judgements involving a multitude of interlinked factors.
Promote social, scientific and ethical advancement in the respective field.
Advise on theory/practice that is complex and possibly even unpredictable, and which may require new strategic approaches.
Command of high-specialized know-how relevant in the particular context of the field of study.
Demonstrate intellectual capacities in the ability to deal with very complex problems, including problem formulation, problem solving and innovation capacity.
Be responsible for academic rigor, creativity and adaptability in addressing specific issues within one’s fields of specialization.
Manage the necessary resilience and dynamism in the face of very complex phenomena.

Knowledge

Outline the theoretical foundation of the respective research area which is at the forefront of the concerned field of study
Design original research with consideration for contemporary societal perspectives that advances empirical/theoretical knowledge in the respective research area
Create new knowledge at a most advanced frontier of a field of study through original and advanced research of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication
Engage with a diverse specialized audience as a scholar regarding the relevance of theories, applications and practical solutions
Design solutions to challenges in the local and/or global domain based on original and scholarly research that substantially advance theory/practice
Undertake rigorous research at the highest level
Identify ethical issues in the respective research area and assume an academic leading role to promote progress ethically
Critique the range of knowledge, theory, specifics and philosophical paradigms that underpin research in the respective field of specialisation
Illustrate empirical qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method approaches or of philosophical inquiry to research
Implement research methodologies used by researchers in the respective field of studies

Skills

Analyse complex, incomplete or contradictory areas of knowledge communicating the outcome effectively with critical awareness
Synthesize information in a manner that may be innovative, utilising knowledge or processes from the forefront of the respective area of study with critical awareness
Address dilemmas and choices that allow researchers to critically evaluate research-based scholarship and practice and to argue alternative approaches
Demonstrate substantial initiative and originality in problem solving
Solve issues by establishing criteria, using appropriate decision techniques including identifying, formulating and addressing problems
Analyse, synthesize and assess new and complex phenomena, issues and situations autonomously and critically in an organisational and/or global business context
Identify and formulate issues with scholarly precision, plan and use appropriate methods to undertake research within predetermined time frames
Critique major challenges in the respective research area
Recognize ethical situations, applying personal and organisational ethical values to situations, managing the implications of dilemmas and working proactively with others to formulate solutions
Promote social, cultural, commercial, scientific, and ethical advancement through theory and practice
Communicate expertise to a peers through different media

Tuition Fees

Tuition is paid throughout the span of enrollment and amounts to 275 Euro per month. Discounted advance payment options are available on request. SMC does not provide scholarships for the PhD program. Doctoral candidates are expected to be at an advanced stage of their career, having achieved a financial position to be able to fund their Tuition. If necessary, we encourage applicants to seek financial support from external sources. SMC provides reductions to SMC Alumni.

PhD Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Degree

min. 180 ECTS Credits or equivalent) from an internationally recognized academic institution in a subject relevant to the proposed topic of study.

Graduate Degree

min. 90 ECTS Credits or equivalent) from an internationally recognized academic institution in a subject relevant to the proposed topic of study.

English Language Proficiency

SMC requires all applicants who are not native speakers of English to meet one of the following requirements. IELTS overall 7.0, or TOEFL iBT overall 100.

Interview

All students need to sit for an online interview (via Teams) to ascertain their suitability for the course.

PhD Admission Process

Students are initially registered as MPhil. Students. The course of studies is upgraded to PhD status after at least 24 months of part-time study once the candidate passes the Transfer Interview (see Program Structure above). Transfer is allowed on clear evidence of progress in the student’s work (Phase Five). To apply for Admission, please follow the steps below.

Step 1

Prepare your documents

Applicants must upload the following documents during the application process: CV, Academic Transcripts & Diplomas, copy of ID.

Step 2

Submit your application

The PhD online Application Form can be accessed by clicking the "Apply for Admission" button below or on top of this webpage.

Step 3

Initial review

The SMC Doctoral Admissions Committee will assess your application upon receipt. Reviews are conducted on a monthly basis.

Step 4

Interview & final decision

If your application is considered for acceptance, you will be invited for an online interview. This marks the final step in the decision process.