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
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Empower Your Curiosity, Advance the Frontiers of Knowledge
SMC's PhD degree is a highest-quality European Doctorate program with a unique research methodology.
Apply for Admission
The Signum Magnum College PhD is an advanced course of study that prepares students for careers in academia, research, or industry. Covering multiple disciplines, our online PhD programs are 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. The SMC online PhD can be pursued from any place and aligns with your professional and private commitments.
Degree Type
Doctor of Philosophy - EQF Level 8
Accreditation & Recognition
EU government-accredited, globally recognized
Program duration
Part-time and flexible
Mode of instruction
Research-based, distance learning
Optional study languages
English, German, Spanish
The SMC PhD programs aim 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. Doctoral 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.
Candidates of our online PhD programs 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. Our online programs are 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.
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.
Student Profiles
PhD Degree Target Group
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.
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
Doctoral Thesis
PhD Dissertation
Students work closely with the assigned supervisors to go through the Eight Phases of the program. Research Candidates are to write a thesis that clearly demonstrates competence in the subject area at an advanced level and contribute towards new knowledge. 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.
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
Undergraduate Degree
from an internationally recognized academic institution in a subject relevant to the proposed topic of study.
Graduate Degree
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.
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.
Prepare your documents
Applicants must upload the following documents during the application process: CV, Academic Transcripts & Diplomas, copy of ID.
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.
Committee review
The SMC Doctoral Admissions Committee will assess your application upon receipt. Reviews are conducted on a monthly basis.
Admission
Following a positive review by the Admission Committee, successful applicants will be admitted to the PhD program.
Can you do the PhD fully online?
One of the biggest benefits of our online PhD programs is the fully online nature of the course structure. It gives our doctoral students the opportunity to fit their studies around their existing schedules, and provides full flexibility for their learning.
When you study an academic degree with us, you’ll have access to a wide range of student resources, and work with our educational leadership team to ensure that your studies are on the right track to ensure your future success.
Are Online Doctoral Degrees Respected?
Online learning has become an increasingly popular way for students to complete their studies and grow their careers. Due to their ongoing prevalence, potential employers are seeing the benefits that can be gained from candidates who have developed the unique set of skills that have been acquired by employees who completed an online PhD program.
Whether you’re looking to grow a career in business administration or organizational leadership, community health or computer science and cybersecurity, our online PhD program offers a wide range of adaptable skills and subject knowledge.
This program is accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority.
Accreditation License Number 2019-014