Empower your curiosity and advance the frontiers of knowledge through an accredited distance-learning PhD program designed for working professionals and emerging scholars.
The SMC Doctor of Philosophy degree opens 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.
Doctoral journey
The Signum Magnum College Doctor of Philosophy (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.
Doctor of Philosophy Higher Education Program — EQF/MQF Level 8
MFHEA Licensed — License Number 2019-014
Full-time or part-time, 4-6 years
Research-based, distance learning
English, with multi-language support
DBA and PhD applicants may request an individualized tuition structure through the doctoral calculator.
Choose your PhD research area.
The SMC Doctor of Philosophy (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.
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.
This overview summarizes how the distance-learning PhD progresses from entry to conferral.
Each phase represents a formal milestone within the doctoral pathway.
Define topic fit and communicate the intended area of study.
Develop the formal proposal and submit it for academic review.
Present the proposal in a formal interview and Q&A setting.
Receive formal admission, approved title, supervisors, and timeline.
Move from MPhil to PhD following sufficient evidence of progress.
Write, present, and refine thesis chapters through supervised research.
Submit the thesis for examination and complete the oral defence.
Complete required changes, pass final verification, and graduate.
Below is the formal program structure and the eight doctoral research phases.
Phase One consists of the writing of a 1000-word Letter of Intent aimed at communicating one’s intentions regarding the area of study
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
The proposal is reviewed by the SMC Doctoral Committee, followed by a presentation, interview and Q&A session.
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.
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
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.
The candidate submits a thesis of around 100,000 words. An appointed Board of Examiners is set up to examine the thesis.
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.
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.
A supervised dissertation process with formal review, examination, and defence.
Click here to find out more.
Doctoral pathways at SMC are aligned with the flexible, self-proposed tuition model presented on the Tuition & Financing page and calculator.
The tuition calculator is particularly relevant for doctoral candidates because the research pathway is flexible, part-time, and individually paced. It allows applicants to propose the schedule that fits their doctoral journey.
from an internationally recognized academic institution in a subject relevant to the proposed topic of study.
from an internationally recognized academic institution in a subject relevant to the proposed topic of study.
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.
Applicants must upload the following documents during the application process: CV, Academic Transcripts & Diplomas, copy of ID.
The PhD online Application Form can be accessed by clicking the "Apply for Admission" button below or on top of this webpage.
The SMC Doctoral Admissions Committee will assess your application upon receipt. Reviews are conducted on a monthly basis.
Following a positive review by the Admission Committee, successful applicants will be admitted to the PhD program.
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.
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.
Accreditation License Number 2019-014
The Doctor of Philosophy at Signum Magnum College is designed for original research, academic rigor, and meaningful contribution to knowledge and professional practice.
Doctor of Philosophy Higher Education Program
EQF/MQF Level 8
English only, with multi-language support
License Number 2019-014.
Part-time doctoral progression aligned with professional commitments.
Original research, examination, oral defence, and degree conferral.