Executive PhD
Maastricht, Netherlands
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Dec 2024
EARLIEST START DATE
May 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 30,000
STUDY FORMAT
Blended
Introduction
The part-time Executive Ph.D. program in Private Sector Development for Emerging Economies allows working professionals and researchers with full-time or part-time jobs to combine their careers with obtaining a Ph.D. The program provides advanced training in the theory and skills crucial to private sector development, design, and research.
As the highest academic qualification, obtaining a Ph.D. will improve your career prospects both in academia and in business. In addition, you will make an original contribution to your field of interest that will add to previous research.
During the program, you will benefit from the extensive knowledge and expertise of the key lecturers and supervisors in the program, who are leading scholars in the fields of the research themes.
By joining the program, you will become part of the stimulating and challenging research community of Maastricht University School of Business and Economics (SBE) and Maastricht School of Management (MSM).
Reasons to follow this programme
- Advance the current state-of-the-art and produce new knowledge
- Combine your current career with obtaining a Ph.D.
- Improve your career prospects
- Receive coaching from leading scholars
Gallery
Ideal Students
We are looking for candidates with a Master’s degree who have strong academic records, professional and/or volunteer experience, affiliation with academic research and a special interest in private sector development. MSM welcomes candidates from all over the world from a wide wide variety of backgrounds, cultures and disciplines. The program is tailored to synergise the various backgrounds.
Participants in the program have external work responsibilities (full-time, part-time, self-employed, independent consultant), leaving them less time for PhD research. Ideally, the PhD candidate’s employer offers support by allocating time and allowing the candidate to incorporate their studies into their work (by providing data, support, related assignments and the like). The program is open for participants from emerging economies as well as developed countries.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Currently, MSM does not offer scholarships for the program.
In case you wish to apply for scholarships from funding institutions, we will gladly assist you in this effort after you have been accepted into the program, with recommendations and proof of enrolment. Before you have been accepted into the program, we can only indicate that you have applied for the program and confirm your eligibility to participate in a Ph.D. program at the funding institute. However, we cannot offer letters of acceptance or letters of recommendation.
USA Students
Students from the USA are now entitled to use the USA direct loan system when they apply to Maastricht University education programs. This concerns BA, MA, and Ph.D. students.
Curriculum
In year one of the programme, four workshops will be organised, two on-campus workshops in Maastricht, the Netherlands and two online. During these workshops, candidates will interact with faculty and fellow students, present and discuss their research. This will help you to submit your research proposal in year one of the PhD programme. The workshops are scheduled to take place on-campus (3 days each) in May and November and online (1 day each) in September and February.
In the first year of the PhD programme, you will complete your PhD research proposal. Your supervisors (at least two) will also be assigned in year one of the programme. Twelve months after admittance into the programme, the supervisory team will evaluate your progress. Upon successful completion of the first year, access to the next years of the PhD programme will be granted. Admission to this second phase depends on the successful assessment of the research proposal written by the candidate.
Each following year, we will provide two on-campus workshops (3 days each) and two online workshops (1 day each). The on-campus workshops will take place in May and November and the online workshops in September and February. The workshops will be an opportunity to develop your research skills, network with fellow PhD students and faculty, and receive feedback on your work. The on-campus presence also give you the opportunity to meet with your supervisors and evaluate your progress.
The general timeline of the MSM Executive PhD programme consists of four year. However, you can take up to 7 years to complete the programme, without extension. In case of exceptional circumstances, a maximum extension of up to 3 years is possible, meaning a maximum total duration of 10 years.
Upon graduation, you will receive a doctoral degree by Maastricht University.
Research focus
Within the Executive PhD programme, the PhD candidate’s research should focus on Private Sector Development, ideally within the context of emerging markets. Within this area topics may relate to the following themes:
- Private sector development (in general)
- Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Digitisation
- Educational Development
- Globalisation, Value Chains and Industrial Policy
- Inclusive and Sustainable Development
- Leadership, Change and Organisational Development
Program Tuition Fee
Student Testimonials
Program Admission Requirements
Demonstrate your commitment and readiness to succeed in business school by taking the GMAT exam – the most widely used exam for admissions that measures your critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Download the GMAT mini quiz to get a flavour of the questions you’ll find in the exam.