Executive PhD programme

Program Overview

The Vlerick Executive PhD Programme in Business Administration is a joint program with Ghent University and KU Leuven leading to a PhD degree and diploma in Doctor of Business Administration. This blended executive doctoral program allows experienced professionals to deepen their business understanding and engage in academically robust, practice-based research alongside their current roles. The program develops skills for transitioning into academic research or re-energizing organizations and society with original insights, and results in a joint PhD from two top institutions.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Vlerick Executive PhD Programme in Business Administration, a joint program with Ghent University and KU Leuven, leads to a PhD degree and diploma of Doctor in Business Administration. The program aims to cultivate thought leaders who can deepen their business understanding with a theoretical perspective and create a greater impact. It's a blended executive doctoral program allowing research alongside current roles. The program develops skills to delve into chosen specialisms, enabling participants to transition into the academic world of research and re-energize organizations and society with original insights. The program is a five-year journey to crafting a doctoral thesis alongside professional commitments, resulting in a Vlerick Certificate of Management Research and a joint PhD degree from KU Leuven and Ghent University. Participants have the flexibility to accelerate or extend their study beyond the standard timeframe. The program is designed for experienced professionals seeking to deepen their business understanding theoretically, engage in academically robust, practice-based research, create new knowledge, become part of a diverse academic community, and obtain a PhD from two top institutions.

Outline:

The Executive PhD Programme comprises two stages: a learning stage and a research stage.

• Learning Stage: This stage involves five intensive courses covering the entire research cycle, designed to sharpen research skills, immerse participants in the academic process, and prepare them for complex challenges.
Interactive sessions are supported by an online learning platform for discussion and assignment submission. Attendance at all courses is mandatory, along with dedicated time for preparation, post-study, and completion of assignments, papers, and exams. The stage concludes with the finalization of the supervisory team and an assessment of progress, determining admission to the research stage.
• Research Stage: This stage focuses on refining the research proposal, gathering and analyzing data, and writing the thesis with support from the supervisory team.
Most activities can be completed online, supplemented by on-campus acceleration weeks for connection with colleagues and immersion in the academic community. The stage culminates in a PhD defense at either Ghent University or KU Leuven. The thesis can be presented as different papers or in book format with content for three high-level papers. The assessment of progress at the end of the learning stage determines admission to the research stage. The thesis itself is a major component of the assessment.

Teaching:

The program involves learning from highly experienced academics at three world-renowned institutions (Vlerick Business School, Ghent University, and KU Leuven). Participants receive ongoing support from a dedicated supervisory team. The blended format allows for flexibility in balancing studies with professional life, elective choices, and a flexible timeframe (4-7 years). The program utilizes an online learning platform for interactive sessions and assignment submission. On-campus acceleration weeks are also part of the program.

Careers:

The text highlights that the PhD will allow participants to become thought leaders in their field and make a greater impact on their organization, sector, or society. The internationally recognized PhD (Level 8 Bologna classification) provides the widely respected title of Doctor. Success stories of alumni are provided, showcasing career advancements and the application of research to their professional roles (e.g., CEO, CIO, Partner at KPMG).

Other:

The program offers a voucher towards a personal growth package, allowing attendance at conferences at Vlerick and other institutions. Participants gain access to business and research databases, specialized collections, campus facilities, and Vlerick Alumni network membership. An online Financial Times subscription and food/drinks during on-campus course weeks and activities are also included in the fees. The program starts in September each year, but applications are accepted on a rolling basis. A two-stage process (eligibility and commitment) precedes the full program.

• The tuition fee for the Executive PhD is €66,000:
• First year: €6,000 non-refundable commitment fee + €18,000 after the first course week
• Second year: €12,000
• Third to fifth year: €10,000 per year
• Additional years (if needed): €10,000 per year
The fees include:
• All course materials
• A voucher towards your personal growth package – so you can attend conferences at Vlerick and other institutions
• Access to business and research databases and specialised collections
• Use of campus facilities
• Vlerick Alumni network membership for the duration of the programme
• Online subscription for the Financial Times
• Food and drinks during on-campus course weeks and activities