Doctoral Degrees

EIM – European Institute of Management offers four distinct doctoral pathways, all accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) at EQF/MQF Level 8 and delivered 100% online:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Management (PhD): A research-driven doctorate for professionals seeking to make an original theoretical contribution to management scholarship.
• Doctor of Philosophy in Healthcare Studies (PhD in HCS): A research-driven doctorate focused on original contributions to healthcare scholarship, with structured supervision throughout.
• Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science & Engineering (PhD in CSE): Designed for AI specialists, software engineers, and tech leaders conducting original research in cutting-edge technology domains.
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA): A professional doctorate rooted in applied research — for executives and practitioners who want to solve real-world business challenges with academic rigour.

Additionally, EIM offers the Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP) for candidates who are all but dissertation and wish to complete a doctoral degree they previously started elsewhere.

Yes. All four doctoral programmes — PhD in Management, PhD in Healthcare Studies, PhD in Computer Science & Engineering, and the DBA — are accredited by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA) at MQF/EQF Level 8. This is the highest level of the European Qualifications Framework, equivalent to doctoral degrees across the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Malta's qualifications are listed on EUROPASS and recognised under the UNESCO Lisbon Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications in Higher Education. Full accreditation details are available on the Accreditation page.

Absolutely. All EIM doctoral programmes are designed specifically for working professionals. The programmes are delivered 100% online via synchronous Oxbridge-style tutorials and asynchronous self-study — no residency or campus attendance required. Both full-time and part-time tracks are available across all programmes. The part-time track for the PhD (up to 7 years) and DBA (up to 6 years) gives candidates the flexibility to integrate doctoral work into demanding executive or professional schedules.

For a detailed perspective, read Why Working Professionals Choose EIM for an Online DBA or PhD.

Entry requirements vary slightly by programme:

PhD in Management / PhD in HCS / PhD in CSE: A Master's degree (MQF/EQF Level 7), or a Bachelor's degree with Distinction (MQF/EQF Level 6). English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 (CEFR C1) or higher. Basic digital skills for EIM's Google Education Suite platform. No GRE or GMAT required.

DBA: A Master's degree at Merit level or above, plus a minimum of five years of professional experience. English proficiency equivalent to IELTS 6.5 or higher. Basic digital skills.

Applicants who do not meet all formal requirements are encouraged to apply via EIM's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway. Contact admission@eim.education for a personal eligibility assessment.

EIM operates quarterly intakes:

• PhD programmes: January, April, July, and October.
• DBA: April and October.

Applications are submitted online via the application form. Prospective candidates are encouraged to request a personal consultation with the admissions team before applying — this is especially useful when assessing RPL eligibility, programme fit, or credit transfer options. Alternatively, candidates can enrol in the introductory module only, before committing to the full programme.

Both the PhD and the DBA are MFHEA-accredited EQF Level 8 doctoral degrees that require an original research contribution and a defended dissertation. They carry equal academic standing. The key difference lies in the orientation of the research:

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy): Oriented towards theoretical, academic research. The primary goal is to produce an original contribution to the body of scholarly knowledge — through new conceptual frameworks, empirical findings, or systematic literature synthesis. The PhD is particularly suited for candidates who aim for an academic career, who wish to publish in peer-reviewed journals, or who want to position themselves as leading authorities in their academic field. The curriculum includes a module specifically dedicated to academic publication.

DBA (Doctor of Business Administration): Oriented towards applied, practice-based research. The primary goal is to investigate a real-world challenge within a company, industry, or professional context and develop evidence-based solutions. The DBA is specifically designed for executives, general managers, entrepreneurs, and senior decision-makers who want to combine the credibility of a doctoral degree with direct, measurable impact on their professional practice. The DBA grading system uses met / not met, reflecting its applied character.

For an in-depth comparison, read DBA vs. PhD: What’s the Difference?. You can also watch the President's Vlog: What is the difference between a DBA and PhD?

Ask yourself: Where do I want to make an impact?

Choose the PhD if you are drawn to contributing new theoretical knowledge to an academic field; if you envision a career in academic research, university teaching, or publishing; or if your goal is to become a recognised scholarly authority whose work is cited by others.

Choose the DBA if your primary ambition is to solve a concrete problem within your organisation or sector; if you want to elevate your executive authority with doctoral-level credibility; or if you want to bridge business practice and rigorous research without transitioning fully into academia.

Both degrees open pathways into academia: DBA and PhD graduates can both continue with EIM's PGCert in Academic Research and Publication and the PGCert in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning. Holders of both PGCerts are recognised as Lecturers in Higher Education — eligible to teach and research at universities across Europe.

If in doubt, request a personal consultation — the EIM admissions team can guide you to the right pathway.

PhD in Management (full-time): 36 months · 13 modules · 12 terms of 11 weeks each. Part-time: up to 84 months (18 terms).

PhD in Healthcare Studies & PhD in CSE: Comparable structure — 36 months full-time, extended part-time option of up to 7 years.

DBA (full-time): 36 months · 12 modules · 12 terms of 11 weeks each. Part-time: up to 72 months (24 terms).

All programmes follow the same four-phase progression: introduction to doctoral research → advanced research methods → dissertation proposal (development, literature review, methodology, defence) → final study (data collection, analysis, discussion, defence) → academic publication. Intakes for the PhD start quarterly (January, April, July, October); DBA intakes are in April and October.

PhD in Management (Standard track): EUR 3,000 admission + EUR 3,000 per quarter. Expected total for 12 quarters: EUR 39,000. A private tutoring option (Individual track) is also available at EUR 4,000 admission + EUR 4,500 per quarter (expected total: EUR 58,000).

DBA: EUR 3,000 admission + EUR 1,800 per quarter. Expected total for 12 quarters: EUR 24,600.

Fees are payable per quarter, not as a lump sum, and scholarship support is available. All fees are net of applicable VAT/GST. Contact admission@eim.education for detailed fee information and scholarship options.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) — also known as Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) or Recognition of Accredited Prior Learning (RAPL/RAPEL) — is EIM's formal process for evaluating and recognising academic qualifications, professional experience, corporate training, and credits earned at other institutions.

At EIM, RPL serves two primary functions: (1) it allows applicants who do not meet standard entry requirements to demonstrate equivalent proficiency through professional or academic experience; and (2) it allows incoming students to transfer credits from previous doctoral or Master's programmes, potentially reducing the number of modules they need to complete at EIM.

The RPL process begins with a documentation submission: candidates send transcripts from previous programmes, a current CV, and details of any prior doctoral-level work to admission@eim.education. EIM's admissions team then evaluates the portfolio and determines what can be formally recognised. An additional fee may apply for the RPL assessment. For more information, read EIM Completion Pathway: Accessible, Attainable, Accredited.

Depending on the programme, yes. For the PhD in Management, PhD in Healthcare Studies, and PhD in CSE, applicants who hold a Bachelor's degree with Distinction (EQF Level 6) may be considered in the absence of a Master's qualification. For the DBA, a Master's degree at Merit level is normally required, but applicants with extensive senior professional experience may be assessed via RPL.

In all cases where standard entry requirements are not fully met, EIM applies its RPL policy to assess whether professional experience, completed training programmes, or credits from other institutions can substitute for missing formal qualifications. Each case is evaluated individually. Contact the admissions team directly at admission@eim.education for a personal assessment.

Yes, this is one of EIM's key differentiators. Under its RAPL/RAPEL (Recognition of Accredited Prior Learning) policy, EIM can formally recognise credits earned at another institution's doctoral programme, reducing the number of modules required within EIM's curriculum. This is particularly relevant for candidates enrolling in the Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP), but also applies to candidates entering the DBA or PhD directly.

To initiate a credit transfer assessment, candidates must provide a valid transcript from their previous programme, a statement of their dissertation status, and a current CV. Submit documentation to admission@eim.education.

The Dissertation Completion Pathway (DCP) is a tailored programme for candidates who are all but dissertation (ABD) — meaning they have completed the coursework or module requirements of a doctoral programme elsewhere but have not yet defended or submitted their dissertation. According to research by the Council of Graduate Schools, ABD candidates are a significant and underserved population, often unable to return to their original institution and facing limited credit transferability elsewhere.

Through EIM's RPL policy, previously earned doctoral credits are assessed and, where appropriate, formally recognised, so that candidates do not need to repeat work they have already completed. Once admitted, candidates are assigned a dissertation committee experienced in working with ABD students, and are supported through the prospectus, proposal, and final dissertation stages. Both full-time and part-time options are available. For more details, read EIM Completion Pathway: Accessible, Attainable, Accredited.

The DCP admission process consists of three steps:

Step 1 — Documentation: Submit a valid transcript from your previous doctoral programme, a statement of your dissertation status and progress, and a current CV to admission@eim.education. This triggers the RPL evaluation process.

Step 2 — Assessment: EIM's admissions team evaluates which credits and prior work can be formally recognised. You will receive a personalised admission decision including any applicable credit transfer and an indication of the remaining work required.

Step 3 — Enrolment and Supervision: Once admitted, you are assigned a dissertation committee whose members are expert in your research topic and methodology. The committee guides you through the prospectus, the full proposal, and the final dissertation, culminating in a formal oral defence.

Both the PhD and the DBA are EQF Level 8 qualifications — the highest academic credential available — and unlock career paths that are not accessible with a Master's degree alone. Career outcomes differ somewhat by programme orientation:

PhD graduates are positioned for: Professor / Lecturer / Senior Academic; Research Scientist or Principal Investigator in AI, ML, or Management; Scientific Editor or Peer Reviewer; Senior Consultant or Policy Analyst in areas where evidence-based academic authority is expected; R&D Director or Innovation Lead in research-intensive organisations.

DBA graduates are positioned for: Senior Leadership and Board-Level Roles; Strategy Consulting and Executive Advisory; General Management in complex organisations; Entrepreneurship with an evidence-based foundation; and — following the optional PGCerts — university lecturerships.

For both pathways, EIM provides guidance and support for academic publication and conference presentation, building an intellectual track record that extends beyond the degree itself. For more information on career paths, visit the Career Opportunities page, or read Why a Doctorate in Business Administration is Beneficial for Career Advancement.

Yes. After completing a DBA or PhD at EIM, graduates can further strengthen their academic profile by pursuing EIM's two postgraduate certificates:

1. PGCert in Academic Research and Publication — focused on research dissemination, journal publication, and academic writing.
2. PGCert in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning in Higher Education — focused on pedagogical skills for university-level instruction in digital environments.

Holders of both PGCerts are recognised as Lecturers in Higher Education — qualified to teach and conduct research at universities across Europe. This pathway is also described in Earn an EU-Accredited Online Postgraduate Certificate in Research and Academic Publishing.

Yes, and no. All EIM doctoral programmes are available on a part-time basis, and the degree awarded is identical regardless of whether a student completes it full-time or part-time. There is no distinction on the diploma. The part-time track simply extends the completion period — up to 7 years for the PhD and up to 6 years for the DBA — while the curriculum, supervision quality, and accreditation remain unchanged.

For further reading on this topic, see Is it Possible to Study for a Doctoral Degree Part-Time? and the President's Vlog: Part-Time Doctoral Studies.

The Oxbridge-style tutorial method — as implemented at EIM — centres on small-group or one-on-one sessions between a faculty supervisor and a small cohort of doctoral candidates. Each session is structured around the candidate's pre-submitted work, such as a draft chapter, research proposal, or data analysis output, which the supervisor uses as the basis for focused, critical discussion. This model ensures that doctoral students receive direct, individual expert feedback at every stage of their programme — in contrast to the anonymous mass-lecture format common at many online institutions.

At EIM, tutorials are conducted online using the Google Education Suite and are supplemented by asynchronous resources, templates, and methodology support. The dissertation committee typically consists of two or more faculty members, ensuring continuity and expert oversight. For a fuller description of EIM's learning approach, visit the Learning Approach page.

The doctoral dissertation defence at EIM consists of a formal oral examination in two parts: a 90-minute individual presentation of the dissertation, followed by a 45-minute question-and-answer session with the examining committee. The defence applies to both the PhD and DBA programmes.

Before the final defence, candidates also complete a proposal defence — defence of the research design, methodology, and literature review — at an intermediate stage. Continuous tutorial assessments, including feedforward on partial works submitted across each term, complement the summative dissertation evaluation.

EIM maintains an active blog with programme information, faculty perspectives, and student experiences. Recommended reading and viewing includes:

• President's Vlog: DBA vs PhD
• President's Vlog: Part-Time Doctoral Studies
• President's Vlog: Doctoral Studies and Career Advancement
• President's Vlog: Dissertation Completion Pathway
• President's Vlog: Flexibility of Online Studies
• Blog: Why Working Professionals Choose EIM
• Blog: DBA vs. PhD — What's the Difference?
• Blog: Is It Possible to Study for a Doctoral Degree Part-Time?

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