EIM

Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Research and Publication

This MFHEA-accredited online programme (EQF Level 7, 30 ECTS) develops advanced research and academic writing skills, culminating in a peer-reviewed publication — completed in 9 months.

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MFHEA-Accredited

What Is the PGCert in Academic Research and Publication?

The Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Research and Publication (PGCert AR&P) develops advanced research and academic writing skills over 9 months. The programme guides learners toward a peer-review-ready manuscript and conference-submission-ready output. You don't just write about publishing — you co-author a real peer-reviewed article together with an EIM faculty member and present it at an academic conference, giving you a genuine, career-advancing academic credential.

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Your Path

Who Will Benefit from This Programme?

This accredited higher education certificate is designed for executives, researchers, and professionals working in academic and non-academic research settings. It is ideal for those who wish to advance their career in academic research and publishing by enhancing their methodological, analytical, and scholarly writing competencies. The curriculum supports learners with relevant, ethical, and impact-driven research agendas.

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Career Impact

What Are the Career Opportunities After Graduation?

Upon successful completion of both the PGCert in Academic Research and Publication and the PGCert in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, you will be recognised as an EIM Lecturer in Higher Education. This recognition enables you to both teach and conduct research at higher education institutions across Europe and beyond, leveraging your Level 7 EU-accredited qualifications to expand your academic career.

1. Earn a recognised qualification that strengthens academic credibility

Study in a programme accredited by the MFHEA at EQF Level 7 and delivered by EIM as an active research institution listed in the Research Organization Registry (ROR: 014pz6m24). This combination of formal accreditation and visible research activity strengthens trust in the academic quality of your qualification.

2. Study flexibly while continuing your professional work

Learn fully online through a combination of structured tutorials and self-directed study. This format makes it possible to progress in academic research and publication without relocating or stepping away from your career.

3. Reach a concrete academic outcome within a defined timeframe

The programme is structured to help you move from research development to publication within 9 months full-time. Instead of open-ended academic work, you follow a clear pathway with milestones and a final publishable result.

4. Join a clearly scheduled annual intake and plan ahead with confidence

With one intake each October, you can prepare your application, workload, and academic goals around a transparent start point. This clarity is especially valuable for working professionals balancing study with existing commitments.

5. Build a publication profile with a real peer-reviewed output

You work toward a peer-review-ready article and conference presentation, not just a classroom assignment. That gives you a tangible academic asset you can use to demonstrate research capability in professional and higher education settings.

6. Create a pathway toward teaching and lecturer recognition

Combined with EIM’s PGCert in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, this programme supports recognition as an EIM Lecturer in Higher Education. It therefore connects publication skills with a broader long-term academic career pathway.

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Requirement / Headline Content
Name of the Educational Programme Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Research and Publication
Exit Qualifications
  • Award in Advanced Research Methods (if module 1 is successfully completed)
  • Award in Development of Academic Studies (if module 2 is successfully completed)
  • Award in Academic Writing and Publication (if module 3 is successfully completed)
Accredited Status of the Programme Mqf Higher Education Programme accredited by MFHEA
Research Profile EIM is listed in the Research Organization Registry (ROR: 014pz6m24), highlighting its role as an active research institution alongside its formal accreditation.
MQF / EQF level 7
Type of Programme Qualification
Mode of Delivery Online Learning
  Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Research and Publication
Hours of Total Learning for the whole PGCert in Academic Research and Publication programme
  • Total Contact Hours: 198
  • Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: 0
  • Self-Study Hours: 486
  • Assessment Hours: 66
  • Total Learning Hours of this Module: 750
Hours of total learning for Module 1-3
  • Total Contact Hours: 66
  • Supervised Placement and Practice Hours: 0
  • Self-Study Hours: 162
  • Assessment Hours: 22
  • Total Learning Hours of this Module: 250
Qualification ECTS
Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Research and Publication 30
Award in Advanced Research Methods 10
Award in Development of Academic Studies 10
Award in Academic Writing and Publication 10
Full-Time and Part-Time
9 months (Full-Time) and up to 36 months (Part-Time)
  • Award in Advanced Research Methods
  • Award in Development of Academic Studies
  • Award in Academic Writing and Publication
The EIM online Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) in Academic Research and Publication is designed for those executives and professionals in academic and non-academic research institutions who want to take their career in academic research and publication to a new level by enhancing their professional and academic knowledge, skills and competences based on their relevant and responsible research agenda.
  • An MQF/EQF 6 Level 6 degree, or
  • A relevant MQF/EQF Level 5 award of at least 30 ECTS plus a portfolio evidencing at least two years of relevant work experience on a part-time or full-time basis
  • English language skills: IELTS score of 7 with no element below 6.5 or a demonstrably equivalent qualification

Full-Time:

Term 1 Advanced Research Methods
Term 2 Development of Academic Studies
Term 3 Academic Writing and Publication

Part-Time:

Term 1-3 Advanced Research Methods
Term 4-6 Development of Academic Studies
Term 7-9 Academic Writing and Publication
Qualification Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Research and Publication
Knowledge

1. Has comprehensive knowledge and understanding about academic research and publication that is founded upon and/or enhances that knowledge typically associated with Bachelor’s level;

2. Critical awareness of knowledge issues in academic research and publication and at the interface between different fields and academic research and publication;

. Apply appropriate, effective and efficient academic research and publication strategies, informed by learning and research from a range of sources, including student feedback and outcomes;

4. Uses specialised and/or multi-disciplinary theoretical and practical knowledge some of which is at the forefront of academic research and publication, in order to produce relevant research. This research and knowledge generated from it forms the basis of originality and relevance in developing and applying ideas to address grand societal issues and/or organisational challenges/problems.

Skills

1. Demonstrates specialised or multi-disciplinary knowledge that include reflecting on social and ethical responsibilities linked to the application of one’s knowledge and judgements;

2. Performs critical evaluations and analysis with incomplete or limited information to solve problems in new or unfamiliar environments related to academic research and publication, and produces original and relevant research addressing organisational and/or societal challenges in a diverse range of contexts;

3. Critical reflection on own learning experience and then development of own teaching, learning support and assessment practice, using theory, feedback and other evidence;

4. Develops an individual relevant and responsible research agenda in their field of expertise.

Competences

1. Creates a research-based diagnosis to problems by integrating knowledge from new or interdisciplinary fields and makes judgements with incomplete or limited information;

2. Manages people and projects and demonstrates the ability to respond to the fast changing environment;

3. Manage and transform work or study contexts about academic research and publication that are complex, unpredictable and require new strategic approaches;

4. Take responsibility for contributing to professional knowledge and practice and/or for reviewing the strategic performance of teams;

5. Undertake appropriate professional development, work collaboratively, support collaborative learning, and respect and value individual learners and members of diverse learning communities;

6. Use and review a range of technologies to support learning;

7. Demonstrates autonomy in the direction of learning and a high level of understanding of learning processes.

Qualification Award in Advanced Research Methods (Module 1)
Knowledge

1. doctoral-level research skills and training;

2. analytical and critical skills/ abilities to reviewing synthesizing and critiquing scholarly and industry literature relevant to the learner’s research interest;

3. purpose and development of applied research projects designed to solve complex practical problems

4. articulation in a comprehensive and succinct style of the components and alignment among the parts of a research proposal suitable for one of the following: quantitative, qualitative, and constructive research;

5. practical, legal, and ethical issues associated with conducting research with different methodologies.

Skills

1. synthesize scholarly and industry literature as a framework for conducting doctoral level research;

2. analysis of scholarly and industry literature to support quantitative, qualitative and constructive research designs;

3. formulate alignment between a problem statement, purpose statement and research question suitable for one of the following: quantitative, qualitative and constructive research;

4. synthesize practical, legal, and ethical issues associated with conducting research into a research proposal;

5. develop planning skills to conduct doctoral research using quantitative, qualitative, or constructive research methodologies;

6. apply management research approaches to solve complex practical problems pertaining to their chosen research approach and interest.

Competences

1. introduce the learner to advanced quantitative, qualitative, and constructive research methods;

2. analyze quantitative, qualitative, and constructive research methodologies and their appropriateness to different research questions;

3. determine the methodology and quality of existing research;

4. evaluate practical, legal, and ethical issues associated with conducting research with different methodologies and in different situations;

5. develop research strategies to support different research methods and data collection activities;

6. develop research skills which can be applied to solve complex practical problems pertaining to the learner’s chosen area of interest.

Qualification Award in Development of Academic Studies (Module 2)
Knowledge

1. development of specialized knowledge of writing a premise;

2. development of critical knowledge of researching, reading, and analysing academic literature;

3. critical understanding of the current researchers, topics, and research streams in their field of interest and expertise;

4. critical assessment of the relevance of theories, concepts, models, and frameworks to solve research problems in their field of interest and expertise.

Skills

1. autonomously collect, analyze, and summarize academic literature in their field of expertise;

2. autonomously identify a meaningful gap in the literature pertaining to their field of interest and expertise;

3. creatively apply the knowledge learned in the module to identify a research problem for doctoral research in their field of interest and expertise;

4. autonomously write a premise as an academic paper in publishable quality about a specific topic in their field of interest and expertise;

5. autonomously present and defend the premise in front of the committee;

6. responds to technological, social and cultural issues and addresses the needs of a knowledge-based society in business administration in the selection of their dissertation topic.

Competences

1. identify a meaningful gap in the literature;

2. articulate the research problem within the context of a theoretical and conceptual framework;

3. frame the research problem in a way that will enable the learner to either build upon or counter the previously published findings on the topic;

4. provide evidence that the research problem is significant to the field;

5. show that a scholarly, systematic method of inquiry can be applied to address the research problem.

Qualification Award in Academic Writing and Publication (Module 3)
Knowledge

1. Development of specialized knowledge of writing a draft journal or conference article about the results of their dissertation;

2. Lead and manage a number of specialized research projects in the field of business administration and become an authority in their dissertation topic;

3. Has a systematic understanding of a highly specialized field of study in their thesis topic which builds upon specialized or multi- disciplinary knowledge and understanding;

4. Extends or redefines existing knowledge and/or professional practice in business administration and disseminates it through publications in peer-reviewed academic journals and presentations at academic conferences about their dissertation topic.

5. Overview of the academic publishing process and structure of an academic journal and conference paper based on the submission guidelines.

Skills

1. autonomously write a draft conference or journal article about their thesis topic and with the type of style journals or conferences expect;

2. autonomously identify, evaluate, and select a peer-reviewed academic journal or conference to publish their research findings;

3. autonomously prepare and present a journal or conference article to the editors based on the submission requirements;

4. autonomously avoid common mistakes like misuse of sources or plagiarism and respond to journal editors;

5. autonomously create an oral presentation about their draft journal or conference paper and defend them communicating expertise in their thesis topic.

6. autonomously communicate expertise to a wide audience including peers and the general public using different methods, including national and international publications, and participates as a specialist in a panel or a conference.

Competences

1. Write a draft conference or journal article about their dissertation topic based on the journal or conference submission guidelines;

2. Manage the publication process of a journal and a conference article;

3. Identify, evaluate, and select a peer-reviewed academic journal or conference to publish their research findings;

4. Demonstrate expertise and authority in the field of their thesis topic and make judgements involving a multitude of interacting factors and sources emanating from different stakeholder groups;

5. Promote social, scientific and ethical advancement through actions in the field of their thesis topic;

6. Show a sustained commitment in the development of new ideas and original contributions to the body of knowledge in the field of their dissertation topic.

The teaching, learning, and assessment procedures are the same for all modules. A core feature of this course will be a varied mix of teaching and learning methods that allow learners with different learning styles, backgrounds, and abilities to successfully complete this course. Teaching and learning methods used in this course are among others: Andragogy, Understanding by Design, Oxbridge-Style Tutorials, Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle. All activities embedded within the content for each module are designed to provide feedback to learners on their progress towards the module and course learning outcomes. Summative assessment methods will be designed to facilitate critical engagement with participant’s own professional development. Summative assessment methods offer an appropriate mix of assessment procedures that are fit for purpose and allow learners with different learning styles, backgrounds, and abilities to successful completion of the course.
The grading system used in this course is “met” and “not met”.

100%

The program fees below refer to the 2026/27 academic year unless otherwise stated. Program fees are calculated per credit taught. Program fees are subject to annual inflation so the total cost are shown here as a guide. EIM will apply the program fees at the time of the payment.

Number of Credits (ECTS): 30
Program Fees per Credit (ECTS): EUR 99
Total Program Fees: EUR 2’970
Pay your program fees: You can choose to pay your program fees in full at the start of your first term or in instalments at the start of each term. Additional fees may apply for different payment terms, currencies, and methods.
Other fees: The program fees cover the course delivery and the learning material. Other fees may apply for additional services (e.g., fees for RPL applications, resitting an assessment, repeating a module, or additional tutoring etc.).

Get funding for your program: EIM offers support to get access to different funding options like for example scholarships.

Please note: Program fees shown on our website are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where EIM is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in Malta, our program fees are exempt from VAT.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Find quick answers about entry requirements, duration, study mode, accreditation, fees, and the academic outcomes of the programme.

You need an MQF/EQF Level 6 degree, or a relevant MQF/EQF Level 5 award of at least 30 ECTS together with a portfolio showing at least two years of relevant work experience. You also need English language skills equivalent to an IELTS score of 7, with no element below 6.5, or a demonstrably equivalent qualification.

The programme takes 9 months full-time or up to 36 months part-time. It is structured around 30 ECTS across 3 modules of 10 ECTS each, with a total of 21 weekly study hours, including 7 contact hours, 13 self-study hours, and 1 hour of assessment.

The PGCert develops advanced research and academic writing skills across three modules: Advanced Research Methods, Development of Academic Studies, and Academic Writing and Publication. It culminates in the publication and presentation of a peer-reviewed scientific article at an academic conference, giving you a tangible, résumé-ready academic outcome.

The PGCert in Academic Research and Publication is designed for executives, researchers, and professionals working in academic and non-academic research settings. It particularly suits those who want to advance their career in academic research and publishing by strengthening their methodological, analytical, and scholarly writing competencies.

No, the programme has an annual intake every October. To secure your place in the next cohort, you apply directly via admission@eim.education.

Upon successful completion of both the PGCert in Academic Research and Publication and the PGCert in Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, you are recognised as a Lecturer in Higher Education. This qualifies you to both teach and conduct research at higher education institutions across Europe and beyond.

Yes. All modules are accredited at EQF Level 7 (MQF Level 7) by the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority (MFHEA). In addition, EIM is listed in the Research Organization Registry (ROR: 014pz6m24), which highlights its active research role alongside its formal accreditation.

Programme fees are EUR 99 per ECTS credit, giving a total of EUR 2,970 for the 30 ECTS certificate. You can pay in full at the start of the programme or in instalments at the start of each term; fees are net of any local VAT or GST, and EIM also offers support in accessing funding options such as scholarships.