Executive PhD in Business Management

Entry requirements

For the Executive PhD in Business Management the following admission requirements apply :

• A Master’s Degree in a business or management related discipline, MBA, or equivalent qualifications or experience
• Preferably five to ten years of professional experience
• English proficiency test (TOEFL or IELTS) for non-native English speakers or equivalent qualifications or experience
• Abbreviated Research Proposal with a special focus on industry impact

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Overview

The Executive PhD in Business Management at EDHEC Business School is a doctoral-level programme designed for experienced professionals who wish to combine academic research with practical business impact. Delivered over 40 months, the programme enables participants to develop advanced research skills while continuing their professional careers.

By bridging the gap between research and practice, participants learn to generate evidence-based insights, address complex organisational challenges and contribute to the future of management and leadership.

Objectives

The programme aims to help participants:

· Develop advanced research and analytical capabilities

· Generate original and actionable knowledge

· Build innovative frameworks to support strategic decision-making

· Address real-world business and societal challenges

· Strengthen leadership through research expertise

· Contribute to responsible and sustainable business transformation

Curriculum

The programme combines residential sessions, online supervision, mentoring, research seminars and doctoral conferences.

Year 1 focuses on research foundations, including theory development, qualitative research methods and quantitative analysis.

Years 2 and 3 allow participants to deepen their expertise through advanced research methods and specialised topics.

The final stage is dedicated to the doctoral dissertation, which must demonstrate both academic rigour and practical relevance.

Research areas include strategy, entrepreneurship, innovation, marketing, leadership, organisational behaviour, finance, economics, governance, law and digital transformation.

Who is this programme for?

The Executive PhD is designed for:

· Senior executives seeking deeper strategic insight

· Consultants wishing to strengthen their expertise through research

· Business leaders looking to drive organisational change

· Professionals considering a transition into academia or teaching

Successful candidates demonstrate significant professional experience, intellectual curiosity and the motivation to undertake a demanding doctoral journey.

Why choose EDHEC?

Participants benefit from personalised supervision, access to an internationally recognised faculty and integration into EDHEC’s research community. The programme provides a unique opportunity to produce impactful research while expanding professional influence and contributing to the advancement of management practice.

Department specialisms

Strategy, Entrepreneurship & Operations: Innovation, resilience, and long-term value creation Marketing: Responsible marketing in digital and AI‑driven markets Management & Humanities - Leadership, ethics, and societal impact Accounting, Control & Law - Governance, regulation, and accountability Economics & Finance - Finance, markets, and data‑driven.

Fees and funding

Scholarships and EDHEC Alumni discounts are available. In addition, EDHEC’s research policy allows participants to apply for funding to attend conferences and research events.