Organisations are increasingly aware that conducting research into their key organisational processes, and their effects on employees, industries and even markets, is an important function of every organisation’s self-assessment. Research produces new knowledge, which needs to be integrated into the heart of the organisational processes, and serve as a basis for objective decision-making for bringing valuable innovation and change.
The Part-time PhD programme supports business leaders and professionals in conducting original scientific research on a business or management subject of their own choice, for instance related to their own practice. During the 4-year rigorous training trajectory, participants acquire the theoretical knowledge and methodological skills needed to conduct independent research, and to develop 4+ academic papers, which will together form the body of their PhD dissertation.
What does this PhD programme encompass?
The Part-time PhD programme supports participants in:
- Learning to conduct high-quality research
- Publishing research in international, peer-reviewed scientific journals
- Leveraging practical knowledge and expertise for the creation of innovative, evidence-based business concepts
- Leveraging existing research findings into new integrated knowledge
- Becoming a valuable member of - and a contributor to - a vibrant academic community
The PhD programme in Business at a glance:
- Start date: January 2026
- Duration: 4+ years (3-7 years, depending on individuals' progress)
- Time investment: at least 16 hours a week for research and course work
- Tuition fees: between € 27.000 and € 34.500, based on a 4-year trajectory
- Training modules take place at the campus of Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
View all admission requirements, costs & practical information
