PhD in Business Management

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Management at the Faculty of Finance and Administrative Sciences is designed to develop visionary scholars and leaders who are capable of addressing the most complex challenges in today’s dynamic business environment. This programme provides candidates with a comprehensive, critical, and integrated understanding of the latest frontiers in business management, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to both academic knowledge and professional practice.

Through advanced coursework, independent research, and collaborative engagement, candidates will acquire the ability to design and apply innovative methodologies, analytical frameworks, and digital technologies in their chosen areas of specialisation. The programme emphasises solving emergent and abstract contemporary issues in business management, encouraging students to generate original insights, strategies, and solutions.

Collaboration, communication, and global engagement are central to the programme. Students will have opportunities to work with local and international networks, research communities, and industry stakeholders, ensuring their research is relevant, impactful, and widely disseminated. Candidates will also learn to present findings effectively to diverse audiences, including academics, practitioners, policymakers, and the broader society.

The PhD programme promotes intellectual autonomy, ethical leadership, and accountability, enabling graduates to conduct significant research that advances the field of business management. Students will master both qualitative and quantitative approaches, utilising numerical and graphical analysis to interpret data and inform evidence-based decision-making.

Graduates of this programme will emerge as thought leaders, researchers, and professionals who are equipped for lifelong learning and continuous professional growth. They will be capable of integrating knowledge across disciplines while demonstrating a strong awareness of the socio-political, economic, and cultural dimensions of business. In doing so, they will make impactful contributions to the development of sustainable and responsible business practices on a local and global scale.

This program is accredited and certified by Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) and the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). Accreditation reference numbers are shown below:

Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE): (R-CDL/345/8/0037)

Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA): (MQA/FA0388)

English

• Demonstrate a comprehensive, organized, and integrated abstract idea about the most critical issues in the most recent frontiers of business management.
• Apply innovative methodologies and analytical tools to solve complicated, abstract, and emergent contemporary issues in the field of business management.
• Perform the ability to design and adapt highly advanced research methodologies in business management specialization area.
• Work together and collaboratively with different people in learning, working communities as well as groups or networks locally and internationally.
• Communicate effectively research findings to peers, scholarly communities and society large in the business management field of expertise.
• Create novel, effective approaches to support and improve research activities using digital technologies and suitable software.
• Use numerical and graphical chats to analyze important evaluation data using quantitative or qualitative approaches for business management research.

• A Master’s degree (Level 7, MQF) in related fields as accepted by the HEP Senate; or
• A Master’s degree (Level 7, MQF) in non-related fields as accepted by the HEP Senate, subject to having relevant working experience and rigorous internal assessment (may include tests, interviews or portfolio); or
• A Master’s degree (Level 7, MQF) in non-related fields as accepted by the HEP Senate and without relevant working experience, subject to passing prerequisite courses; or
• Other qualifications equivalent to a Master’s degree (Level 7, MQF) recognized by the Malaysian Government.

English Competency Requirement (International Student)

Candidates who wish to enter a program which medium of instruction is English language must pass the English Language Qualification (TOEFL: 60 / IELTS: 6.0 or equivalent) or achieve a minimum of Band 4 in MUET or equivalent to CEFR (Mid B2). Exemptions will be given subject to the University Senate’s approval based on situations.

The applicant may enrol in this programme under Structure A (Research).

Full Time: 3 Years (6 Semesters), 5 Years (10 Semesters)

Part Time: 4 Years (8 Semesters), 7 Years (14 Semesters)

The applicant is required to complete a subject titled Research Methodology before commencing research work under the supervision of an academic staff member from the Postgraduate Studies Department.

Academic Researcher, Corporate Strategist, Policy Advisor, Think Tank Analyst, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Consultant & other related career.

For international students studying On Campus (OC) mode, Visa Fees and University Bond fees are excluded.