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PhD Programmes

The PhD programmes on this page are delivered in Collaboration with Abertay University.

  • Tuition fees: UK, £4,786 | International, £15,000
  • Programme level: PhD
  • Start date: June / October
  • Study mode: Full-time
  • Duration: 3 - 5 Years

These are unique PhD programmes delivered by two innovative institutions.

Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education is a place where potential and ability are valued over background or ethnicity. It is an establishment where further and higher education is available and welcome to all. Our vision for high-quality teaching and learning, enriched by a multicultural perspective, makes for a rewarding educational experience.

Abertay University is a compact and focused university with a reputation for working effectively across traditional research boundaries. The university is committed to research that delivers a real impact on society. Researchers are solving complex real-world problems, looking at many areas that have significant societal impact.

Work alongside experts from a range of disciplines

Postgraduate Research students at Al-Maktoum College and Abertay University work alongside experts from a range of discipline areas, posing new questions and finding creative solutions to society’s problems. Our research students are central to our research community.

Both institutions pride themselves on:

  • Excellent research environments and researcher training opportunities
  • Close links with industry, the public and third sectors
  • Welcoming student support
  • Pan-University Graduate School, which encourages interdisciplinary working in our next generation of researchers.

If a student is full time there is a regulation PhD students require to live within 100 miles of Abertay University to ensure they can attend meetings.

Topics:

The following are the key focus areas; however, it is not an exhaustive list:

  1.   Organisational learning, workplace learning and lifelong learning.
  2.   Business excellence and quality management
  3.   Future foresight and innovation management
  4.   Performance management and improvement
  5.   Leadership and corporate culture
  6.   Moral economy and sustainability, sustainable development
  7.   Environmental law and regulations, net-zero and green industry
  8.   Climate change governance policies
  9.   Digital transformation
  10.   Management and business consulting
  11.   Public administration, corporate governance
  12.   Corporate social responsibility and corporate environmental liability
  13.   Sustainability and the law of corporate bankruptcy

Tuition Fees & Entry Requirements


Tuition Fees

The following fees are per year of study:

UK Students – £4,786

International Students – £15,000

 

You must hold a minimum qualification of:

MSc, MA, MBA or other relevant Master’s degree (or equivalent).

For candidates whose first language is not English or undergraduate / Master’s degree was not awarded from a University from a UKVI designated English speaking country, applicants are required to show evidence of one of the following qualifications:

  • IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Life Skills
  • TOEFL-iBT (including home edition): Total 92 with at least 20 in each component.  We do not accept TOEFL (‘my best score’) to meet our English language requirements.
  • CAE and CPE: Total 176 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE ii with distinctions in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: 62 overall with at least 59 in each component.
  • NECO English at B (4)
  • WAEC English at B (4)

Applicants who are not a national of a majority English speaking country, must hold a Degree no more than three and a half years old at the beginning of their programme of study, unless they are using IELTs, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old. 

SELT’s can only be sat at approved test centres. A list of all the approved test centres is available on GOV.UK

The list of approved English language tests has been assessed as meeting Home Office requirements under the secure English language testing arrangements. Only those tests and test levels specified are approved. If you intend to use an English language test in your immigration or nationality application you must take one of the tests on the list. 

You should make sure the test that you book is the one approved for the SELT.

Full details of the qualifications we accept can be found here.

The UK Government approves certain English language qualifications as being Secure English Language Tests (SELT). These meet the government’s requirements for visa applications.

Al-Maktoum College will accept the following:

  • IELTS for UKVI or IELTS Life Skills
  • LanguageCert – B2 or equivalent

SELT’s can only be sat at approved test centres. A list of all the approved test centres is available on GOV.UK

The list of approved English language tests has been assessed as meeting Home Office requirements under the secure English language testing arrangements. Only those tests and test levels specified are approved. If you intend to use an English language test in your immigration or nationality application you must take one of the tests on the list.

You should make sure the test that you book is the one approved for the SELT.

When can students start?

A research degree can be started in February, June or October of each year. Candidates can apply to defer from one entry point to another on one occasion, however, subsequent requests must be supported by an additional full application.

Unless otherwise stated, the deadlines for submitting a full application are:

  • Applications for February entry by 08 December (if you need a Student Visa then the deadline is 23 November).
  • Applications for June entry by 23 April (if you need a Student Visa then the deadline is 24 March).
  • Applications for October entry by 24 August (if you need a Student Visa then the deadline is 24 July).

There is a 2-stage application process.

Stage 1:

  • Prepare your research proposal (6 – 8 pages minimum). Download Proposal Template
  • Send research proposal and CV to: PhD@almcollege.ac.uk

You will be contacted with a decision on your research proposal. If your research proposal is accepted, proceed to Stage 2.

Stage 2:

  • Apply through the Al-Maktoum College application portal
  • Contact Dr Alaa Garad if you have any questions: PhD@almcollege.ac.uk
  • You can directly contact a potential supervisor from Al-Maktoum College of Higher Education or Abertay University.

Full entry requirement information can be found here.

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