DISTANT ⏐ 2 – 3 YEARS ⏐SELF–PACED⏐ENGLISH, GERMAN
Steve Jobs
In an era where communication shapes strategy, structure, and innovation, this doctoral programme explores the dynamic interplay between business, administration, technology, and public communication. Bridging fields such as management, communication science, public policy, and information technologies, the programme supports original research grounded in real-world relevance.
PhD students in this programme investigate how communication influences decision-making, organizational culture, stakeholder relationships, and policy outcomes. Themes include corporate communication, public relations, digital transformation, leadership communication, and the role of communication in institutional development.
Rather than applying fixed models, students are encouraged to analyse, adapt, or propose communication frameworks suited to their specific topic and context. The goal is to generate insights that can inform business practices, communication strategies, and social impact.
This doctoral programme is for professionals and researchers seeking to investigate how communication shapes business strategy, technological innovation, and organisational development. It is well-suited to individuals with experience in corporate communication, public administration, or digital technologies who wish to explore complex communication dynamics in modern institutions.
PhD students in this programme may focus on topics such as leadership communication, strategic communication in public institutions, digital transformation or improving business competitiveness by developing new communication models.
Following our template, you should develop and send a research proposal that presents your overall plan for the future dissertation. This 5-10-page document includes key elements of your research such as topic, aim, questions / hypothesis, methodology, and structure.
We will review your research proposal and provide feedback on its key elements. Special attention will be given to the research topic and the formulation of the final dissertation title. We will communicate with you any potential changes if such are needed in order to align your topic with the research field of the doctoral programme.
Once your research proposal has been approved and refined, you should develop the grounds of your dissertation, following a template provided by us. This 50-60-page document includes a draft of your dissertation's introduction and theoretical foundations. You may also write how you plan to structure the next chapters of your thesis, and develop briefly some parts of them. The dissertation grounds will later become the basis for your complete dissertation.
Once your dissertation grounds is ready, you should present online your research project - its current status and the plan for its further development. During the meeting, you may receive constructive feedback and useful recommendations for what and how to implement in your dissertation.
You will receive a total of 6 or 7 assignments, which you can complete at your own pace and fully remotely. The assignments are designed to help you foster your critical thinking when working with literature, improve your academic writing, including proper citation. Your personal mentor will provide you with templates and further guidance.
In the course of the programme, you should create and publish scientific articles related to the topic of your research. Each of the publications must have an ISBN, ISSN or DOI number in a journal or conference with a scientific review procedure. The minimum number of publications required is defined based on two factors - number of the authors and ranking of the journal. The majority of our students publish up to 3 scientific articles.
Complete your dissertation, following the feedback and recommendations of your scientific supervisor and personal mentor, as well as the resources in our online learning platform. The recommended total volume of your finalised thesis is around 200 pages.
Along with the dissertation, you should also prepare a dissertation summary, following a template provided by us. This 30-40-page document covers the most important points of the dissertation.
Present your finalised dissertation to a scientific committee, following a presentation template provided by us. Receive feedback from the professors and make last adjustments to your work before the final defence procedure.
Present on site your finalised dissertation in front of a scientific committee, consisting of professors from different universities appointed to evaluate your work. After your presentation, the professors read their scientific reviews and statements about your thesis. Then follows a discussion about your work between the professors and yourself. Upon successful voting procedure, you are awarded the "Doctor" title!
Applicants should provide a Master's Degree or an equivalent qualification at EQF Level 7 that gives access to doctoral studies.
Applicants should provide a CV in English, including their photo, contacts, academic and professional background.
Applicants should fill in and send an Application Form, following the provided template.
Applicants should prepare and send a Research Concept / Proposal, following the provided template.
Start by reviewing the list of application documents. Then prepare and send your documents by email or through our online form. Applications are accepted all year round.
We will review your application within 1 month to make sure that you are eligible for doing doctoral studies, and that your research proposal fits within the chosen doctoral programme.
We will invite you to an online meeting to discuss your research proposal and the chosen doctoral programme. Additionally, we will discuss pricing and explore payment possibilities.
We will draw up and sign a study contract. This marks the start of your studies. Starting is possible all year round.
"What I liked the most about this programme is that it was possible to combine with my job. I had all the freedom to conduct my research the way I wanted. I already did my Master's successfully like that and wanted to do my PhD in the same way."
"What I liked most about the doctoral program was that I had a lot of time for my scientific research. Thanks to The PhD Club, I didn't have to worry about all other organizational and administrative topics and I am very grateful for that."
"In addition to excellent support, I was very impressed by the diversity of the entire study program and the freedom to choose a topic for my dissertation. Particularly noteworthy is the fast response time to all my questions. I never felt alone and I would like to make a big compliment to the whole team for that."
"What I liked most is that there was a good combination between my work as a lecturer at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria and the topic that was possible for me to choose for the research work here. For me it was very helpful that I always received a very quick response to every issue that I had and I had the feeling that you were always by my side."
"I really appreciate the kind professors and the support team. My questions were responded to very precisely, everything was clarified to my satisfaction, so I was able to quickly reach the conclusion of my dissertation."
"Management of information processes using blockchain technology to make decentralized financial markets a more efficient form of raising capital"
"Communication model for foreign trade relations between China and the EU"
"Management of information processes in order to improve certain specific commercial practices in the EU"
"Optimisation of planning through preventive measures for managing the business and administrative communications"
"Development and prospects for the German insurance industry - classic and digital insurance"
“HR-technological model through the social networks and
media platforms"
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