Istanbul Medipol University

Overview

The PhD in Business Administration at Istanbul Medipol University is designed to cultivate advanced research skills and foster independent inquiry through structured doctoral training. This program offers students the opportunity to develop publishable research in key areas such as strategy, management, marketing, and organizational analytics, preparing them for impactful careers in academia and industry.

What you'll study

The program is typically structured over three to five years, with a comprehensive curriculum that evolves as you progress:

Year 1: Doctoral Foundations

• Training in research methods, both quantitative and qualitative, tailored to individual tracks.

• Development of scholarly writing, academic publishing skills, and research communication.

• Advanced literature review techniques and theory development.

• Research proposal development with seminars for feedback and refinement.

Year 2: Specialization and Research Development

• Core seminars in various domains of business administration, including strategy, organizational behavior, marketing, finance, or operations.

• Advanced methods training in econometrics, causal inference, experimental design, or qualitative analysis.

• Understanding of research ethics and responsible conduct, including data management.

• Comprehensive review or qualifying assessments as required.

Years 3–4: Dissertation Research and Publication Track

• Conducting dissertation research with guidance from supervisors and structured reviews.

• Development of dissertation chapters or article-based outputs for publication.

• Participation in conferences to present research findings.

• Ongoing attendance at seminars and consistent progress monitoring.

Year 5 (if applicable): Completion

• Finalizing dissertation writing, formatting, and preparation for submission.

• Defending the dissertation through a viva and making final revisions.

Dissertation Requirement

• A substantial original research dissertation that contributes new knowledge to the field of business administration.

Electives (as available)

• Elective courses that align with your research interests and methodological approaches, covering advanced analytics, management research design, or specific strategic topics.

Entry Requirements

• A Master's degree in Business Administration, Management, Economics, Finance, or a closely related field.

• Relevant graduate-level preparation, typically including coursework in research methods and statistics or theory-based subjects.

Research Readiness

• Evidence of research capability, such as a thesis, research project, publications, or a well-developed research proposal.

• Alignment of your proposed research topic with the expertise of potential supervisors.

English Language Proficiency (if applicable)

• Demonstrated proficiency in English, typically through recognized tests such as IELTS or TOEFL, with minimum score requirements.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Business Administration program are well-equipped for a variety of career paths, including positions in academia, research institutions, consultancy, and leadership roles in business organizations. The skills developed during the program enable graduates to contribute to the field of business through innovative research and practical applications of their findings.