Doctoral graduates obtain theoretical and professional skills meeting the highest standards, they acquire skills and master methods of work suitable for solving demanding scientific and professional issues. Through an in-depth study of scientific methods, underpinned by applied study programme contents, doctoral candidates develop the ability of abstract and associative thinking, of synthetizing expertise from the wider field of management, as well as the capacity to manage and lead business systems, carry out scientific research projects, transfer research results into practice and develop innovative problem-solving procedures.

Graduates will develop competencies, such as

•  in-depth understanding of theoretical concepts of the field of business, economic, legal, sociological, and psychological aspects,
• understanding and mastery of different research approaches in the scientific field,
• the ability to design and implement a comprehensive research process,
• the ability to independently develop new knowledge, skills, techniques, practices, and materials through research work,
• solving the most complex problems by testing and improving known solutions and designing new ones,
• responding to abstract problems that broaden and redefine existing procedural knowledge or practice,
• the ability to create, through original research, a contribution that extends the boundaries of knowledge and is relevant at national and international level,
• the ability to critically analyse, evaluate and synthesize complex ideas,
• the ability to identify problems and find solutions,
• participation in critical dialogues,
• managing and promoting complex social processes within the professional field,
• the ability to be critical and self-critical,
• the ability to manage the most demanding work systems and scientific research projects in a broad professional and scientific field,
• the ability to communicate with colleagues and the wider scientific community and society in general about their area of expertise,
• the ability to publicly present and defend scientific studies,
• the ability to foster the economic and social progress of a knowledge-based society in academic and professional settings,
• the ability to think creatively and solve problems,
• knowing and acting in accordance with the ethics of the research work.

Content of the programme

Doctoral graduates obtain theoretical and professional skills meeting the highest standards, they acquire skills and master methods of work suitable for solving demanding scientific and professional issues. Through an in-depth study of scientific methods, underpinned by applied study programme contents, doctoral candidates develop the ability of abstract and associative thinking, of synthetizing expertise from the wider field of management, as well as the capacity to manage and lead business systems, carry out scientific research projects, transfer research results into practice and develop innovative problem-solving procedures.

During the study students must complete 8 courses (5 mandatory courses, 3 elective courses), a doctoral seminar, preparation and publication of a scientific article, individual forms of knowledge transfer, dissertation work, doctoral dissertation defence with promotion of research results. 

In the first year students takes three core courses, which are necessary for further research activity in the study, one elective course and the course Personal Development 1. The student prepares a research design and presents a research outline.

In the second year students will take Personal Development 2, a Methods of Analysing or Collecting Data elective, a Content elective and a Doctoral Seminar. Under the guidance of a potential supervisor, the doctoral candidate prepares a scientific article for publication and presents it publicly, in accordance with the research programme and within the specificities of the research field in which he or she is engaged. Under the guidance of the mentor, the second-year doctoral student drafts a doctoral dissertation and submits the dissertation to the faculty and university committees for approval.

In the third year, the PhD student completes the Individual Knowledge Transfer and the Research and PhD Dissertation Commitment. The fourth year, like the third year, is devoted to the transfer of knowledge and work on the dissertation. A doctoral candidate may submit his/her doctoral dissertation for assessment before the defence once he/she has completed all the requirements of years 1, 2 and 3, except for the publication of a scientific article, and the article must be accepted for publication or published before the defence of the dissertation. The deadline for completion of the studies shall be no later than four years from the approval of the dissertation topic by the UP.

Graduates profile and employment opportunities

The PhD student acquires cutting-edge theoretical and professional knowledge, skills and working methods to solve complex scientific and professional problems.

Doctoral graduates may pursue:

• scientific and research work and teaching in research, scientific and higher education institutions;
• the most demanding professional and managerial work in government (state administration, as well as local and regional self-government), public, private and non-governmental institutions and organisations, in companies and in international organisations;
• work as consultants to directors and project managers, etc.