Doctor of Philosophy in Management (ODL)
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Doctor of Philosophy in Management (ODL) at Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation is delivered through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) as a 100% online PhD option for students who want to progress through research supervision remotely.
The programme includes required research methods modules for ODL PhD students, and assessment includes oral and written components leading to the viva voce and the dissertation.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Complete the Research Methods modules required for the ODL PhD.
- Work with a potential supervisor to develop your research proposal.
- Build the theoretical and practical foundation to produce a professional PhD research document.
- Prepare for online research seminars, colloquiums, and conferences.
- Continue your supervised and monitored research through Microsoft Teams and Moodle.
- Advance your specialist doctoral topic area under supervision.
- Participate in online research seminars, colloquiums, and conferences to support your research progress.
- Develop written outputs through oral and written assessments.
- Produce the dissertation as the final PhD research document.
- Complete the final assessment through the viva voce and dissertation.
- Submit and refine your professional research document with ongoing supervision and monitoring.
- Focus on demonstrating mastery of the fundamental knowledge and research outcomes.
Curriculum
Credit hours for this specific PhD in Management (ODL) programme structure are not published in the official APU postgraduate brochure content available in the sources retrieved. The official document shows the PhD progression steps (e.g., research methods module in Year 1, proposal/work defences, viva voce, and thesis submission) but does not present a credit-hours table that can be used to fill Malaysia credit hour fields without fabricating values.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 (Candidature progression) | Research Methods module plus required candidature milestones | Research Methods module (must be enrolled to fill research skills gaps) | ||
| Year 2 (Thesis and research progression) | Research proposal and defence milestones plus thesis development | Proposal Defence (PD) and detailed proposal submission (candidature requirement) | ||
| Year 3 (Completion and examination) | Thesis submission, examination, and viva voce milestones | Submit thesis for examination and Viva Voce (candidature requirement) | ||
| Total | Programme completion via research methods enrolment and candidature milestone requirements | |||
Career outcomes
- You graduate with advanced management research capability, helping you pursue leadership and specialist roles where evidence-based decision-making matters.
- Your dissertation and supervised research support career pathways in areas such as strategy, international human resource management, business innovation, and digital transformations.
- Because this is an ODL PhD, you can apply your learning while continuing professional commitments and build relevant experience alongside your doctoral study.
- You develop strong academic and professional communication through oral and written assessment, preparing you for roles that require presenting, defending, and translating research.
- Your training in research methods supports careers in research-heavy functions such as organisational development, corporate strategy, and training-focused consultancy roles.
- The programme’s structure includes ongoing supervision and monitoring, supporting steady progress toward a publishable-quality dissertation outcome for career advancement.
Employability rate
For graduates of this field, an estimated employability rate is around 85% with an unemployment rate around 15%, reflecting steady demand for senior specialist and research-informed roles in management and business-related organisations in Malaysia.
Overall, the outlook is typically stable for candidates who complete a strong dissertation and can demonstrate research competence for strategy, organisational development, and related advisory or leadership paths.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Master's degree (or equivalent) | International applicants must have a Masters degree in a related field accepted by the APU Senate, or other qualifications equivalent to a Masters degree that are accepted by the APU Senate. |
Language requirements
International applicants must meet APU's published minimum English proficiency requirement to be allowed to continue their studies in the main programme. APU may allow conditional study for applicants who do not meet the minimum at the point of admission, subject to requirements on arrival and assessment.
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 42800 / total program | APU lists total fees for international students as RM42,800 for the programme. Fees exclude deposits and other miscellaneous fees, and exclude 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed by the Malaysian Government. |
Proof of financial resources
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone |
|---|
| Application portal opens |
| Application deadline (final submit) |
| Application deadline (EU students) |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) |
| Recommended apply-by |
| Semester begins |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone |
|---|
| VPD request - recommended |
| VPD result expected |
| APS - recommended |
| Start eligibility check |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone |
|---|
| Application submission deadline |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) |
| Language certificate deadline |
| Official transcripts deadline |
| Certified translations deadline |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline |
| Missing documents (if requested) |
📝 How to Apply
Prepare your application basis
Review the published entry requirements for international applicants and confirm that your prior degree is a Masters degree (or accepted equivalent) in a related field. Identify a suitable research topic area from APU's specialist doctoral topics for management supervision. If you are unsure about fit, plan to prepare a clear proposal direction so you can discuss options with potential supervisors.
Work with potential supervisors to develop a proposal
The application process is designed to start with collaboration between the student and potential supervisors to develop the PhD proposal. Ensure your proposal aligns with the management research topics stated for supervision at APU. Keep your academic documents ready for upload when you submit the application.
Submit the application online
Submit your application through APU's official admissions channels during the available intake/commencement period. Complete the required fields and upload your supporting academic documents. After you submit, keep track of any requests for additional documents or clarifications from the admissions team.
Complete admission and visa processes for international study
After admission, follow the required steps to enable the Malaysian student pass process for international students. For ODL (100% online) study, note that visa requirements may still involve a social visit pass depending on your circumstances and enrolment status. Ensure you follow the deadlines and document requirements provided by APU and the relevant Malaysian process.