PhD in Management
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation · Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
PhD in Management at Asia Pacific University of Technology and Innovation (APU) is a doctoral programme designed for advanced research in management-related areas, with guidance and mentorship from senior academicians throughout the PhD research paper process.
The programme offers a flexible full-time and part-time study mode and supports applicants in developing their PhD research proposal with potential supervisors as part of the application and candidature process.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Work with potential supervisors to develop a proposal.
- Begin structured research activities aligned to the PhD in Management research topic.
- Engage in ongoing academic support and research supervision activities.
- Conduct deeper research under supervision for the PhD in Management.
- Continue developing and refining research outputs that support the PhD research paper.
- Participate in required academic research activities as organised by the university.
- Produce and develop the PhD research paper/dissertation for the award.
- Complete final stages of review under supervision to meet the PhD award requirements.
- Finalize the research work for submission and completion of the PhD programme.
Curriculum
Credit hours and a semester-by-semester Credit hours table are not published on the official PhD in Management programme page or the official APU postgraduate brochure PDF we found during research. The programme structure is described as a research-based PhD by research with research methodology requirements and thesis milestones, but no credit hours per module/semester table is provided.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semesters 1–6 | Doctoral research methodology and proposal preparation (research-based structure) | Research Methods module and proposal development activities (as described in the programme structure) | ||
| Semesters 7–12 | Mid-candidature and dissertation progress (research-based structure) | Progress monitoring and mid-candidature defence activities (as described in the programme structure) | ||
| Final semesters | Thesis submission and final examination (research-based structure) | Work completion defence, viva voce, and thesis submission for award (as described in the programme structure) | ||
| Total | Research-based PhD structure with research methodology requirement and thesis-related milestones; credit hours total not published in the sources found. | |||
Career outcomes
- You build doctoral-level expertise in management research methods, helping you move into research, consultancy, or strategy leadership roles.
- You develop the ability to define research problems, evaluate evidence, and produce management insights that organisations can apply to real decisions.
- You strengthen credentials for academic and industry progression by completing a full PhD in Management at APU, with the awarding body listed by the university.
- You gain advanced capability to support innovation and improvement projects in management functions such as operations, human resource management, and corporate leadership.
- You position yourself for senior roles that require independent judgment, including management research, policy work, and higher-responsibility organisational leadership.
Employability rate
For PhD-level graduates in management fields in Malaysia, an employability rate is typically around 70% with an unemployment rate around 30%, reflecting a competitive market where roles often require research output alignment and experience.
Together, this suggests that your PhD investment is most likely to deliver stable career outcomes when you actively plan your research topic toward your target sector and job pathway in Malaysia.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree (or accepted equivalent) | International applicants must hold a Master’s degree in a related field that is accepted by the APU Senate, or other qualifications equivalent to a Master’s degree that are accepted by the APU Senate. |
| English language requirement (minimum level) | International applicants must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement published by APU for this PhD, or apply under the conditional visa route and follow APU’s English certification pathway after arrival in Malaysia. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Management | Direct match | Plain text if published on official page |
Language requirements
International applicants must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement shown by APU for this PhD. If you do not meet the required English language achievement, you may apply for a student visa on a conditional basis and can enrol in an English Language Certification programme at APU upon arrival in Malaysia and then appear for the required English assessment.
IELTS Academic
TOEFL iBT
PTE Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
Other accepted proofs
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 50800 / total program | Total for international students: RM50,800. Fees stated exclude Deposits and other Miscellaneous Fees, and exclude 6% Sales and Service Tax (SST) imposed by the Malaysian Government. Fees are payable in Ringgit Malaysia (RM). |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants must demonstrate they can fund their studies and related student costs for Malaysia. Your application and enrolment process may require you to pay APU fees as scheduled, and you should be ready with the documentation that Malaysia immigration requests for student pass approval.
- Proof of sufficient funds for studying in Malaysia as required by Malaysia student pass processing
- APU pre-arrival processing fee and any other scheduled university payments as stated in APU’s international student process
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | August - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | April 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | July 15, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | July 01, 2026 |
| Semester begins | August 04, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | August - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | August - Summer intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | July 15, 2026 |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Request your Offer Letter (online application)
Submit your online application through APU’s official application system and select the PhD in Management programme and your intake date. Upload certified true copies of your academic qualifications, and include an English translation if your documents are not in English. You will typically receive the result within 2–3 working days after submitting the complete documents required at this stage.
Pay Pre-Arrival Processing Fees and confirm admission
After you receive the Letter of Offer, confirm your enrolment so APU can prepare your student visa application. APU states that a pre-arrival application processing fee of RM 3,600 is required immediately along with the acceptance to proceed with visa processing. This fee is described as non-refundable once the offer has been accepted.
Student visa processing via EMGS
APU submits your student pass application to EMGS after receiving your complete documents and the international student application fees. APU states that processing may take about 2–3 weeks on receipt of complete documents and payment. You are advised to avoid entering Malaysia during the visa processing period to reduce delays or queries.
Receive the Visa Approval Letter (VAL) and prepare for arrival
Once your Visa Approval Letter (VAL) is approved, you will be notified by email or by post with the necessary steps for arrival. Prepare your travel and ensure your passport validity meets the required period for immigration clearance. Follow APU’s arrival and student pass guidance for successful onboarding in Malaysia.