Doctor of Philosophy (Business Administration)
Southern University College · Johor Bahru, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
Southern University College’s Doctor of Philosophy (Business Administration) programme by research is designed to provide rigorous, in-depth and advanced research knowledge in students’ specific areas of business studies. The programme also focuses on building a systematic and ethical approach to research that contributes new insights to business knowledge and managerial practice.
The programme enables graduates to recognize and validate research problems, critically evaluate business literature, apply appropriate research methods, and conduct original research independently while adhering to legal, ethical, and professional practices. Graduates may assume researcher or educator roles in private or public higher education institutions, and may also take on higher responsibilities in top management within the corporate sector.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Stage 1: Proposal Defense
- Develop and defend your research proposal within your Business Administration area of study
- Work with academic guidance to align your topic, research direction, and methodology
- Stage 2: Postgraduate Completion Seminar
- Continue your advanced research work and demonstrate progress toward completion
- Refine and strengthen your research outputs and academic direction
- Stage 3: Viva voce
- Defend your doctoral-level research findings
- Complete the programme requirements through the final examination process
Curriculum
3 credit hours total (programme by research). Candidates complete 1 core module plus a research thesis.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Programme by research | Compulsory research methodology and oral examination sequence (1 core module, 3 credit hours total) | Compulsory Research Methodology | 3 | 3 |
| Total | Compulsory core module (Research Methodology) plus programme research thesis requirement | 3 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You build advanced, research-led business expertise that supports roles such as researcher or educator in higher education institutions.
- The programme is designed to prepare you for leadership responsibilities and higher responsibility roles in top management within corporate organizations.
- You gain structured capability in independent original research, helping you stand out for strategy, research, and evidence-based decision roles.
- Your training includes interpreting research findings and recommending solutions, strengthening your profile for business analytics and managerial research positions.
- Because the programme emphasizes ethical and professional research practice, you become well-positioned for credibility-focused roles in both public and private sectors.
Employability rate
PhD graduates in business-focused research and academic roles in Malaysia typically see an employability rate of around 78% and an unemployment rate of about 22%, reflecting competitive academic and senior-leadership hiring cycles.
Together, these figures suggest a steady but selective outlook, with better prospects for graduates who can demonstrate strong research outputs and presentation skills.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree (or equivalent) | International applicants must hold a Master’s degree accepted by the Southern University College Senate, or another qualification equivalent to a Master’s degree that is accepted by the SUC Senate. |
| Research-focused doctoral entry | This PhD programme is structured around a research process supported by supervisory stages, including proposal defence, postgraduate completion seminar, and viva voce. Applicants should be ready to conduct independent original research as required by the programme. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Management | Direct match | The programme focuses on advanced business research and doctoral-level research capabilities in business administration. |
Language requirements
International applicants must meet the programme’s English language requirement to ensure they can undertake doctoral-level study and research effectively.
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 42000 / total program | International student fee sheet shows Doctor of Philosophy (Business Administration) tuition of RM 42,000 for a 36 months minimum duration. |
| Application fee | MYR 500 / one time | International student fee sheet lists Application Fee as RM 500. |
| Other charges (development, students union, administrative, deposit) | MYR 3500 / one time | International student fee sheet lists Part (a) Registration Fee RM 500 plus Visa Processing Fee RM 3,000 (Part a sub total RM 3,500) and shows Part (b) sub totals also at RM 3,500; this line uses RM 3,500 as the published subtotal amount referenced in the sheet. |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants should be prepared to show they have sufficient funds to cover tuition and living costs for the duration of their PhD studies in Malaysia, as required by the relevant visa and student pass process.
- Sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses for the PhD duration (as required for international student processing in Malaysia)
- Any additional evidence of financial capability requested during the student pass/visa process
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | May - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | May - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | May - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Review entry requirements
Check that your Master’s degree is accepted as equivalent to a Master’s degree by the Southern University College Senate. Confirm you can meet the English language requirement for international applicants (IELTS Academic). Also ensure you are prepared for a research-based PhD format with proposal defence, postgraduate completion seminar, and viva voce stages.
Prepare your application documents
Gather your Master’s degree certificate and academic transcripts, plus your IELTS Academic score that meets the minimum requirement. Keep your supporting documents ready in case additional information is requested during the admissions review for international applicants. Ensure documents are complete and consistent with the qualification you are using for entry.
Submit your application to the university
Apply through the university’s official application process during the published intake period. Provide your details and upload the required documents requested for international applicants. After submission, monitor your email and admission updates for any follow-up requirements tied to doctoral research stages.