Doctor of Philosophy (Business)
Sunway College Johor Bahru · Johor Bahru, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest level of academic qualification one can achieve, and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business focuses on developing an exhaustive understanding of a selected business research focus area. Students undertake extensive investigation within a chosen business field, supported by the development of research design and methodologies to produce theoretical and practical contributions.
The programme includes a Research Methodology component, a thesis based on in-depth study of a particular research topic, and an oral examination (viva voce). Students are also required to participate in professional development and academic activities such as workshops, seminars, conferences and talks.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Complete Research Methodology to enhance research knowledge and skills.
- Develop and refine your research approach for your chosen business topic.
- Prepare the direction and structure that will support the thesis work.
- Undertake an in-depth study on a particular business research topic.
- Produce thesis findings that contribute to theoretical and practical contributions.
- Engage in professional development activities such as workshops, seminars, conferences and talks.
- Complete the thesis submission based on your research findings.
- Defend your thesis in an oral examination called viva voce.
- Present and disseminate scholarly findings through academic and professional networks.
Curriculum
Sunway University’s Doctor of Philosophy (Business) page provides programme structure components (Research Methodology, Thesis, Professional Development Activities) but does not publish a Malaysia credit hours table or module-by-module credit hours/semester totals on the official programme page found.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semesters 1–3 | Research Methodology plus Professional Development Activities | Research Methodology | ||
| Professional Development Activities | ||||
| Semesters 2–6 | Thesis | Thesis (viva voce defence) | ||
| Total | Research Methodology, Professional Development Activities, and Thesis | |||
Career outcomes
- You position yourself for roles such as Business Lecturer and Business Consultant by completing a research-focused PhD in Business that demonstrates independent expertise.
- You build advanced research and analytical capability that supports careers as a Market Research Analyst and Management Analyst.
- You strengthen your ability to lead strategy and projects, aligning with career paths like Business Project Manager.
- You develop publishable research outputs and professional networks through conferences/seminars and potential publications, which helps differentiate you for higher-responsibility roles.
- You gain subject-matter depth across research areas such as global business, digital marketing, green finance, and corporate social responsibility and ESG, supporting specialised career directions.
- You graduate with the knowledge and skills expected for independent research, enabling progression into senior expert and leadership positions in academia and industry.
Employability rate
For business PhD graduates in Malaysia, employability is typically around 85% with an unemployment rate around 15%, reflecting steady demand for senior research, consulting, and analytics roles that value advanced research capability.
Overall, this indicates a solid career outlook when you align your research topic with in-demand business and management needs.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree or equivalent (international qualifications) | International applicants must hold a Master’s degree in a related field as accepted by the University Senate; OR a Master’s degree in a non-related field as accepted by the University Senate with at least 2 years of work experience in the relevant field and passing an internal assessment; OR a Master’s degree (Level 7, MQF) in a non-related field as accepted by the University Senate without relevant working experience subject to passing prerequisite courses; OR other qualifications equivalent to a Master’s degree (Level 7, MQF) recognised by the Malaysian Government. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business and related research areas | Direct match | Students undertake an in-depth research topic in the discipline of business studies, with Research Methodology support in addition to the thesis. |
Language requirements
For international applicants, English language requirements are set by the programme. If your previous degree qualifications were taught in English, you may be able to meet the language requirement through your medium of instruction; otherwise you will need an approved English test score.
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 60100 / total program | Estimated total course fee (Year 2026): RM60,100 for Malaysian students; international students must pay in RM equivalent based on the university’s stated exchange-rate basis. |
| Enrolment fee | MYR 700 / one time | Non-refundable programme enrolment fee of RM700 payable at application (posted under Sunway University programme fees). |
Proof of financial resources
You should prepare financial evidence that you can fund your tuition and living costs for the duration of your studies. If you are applying with a sponsorship, scholarship, or study loan, include documentary evidence as part of your application package.
- Documentary evidence if your studies will be financed by scholarship, sponsorship, or study loan
- Proof you can meet programme tuition and living costs for the study period (prepare as required by the international admission process and student pass requirements)
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | January - Winter intake | July - Summer intake |
|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | January 01, 2026 | July 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | January 01, 2026 | July 01, 2026 |
| 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 | January 01, 2026 | July 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | January - Winter intake | July - Summer 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 | January - Winter intake | July - Summer 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
Prepare your eligibility and research fit
Review the programme’s entry requirements for international applicants, including the Master’s qualification pathway and any prerequisite courses that may apply. Identify a business research topic you are interested in and prepare your research proposal (working title, research interest and why, and references). If you have an IELTS score or other relevant English evidence, ensure it is available for submission. Start early so you have time to finalise certified academic documents and your proposal.
Compile your application documents
Gather your passport copy (all pages), certified copies of Master’s and undergraduate degrees/transcripts, and your CV. Prepare your research proposal in softcopy, including the working title, the nature of the research and why you are interested, and relevant references (maximum 1,000 words). Include your IELTS score or its equivalent if it is relevant to your application. Ensure the copies you submit are certified as requested by the programme.
Submit your application for review
Send the completed application and supporting documents as instructed by the programme’s application procedure. Double-check that you include all items requested on the programme page before submission to avoid delays. After your application is received, the university will assess your eligibility against the programme requirements for international students. If needed, the programme may require prerequisite courses for applicants who fall under the non-related Master’s route.