PhD in Business & Management
University of Reading Malaysia · Johor, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The University of Reading Malaysia’s PhD in Business and Management is a research degree designed to develop advanced knowledge, research skills, communication abilities, and problem-solving capabilities for expert-level work in business and management.
You can submit research proposals across a broad range of business and management areas, with particular emphasis on topics such as real estate (including smart cities and ESG factors), finance and accounting (including applied financial econometrics and carbon accounting), technology and big data analytics, FinTech, digital currencies, and Islamic banking and finance.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Submit your application for academic requirements screening and a first review by the Head of School.
- Develop and refine your research proposal for PhD study in business and management.
- Work with a potential supervisor to finalise a refined proposal that will form the basis of your PhD interview.
- Continue refinement of your research plan with your potential supervisor where expertise and interest are aligned.
- Move from supervisor approval of the refined proposal to submission for internal review by DPGRS and the Head of School.
- Prepare for your PhD interview presentation and Q&A on research rigour, understanding, and suitability.
- Carry out advanced research guided by supervisory support in your selected business and management topic.
- Focus on mastery of the research topic, critical thinking, and analytical skills for high-quality doctoral work.
- Produce impactful research results through the depth and rigour expected for a PhD programme.
Curriculum
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Not published as credit-bearing semesters | Research work and thesis (PhD by research) | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 0 | |||
Career outcomes
- You build advanced research capability in business and management that supports careers in academia, research, and evidence-based policy or strategy roles.
- You develop critical thinking and analytical problem-solving skills that help you lead investigations, evaluate business evidence, and contribute to high-impact organisational decisions.
- You gain communication and presentation skills through the programme’s structured research proposal work and PhD interview process.
- You strengthen credibility for senior professional pathways by training to become an expert in your specific area of business and management research.
- You complete a globally recognised PhD qualification that helps you progress into specialist and leadership roles where research depth matters.
Employability rate
Research employability data published specifically for PhD in Business & Management graduates in Malaysia is not provided on the official programme pages.
For international PhD graduates in business and management, the outlook is typically strongest for research, university, and knowledge-led roles where demand is tied to credentials and topic alignment.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Master’s degree or equivalent (international qualifications) | International applicants must have a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Malaysian Government, or another qualification accepted by the University. |
| Bachelor’s degree (upper second-class or equivalent) | Applicants must also possess a minimum upper second-class Bachelor’s degree or international equivalent. In exceptional circumstances, a good 2.2 (lower second-class honours) degree may be considered, and in some exceptional cases a first-class honours Bachelor’s degree may be considered without a Master’s degree. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Business and Management research background | Direct match | The programme welcomes research proposals across fields such as real estate, finance and accounting, entrepreneurship and innovation, and other business and management topics aligned with the School’s research priorities and staff expertise. |
Language requirements
If English is not your first language, international applicants are normally required to provide evidence of academic English ability for research degrees, with the normal entry requirement stated for this PhD programme below.
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 45000 / per year | Replace with official published fee details from the programme page for international students; SST may apply on tuition fees and charges. |
| Application fee | MYR 530 / one time | International application fee is RM 530 (inclusive 6% SST) and is strictly non-refundable; it is deducted from tuition fee upon successful enrolment. |
Proof of financial resources
International applicants should ensure they can cover tuition fees and living costs before applying for a student visa. Check the official Malaysia immigration and student pass guidance for the exact financial proof expectations used for visa processing.
- Proof that you can meet Malaysia student pass requirements for finances (as specified by the official immigration/student-pass guidance).
- Evidence of sufficient funds to cover tuition fees and living costs throughout the period of study (as required for visa processing).
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | September - Winter intake | September - Summer 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 | September 01, 2026 | September 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | September - Winter intake | September - 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 | September - Winter intake | September - 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 documents and research proposal
Before you apply, prepare your curriculum vitae, initial research proposal, and your academic transcripts and certificates for your postgraduate qualifications. Ensure your proposal is aligned with the School’s research priorities and staff expertise, because proposals outside those areas are less likely to be considered. If your English test score is required, make sure your language evidence is included as part of your application package.
Submit the online doctoral application
Submit your application through the University’s official online application service for doctoral programmes. Upload electronic copies of your documents during the online submission process, as the application allows you to include electronic copies of your CV, initial research proposal, and supporting information. After submission, the University will review your application against academic requirements first.
Undergo screening and proposal review
Your application is first reviewed for academic requirements screening, and then it may be reviewed by the Head of School to evaluate the strength and academic quality of your proposal. If requirements are met and a suitable potential supervisor is available in your proposed area, you may be invited to present your initial research proposal. You may then refine your proposal with the potential supervisor before it is submitted for further review.
Attend the PhD interview and wait for the decision
After your supervisor approves the refined proposal, it will form the basis of your PhD interview, which includes a presentation of your refined research proposal followed by a Q&A session. The outcome is communicated via email first and then through the RISIS portal. Keep an eye on follow-up requests for missing documents or additional information from the Admissions team.