Business Computing - Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD)

Program Overview

TUS's Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business and Hospitality offers a rigorous research-focused program for advanced study in a specific field. Through a structured curriculum and expert supervision, students develop expertise, critical thinking skills, and original research capabilities. The program prepares graduates for diverse career paths in academia, research, consulting, entrepreneurship, government, and non-profit organizations.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) qualification is the highest level of education in a particular field. It typically involves several years of advanced original research that culminates in the submission of a thesis or dissertation. The process of earning a Ph.D. can be challenging, but it is also an opportunity to make significant contributions to one’s field of study. Obtaining a Ph.D. is a demonstration of one’s expertise, knowledge, and research capabilities in a specific area of study. A Ph.D. usually lasts 4 years primarily focused on original, independent research. In TUS Faculty of Business and Hospitality, a Ph.D. can be taken part-time or full time. A part-time mode will offer some flexibility on timespan. Throughout the research, students are required to pass exams and defend their thesis in front of a committee of experts in their field. A Ph.D. is not just for academics – undertaking a PhD can add significant professional and personal development value to you and your employer.

Assessment:

Assessment on a Doctoral programme is rigorous and includes: Continuous Assessment on taught modules, Annual progression presentations, Transfer viva from Master’s to PHD between 18-24 months. A final viva voce examined by internal and external examiner(s). Examinations for Doctor of Philosophy in TUS consist of thesis: submitted before the end of the student registration period in the format indicated, and the Viva voce: for successful completion of a PhD qualification Candidates are assessed by at least two examiners after the thesis has been submitted. One examiner will be appointed internally in line with requirements and at least one independent external examiner will be appointed in line with requirements.

Careers:

The PhD programme in the Faculty of Business and Hospitality will open up a wide range of career opportunities, depending on your specific topic of study, your motivations, and your interests and skills. Some potential opportunities include:

• Academic careers: A PhD is often a requirement for lecturing and research roles in universities.
• Research positions: Many organisations, including private companies, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, hire PhDs for research positions.
These roles may involve conducting original research, analysing data, and developing new products or technologies.
• Consulting: PhDs with expertise in specific fields may work as consultants, advising businesses and organizations on topics related to their area of expertise.
• Entrepreneurship: PhDs may use their specialized knowledge to start their own businesses, particularly in fields such as science, engineering, and technology.
• Government and policy: Many government agencies and non-profit organizations require experts with advanced degrees to help shape policy decisions.
• Non-academic research roles: PhDs may work in research roles outside of academia, such as in think tanks, research institutes, or other organisations.

Other:

• Access to primary supervisor with expertise in the discipline and specific topic area
• Access to supervision panel from within TUS and beyond.
• Opportunities to publish, create research with impact
• A strong support network.
You will join a community of PhD students in the Faculty of Business and Hospitality.
• Shared office space with desk, IT equipment and access to specialist labs as required.
• The structured elements of this programme facilitate the student to develop his/her generic transferable skills, discipline specific competencies and attributes associated with a graduate who has completed a level 10 programme at TUS.
This structured element requires the student to complete a minimum of 15 ECTS credits in each year of study. A PhD student must complete a minimum of 50 ECTS credits by the end of Stage 3 of their programme of study; students have the option of completing a further up to 10 ECTS credits of study in stages 2 and 3, should they so wish.
• Persons whose prior experiential learning equips them adequately for entry to a master’s programme by research, including persons who have made a significant contribution in a field of study that falls within the ambit of disciplines catered for by TUS and whose contribution in their chosen field is evidenced by patents, publications, books, compositions, works of art, inventions or any other scholarly endeavours that may be deemed by TUS to be appropriate contributions to the particular field of study.
Persons who have a qualification other than a degree and who possess a substantial portfolio of industrial, artistic, commercial, laboratory, professional, teaching or research experience, usually developed over a period of not less than eight years, by virtue of which they could be deemed to be suitable entrants to a master’s research programme. Applicants who fall into any one of the categories listed shall be considered in the first instance at the Faculty Research Committee followed by a recommendation to the Graduate School Research Committee, and will be reviewed under the university’s accreditation of prior learning policy. Candidates approved under the process described in regulations will be required to register for, and complete successfully, a master’s qualifying programme prior to formal progression to research master’s studies. The format and requirement of the programme will be agreed by the Graduate School Research Committee on the advice of the Faculty Research Committee.
• Our current students are working on the below projects:
• MLOps Practices to Help Accelerate the Development of Machine Learning Software Products: Reducing Related Risks for Small- and Medium-sized Businesses
• A pedagogical framework for skills-based training using XR technologies in an applied learning context
• Digital advantage framework for growth and competitiveness in small and medium enterprises