DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHD) IN BUSINESS

Our Doctor of Philosophy in Business is specifically designed for individuals who aspire to acquire advanced research skills and explore scientific knowledge in various functional areas of business. We provide you with the opportunity to cultivate expansive intellectual thinking, enhancing the body of knowledge in business disciplines such as entrepreneurship, human capital, financial economics, investment, supply chain, marketing, and managerial leadership.

As a doctoral student in our programme, you will have the freedom to delve deep into your chosen research area. We believe in empowering you to contribute to the advancement of business knowledge through rigorous research, critical analysis, and the generation of new insights. To ensure quality supervision, only a select number of students are admitted each intake. We recommend applying early to join our impactful community of research professionals.

Duration

3 to 6-year (Full Time)4 to 8-year (Part Time)

Study options

Full Time or Part Time

As a doctoral student in business, you will embark on a research journey that will deepen your understanding of the field and make significant contributions to knowledge. Our programme is designed to provide you with a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment, allowing you to thrive as a researcher and innovator.

Duration

Full time

3 – 6 years 

Part time

4 – 8 years

Note: All information is subject to change. Readers are responsible for verifying information that pertains to them by contacting the university.

Research Methodology

In their first year, students must complete the following modules (totalling 6 credit hours): Research Method for Social Science and either Qualitative Research Methods or Quantitative Research Methods. 

Key Research Areas

At Taylor's University, we believe research can help shape the future. Our postgraduate research programmes cover a broad range of topics with the aim to help shape the future in the aspects of society, technology, economy, and environment.

Accounting

• Accounting Information Systems and Risk Management
• Corporate Governance
• Financial Reporting
• Market Based Accounting Research

Banking and Finance

• Corporate and Personal Finance
• Electronic Banking
• Financial Management
• Financial Reporting
• Islamic Finance
• Microfinance
• Money Laundering
   
• Productivity and Efficiency of Financial Institutions
• Risk Disclosure Practices of IPO and PLC
• Risk Management and Supervision of Financial Institution

Consumer Behaviour

• Customer Relationship Management
• Influence of Behaviour upon Society
• Personal Motivation
• Place and Space
• Tourist and Leisure Behaviour

Economics

• Business Economics
• Econometrics
• Energy Economics
• International Economics
• International Macroeconomics (Exchange Rate Management and East Asian Financial-Capital Market Integration)
• International Trade
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Statics
• Tourism Economics

Marketing

• International Marketing
• Services Marketing

Management

• Employment and Training Opportunities in South East Asia
• Entrepreneurship
• Environmental Management
• Human resource management
• Knowledge Management
• Poverty Alleviation via Tourism
• Real Estate Development
• Strategic Management
• Sustainable and Responsible Tourism
•  

Note: All information is subject to change. Readers are responsible for verifying information that pertains to them by contacting the university.
 

Hiring Graduate Students

More than 300 postgraduates have chosen Taylor's to fulfil their research aspiration. Join us and contribute to our innovative and progressive research projects here.

FUTURE CAREERS

When you've successfully completed this Doctor of Philosophy in Business programme, you could embark on any of these exciting careers, including:

• Financial Analyst
• Product Manager
• Economist
• Investment Fund Manager
• Statistician
• Corporate Treasurer
• Personal Financial Advisor
• Forensic Accountant
• Chartered Accountant

We offered two entry pathway for this PhD programme, which is normal mode and prior to publication mode. Our PhD by Prior Publication mode provides a unique pathway for you to achieve a Doctoral award based on your existing body of work. We recognise the value of your prior publications and include them as a significant part of your submission for the Doctoral award.

Normal Mode

You need to fulfil one of the requirements below: 

• Masters in the related discipline; OR
• Passed Bachelor's degree with min. CGPA 3.67 and Registered as a Masters candidate and passed related qualifying assessment OR
• Any other equivalent qualification recognized by Malaysian government or accepted by the Taylor's University Senate and any of condition of the above would require student's research proposal to be approved.

Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL)

The following criteria shall apply for working adults applying for Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL):

1. All applicants are subjected to appropriate APEL assessments conducted by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA)
2. The APEL provision is only to be applied to Malaysian nationalities

International Students

IELTS 6.5 (May join IEN preparatory course and achieve the IELTS score)

Accelerated PhD Programme

Bachelor's degree candidates who are registered for master's degree programmes may apply to convert to the doctoral degree programmes subjected to the following conditions:

• Within 1 year for full time and within 2 years for part-time candidates
• Having shown competency and capability in conducting research at doctoral level through rigorous internal evaluation
• Approval of the Taylor’s University Senate

If Your Bachelor Degree Are From Different Fields

• Students without a qualification in the related fields or relevant working experience requires to undergo and pass a bridging module.
• Students without a qualification in the related field but with relevant working experience requires to fulfil the following conditions:
  • CGPA above 2.50 must have at least one (1) year of relevant working experience; or
  • CGPA 2.00 to 2.50 must have at least five (5) years of relevant working experience;
• In addition, students will need to undergo a rigorous internal assessment

Note: All information is subject to change. Readers are responsible for verifying information that pertains to them by contacting the university.

STUDENT PASS / VISA REQUIREMENTS (INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS)

All international students who plan to study full-time in Malaysia are required to obtain a Student Pass (Student Visa) before starting their studies.

• You must receive an official Offer Letter from the university before applying for a student pass

• The university will submit your Student Pass application through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) on your behalf

• A Visa Approval Letter (VAL / eVAL) is required before travelling to Malaysia

• Studying on a tourist or social visit visa is not permitted

• Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months from your intended intake date

• Visa processing time depends on EMGS and Malaysian Immigration approval

• After arriving in Malaysia, all students must complete a medical check-up at an EMGS-registered clinic

• Your Student Pass will be issued only after medical clearance and document verification

• Continuing students must renew their Student Pass before it expires

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR STUDENT PASS APPLICATION

The following documents are commonly required for all international students:

• Valid passport (clear scanned copy of all pages, including blank pages)

• Passport-size photograph with a white background

• Official Offer Letter from the university

• Academic certificates and transcripts related to your programme

• English language proficiency certificate (IELTS / TOEFL or equivalent), if required

• Proof of acceptance or tuition fee payment (if requested by the university)

• Student Pass / Visa processing fee as determined by EMGS

• Completed EMGS Health Declaration Form (if applicable)

Please note: All documents not originally in English must be submitted together with certified English translations.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS (IF APPLICABLE)

Some students may be asked to provide extra documents depending on their situation:

• Release Letter and Visa Cancellation Letter (for students transferring from another institution in Malaysia)

• School Leaving Certificate (for foundation or diploma applicants)

• Sponsorship or Scholarship Letter (if your studies are funded)

• Proof of financial support to cover tuition fees and living expenses

• Statutory Declaration (if there are name differences across documents)

• Resume or Character Reference Letter (commonly required for applicants above 23 years old)

• Police Clearance Certificate (if requested by EMGS or embassy authorities)

• Copy of previous Malaysian visa or Resident Pass (if applicable)

AFTER ARRIVING IN MALAYSIA

Once you arrive in Malaysia, you will need to:

• Complete a medical examination at an EMGS-approved clinic

• Submit your passport for Student Pass endorsement

• Receive a temporary Special Pass (if applicable) while your Student Pass is being processed

• Collect your Student Pass and complete university registration

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• Student Pass requirements are set by Malaysian Immigration and EMGS and may vary by nationality
• The university’s International Office will guide you through each step of the process
• Students are strongly advised to prepare documents at least 2–3 months before intake
• Requirements may change, so always follow the latest instructions provided by the university