Doctoral studies at the Estonian Business School

EBS Doctoral Programme in Management is a unique, highly individualised double-track PhD programme, which focuses on real-world impact. Doctoral candidates are offered a choice between a classical academic research track and a NEW experimental applied track.

Application deadline:

EU & et*: August 1st, 2023

*inc. USA, Canada, Japan, Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and countries who do not need a visa to enter Estonia

Non-EU: May 1st, 2023

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EBS PhD Student Profiles

PhD in Management is divided into two main tracks:

  • a classical academic research track, focusing on theories, analyses and critical thinking in areas related to contemporary management, business and entrepreneurship related subjects;
  • an applied/experimental track, where research is directly combined with the development and implementation of real-life changes in organisations (private or public) or with the design and launch of new business or societal-impact ventures based on innovative product or service concepts.

Both main tracks include the possibility to uptake the desired Research Fellow study route. Learn more about the available Research Fellow positions for the academic year 2023/2024 here.

The EBS doctoral programme has three different student profiles:

PhD students concentrating only on their studies and research are called individual or independent PhD students. The requirements for enrolment as an individual student are the same as for research fellows, meaning you have to apply for a vacant PhD position.

Independent students have no additional teaching obligation, but they must pass the teaching internship which is a mandatory part in the curriculum. As an independent student, you do not have to apply for a vacant PhD position. You can, therefore, choose any research topic within the EBS research field.

PhD students from other institutions, who wish to spend a period of study at EBS, should contact the department they wish to visit. Individual agreements may be made on supervision, participation in courses and a workplace between the student and the department.

The research fellow will work in a research group with a specific research topic. These positions are financed either by EBS or external funding (or in a combination of both). The research fellow is thus employed by EBS but is also a student at EBS being enrolled in the PhD programme.

As an employee, a research fellow is provided with a workplace and a salary, and as a student, teaching and supervision. This scholarship and position include an obligation to contribute to teaching at EBS. The duration of the employment is four years according to the nominal PhD study period. Research fellow positions are limited and offered to exceptional PhD candidates with a similar vision to fit the EBS academic faculty.

Comparison of the Classical and Applied PhD tracks

  Classical Academic Track Applied & Experimental Track
Nominal duration 4 years
Volume of studies 240 ECTS
Language English
Study format Session based
Diploma PhD in Management
Thesis Independent thesis, a series of publications or a published monograph. Independent thesis, a series of publications, a published monograph or the development of an original prototype, design, regulation etc.
Tuition Fee €600/month (€7200/year); €600/month (€7200/year); separate pricing applies depending on the chosen direction of study.
Research Fellow positions available Yes Yes
Supervisor Academic Academic & Business world
Pedagogical internship 3 ECTS 3 ECTS
Core subjects 36 ECTS 12 ECTS
Special subjects 12 ECTS 21 ECTS
Doctoral seminars 9 ECTS 9 ECTS
Doctoral Thesis and related research 180 ECTS 180 ECTS
Applied concept preparation /validation/testing/feedback/adaptation - 15 ECTS
Target audience Postgraduate degree holders aiming to deepen their knowledge of organisational theories and society. Entrepreneurs or established organisations with an aim to solve a specific real-life organisational issue.
Application deadline May 1st (non-EU), August 1st, 2023 May 1st (non-EU) , August 1st, 2023