Text announcement for a Ph.D. program in International Business, titled 'Doctor of Philosophy in International Business' and 'Ph.D. Program'.

Text with the name 'FranklinHudson' and the title 'Doctor of Philosophy in International Business'

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Deepen your understanding of how management is practiced and interpreted in diverse organizations, sectors, and cultures across the globe.

Refine your teaching and research skills to inspire new thinking in your area of expertise while learning from faculty members who’ve earned worldwide acclaim for their applied research.

Study toward one doctoral degree in international business on five continents.

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Whether you're an experienced business executive seeking to shape and inspire future leaders or an innovative teacher and researcher aspiring to leave a mark in your field of study, our Ph.D. program is tailored to your ambitions.

With a dynamic mix of online courses that offer flexibility to accommodate your busy schedule and international course locations that immerse you in diverse cultural perspectives, our executive self-paced Ph.D. provides the perfect platform for you to give back to the business community and embark on a rewarding journey of career advancement and academic exploration.

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Tuition Fees & Scholarships

CUSTOMIZE YOUR PROGRAM WITH A MIX OF
INTERNATIONAL IN-PERSON COURSES AND ONLINE COURSES
The Ph.D. program at Franklin Hudson offers a unique opportunity for students to study in diverse international locations including Paris, New York, Shanghai, New Delhi, São Paulo, and Cape Town, enriching their academic experience and global perspectives.
Additionally, with a strong emphasis on flexibility, the program offers a mix of online courses that empower students to tailor their studies to their busy schedules while benefiting from our school's renowned expertise.
ADAPT YOUR PROGRAM TIMELINE TO YOUR SCHEDULE
The Ph.D. program is self-paced, allowing students to tailor their studies according to their individual needs and commitments.
While the program is typically completed in 4-5 years, students have the flexibility to extend their studies up to a maximum duration of 7 years.
This unique approach ensures that working professionals can strike a balance between their academic pursuits and their professional responsibilities, empowering them to pursue their doctoral journey at their own pace while achieving academic excellence.
MADE FOR WORKING EXECUTIVES
To be considered for the Ph.D. program at Franklin Hudson, candidates should have completed a master's-level program and possess an average of 10 years' senior management experience.
Proficiency in both written and spoken English is essential for successful participation in the program.
If you don't meet these specific requirements, we encourage you to reach out to our Admissions Team to explore alternative options and discuss how we can best support your academic and professional aspirations.
BECOME AN EXPERT IN YOUR FIELD
The Ph.D. program offers five different specializations:
- International Business: Delve into the intricacies of global markets and develop a deep understanding of international business practices, equipping yourself with the expertise to navigate the complexities of a rapidly evolving world.
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Nurture your entrepreneurial spirit and explore innovative approaches to business growth and development, empowering yourself to create and lead transformative ventures.
- Finance: Master the dynamics of financial markets and strategic decision-making, honing your financial acumen to drive business success and create value in dynamic economic landscapes.
- Global Leadership: Cultivate effective leadership strategies and discover the art of inspiring and guiding teams to achieve exceptional results, empowering you to become a transformational leader across diverse industries.
- Strategic Technology Management: Stay at the forefront of technological advancements and learn to harness digital innovations strategically, gaining a competitive edge in the ever-evolving landscape of technology-driven business.

The PhD attracts highly experienced professionals, with 80.6% aged 40 and above, creating a doctoral environment grounded in senior leadership experience and real-world expertise.

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The PhD cohort reflects strong female representation in a doctoral business program, with 39.3% women, significantly higher than in traditional PhD programs, which remain predominantly male.

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The PhD cohort is composed of senior decision-makers and subject-matter experts, with over 67% at director level or above, reinforcing the program’s focus on high-impact research and thought leadership.

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The PhD cohort combines strong academic and executive expertise, with leaders from finance, education, technology, and consulting, supporting rigorous research grounded in real organizational challenges.

PhD participants combine academic and professional leadership experience, with many serving as professors, senior lecturers, directors, consultants, and senior executives.

Their backgrounds span higher education, consulting, finance, government, technology, and healthcare, creating a research-focused cohort grounded in real-world expertise and academic rigor.

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“We aim to stay at the forefront of management education and support the next generation of leaders ready to shape the future of business, policy, and academia.”

— Prof. Tobias de Coning,
Dean & Chair of the Global Academic Council

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The Franklin Hudson PhD is led by Prof. Tobias de Coning, Dean, an experienced academic and international higher-education leader with more than 50 years of experience. An Emeritus Professor from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, where he previously served as Chief Director for Strategic Initiatives and Human Resources, Professor de Coning brings deep expertise in strategic management, entrepreneurship, and human resources, with a particular focus on emerging markets and international business strategy.

He has been part of Franklin Hudson since 2015 and has served as Dean since 2022, providing academic leadership and oversight for doctoral education. A visiting professor at institutions including Coventry University, Anglia Ruskin University, and EM Strasbourg, he also collaborates with international organizations such as the Association of African Universities. With extensive experience in doctoral supervision and global academic engagement, Professor de Coning provides strong scholarly leadership for the Franklin Hudson PhD.

PHASE I - COURSEWORK
- Complete all the required research courses (8 credits: Advanced Academic Writing & Literature Review, Statistical Analysis, Research Methods, and Advanced Qualitative Research Methods OR Advanced Quantitative Research Methods) - these courses are offered all year-long online.
- Complete at least half of the multidisciplinary and specialization courses (9 credits minimum) online, in Paris, New York or at any of our other rotating international locations (Cape Town, São Paulo, Tokyo, Singapore etc.).
Estimated completion time of Phase 1: 18 months to 3 years (2 years on average)
PHASE II - DISSERTATION PROPOSAL
- Dissertation proposal tutorial (5 credits): one-on-one sessions and collective research clinics to craft a dissertation proposal.
- Hold your proposal hearing and have a dedicated dissertation chair appointed to your dissertation.
- Complete the remaining multidisciplinary and specialization courses and pass your mandatory Comp Exams (2 credits) - official transition from doctoral student status to doctoral candidate status.
Estimated completion time of Phase 2: 6 to 18 months (average of one year)
PHASE III - DOCTORAL RESEARCH
- Official dissertation phase (25 credits): conduct your supervised research with your dissertation chair and attend the monthly online Dean’s dissertation workshops to discuss with your fellow doctoral candidates.
- Complete your teaching or publication requirement (10 credits).
- Hold your final defense with your dissertation committee and then submit your revisions. In order to get distinction on your dissertation, submit the first draft of an academic article based on your research.
Estimated completion time of Phase 3: 6 to 18 months (average of one year)

Request the full program overview

Academic & Financial Essentials

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
During the program, each candidate must:
- Accumulate a total of 68 US credits (116 ECTS equivalent)
- Complete 18 multidisciplinary business course credits
- Complete 8 research methods course credits
- Validate the teaching or publication requirement
- Pass the Comp Exams
- Successfully complete a doctoral dissertation under the close supervision of an assigned dissertation chair
TUITION FEES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

The total tuition fees for our PhD program, encompassing all online and international course options - spanning the entirety of your academic journey from commencement to completion - is 78 250€.
We're committed to ensuring accessibility to our program. Scholarships are available, and we offer payment plans designed to help you manage the investment in your education. Learn more about your financial options here.

Admissions & Scholarships

“The flexibility that this Ph.D. offers is truly unparalleled. The ability to seamlessly transition between regular lectures and distance-based learning is yet another advantage.”

— David Mygind, Ph.D. Alumnus from Denmark

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Accreditation & Recognition

All programs are fully accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), a leading specialized accreditation body for business education supporting, celebrating, and rewarding teaching excellence and student learning outcomes.
Our institution has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education (CHEA) in the United States.
Franklin Hudson has received institutional accreditation from the ATHEA Board of Commissioners for the Association for Transnational Higher Education Accreditation (ATHEA), based on the European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance (ESG), which is required for recognition by the European Quality Assurance Register in Higher Education (EQAR).
Franklin Hudson is registered as a private establishment of higher education in France with an official status from the French Ministry of Education: Établissement d'enseignement supérieur privé technique. Our International MBA, DBA and PhD programs are recognized as higher education programs.
Franklin Hudson — ISM programs are all listed on the CHEA database through its programmatic accreditations, which are recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in the United States.
This status confirms that our degree programs meet established U.S. quality assurance standards, thereby strengthening our international credibility and supporting the global recognition of our qualifications.