- Diploma
Doctor of Philosophy - Mode
Part-time (blended) - Course date
September 2026 - Duration
4 years
The part-time Executive PhD programme in Private Sector Development (preferably for emerging economies) allows working professionals and researchers with full-time or part-time jobs to combine their careers with obtaining a PhD. The programme equips you with the theory, skills, and methodologies crucial for addressing private sector challenges.
As the highest academic qualification, earning a PhD will enhance your career prospects in both business and academia. Whether you aspire senior leadership roles, a transition into academia, or becoming a recognised thought leader, this programme provides the knowledge and research capabilities to help you achieve your goals. In addition, you will make an original contribution to your field of interest by developing novel insights and practical solutions to contemporary management challenges.
The MSM Executive PhD programme emphasises empirical research, high ethical standards, and critical reflection, ensuring that your work meets academic rigor while having a real-world impact. Throughout your journey, you will benefit from the guidance of leading scholars and expert supervisors, who will support you in conducting research that is both theoretically robust and managerially relevant.
By joining the programme, you will become part of the stimulating and challenging research community of Maastricht University School of Business and Economics (SBE) and Maastricht School of Management (MSM).
Research focus
Within the Executive PhD programme, the PhD candidate’s research should focus on Private Sector Development, ideally within the context of emerging markets. Within this area topics may relate to the following themes:
"The flexibility offered by the MSM Executive PhD in Private Sector Development really suits what I was looking for. The programme gives me the ability to work and perform research simultaneously. The first on-campus days were great. The MSM team and the professors ensured that the onboarding was smooth. The cohort is very diverse and multicultural. We exchanged and discussed our research topics, that are all touching various interesting areas, be it in finance, entrepreneurship, technology or else. Embarking for a PhD is a great intellectual challenge, but I am sure very rewarding. I am really looking forward to this unique journey."
Jean-Christophe Nicaise (France) current candidate Executive PhD programme (intake 2)
Accreditation
Maastricht School of Management (MSM) is part of the Maastricht University School of Business and Economics (SBE). SBE has been awarded three prestigious accreditations, AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, resulting in what is known as the Triple Crown accreditation. Only 1% of business schools worldwide can boast this honour, many of which are SBE partner institutes.