Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD — Study Online from Bengaluru, India

Imagine elevating your career and your impact on the world without leaving Bengaluru. With the Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD, delivered in exclusive partnership between the University of Gloucestershire and Robert Kennedy College, you can study at a truly international standard while remaining rooted in your life and work. Designed for ambitious professionals, this programme blends rigorous research training with practical, globally applicable insights—helping you move decisively toward your academic and leadership goals.

From your home or office in Bengaluru, you’ll connect with a global community of scholars and practitioners, gain advanced research competencies, and build the confidence to tackle complex, real-world questions. Every element of the learning journey is optimised for working professionals: flexible schedules, digital-first resources, and a learning model that respects your experience while propelling you to your next chapter.

Awarded a British degree recognised internationally

Earn a respected British credential that carries weight across continents. The University of Gloucestershire is part of the UK’s renowned higher education system, and completing this programme signals to employers, partners, and fellow academics that your work meets rigorous global standards. Whether you aspire to executive leadership, consultancy, entrepreneurship, or a future in academia, this recognition amplifies your credibility.

As your career evolves—across roles, sectors, or borders—your British award travels with you. It speaks a universal language of quality, scholarly integrity, and professional excellence, opening doors to international opportunities, collaborative research, and higher-level responsibilities wherever your ambitions take you.

Accelerated and 100% online: complete in as little as 3–6 months

Designed for momentum, the programme can be completed fully online in as little as 3–6 months, empowering you to realise your goals on a timeline that fits your life. Every module is structured to help you master concepts efficiently, demonstrate applied understanding, and move steadily from insight to impact.

Because time is your most valuable asset, the learning experience is streamlined and purposeful. You focus on what matters—developing advanced research capability, sharpening your analytical thinking, and producing outcomes that are relevant to your professional journey—without unnecessary delays or commutes.

No mandatory live attendance: study on your schedule

Your workdays can be dynamic, and your study plan should be too. With no requirement to be online at specific times or dates, you retain full control over when and how you learn. Early mornings, late evenings, mid-commute, or between meetings—your study rhythm is entirely your own.

This flexibility empowers you to sustain performance at work and at home while still advancing academically. You’ll engage with lectures, readings, and assessments when you’re at your best—maximising focus, retention, and satisfaction without sacrificing personal or professional commitments.

Learn anywhere—even offline—with our mobile app

Whether you’re at a Bengaluru coworking space, on-site with a client, or traveling, your campus is in your pocket. Our mobile app lets you download study materials and watch lectures offline, so patchy connections or busy travel schedules never slow your progress.

This anywhere, anytime access means your learning adapts to your life—not the other way around. Seamlessly transition between devices, capture notes on the go, and keep your momentum strong no matter where work or life takes you.

Open-book assessments that mirror real research practice

Instead of conventional question-and-answer exams, you’ll complete open-book assessments that reflect how professionals and researchers actually work: consulting sources, synthesising evidence, and crafting reasoned, data-informed conclusions. This approach rewards depth of understanding, critical thinking, and the ability to apply theory to practice.

Open-book does not mean easier; it means more authentic. You’ll learn to frame complex problems, evaluate literature and data with precision, and produce work you’d be proud to present to peers, boards, or publication outlets—skills that translate directly into executive and research roles.

Guided by faculty with elite academic pedigrees

Learn from tutors and faculty who have graduated from world-renowned universities—among them Oxford, Harvard, EPFL, the University of Basel, and Washington University in St. Louis. Their mentorship blends academic excellence with real-world insight, helping you connect advanced theory to meaningful outcomes.

Beyond credentials, you’ll value their responsiveness and perspective. They understand the pressures on working professionals, and they’ll challenge you to sharpen your arguments, elevate your methodology, and raise the standard of your scholarly and professional contributions.

A truly global cohort and alumni impact

Join a diverse, energising learning network of professionals from 130+ countries. The dialogue you’ll encounter—spanning sectors, cultures, and disciplines—broadens your worldview and enhances your capacity to lead across borders. In group discussions and collaborative tasks, you’ll gain new lenses on familiar challenges and forge connections that outlast graduation.

Our alumni are making a difference at leading organisations worldwide—including Accenture, United Nations, Google, ICRC, The World Bank, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Tencent, Siemens, and Sony. Their trajectories demonstrate the programme’s practical value and the global currency of a British academic award.

Flexible financing: spread your fees over up to 18 months interest-free

Invest confidently in your development with a payment plan designed for professionals. You can spread your costs across up to 18 monthly interest-free instalments, aligning tuition with your cash flow and reducing financial pressure during your studies.

This flexibility lets you prioritise learning outcomes and career growth while managing commitments at work and home. It’s a practical path to a world-class qualification—without compromising your financial rhythm.

Why this programme makes sense in Bengaluru, India

In India’s innovation powerhouse, research-driven leaders are in constant demand. Bengaluru’s technology ecosystem—spanning software, AI/ML, cloud, and deep tech—rewards professionals who can design robust studies, interrogate data ethically, and translate complex findings into products, policies, and strategies. The advanced research skills you’ll gain here can elevate your impact in roles across product development, strategy, policy, and R&D leadership.

Beyond tech, Bengaluru’s vibrant startup and venture landscape thrives on credible evidence, methodical experimentation, and clear narratives. With the programme’s focus on rigorous, internationally applicable research methods, you’ll be equipped to validate business models, assess market dynamics, and publish insight-rich white papers or thought leadership that shapes investor, customer, and regulator confidence.

In fast-growing sectors such as health-tech, fintech, edtech, and advanced manufacturing, the ability to frame problems precisely, structure inquiries, and communicate findings clearly can differentiate you as a leader. Whether you aspire to scale a startup, steer corporate transformation, or progress toward a research-intensive career, your toolkit from this programme will help you build durable, evidence-based advantage in Bengaluru’s globally connected economy.

Your next step

If you’re ready to advance with an internationally recognised British qualification—without pausing your life in Bengaluru—this is your moment. Strengthen your research capabilities, grow your global network, and open new doors across industry and academia.

Request our course catalogue to receive full details on modules, schedules, and the application process, and to see how the Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD can help you move further, faster—right from where you are.