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

Transform your ambition into impact without pausing your life in India. The Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD empowers you to build advanced research expertise, sharpen your scholarly voice, and open doors to global leadership—all from the comfort of your home or while you travel.

Delivered in exclusive partnership between the University of Gloucestershire and Robert Kennedy College, this online programme blends rigorous academic guidance with the flexibility demanded by working professionals. Whether you lead teams, advise clients, run a startup, or aim for doctoral research and academic publication, you will gain the tools and confidence to elevate your thinking and your career trajectory.

Awards a British degree which is recognised internationally

Your achievement is amplified by the credibility of a British degree—respected by employers, institutions, and professional bodies around the world. This global recognition signals mastery of advanced research skills, critical analysis, and ethical scholarship, positioning you for senior roles, influential projects, and cross-border collaborations.

With the University of Gloucestershire as awarding institution, your academic journey culminates in an internationally recognised credential that communicates quality, relevance, and rigour. It’s an investment that travels with you—across industries, continents, and career stages.

Can be completed 100% online in as little as 3–6 months

Momentum matters. The programme is structured so you can progress with focus and complete your diploma in as little as 3–6 months, enabling you to translate learning into results quickly. Build a research proposal, deepen your methodological toolbox, and accelerate toward your doctoral or executive research goals on a clear, time-efficient path.

Every element—from guided readings to tutor feedback—has been designed for speed without compromise on depth. You gain a powerful head start toward advanced research practice and PhD readiness while maintaining your professional and personal commitments.

Does not require online presence at specific times and dates

Your schedule is the schedule. There are no mandatory live sessions or fixed attendance windows, so you can study at the times that work best for you—before the workday begins, during a quiet evening, or over the weekend.

Asynchronous learning lets you pause, reflect, and return to complex ideas at your own pace. It’s an environment built for busy professionals who value autonomy and prefer to learn deeply rather than rush through fixed timetables.

Study anywhere—even on the move—with our mobile app and offline learning

Learning adapts to your life, not the other way around. Whether you’re at home, at the office, on the road, or between meetings, you can access your modules seamlessly. Our mobile app allows you to download study materials and lectures to watch offline—ideal for commutes, flights, and those moments when inspiration strikes.

Study is never more than a tap away. Read, annotate, and reflect wherever you are. Your progress syncs across devices, keeping your learning flow steady and uninterrupted.

Open-book assessments that reflect real-world research practice

Instead of classical question/answer exams, you will complete open-book assessments that value critical thinking, synthesis, and practical application. This approach mirrors how research is done in the real world—drawing on literature, evaluating evidence, and presenting reasoned conclusions.

Open-book assessments encourage you to engage deeply with scholarly sources, refine your academic voice, and strengthen your ability to justify decisions—skills that translate directly into executive problem-solving and doctoral-level research.

Guided by faculty with pedigrees from world-renowned universities

Learn from tutors who graduated from globally respected institutions, including Oxford, Harvard, EPFL, the University of Basel, and Washington University in St. Louis. Their collective experience spans research, industry consulting, and doctoral supervision—bringing you nuanced perspectives and actionable insights.

This mentorship accelerates your growth as a researcher. You’ll receive constructive feedback on your proposals and writing, strategic guidance on methodologies, and practical advice on navigating publication, doctoral progression, and real-world impact.

A global classroom spanning 130+ countries—with alumni at world-leading organisations

Join a truly international community of scholars and professionals from over 130 countries. Our alumni have gone on to roles in organisations such as Accenture, United Nations, Google, ICRC, The World Bank, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Tencent, Siemens, Sony—expanding your global network and opening doors to collaboration.

In this diverse environment, you learn alongside leaders from technology, consulting, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and social impact. The conversations you have, the projects you pursue, and the peer feedback you receive will enrich your practice and broaden your worldview.

Flexible tuition with up to 18 monthly interest-free instalments

Advance your education on a plan that supports your cash flow. Our fees can be spread across up to 18 monthly interest-free instalments, making a world-class learning experience more accessible to working professionals.

This flexibility helps you align investment with career milestones and income cycles, so you can progress confidently—without postponing your goals.

Why this programme is a powerful catalyst for professionals in India

Technology and digital transformation: India’s leadership in IT, analytics, AI, SaaS, and startups demands professionals who can transform data into decisions. Advanced research training equips you to frame the right questions, validate solutions, and communicate with clarity—whether you’re shaping product strategy, driving customer insights, or scaling platforms. Your ability to design rigorous studies, analyse complex datasets, and author publication‑ready reports positions you for senior roles across IT services, product companies, and digital consultancies.

Healthcare, pharma, and life sciences: From clinical research to healthtech, India’s fast-growing ecosystem values professionals who can evaluate evidence, ensure compliance, and translate findings into better outcomes. Your training in research design, ethics, and literature review enhances your credibility with cross-functional teams—from R&D to policy, quality, and market access. It also strengthens your path to roles that interface with international research standards, journals, and regulatory frameworks.

Policy, consulting, and corporate strategy: India’s dynamic landscape in infrastructure, energy, banking, and public services needs leaders who can separate signal from noise. The programme’s emphasis on methodological rigour, critical analysis, and stakeholder-ready communication prepares you to influence strategy, craft evidence‑based recommendations, and lead transformative initiatives. Whether in management consulting, impact evaluation, CSR, or think tanks, you’ll be ready to frame problems precisely and deliver defensible conclusions.

Ready to take the next step?

Bring your ambition, your questions, and your aspirations—we’ll help you turn them into scholarly output, professional growth, and global opportunities. Start your journey today and discover how far your research can take you from India.

Request our course catalogue and explore the curriculum, timelines, and pathways that align with your goals.