Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD — Study Online from Korea (South)

Imagine shaping the future of your field while living in Korea (South), progressing toward a prestigious research credential that opens doors around the world. Delivered in exclusive partnership between the University of Gloucestershire and Robert Kennedy College, the Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD equips you with advanced research capability, the intellectual confidence to lead complex projects, and a globally credible academic pathway. Its rigorous, internationally applicable theory and methods empower you to create knowledge that travels across borders, industries, and cultures.

Designed for ambitious professionals, innovators, and senior leaders, this programme blends academic depth with practical relevance. You will learn to frame questions that matter, design and conduct research with integrity, and communicate findings with clarity—skills that immediately enhance your impact in any organisation and prepare you for doctoral-level inquiry. All of this can be achieved from where you are now—without uprooting your life—through a flexible, fully online learning experience.

A British Award Recognised Worldwide

When you pursue this programme, you pursue more than learning—you earn a British award from a respected university, recognised internationally by employers, universities, and professional bodies. That recognition signals academic rigour, methodological discipline, and the capacity to generate reliable, decision-ready insights. It also provides a clear, trusted benchmark of quality to stakeholders across continents.

In a global marketplace, the credibility of a British qualification is a strategic asset. It enhances your professional profile for cross-border roles, strengthens proposals and pitches, and gives confidence to partners and clients. Whether your next step is a senior corporate role, consultancy, entrepreneurship, or a doctoral path, your award carries weight wherever your career leads.

Finish in as Little as 3–6 Months, 100% Online

Your time is precious. This intensive, outcome-focused programme is structured so you can complete it fully online in as little as 3–6 months. Concentrated learning cycles and clearly defined milestones help you build momentum, demonstrate mastery, and translate your new capabilities into measurable results at work—fast.

Because the programme is fully online, you avoid commuting, visa requirements, and relocation costs. Every module, resource, and academic support service is delivered through an advanced virtual campus designed to streamline your study and keep your progress visible and on track.

Your Schedule, Your Pace—No Live Attendance Required

There are no mandatory live sessions at fixed times and dates, so you can plan your studies around professional, family, and travel commitments. Progress through lectures, readings, and activities when your schedule allows, adjusting your weekly workload as needed while still meeting clear deadlines.

This autonomy mirrors the way research is conducted in the real world: self-directed, milestone-driven, and focused on outcomes. You will build the habits of independent inquiry and disciplined time management that are essential for advanced research and leadership roles.

Learn Anywhere, Even Offline with Our Mobile App

Study from anywhere in the world—including on the move—using our mobile learning app. Download study materials and lectures when you are connected, then access them offline whenever it suits you. Whether you are commuting across Seoul, visiting clients, or travelling internationally, your studies travel seamlessly with you.

This portability ensures continuity. It keeps you engaged, reduces downtime, and helps you turn small moments into significant progress. Your learning environment adapts to your life, not the other way around.

Open-Book Assessments That Mirror Real Research Practice

Instead of classical question/answer exams, you will complete open-book assessments that prioritise analysis, synthesis, and application. These tasks reflect the realities of advanced research and leadership—where what matters most is not memorisation, but the ability to design robust methods, interpret evidence, and communicate implications for practice and policy.

This assessment approach rewards critical thinking and originality. It challenges you to integrate theory with data, demonstrate ethical reasoning, and defend your conclusions—competencies that carry directly into doctoral study and high-stakes decision-making contexts.

Learn from Faculty Educated at World-Renowned Universities

You will be supported by tutors and faculty who have graduated from leading institutions such as Oxford, Harvard, EPFL, University of Basel, and Washington University in St. Louis. They bring both scholarly depth and hands-on experience, guiding you with nuanced feedback and mentorship that accelerates your growth.

Their international backgrounds enrich your learning with comparative perspectives, diverse methodologies, and an understanding of how research shapes industries and societies. They teach you to ask sharper questions, choose appropriate methods, and articulate insights that stakeholders can trust.

Join a Truly Global Cohort and Alumni Network

Study alongside a diverse student body from over 130 countries. Your peers bring experience from public, private, and nonprofit sectors, providing a living laboratory of ideas and case studies. Discussion becomes discovery; collaboration becomes a bridge to new markets and opportunities.

Our alumni work for international organisations including AIA, Hyundai, United Nations, Google, ICRC, The World Bank, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Tencent, Siemens, Sony.

Flexible fees in Up to 18 Interest‑Free Monthly Instalments

Investing in your future should be clear and manageable. That is why the programme’s fees can be spread over up to 18 monthly interest‑free instalments, helping you balance your professional and personal commitments while advancing your qualifications.

This flexible approach allows you to maintain cash flow and plan confidently, enabling you to focus on learning and performance rather than financial complexity. No hidden commitments—just a straightforward path to an internationally respected research credential.

Why This Programme Matters for Professionals in Korea (South)

Korea’s globally competitive sectors—semiconductors and electronics, automotive and mobility, energy transition technologies, and advanced manufacturing—are driven by data, design thinking, and disciplined experimentation. With advanced research training, you can lead R&D initiatives, validate product-market fit, and translate complex findings into reliable strategic decisions that improve speed to market and reduce risk.

As organisations across Korea (South) expand regionally and worldwide, they need leaders who can frame the right questions, navigate uncertainty, and communicate evidence with clarity. The Executive Diploma strengthens your capability to design rigorous studies, assess emerging technologies (AI, 5G/6G, robotics, biotech), and build business cases that withstand global scrutiny—skills that accelerate promotion, cross-functional influence, and board-level trust.

Beyond corporate roles, the programme opens doors to policy and think-tank work, university–industry collaboration, and innovation ecosystems. Whether you aim to lead transformation inside a chaebol, drive scale-up growth in a startup, or guide investment and impact decisions, your ability to generate and apply high-quality research will distinguish you in Korea’s fast-evolving economy and position you for doctoral progression.

Take the Next Step

Your research journey can start today—from Korea (South), on your schedule, with world-class academic support and a truly international network. Elevate your expertise, expand your influence, and move confidently toward doctoral-level achievement. Request our course catalogue to explore modules, structure, and next start dates.