Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD – Study Online from Schlieren, Switzerland

From your home in Schlieren, Switzerland, you can elevate your expertise with the Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD, delivered in exclusive partnership between the University of Gloucestershire and Robert Kennedy College. Designed for ambitious professionals, this programme blends scholarly depth with practical relevance, empowering you to design, conduct, and communicate research that drives meaningful impact.

Rooted in rigorous academic standards and built for real-world influence, the curriculum equips you with methodologies and frameworks that apply across borders and industries. While you continue to live and work in Schlieren, you’ll be connected to a global faculty and peer community—expanding your vision, sharpening your research craft, and accelerating your next career step.

Earn a British Award Respected Worldwide

Upon successful completion, you receive a British award from a university partner with a long-standing academic tradition, reflecting standards that are widely recognised internationally. This credibility helps your research profile stand out, whether you pursue senior roles in industry, public policy, education, or continue to doctoral-level inquiry.

A British academic credential signals quality, methodological rigor, and integrity—attributes valued by employers, research funders, and collaborators around the world. It’s a powerful addition to your professional narrative and a springboard for global opportunities.

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

The programme’s focused structure allows you to complete your studies entirely online in as little as 3–6 months. Progress through an intensive, outcomes-driven curriculum that hones your ability to define research problems, select appropriate methods, and produce work that is both robust and actionable.

Every learning activity is designed to help you move forward efficiently—without compromising academic depth. You’ll build a portfolio of research outputs and a refined proposal you can leverage immediately in your current role or as a launchpad for further doctoral study.

Truly Flexible: No Live Attendance Required

Your learning is fully asynchronous—there are no required online presence at specific times and dates. Set your own study rhythm around work, family, and life commitments, and engage with materials and faculty feedback when you’re most focused.

This flexibility empowers you to maintain momentum in your career while you study. You can plan your weeks strategically, investing concentrated time when it suits you best, while still benefitting from timely guidance and support.

Study Anywhere—Mobile App with Offline Access

Whether you’re at home in Schlieren, commuting into Zurich, or traveling abroad, you can keep learning through our mobile app. Download study materials, watch lectures offline, and annotate readings on the go—so progress never pauses.

The ability to learn anywhere turns everyday moments into meaningful study sessions. Your research ambitions fit seamlessly into your lifestyle, not the other way around.

Open-Book Assessments that Mirror Real Research

Instead of classical question/answer exams, you’ll complete open-book assessments that prioritize analysis, synthesis, and evidence-based argumentation. This format replicates the way research happens in the real world—where insight matters more than memorization.

You’ll demonstrate mastery by locating, critiquing, and applying sources to build persuasive, ethical, and useful knowledge. It’s a direct rehearsal for the tasks leaders face when shaping policy, strategy, or innovation agendas.

World-Class Faculty and Mentors

Learn from tutors and faculty who graduated from world-renowned institutions such as Oxford, Harvard, EPFL, University of Basel, and Washington University in St. Louis. Their diverse academic and professional experiences translate into informed guidance and nuanced feedback on your work.

Beyond credentials, you’ll gain mentors who understand how to translate rigorous research into real impact. Expect challenging conversations, practical insights, and a supportive environment that stretches your thinking.

A Truly Global Network

Join a diverse student base from over 130 countries—an international cohort that brings multiple perspectives, cross-cultural understanding, and sector-spanning experience into every discussion. This richness accelerates your growth as a researcher and broadens your professional horizons.

Our alumni contribute to and work with leading organisations worldwide, including Universite de Lausanne, Nestle, UBS, Chubb, Zurich, Novartis, Roche, International School of Central Switzerland, institut monte rosa, Institut Florimont, United Nations, Google, ICRC, The World Bank, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Tencent, Siemens, Sony.

Manageable Tuition with Interest-Free Instalments

We believe access to top-tier education should be achievable for working professionals. That’s why our fees can be paid in up to 18 monthly interest-free instalments, helping you invest confidently in your future without disrupting your present.

This approach lets you align your educational investment with your cash flow, making it easier to start now, keep momentum, and graduate sooner.

Why Professionals in Schlieren, Switzerland Thrive with This Programme

Schlieren is a dynamic node in the Greater Zurich Area’s innovation ecosystem, home to thriving biotech and medtech initiatives. The programme’s advanced research methods and critical inquiry skills equip professionals to contribute to evidence-driven projects—whether in translational research, data-rich health contexts, or product validation—supporting the region’s commitment to quality and innovation.

With a strong start-up culture across digital, AI, and deep-tech ventures, Schlieren professionals benefit from a toolkit that strengthens market research, user insights, and experimentation. You’ll learn to design robust studies, interpret complex data, and translate findings into strategic recommendations—capabilities that accelerate growth and de-risk innovation.

Proximity to Zurich’s finance, insurance, and industrial clusters also opens pathways where rigorous research leadership is essential—think risk analysis, sustainability reporting, operations optimisation, and policy evaluation. The programme empowers you to take on cross-functional challenges, bridging technical depth with executive-level communication and decision-making.

Take Your Next Step

Your research can shape ideas, industries, and communities—starting right where you live. If you’re ready to lead with evidence, clarity, and purpose, we’re ready to support you every step of the way. Request our course catalogue and begin your journey today.