Earning a Doctorate in Business Studies Practical, embedded and connected

Doctoral candidates working at the Lucerne School of Business generally investigate applied research questions in their dissertations. Through their work’s practical relevance and their close ties to the Swiss business world, they actively contribute to addressing some of the key challenges today.

Why take a doctoral degree?
On one hand, a doctorate allows for an in-depth exploration of a topic and for the systematic academic study and understanding of a discipline.

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On the other, it is a way to acquire skills that are not only of great value in an academic setting, but just as sought-after by companies. Specifically, they include interconnected and analytical thinking, developing innovative solutions, acquiring methodological knowledge and independent, self-organised work in a challenging project.

Why earn a doctorate through a university of applied sciences?
As a university of applied sciences, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts cannot itself award doctorates. However, many of our research associates and lecturers decide to combine studying for a doctorate and working for us.

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For the doctoral candidate, this creates the opportunity to simultaneously work on other applied research projects and, in some cases, gather initial teaching experience. There are multiple benefits:

  • Access to a broad network of experts in research and academia and of practice partners.
  • Combined benefits of doctoral supervision with its foundational research orientation and of studying issues of practical relevance on which universities of applied sciences typically focus.
  • Partial funding of your dissertation project through flexible, part-time employment.

What benefits does the Lucerne School of Business offer?

  • The School provides advice for the selection of a dissertation topic and helps candidates to find a suitable doctoral supervisor at a university (see also “Good to know”)
  • Thematic and methodological supervision of the dissertation project
  • Possibility of part-time work, field of activity permitting
  • Support in connecting the candidate with the scientific community and with the specialist public (participation in conferences and meetings, involvement in talks, publications, etc.)
  • Internal networking and exchange of experiences in specialist forums and other events held by the Institutes
  • Access to varied methodology courses and other programmes offered by the Campus Luzern cooperation project

Did this spark your interest? Learn more under “Good to know” and gain an overview of the various funding options. Profiles of several doctoral candidates illustrate the diversity of the paths towards a doctorate. Get in touch with us any time if you are interested in pursuing a doctorate or if you have any questions.

Which universities are our cooperation partners?
As a rule, the Lucerne School of Business will support any doctoral endeavour in association with a university that conducts research in a relevant field. The School already has cooperation agreements with the universities listed below:

  • Edinburgh Napier University: Napier recognises our lecturers as official supervisors, which means the doctorate and our School’s activities can be made to dovetail with each other perfectly.
  • Silpakorn University, Bankok: The MAS in International Management programme of the Lucerne School of Business offers an attractive entry point to the DBA programme of Silpacorn University (see “Admission requirements”). 

Further information
Talent promotion at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
DBA Doctor of Business Administration
Swissuniversities – Promoting Young Talent
Campus Luzern – Information about the doctorate
Earning a doctorate – guideline for doctoral candidates