Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD — Study Online from Bern, Switzerland
From your home in Bern, Switzerland, you can embark on the Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD, an exclusive partnership between the University of Gloucestershire and Robert Kennedy College. Designed for ambitious professionals who want to sharpen their research expertise and lead with insight, this programme blends academic rigour with practical relevance and empowers you to apply advanced theory with international reach—wherever your career takes you.
Maintain your work, family, and personal commitments while progressing toward a prestigious British award. Thanks to an innovative online learning model, you’ll study with a global community, draw on international examples, and develop a research toolkit you can immediately put to work in your organisation—all without leaving Bern.
Earn a British Degree Recognised Worldwide
A British award signals excellence, quality assurance, and global credibility. Graduating from this programme confers a respected academic credential that translates across borders and industries, supporting your mobility and long-term career growth.
Whether you aspire to progress in multinational companies, public institutions, NGOs, or entrepreneurial ventures, a British degree is a universally understood standard that enhances your professional profile and strengthens your influence with decision‑makers around the world.
Progress Fast: Complete 100% Online in 3–6 Months
Your time matters. With a focused curriculum and streamlined delivery, you can complete this programme 100% online in as little as 3–6 months—accelerating your development without putting your life on hold.
This pace allows you to capitalise on momentum: define a compelling research question, apply proven methods, and generate impactful findings that can be deployed in real projects right away.
No Fixed Logins: Study on Your Schedule
There are no mandatory live sessions, no fixed logins, and no prescribed time slots. You study when you are most productive—early morning before the city wakes, during a quiet afternoon, or in the evenings after work.
Asynchronous delivery means your learning is built around you. You can engage with materials, discussion boards, and assignments at times that align with your schedule, time zone, and responsibilities.
Learn Anywhere—Even Offline on Our Mobile App
Whether you’re commuting across Bern, taking a weekend break in the Alps, or travelling internationally, our mobile app keeps your learning continuous. Download study materials and watch lectures offline so your progress is never interrupted by a patchy connection.
This true study‑from‑anywhere flexibility lets you turn everyday moments into opportunities—review a methodology video on a train ride, annotate readings between meetings, or refine your research proposal while in transit.
Open‑Book Assessments That Reflect Real Work
Instead of traditional question/answer exams, you’ll engage in open‑book assessments that reward analysis, synthesis, and application. This mirrors how research and decision‑making happen in the real world: with access to sources, data, and frameworks—and the responsibility to use them wisely.
Open‑book assessments encourage deeper thinking and stronger writing. You’ll construct evidence‑based arguments, evaluate competing viewpoints, and demonstrate mastery by producing practical, defensible conclusions.
Learn from Faculty Educated at World‑Renowned Universities
Be guided by tutors and faculty who graduated from institutions such as Oxford, Harvard, EPFL, University of Basel, and Washington University in St. Louis. Their academic pedigree and international experience enrich your learning with contemporary perspectives and enduring scholarly standards.
Benefit from mentorship that is rigorous yet supportive. Your instructors will challenge your thinking, refine your methodology, and help you transform complex ideas into clear, actionable insights for your organisation.
Join a Truly Global Community
Collaborate with peers from more than 130 countries. This diversity of experience, sector knowledge, and cultural context multiplies your learning, giving you broader lenses for solving problems and more options for future collaborations and career moves.
Our alumni work at organisations such as Credit Suisse, Universite de Lausanne, Nestle, UBS, Chubb, Zurich, Novartis, Roche, International School of Central Switzerland, institut monte rosa, United Nations, Google, ICRC, The World Bank, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Tencent, Siemens, Sony.
Manageable Payments with up to 18 Interest‑Free Instalments
Invest confidently in your future. Our fees can be spread over as many as 18 interest‑free monthly instalments, allowing you to balance professional development with predictable budgeting.
This flexible approach helps you focus on learning and outcomes—building your research expertise and professional credibility—while keeping your cash flow steady.
Why This Programme Elevates Your Career in Bern
Bern is a hub for decision‑making, policy, and public value. With advanced research capabilities, you can contribute compelling evidence to guide strategy and innovation across government bodies, public agencies, and NGOs. From impact evaluations to data‑driven policy proposals, your research can help shape credible, measurable improvements in services and outcomes.
Healthcare, life sciences, and med‑tech networks are within easy reach—from university hospitals and biomedical initiatives to the broader Swiss pharma corridor. Your training in research design, ethics, and methodology equips you to participate in clinical, operational, or digital health projects—improving patient pathways, optimising resource allocation, and informing regulatory‑compliant innovation.
Bern’s economy also benefits from robust sectors in infrastructure, mobility, energy, and insurance. Apply your research to challenges such as sustainable energy transitions, risk modelling, AI governance, and service quality in transport and utilities. The ability to translate complex data into clear recommendations makes you an asset in organisations seeking resilience, efficiency, and responsible growth.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Your goals are within reach—without leaving Bern. Build the research mastery, international credibility, and strategic perspective that set leaders apart. Request our course catalogue and discover how this online programme can accelerate your next chapter.