Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD – Study from Gambia

Transform your ambitions into globally relevant expertise with the Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD, delivered online in exclusive partnership between the University of Gloucestershire and Robert Kennedy College. If you reside in Gambia, you can advance your academic journey without relocating—gaining the intellectual rigor, research mastery, and international credibility to shape impactful decisions across sectors and borders.

This programme is designed for working professionals and aspiring scholar-practitioners who want a purpose-driven path to advanced research capability. Its theory and frameworks are internationally applicable, empowering you to innovate, publish, and influence policy and practice wherever your career takes you—all while continuing to live and work in Gambia.

Earn a British Degree Recognised Internationally

Stand out with a British qualification conferred by a respected UK university. The degree you earn carries the weight of the British higher education tradition—synonymous with academic depth, rigorous standards, and a strong global reputation that travels with you throughout your career.

From public institutions and NGOs to multinational companies, employers around the world value the portability and credibility of a British degree. As a graduate, you signal that your research meets internationally benchmarked standards—opening doors to opportunities across continents.

Complete 100% Online in as Little as 3–6 Months

Accelerate your progress without compromising quality. The Executive Diploma component can be completed 100% online in as little as 3–6 months, enabling you to gain an advanced credential rapidly while balancing professional and personal commitments.

This efficient timeline gives you momentum. Whether you are building toward doctoral-level research or seeking to elevate your analytical profile, you can achieve tangible milestones quickly—and translate learning into impact in real time.

No Mandatory Live Attendance

Your schedule is unique—and your education should respect that. There are no requirements to be online at specific times or dates, allowing you to engage with lectures, readings, and assignments when you are most focused and available.

This flexibility empowers you to design study rhythms that align with your work, family, and travel commitments. You remain fully supported, yet completely in control of your timetable.

Study Anywhere—with a Mobile App and Offline Access

Take your classroom wherever life takes you. You can study from anywhere in the world—even while on the move—using our mobile app, which lets you download study materials and watch lectures offline. Commutes, work trips, or quiet evenings become opportunities for progress.

Offline access means unreliable connectivity never slows you down. Whether you are in Banjul, Brikama, or on the road, your research journey remains uninterrupted and consistently productive.

Open-Book Assessments that Reflect Real-World Research

Rather than traditional question-and-answer exams, you will engage in open-book assessments that reward depth of understanding, evidence-based reasoning, and real-world application. This format mirrors how researchers and leaders actually solve problems—using sources, synthesising insights, and defending well-structured arguments.

Open-book assessments encourage you to demonstrate mastery, not memorisation. You will learn to marshal literature, construct rigorous methodologies, and present findings with clarity—skills that travel seamlessly from academia into practice.

World-Class Faculty Backgrounds

Learn with guidance from experienced academics and practitioners whose credentials include degrees from world-renowned institutions such as Oxford, Harvard, EPFL, the University of Basel, and Washington University in St. Louis. Their diverse expertise brings you a rich ecosystem of perspectives and high standards.

With mentors who have navigated elite research environments, you will receive constructive, actionable feedback. Their insights help you refine your research questions, sharpen your methods, and expand your scholarly voice.

A Diverse Global Cohort

Join a vibrant community of professionals representing more than 130 countries. This diversity deepens dialogue, broadens your network, and exposes you to perspectives from every region—a powerful advantage for globally minded research and leadership.

Our alumni work for international organisations such as the United Nations, Google, ICRC, The World Bank, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Tencent, Siemens, and Sony—proof that this learning journey can resonate across sectors and geographies.

Flexible Payment Over Time

Invest in your future with predictable, manageable payments. Our fees can be paid in up to 18 monthly interest-free instalments, helping you budget with confidence while you study.

This flexibility ensures that your educational goals remain within reach, enabling you to focus on learning and research rather than financial strain as you advance your credentials.

Why This Programme Matters for Professionals in Gambia

Gambia’s growth trajectory relies on evidence-based decision-making across public administration, health, education, and development initiatives. Advanced research skills empower professionals to design robust studies, interpret data responsibly, and influence policy with clarity. With tools for literature review, methodology design, data analysis, and dissemination, you can elevate the quality of proposals, programmes, and evaluations that shape outcomes for communities and institutions alike.

Across agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, applied research is a catalyst for competitiveness and resilience. Whether evaluating value chains in agribusiness, modelling sustainable fisheries practices, or assessing service quality in tourism, the programme equips you to gather and analyse data that informs strategy. The ability to translate research into practical recommendations helps organisations adapt to market dynamics and environmental realities with confidence.

Digital transformation is accelerating in Gambia—from fintech and mobile money to telecoms, logistics, and renewable energy. The capability to frame the right questions, test assumptions, and validate solutions through rigorous research will set you apart. With stronger analytical and publication-ready outputs, you can engage investors, development partners, and cross-border collaborators, positioning yourself and your organisation to compete and collaborate on a larger stage.

Ready to take the next step? Request our course catalogue to explore modules, learning outcomes, and how this journey can fit seamlessly into your life in Gambia.