Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD — Study Online from Makkah, Saudi Arabia

From your home in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, you can take a decisive step toward advanced scholarship and leadership in research. The Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD is offered in exclusive partnership between University of Gloucestershire and Robert Kennedy College, combining rigorous academic standards with the flexibility of modern online learning.

Designed for experienced professionals and aspiring scholars, this programme cultivates advanced research design, critical inquiry, and scholarly writing that travel across borders and industries. Its theory can be applied internationally, empowering you to elevate your impact while remaining fully connected to your current career and commitments in Makkah.

A British degree, recognised internationally

Upon successful completion, you are awarded a British degree that carries the assurance of the UK’s quality standards and academic heritage. This global recognition opens doors for consulting, teaching, publication opportunities, and a stronger reputation across sectors that value credible, evidence-based leadership.

Whether you plan to progress within a multinational, contribute to policy, or build a respected academic profile, a UK award signals rigour, credibility, and global mobility—assets that matter in competitive markets from the Gulf to Europe, Asia, and North America.

Graduate in 3–6 months, 100% online

With a focused structure, dedicated support, and purposeful assessments, you can complete this programme entirely online in as little as 3–6 months. The design respects your time and experience, helping you make measurable progress right away without stepping back from your professional responsibilities.

This accelerated route keeps momentum high while ensuring depth and quality in your research practice—so you finish faster, and start applying what you learn sooner.

No fixed class times—learn on your schedule

There is no requirement to be online at specific times and dates. You choose when to engage with lectures, readings, and assignments, and you set a rhythm that complements your work, family, and personal commitments.

This flexibility empowers you to study at your peak focus hours—morning, evening, or weekend—and to maintain steady progress even during busy periods in your professional life.

Study anywhere, even offline, with our mobile app

Travel, commute, or work in low-connectivity environments without missing a beat. Our mobile app allows you to download the study material and watch the lectures offline, so your learning journey continues smoothly wherever you go.

Whether you’re moving between meetings across the city or traveling internationally, you remain connected to your classroom and your goals.

Open-book assessments that reward real thinking

Instead of classical question/answer exams, you will engage in open-book assessments designed to mirror how research and decision-making actually happen in the real world. You will evaluate sources, synthesise ideas, and construct robust arguments.

This approach rewards critical thinking, depth of insight, and practical application—precisely the capabilities expected of senior professionals and scholar-practitioners.

World-class faculty from leading universities

Your tutors and faculty include graduates of globally renowned institutions such as Oxford, Harvard, EPFL, the University of Basel, and Washington University in St. Louis. They bring proven scholarship and a pragmatic perspective on research, leadership, and impact.

That breadth of expertise translates into high-touch guidance on your research proposal, literature reviews, methodology selection, ethics, data analysis, and academic writing—so your work is both rigorous and relevant.

A global community across 130+ countries

Join a truly international classroom with professionals representing over 130 countries. You will exchange insights with peers who work across sectors and continents, deepening your understanding and expanding your network with people who value evidence-based innovation.

Our alumni work for international organisations like Aramco, United Nations, Google, ICRC, The World Bank, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Tencent, Siemens, Sony—proof that your network will extend well beyond borders.

Flexible payment with up to 18 interest-free instalments

Our fees can be paid in up to 18 monthly interest-free instalments, making high-calibre education accessible without compromising your cash flow.

This financial flexibility allows you to plan with confidence while you invest in a qualification that accelerates your professional trajectory.

Why this programme matters for professionals in Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Makkah’s dynamic service and hospitality landscape—powered by year-round visitors—demands leaders who can design, test, and implement improvements grounded in data and research. The programme equips you to conduct rigorous studies on customer experience, operations, service innovation, and risk management. With these capabilities, you can propose and validate strategies that improve quality, efficiency, safety, and stakeholder satisfaction across hotels, transport, and large-scale event management.

The city’s ongoing infrastructure development and logistics ecosystems benefit from professionals who can translate complex challenges into actionable insights. You will learn how to structure research that informs decisions in areas such as smart mobility, urban planning, supply chains, and sustainability. From evaluating emerging technologies to optimising processes across public–private partnerships, your research toolkit will help you design solutions that scale and deliver measurable outcomes.

Makkah’s diverse economy—spanning public administration, charitable foundations, healthcare providers, construction, and family enterprises—needs leaders who can bridge evidence and execution. The programme strengthens your capacity to frame problems, critique sources, deploy appropriate methods, and communicate findings to decision-makers. Whether your path leads to senior management, policy work, or academia, you will be prepared to produce research that informs strategy, attracts stakeholders, and earns trust.

Your next step

If you are ready to advance your standing as a scholar-practitioner while living and working in Makkah, this is your moment. Build a globally recognised credential, accelerate your research capability, and unlock opportunities that extend well beyond borders.

Request our course catalogue to explore modules, admissions, and upcoming intakes, and begin your journey from Makkah today.