Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD — Study from Washington, United States

Your research journey can start right where you are. The Executive Diploma in Advanced Research / PhD, offered online in exclusive partnership between the University of Gloucestershire and Robert Kennedy College, empowers you to elevate your expertise without pausing your life in Washington, United States. Designed for ambitious professionals, this programme helps you transform ideas into impactful knowledge and leadership-ready insights that travel across borders and industries.

From your home, office, or favorite corner in the city, you’ll immerse yourself in advanced methodologies, sharpen your academic writing, and refine your ability to frame complex questions with clarity and purpose. The programme emphasizes rigorous thinking and practical application—skills that resonate globally and open doors in policy, business, technology, consulting, and beyond.

Awards a British degree which is recognised internationally

British higher education is synonymous with academic rigor, methodological precision, and scholarly independence. Earning a British qualification signals to employers and peers that you have mastered advanced research standards and can deliver evidence-based insights—an asset that enhances credibility in boardrooms, research teams, and innovation hubs worldwide.

With a British degree that is internationally recognised, your credential travels well. Whether you’re engaging with multinational corporations, public agencies, NGOs, or research institutes, you carry a signal of excellence that opens conversations and creates opportunities across continents. It’s a powerful addition to your professional profile in a connected, global marketplace.

Can be completed 100% online in as little as 3–6 months

Your time is valuable. This programme is thoughtfully structured so that focused professionals can complete it 100% online in as little as 3–6 months. You’ll move purposefully through readings, exercises, and assessments that help you develop a robust toolkit: from scholarly positioning and literature review to methodology design and ethical considerations.

That acceleration doesn’t come at the expense of depth. You’ll work intensively on output that matters—such as research proposals, methodological critiques, and draft chapters—building tangible deliverables that can directly support doctoral progression or be applied immediately in high-level analytical roles.

Does not require online presence at specific times and dates

There are no mandatory live sessions or fixed login times. Your learning is fully asynchronous, allowing you to balance study with professional commitments, family life, and the unpredictable rhythms of leadership and public service work in Washington, United States.

Progress at your pace, when your schedule allows—early mornings, evenings, or weekends. The experience is designed for self-directed professionals who want structure and support without sacrificing autonomy.

Can be studied from anywhere in the world, even while on the move

Traveling for work, commuting across town, or in between meetings? Our mobile app lets you download study materials and watch lectures offline, so learning doesn’t stop when Wi‑Fi does. Your campus is wherever you are.

This anywhere-access model helps you transform downtime into progress. Review lectures on flights, annotate readings on the train, or refine drafts in a quiet moment—seamlessly integrating study into your lifestyle and work rhythm.

Use open-book assessments instead of classical question/answer exams

Real research is not about memorizing answers—it’s about finding them. That’s why we use open-book assessments that prioritise critical analysis, synthesis, and application over rote recall. You’ll learn to interrogate sources, construct arguments, and defend your methodological choices with clarity and evidence.

Expect assessments that mirror what researchers actually do: literature mapping, methodology selection and justification, ethical frameworks, data interpretation, and scholarly writing. The outcome is a professional, portfolio-ready body of work that demonstrates your ability to think deeply and deliver rigorously.

Has tutors and faculty who graduated from world-renowned universities

Your mentors include accomplished academics and practitioners who graduated from institutions such as Oxford, Harvard, EPFL, the University of Basel, and Washington University in St. Louis. They bring a diversity of scholarly perspectives and practical insights that enrich your learning and elevate your standards.

Guided by faculty who understand both theory and application, you’ll sharpen your methodology, refine your writing, and receive constructive feedback grounded in global best practice. Their experience helps you avoid common pitfalls and accelerate your trajectory.

Has a diverse student base from over 130 countries, with alumni in leading organisations

Join a truly international community. Your classmates span more than 130 countries and every major sector—public, private, and nonprofit. This diversity of perspectives sharpens your thinking, broadens your network, and increases the relevance of your work across cultures and industries.

Our alumni work for organisations such as GoldmanSachs, Citigroup, Chevron, Verizon, JW Marriott, Hilton, The ritz, University of California Riverside, VISA, American Express, United Nations, Google, ICRC, The World Bank, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung, Tencent, Siemens, and Sony.

Has fees that can be paid in up to 18 monthly interest‑free instalments

Education should empower, not encumber. Our fees can be paid in up to 18 monthly interest‑free instalments, giving you the flexibility to plan confidently while investing in your future.

This approach helps you maintain momentum professionally and academically, aligning your financial planning with your goals—without delaying your ambitions.

Why this programme is a strong fit for professionals in Washington, United States

In the nation’s capital, evidence moves policy and policy shapes the world. Advanced research capabilities give you a decisive edge across federal agencies, congressional offices, policy shops, and oversight bodies. With this programme, you’ll strengthen your capacity to design rigorous studies, evaluate complex interventions, and communicate findings that inform decision-making at scale—skills that translate across governance, regulation, and public administration.

Washington is also a global nexus for international development, diplomacy, finance, and humanitarian action. International organisations, NGOs, and multilaterals value professionals who can formulate research questions, build defensible methodologies, measure impact, and translate insights into actionable recommendations. The programme’s globally recognised British credential and emphasis on high-quality research practice can help you stand out in roles related to policy analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and strategy.

Consultancies, think tanks, and advisory firms across the city compete on the strength of their analysis. By mastering both qualitative and quantitative methods, you’ll be equipped to produce publication-quality work, craft persuasive evidence-based narratives, and lead data-informed initiatives across sectors—technology, healthcare policy, cybersecurity, sustainability, and more. Your outputs become proof of your ability to solve complex problems with scientific rigor and practical relevance.

Your next step

Ready to accelerate your research capability and elevate your impact—without leaving Washington, United States? Request our course catalogue to explore modules, delivery, and how the programme aligns with your goals. Request our course catalogue.