PhD Program for executives
Start date
- 07.10.2026
Language
- English
Price
- Totale prijs: €67.950
4 years
The PhD programme for executives is a four-year, research-based programme for senior executives
11 modules
Facilitate your work-life-study balance as a Senior Executive: the programme consists of 11 modules (3 to 4 days each) spread over 4 years.
60+ year of experience
Antwerp Management School has been at the forefront of innovation, transformation, entrepreneurship and ecosystems for 60 years, always in the best interest of people and society.
Testimonials
We could try to explain to you why you should choose the PhD Programme for Executives at AMS, but the best publicity comes from the people who are currently enrolled in the programme, or who have already graduated and are now fully benefiting from their newly acquired knowledge in an exciting international career or a personal challenge. Our current PhD candidates and alumni are true experts by experience who explain how they experienced / are experiencing the programme, how it changed their career and their life, and how it helped them grow. We invite you to view these testimonials and immerse yourself in the life of a PhD candidate at Antwerp Management School. From coffee cups to configurational thinking: How Dr. Paula Peng brewed her PhD dream
Here is the translation to English: "It is never too late to pursue your dream. It is never too late to grow." These are the words of Dr. Peng (Paula) Peng, who turned her passion for customer experience into a powerful academic journey. Today, she is not only the owner of a café and vinyl record shop in Guangzhou, but also an independent lecturer, corporate trainer, and a graduate of the PhD for Executives programme at Antwerp Management School. Her PhD journey did not begin in a lab or a boardroom, but behind the counter of her coffee shop. Fascinated by the everyday human interactions she observed, Paula decided to immerse herself in the world of creating customer value. "I believe that the small and beautiful things deserve more attention because they reflect the complexity of the real world." In her research, she examined how value is created between service providers and customers. Her dissertation, "Brewing Value: Probing Multi-Dimensional Factors Shaping Value Co-Creation in Chinese Coffee Shops", combines academic rigour with business reality. The findings? A meaningful balance between human connection and operational efficiency is crucial for long-term success. What attracted Paula to AMS and the University of Antwerp was more than reputation — it was flexibility. The PhD for Executives programme allowed her to continue running her business while conducting in-depth research. "AMS respected my subject. They didn't force me to chase big data or corporate case studies. They let me focus on what mattered to me." It was Professor Bart Cambré who introduced Paula to QCA (Qualitative Comparative Analysis), a configurational approach that resonated with her. It reflected the way she sees life — not as a single straight path, but as diverse combinations that can lead to meaningful outcomes. "It aligns with my philosophy of life. And Bart also compared our journey to that of a tortoise — slow is okay, but if you keep moving, you will get there eventually. This motivated me enormously." Throughout the programme — and even through the challenges of the pandemic — Paula grew not only as a researcher, but also as a communicator, thinker and professional. She now applies her research in the real world: she designs courses on emotionally engaging commercial spaces and trains her baristas in mindful, personalised customer service. And for those wondering whether it is too late to take a bold step? Paula has a message: "Pursuing your dream is not bound by an age limit. The PhD for Executives programme has changed the way I see the world. It can change yours too." Bonus recommendation from Paula's vinyl shop: "Listen to Solution by Cui Jian. We are confronted with many problems, but we always find the solution."
Important to know
Practical information
The PhD Programme for Executives is a 4-year programme offered in collaboration with the University of Antwerp. Over a period of 4 years, you will acquire competencies that are crucial for successfully advancing your career, both at an academic and a business level. You will gain the latest theoretical and practical insights in your chosen field of management and learn the skills to advance knowledge through methodologically robust applied research methods.
Start date: 7 October 2026 End date: June 2030
Why choose this programme? Our programme and curriculum have been carefully designed:
- Facilitate your work-life-study balance as a Senior Executive: the programme consists of 11 modules (3 to 4 days each) spread over 4 years;
- Immerse yourself in a combination of theory & practice;
- Enhance your academic insights and enrich your day-to-day management challenges;
- Become part of an international PhD cohort: share knowledge and network with fellow Executives from around the world;
- Receive support and guidance from our international top faculty members;
- Develop your personal, professional and academic leadership.
How to apply
- Step 1: Create a profile via this link and, without obligation, complete the online application form. Add the requested documents.
- Step 2: After a positive evaluation of your application, you will be invited for an in-depth intake interview on our campus or via Teams / Zoom. During this interview, we will discuss your previous work and study experience in general, your motivation for starting this Executive PhD, and whether you fit our target audience as a candidate.
- Step 3: If your candidacy is approved, you will receive an offer for a place in the programme and a link to complete your enrolment.
- Step 4: To secure your place in the programme, we ask for a deposit of €3,000.
Costs
The total price of 67.950 euro includes:
- the tuition fee for the PhD program for Executives at Antwerp Management School
- the use of the (online) university library & online research data bases
- the use of particular programs needed for your research (Endnote, SPSS, NVIVO, …)
- general facilities the University of Antwerp puts at the disposal of students.
- during the module days on campus:
o all module days: a small breakfast daily, drinks and fruit in between, lunch
o one night per module (usually Friday): a 3 course dinner - 07 main academic books
- permanent access to the online learning system, including all online learning materials
- group and individual webinars
- personal feedback sessions on your assignments
- individual coaching and support, both on an operational as an academic level, from the PhD team
at AMS.
The tuition fee is split in two parts, one part per stage.
The fee for stage 1 amounts to 38.500 EUR and becomes fully due upon registration.
The fee for stage 2 amounts to 29.450 EUR and becomes due once you start in academic year 3,
that is: after successful completion of Stage 1 of the program.
When starting with stage 2 a new registration confirmation for this stage will be asked for by AMS and
needs to be completed.
The respective fees will be invoiced according to the invoicing milestones with four instalments
hereafter.
- Stage 1: 38.500 euro will be invoiced in July 2026
of which:
o €19.250 (minus your deposit paid) will be due in July 2026
o €19.250 will be due in April 2027 - Stage 2: 29.450 euro will be invoiced in August 2028
of which:
o €14.725 will be due August 2028
o €14.725 will be due April 2029
In case you need an additional academic year (double a year and/or need an extension of the support),
there might be an additional charge of €6500.
If you do need a personalized payment scheme: do contact amalsha.galhenage@ams.ac.be
How to apply
- Step 1: Create a profile via this link and, without obligation, complete the online application form. Add the requested documents.
- Step 2: After a positive evaluation of your application, you will be invited for an in-depth intake interview on our campus or via Teams / Zoom. During this interview, we will discuss your previous work and study experience in general, your motivation for starting this Executive PhD, and whether you fit our target audience as a candidate.
- Step 3: If your candidacy is approved, you will receive an offer for a place in the programme and a link to complete your enrolment.
- Step 4: To secure your place in the programme, we ask for a deposit of €3,000.
Financial benefits
- SME portfolio: Flemish SMEs benefit from 20 to 30% subsidies from the Flemish Government.
- A similar subsidy is available for SMEs based in Brussels.
- Public and social profit sector: participants from public and social profit organisations benefit from adapted conditions. Please contact the programme advisor for more information.
- Antwerp Management School Alumni: please contact the programme advisor for the applicable conditions.
Start the application procedure
Every year we only accept a select amount of candidates. We advise you to start the noncommittal application process as soon as possible.
