info@stedvarn.ch
Chamerstrasse 172, 6300 Zug, Switzerland
Research the systems, decisions and leadership practices shaping contemporary higher education.
This professional doctorate is designed for leaders and experienced practitioners working in universities, colleges, private higher education, transnational education, student recruitment, quality, policy or related settings. Candidates investigate a consequential higher education challenge and develop an original, evidence-informed contribution to leadership or institutional practice.
Follow the modules that make up this programme, from foundational theory through to independent research.
Higher Education Systems, Policy and Governance
Comparative systems, regulation, funding, accountability and institutional autonomy.
Leadership, Culture and Organisational Change
Leadership theory, power, identity, culture and implementation.
Student Access, Experience and Outcomes
Participation, recruitment, belonging, continuation, attainment and progression.
Researching Higher Education
Qualitative, quantitative, mixed and policy-research designs.
Ethics, Quality and Research Integrity
Ethical practice, data governance, positionality and quality assurance.
Doctoral Proposal and Confirmation
A defended research proposal demonstrating doctoral scope and feasibility.
Professional Research Thesis
Supervised research and a thesis normally in the region of 35,000-50,000 words.
Viva Voce and Institutional Impact Plan
Oral defence, corrections and an evidence-to-action plan.
Assessment is developmental and cumulative. It may include critical essays, evidence reviews, research-methods work, reflective analysis, a proposal and confirmation review, progress reports, a thesis or approved doctoral project, and a viva voce. The final submission is examined against published doctoral criteria, with independent input in accordance with Stedvarn's academic regulations. Attendance or professional seniority alone is not sufficient for an award.
See where this programme can take your career next.
The programme supports advanced practice in higher education leadership, governance, quality, academic administration, student recruitment, policy and consultancy. It does not confer qualified teacher status, professional registration or automatic eligibility for academic employment.
Advance institutional practice in higher education leadership and governance.
Strengthen quality, recruitment and student-success practice with doctoral-level evidence.
Lead across systems, cultures and regulatory environments in international settings.
To be considered for this programme, applicants should meet the following requirements.
A Master's qualification in education, leadership, management, policy or a related field
Normally at least five years of relevant experience, including meaningful responsibility in higher education or a closely related sector
A researchable issue with clear relevance to higher education leadership or practice
Appropriate access to participants, institutional evidence or public datasets
Applicants whose prior education or professional work has not been conducted substantially in English should normally provide evidence equivalent to IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 6.0, or another form of evidence accepted by Stedvarn. The Institute may require an interview, writing sample or additional language support. Acceptance of alternative evidence is an admissions decision and is not an external language-test equivalence.
Relevant prior certificated or experiential learning may be considered through an individual academic assessment. Verified evidence is evaluated against the applicable doctoral outcomes and used to determine the applicant's route and assessment plan. Stedvarn may require further portfolio, written, research, oral or other assessment before confirming that the award outcomes have been met.
What this programme costs, what is included, and how payment works.
Fees are charged according to the programme and period of study. Where a programme is completed within the initial study period, no further tuition fee is payable beyond the applicable programme fee.
Annual Tuition Fee
The annual tuition fee covers up to 12 months of registration, academic supervision, assessment and access to Stedvarn Institute's learning resources. Candidates requiring additional time beyond their initial study period may continue their registration subject to the applicable continuation or extension fee.
Any additional fees applicable to a student will be communicated in advance.
Stedvarn Institute may offer approved students the opportunity to pay their tuition fees in agreed instalments. Payment arrangements are confirmed before enrolment and may vary according to the programme, study route and individual circumstances.
Important Information
What happens between submitting your application and receiving a formal offer.
Complete the online application form and select the exact programme title.
Upload the required academic, identity and professional documents.
Submit a 1,000-1,500 word higher education research outline covering the problem, context, provisional question, key literature, proposed method, access and intended contribution.
Attend an online admissions interview if invited.
Respond to any verification, RPL or proposal-development request.
If successful, review the written offer, individual study conditions, fee schedule and private-award disclosure before accepting.
Fees & Payment
CHF 25,000 / £22,000 annually — Professional Doctorate / DBA
See the full fee breakdown, inclusions and payment options above under Tuition Fees & Payment.
Answers to some of the most common questions about this programme.
Private award — read before applying: This programme leads to a private institutional award issued by Stedvarn Institute, an independent Swiss-based private institute. Stedvarn is not institutionally accredited under the Swiss Higher Education Act (HEdA), and the award is not a Swiss federally recognised higher education qualification. Recognition and title use vary by employer, institution and jurisdiction. Applicants must check suitability for their intended purpose before enrolling.
Join our community of scholars and pursue advanced private doctoral-level research within an internationally oriented academic environment. Applications are open year-round.