Doctoral Program
Paris School of Entrepreneurship
Admission Requirements
Master's degree (Bac+5 or equivalent) · Preliminary research project aligned with one of the 5 tracks · Motivation, research orientation, and academic background evaluated during the interview.
Program Format
3 to 5 years, full-time or part-time. Hybrid format with up to 100% online option for international candidates. On-site residencies limited to one semester maximum.
Tuition Fees
From €28,000 for the full program, depending on the chosen track and pace. Includes registration, supervision, and access to academic resources.
Credential Awarded
Doctoral-level institutional diploma · Level 8 (European Qualifications Framework). Awarded by the Paris School of Entrepreneurship.
Accessibility
The program is accessible to candidates with reduced mobility. The 100% online pathway also makes it accessible to candidates worldwide regardless of geographic constraints.
Pour les candidats francophones — Programme également accessible en français · supervision possible en français selon le track choisi · entretien d'admission en français disponible.
A multidisciplinary doctoral pathway for international researchers
Designed for scholars, future academics, and cross-sector professionals worldwide who want to produce original research and earn a doctoral-level credential — accessible from Paris or fully online, in English or French.
Who is the Doctoral Program designed for?
The Doctoral Program at Paris School of Entrepreneurship welcomes a diverse, international cohort of researchers, scholars, and forward-thinking professionals from over 30 countries. Unlike an executive doctorate, this pathway focuses on original theoretical contribution and is open to candidates without mandatory professional experience — what matters is the strength of your research project and your Master's-level academic foundation.
Researchers & Master's Graduates
Recent or experienced Master's graduates ready to pursue an original research project in entrepreneurship, management, economics, or a related discipline — and to publish under their own name in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Future Academics
Candidates who aim to build an academic career — teaching, supervising, or contributing to scholarly debate — and who need a doctoral-level credential to position themselves in higher education or research institutions.
Cross-Sector Professionals
Working professionals from any sector or country — public, private, NGO, international organisations — who want to formalise their expertise through rigorous research while continuing their career, thanks to a fully online or hybrid format.
Policy & Governance Candidates
Researchers focused on policy analysis, public governance, sustainability, or international development who wish to contribute to evidence-based decision-making at institutional, national, or supranational level.
What you will achieve
The Doctoral Program is structured around six concrete outcomes that prepare you for an academic, research, or expert career — combining methodological rigour, original contribution, and international visibility.
Master advanced research methodology
Acquire qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method research skills aligned with international academic standards.
Produce an original theoretical contribution
Develop, defend, and finalise a doctoral dissertation that advances knowledge in your chosen specialisation track.
Publish in peer-reviewed journals
Benefit from ISSN-registered publication included in your tuition, plus access to international academic outlets and conferences.
Earn a Level 8 doctoral credential
Obtain a doctoral-level institutional diploma · Level 8 (EQF) recognised across the European education space and internationally.
Join a global research community
Connect with supervisors, peers, and visiting scholars from over 30 countries — building lasting academic and professional networks.
Open academic and expert career paths
Position yourself for academia, research institutes, policy bodies, international organisations, or senior advisory and consulting roles.
Why a multidisciplinary doctoral pathway?
The Doctoral Program sits at a distinct level from a Master's degree and at a distinct angle from a DBA. It is built for candidates whose ambition is to create knowledge rather than apply existing knowledge — across an open range of research questions and disciplines.
Acquire knowledge
A Master's degree builds advanced disciplinary knowledge through structured coursework. It prepares graduates for professional roles or further academic study, but does not require an original research contribution.
Create knowledge
The Doctoral Program is research-driven and multidisciplinary. Across 5 specialisation tracks, candidates produce an original theoretical contribution under doctoral supervision — preparing for academic, research, and expert careers.
Apply knowledge
The DBA is an executive, practice-driven doctorate. It targets senior leaders with significant professional experience whose research solves concrete organisational problems rather than advancing theory itself.
For international candidates — The Doctoral Program is fully accessible from anywhere in the world thanks to its 100% online pathway. Supervision and academic exchanges are available in English or French, and the program welcomes candidates from over 30 countries every year. On-site engagement in Paris is optional and limited to a maximum of one semester.
A 3-year doctoral journey across 5 specialisation tracks
A structured pathway from doctoral foundations to dissertation defence, with full flexibility on format — accessible from Paris, hybrid, or 100% online for international candidates.
Year by year — from foundations to defence
The Doctoral Program unfolds over three structured years, each with clear academic milestones and deliverables. Doctoral candidates progress from research foundations and literature review in Year 1, to fieldwork and theoretical contribution in Year 2, to dissertation finalisation and defence in Year 3.
Doctoral foundations & research design
Build the methodological and conceptual base of your dissertation. Doctoral candidates engage with advanced research methodology, epistemology, and academic writing, while refining their research question and conducting an extensive literature review under doctoral supervision.
Key deliverables- Research proposal validated by the doctoral committee
- Comprehensive literature review
- Methodology framework approved by supervisor
- First academic working paper draft
Fieldwork, analysis & original contribution
Conduct your original research, gather and analyse data, and structure your contribution to the discipline. Year Two is the most intensive research phase, with regular supervision sessions, doctoral seminars, and a mid-term progress review by the doctoral committee.
Key deliverables- Empirical data collection or theoretical analysis completed
- Mid-term progress review presentation
- First peer-reviewed publication submitted
- Three core dissertation chapters drafted
Dissertation finalisation & doctoral defence
Finalise the dissertation, prepare the defence, and publish your work. Doctoral candidates consolidate their full manuscript, undergo a pre-defence review, and present their original research before the doctoral jury — followed by ISSN-registered publication.
Key deliverables- Complete dissertation manuscript
- Pre-defence review with the doctoral committee
- Public defence before the doctoral jury
- ISSN-registered publication of the dissertation
Designed for international candidates — Paris, hybrid, or fully online
On-site engagement in Paris is optional and limited to a maximum of one semester across the entire 3-year program. No mandatory long-term residency.
Doctoral candidates can complete the entire program remotely, with online supervision, doctoral seminars, and remote defence options for international students.
The program is delivered in English, with French-language supervision available depending on the chosen track and supervisor.
Choose your doctoral specialisation
The Doctoral Program offers five specialisation tracks covering the most strategic fields where original research has measurable impact — from international relations to public governance. Each track is led by experienced doctoral supervisors and connects candidates to a global research network.
International Relations
Research focused on geopolitical dynamics, diplomacy, multilateral institutions, and international cooperation. Designed for candidates engaging with foreign affairs, international organisations, or transnational research questions.
Doctoral track · Level 8Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Research at the intersection of technological change, entrepreneurial behaviour, and innovation ecosystems. Aimed at scholars and practitioners studying start-ups, deep-tech, and the dynamics of innovative organisations.
Doctoral track · Level 8Global Business & Power Structures
Research on multinational corporations, global value chains, economic power, and the governance of large-scale business systems. For researchers analysing how global actors shape markets and societies.
Doctoral track · Level 8Public Policy & International Development
Research on public policy design, evaluation, and international development — from sustainability and climate policy to economic development and institutional reform across the Global North and Global South.
Doctoral track · Level 8Public Leadership & Governance
Research on governance models, public administration, leadership in the public and non-profit sectors, and institutional accountability. For candidates contributing to evidence-based decision-making at national and international level.
Doctoral track · Level 8Track customisation — Doctoral candidates can refine their research focus within a chosen track in collaboration with their supervisor. Cross-track research projects are accepted when the dissertation engages with two related fields. Supervision is available in English or French, depending on track and academic profile.
A selective admission process based on academic and research merit
The Doctoral Program admits a limited cohort of international candidates each year. Selection is based on academic credentials, the relevance and originality of the research project, and the candidate's capacity to engage with doctoral-level work.
Who can apply?
The Doctoral Program is open to candidates from any country and any sector who meet four core requirements. Unlike executive doctorates, professional experience is not mandatory — what matters is your academic foundation and the quality of your research project.
Academic background
A Master's-level degree (Level 7 EQF or equivalent) in management, economics, social sciences, international relations, or a related discipline. Equivalence accepted for international qualifications.
Research project
A clearly defined research proposal aligned with one of the five specialisation tracks, demonstrating originality, methodological awareness, and feasibility within a 3-year doctoral pathway.
Language proficiency
Proficiency in English (C1 level recommended). Candidates supervised in French may opt for French as the primary language of supervision and writing — the dissertation can be defended in either language.
Candidate profile
Demonstrated capacity for autonomous research — through a Master's thesis, publications, or research-related work. No mandatory minimum of professional experience, but a clear motivation for doctoral-level inquiry is essential.
Four steps from application to admission
The application process is fully online and accessible to international candidates worldwide. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, with admission decisions issued within 4 to 6 weeks of submission.
Submit your application
Complete the online application form and upload your academic and research dossier. No application fee.
Academic review
The doctoral committee reviews your dossier and assesses the fit between your project and an available supervisor.
Admission interview
Online interview with two members of the doctoral committee — conducted in English or French. Approximately 45 minutes.
Admission decision
Final decision communicated within 4 to 6 weeks, alongside supervisor allocation and onboarding instructions.
What to include in your application
Two complementary dossiers are required. The academic dossier certifies your eligibility; the research dossier evaluates the originality and feasibility of your project.
Academic dossier
- Curriculum vitae (academic and professional)
- Master's degree certificate or equivalent (translated into English or French if needed)
- Academic transcripts (Master's level, all years)
- Identity document (passport recommended for international candidates)
- Language proficiency evidence (certificate, prior English-language study, or equivalent)
Research dossier
- Research proposal (8 to 12 pages — research question, literature, methodology, expected contribution)
- Motivation letter aligned with the chosen specialisation track
- Master's thesis or major academic paper (full PDF, in English or French)
- Two academic references (former supervisors or research collaborators)
- Publications, if any (optional but encouraged)
Begin your doctoral journey
Submit your application or speak with an admissions advisor before applying.
Where doctoral graduates go — and what they take with them
A doctoral pathway opens five major spheres of practice — from executive teaching to international expert advisory — and equips graduates with five tangible signature outcomes that travel across borders, sectors, and decades.
Five worlds open after the Doctoral Program
A doctoral-level credential is not a single career path — it's a license to operate at the highest level of intellectual authority across multiple institutional ecosystems. PSE doctoral graduates pursue careers in executive teaching, applied research, public policy, expert advisory, and hybrid practice — often combining several over their professional lifetime.
Executive Teaching & Higher Education
Doctoral graduates are recruited by business schools, executive education programmes, professional masters, and specialised institutes — in Europe and across fast-developing higher-education markets in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas. The Level 8 credential and a defended dissertation open access to adjunct, visiting, and executive teaching roles, where practical expertise and methodological rigour are valued above traditional academic tenure.
Typical positions- Adjunct faculty in executive education programmes
- Visiting Lecturer at business schools and institutes
- Programme contributor in professional masters
- Practitioner-academic with hybrid affiliation
- Module lead in corporate or executive learning
Applied Research & Think Tanks
Independent research institutes, think tanks, and applied research centres recruit doctoral graduates to lead long-form studies, white papers, and projects shaping public debate.
Typical positions- Senior Research Fellow
- Programme Lead at a policy think tank
- Lead Researcher on applied projects
Policy & International Organisations
Multilateral bodies, ministries, and development agencies recruit doctoral profiles for evidence-based policy design, programme evaluation, and international representation.
Typical positions- Senior Policy Adviser
- Programme Officer at international bodies
- Strategy or evaluation lead
Expert Advisory & Independent Practice
High-end consulting, board advisory, expert witness work, and independent intellectual practice — leveraging the doctoral title as a signal of methodological rigour and authority.
Typical positions- Independent Expert Consultant
- Board Adviser to public or private organisations
- Author, columnist, public intellectual
Hybrid & Entrepreneurial Paths
Increasingly, doctoral graduates build hybrid careers — combining executive teaching with entrepreneurship, deep-tech ventures, NGO leadership, or knowledge-intensive practice.
Typical positions- Knowledge-based founder or co-founder
- Practitioner-academic with industry portfolio
- Senior director in mission-driven organisations
Five tangible deliverables you take with you
Beyond a job title, the Doctoral Program delivers five concrete, transferable outcomes that define your professional identity for the rest of your career — and that no future employer, market shift, or geographic move can take away.
Doctoral Title in Your Name
A Level 8 doctoral-level credential awarded by Paris School of Entrepreneurship — recognised across European and international markets.
ISSN-Registered Publication
Your dissertation registered under ISSN — a permanent, citable academic footprint accessible to peers worldwide.
International Doctoral Network
A cohort of doctoral peers, supervisors, and visiting scholars spanning more than 30 countries and five specialisation tracks.
Executive Teaching Profile
Eligibility for executive education, adjunct, and visiting roles in business schools, professional masters, and corporate learning.
Expert Positioning
Recognised standing as a subject-matter expert — for media, advisory boards, expert witness roles, and public commentary.
One doctorate, several careers — Most PSE doctoral graduates do not follow a single linear career. They alternate between executive teaching, expert practice, advisory roles, and entrepreneurial ventures over the course of their professional life. The doctoral credential is what makes that lifetime mobility possible.
Practical answers for international candidates
Everything you need to know about format, language, supervision, and what comes after the doctoral defence.
01
Can I complete the Doctoral Program 100% online from abroad?
Yes. The Doctoral Program is fully accessible online from anywhere in the world. On-site engagement in Paris is optional and limited to a maximum of one semester across the entire 3-year program.
Doctoral seminars, supervision sessions, the mid-term review, and the final defence can all be conducted remotely — making the program accessible to candidates from over 30 countries every year.
02
Is supervision available in French as well as English?
Yes. The program is delivered in English by default, but doctoral candidates can choose French as their primary language of supervision and writing, depending on the chosen track and supervisor availability.
The dissertation can be written and defended in either English or French. The admission interview is also available in both languages.
03
Do I need professional experience to apply?
No. Unlike an executive doctorate such as a DBA, the Doctoral Program does not require a minimum of professional experience. Recent Master's graduates and early-career researchers are welcome to apply.
What matters is your academic foundation (Master's-level degree), the originality of your research project, and your demonstrated capacity for autonomous research — through a Master's thesis, publications, or research-related work.
04
Is the Doctoral Program a State Doctorate (PhD)?
The Doctoral Program at Paris School of Entrepreneurship is a doctoral-level institutional credential at Level 8 of the European Qualifications Framework, awarded by PSE as a registered French private institution of higher education.
It follows a research-intensive doctoral pathway with original contribution, supervision, ISSN-registered publication, and a public defence — but it is distinct from a State-issued PhD. The Level 8 EQF positioning is recognised across the European education space and internationally.
05
How long does the program take, and can I extend it if needed?
The Doctoral Program is structured over three years — Year 1: foundations and research design; Year 2: fieldwork and original contribution; Year 3: dissertation finalisation and defence.
Extensions are possible on a case-by-case basis when the research project requires additional time. Doctoral candidates discuss any extension with their supervisor and the doctoral committee, who validate revised milestones.
06
Is there an application fee, and how long does the decision take?
There is no application fee. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Once your complete dossier is submitted (academic dossier + research dossier), you can expect a decision within 4 to 6 weeks, including the admission interview with two members of the doctoral committee.
07
What is included in the tuition?
Tuition covers doctoral registration, supervision throughout the 3-year pathway, access to academic resources and doctoral seminars, the mid-term review, and the final defence.
It also includes the ISSN-registered publication of your dissertation — a permanent, citable academic footprint accessible worldwide. Detailed tuition modalities are shared with admitted candidates during onboarding; admissions advisors can provide a personalised quote on request.
08
What kind of careers can I pursue after the Doctoral Program?
Doctoral graduates pursue careers across five main spheres: executive teaching (adjunct and visiting roles in business schools and executive education), applied research and think tanks, policy and international organisations, expert advisory and independent practice, and hybrid or entrepreneurial paths.
Most graduates do not follow a single linear career — they alternate between teaching, advisory, research, and entrepreneurial ventures over the course of their professional life. The doctoral credential is what makes that lifetime mobility possible.
Still have questions? Our admissions advisors answer detailed questions about supervision, track fit, and admission criteria before you apply. Book a call with an advisor.