Doctorate

Doctorate & PhD Programmes in Malaysia

What is a doctorate programme? Also known as doctoral, it is an overarching term for many degrees including PhD programmes. Among all the academic levels, a doctorate degree sits at the highest level. 

 

At UNITAR International University, we offer doctorate degrees that fall under the research category. Within this category, you will be introduced to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes. 


Here are a few good reasons why UNITAR is an ideal university to pursue your PhD degree in Malaysia:

  • UNITAR’s Awards and Recognition 

Our university is among the leading tertiary institutions in the Education & Learning category while being voted by the people in the Putra Brand Awards 2021.

We are also accredited by the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges and Universities (ASIC) for Quality Assurance and Enhancement, Student Welfare, Marketing and Recruitment, Learning and Teaching; Course Delivery, Management and Staff Resources and Premises and Health & Safety.

Furthermore, we are nominated as the Employer’s Top Choice by Talentbank as well as being awarded 5-Stars by the QS Rating in Teaching, Employability, Online Education, Accounting & Finance and Inclusiveness. 

Being an award-winning local private university in Malaysia, it comes as no surprise that both local and international students would add UNITAR to their list of universities to enrol at. 

  • *100% Research-Based Programmes

UNITAR International University offers MQA-accredited doctorate and PhD programmes in Malaysia, available online and on-campus. Our doctorate programmes span Education, Business Administration (DBA), Management, and IT — designed for professionals and academics who want to produce original, field-defining research.

As the first institution in Southeast Asia to receive a QS 5-Star Rating for Online Learning, UNITAR provides a fully online PhD pathway without compromising academic rigour. Candidates may submit their thesis or dissertation in English or Bahasa Malaysia, with flexible supervisor consultation to fit around professional and personal commitments.

A doctorate from UNITAR equips you to lead in your field — whether in academia, senior leadership, consulting, or policy — backed by deep, research-validated expertise.

* Terms and conditions apply

  • Online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Business administration is a highly sought-after field because of its career versatility, not to mention that every organisation needs a specialised individual who can lead and manage the team to ensure smooth business operations. Our online Doctor in Business Administration programme focuses on supervised research work, equipping graduates with in-depth business and management knowledge while showing the implementation strategies. Prefer face-to-face? We also offer a conventional Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration programme. 

  • Exposure Beyond Borders 

Doctorate students at UNITAR can gain local and international exposure to the education landscape. Previously, we collaborated with UNICEF and the British High Commission KL.

  • Research Funding 

Get appointed as Graduate Research Assistants that can be partially funded by the Industry and Government Research Grants which is under the Principal Investigator.

  • EPF Withdrawal Available

UNITAR doctorate students can apply for financial aid via the EPF Account II Withdrawal. Essentially, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) (Account II) Withdrawal Scheme for Education allows Employees Provident Fund (EPF) members to withdraw from Account II to pay the fees to undertake further studies in local or overseas institutions.

Browsing for online or conventional PhD programmes in Malaysia? Check out the doctorate programmes below.  

Not sure which doctorate programme fits your research goals?
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Frequently Asked Questions

A doctorate is the highest academic qualification, typically awarded after 3 to 5 years of original, supervised research culminating in a thesis or dissertation. In Malaysia, doctorate programmes are regulated by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and include the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and Doctor of Education (EdD). All UNITAR doctorate programmes are MQA-accredited and recognised by the Ministry of Education Malaysia.
A PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) is a research-based degree focused on generating new theoretical knowledge in any discipline. A DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) is a professional doctorate combining research with applied business practice — suited to senior business practitioners. An EdD (Doctor of Education) is a professional doctorate for experienced educators and education leaders, focusing on the intersection of educational theory and practice. UNITAR offers all three.

Applicants generally require a master’s degree from a recognised institution with a minimum CGPA of 3.0, or equivalent. Research experience and a research proposal may also be required. Experienced professionals with a bachelor’s degree and significant relevant experience may apply through the APEL pathway. International applicants must meet English language requirements (typically IELTS 6.0 or equivalent). Contact UNITAR’s postgraduate admissions team to confirm requirements for your chosen programme.

Yes. UNITAR offers fully online doctorate programmes including the PhD in Education, PhD in Management, and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). UNITAR is the first institution in Southeast Asia to be awarded a QS 5-Star Rating for Online Learning, meaning online doctoral candidates access the same accredited academic experience, supervisory support, and research resources as on-campus students.

Most research-based PhD programmes in Malaysia take between 3 and 5 years for full-time candidates, and up to 6 to 7 years part-time, depending on research progress and thesis submission. Professional doctorates such as the DBA and EdD may have a more structured coursework component with a defined minimum duration. UNITAR’s programmes are designed to accommodate working professionals through flexible scheduling and online study.

Yes. UNITAR allows candidates to submit their thesis or dissertation in either English or Bahasa Malaysia, subject to supervisor and faculty approval. This makes UNITAR’s doctorate programmes particularly accessible to Malaysian professionals and academics who wish to conduct and present research in their primary language.

UNITAR’s doctorate programmes may be eligible for HRDF (Human Resources Development Fund) claims, allowing employers to fund postdoctoral studies for sponsored candidates. Eligibility depends on the programme and employer registration with HRDF. Contact UNITAR’s admissions team or your HR department to confirm your programme’s HRDF status before enrolment.

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