APPLIED AND
EXPERIMENTAL TRACK

There are two different “routes” within the track. You can either apply for a research fellow position or be admitted as an individual doctoral student. EBS also accepts visiting PhD students from similar focus areas.

• Introduction
• Important information
• Programme structure ECTS volumes for graduating
• Course subjects overview
• How to apply?

The Applied and Experimental Track aims to dramatically bridge the gap between academic and business activities, increase the relevance of research in real world settings as well as provide students with a practical „beyond research“ tool-box for implementing their ideas in practice. The academic and business journeys of candidates under this track are highly individualised and tailored to the research subjects and professional backgrounds of individual applicants.

Depending on the candidate's background there are two possible focusing methods of study:

For up and coming entrepreneurs and start-ups:

Exploring, testing, building, developing and implementing either new or early-stage business ideas or start-ups.

Is suited for a candidate who:

Is a key individual in a promising start-up or has an established idea for one.

Wishes to conceive, develop and launch an innovative business or societal idea and is positioned to use the necessary knowledge, networks, human resources and capital provided by their studies.

Both programmes will include an individual study plan that is tailored to the candidate's aspirations and background. Online and blended learning options are made available based on the individual circumstances, geographical location and mobility options of each student.

Important information:

Nominal duration

4 years

Volume of studies

240 ECTS

Language

English

Study format

Session based

Diploma

PhD in Management

Thesis

Independent thesis, a series of publications, a published monograph or the development of an original prototype, design, regulation etc.

Tuition Fee

Doctoral students enrolling as individual PhD students have to pay a tuition fee. The tuition fee is €600/month (€7200/year), which provides PhD candidates with full and unlimited access to all EBS resources. The tuition fee is payable either directly or through in-kind means (such as participation in teaching, involvement in external projects, involvement in spin-off companies etc.). In addition, for the applied track, separate pricing applies to the validation/acceleration module depending on the direction chosen by individual students.

The programme focuses on applied and experimental research, seeking to create a two-way interaction between business and academia within a comprehensive support ecosystem. A significant proportion of work conducted by candidates in the academic setting is directly linked and practically relevant to “real life” business settings, different economic sectors and specific organisations.

Programme structure ECTS volumes for graduating:

The programme strives to establish a clear real-life goal/ problem definition, which is then followed by actual implementation. Being a business and management-focused programme, it aims to go beyond technical-engineering solutions and enable the development and execution of innovative solutions and fundamental changes in organisations and society as a whole.

Course subjects overview:

All doctoral students also have an opportunity to go on an exchange with the goal to pass part of their studies or conduct research in an overseas university. This opportunity is highly encouraged and EBS has over 60 top-tier partner universities worldwide.

Admissions process and checklist:

Application deadline:

Non-EU: May 1st, 2025

EU & et*: August 1st, 2025

*inc. USA, Canada, Japan, Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and countries who do not need a visa to enter Estonia

Research Proposal presentation dates:

Non-EU: June 29th, 2025

EU & et*: August 26th, 2025

*inc. USA, Canada, Japan, Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and countries who do not need a visa to enter Estonia

The application fee is 120€. Application and relevant documents will be processed only after the application fee is received. The application fee invoice will be sent via DreamApply after your application has been received. Please keep in mind that the invoice is not generated automatically. Candidates from EU/EAA countries and from Turkey, Georgia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan are exempted from the application fee payment. The application fee is non-refundable.