DOCTORAL STUDIES
AT THE ESTONIAN BUSINESS SCHOOL

EBS Doctoral Programme in Management is a unique, highly individualised double-track PhD programme, which focuses on real-world impact. Doctoral candidates are offered a choice between a classical academic research track and a NEW experimental applied track.

Application deadline:
EU & et*: August 1st, 2025

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

Non-EU: May 1st, 2025

img-ebs-hand

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.

Focuses on applied and experimental research, seeking to create a two-way interaction between business and academia within a comprehensive support ecosystem.

CLASSICAL ACADEMIC
RESEARCH TRACK

Aims to broaden our understanding of the world by giving deep knowledge of organisational theories and society while developing critical and analytical thinking and research skills.

Focuses on the research of business, public and civil society organisations offering a comprehensive perspective on management and organisation studies.

CALLS FOR JUNIOR RESEARCH FELLOW POSITIONS

When applying to EBS to become a PhD student, you also have the opportunity to become a junior research fellow. Junior research fellows are selected by the EBS Research and Development Council, are employed by EBS and work as part of a research group on a specific priority topic (see below for 2025 research calls).

These positions are financed either by EBS or external funding (or a combination of both). The junior research fellow is, therefore, both employed by EBS and enrolled into the PhD programme. As an employee, a junior research fellow is provided with a workplace and a competitive salary while also being provided with teaching and supervision as a PhD student.

This scholarship and position include an obligation to contribute to teaching and other core activities of the school. The duration of the employment is four years (reflecting the nominal PhD study period), with flexibility depending on individual circumstances. Junior research fellow positions are limited and offered to exceptional PhD candidates with a similar vision to fit the EBS academic faculty.

EBS PHD STUDENT PROFILES

PhD in Management is divided into two main tracks:

  • a classical academic research track, focusing on theories, analyses and critical thinking in areas related to contemporary management, business and entrepreneurship related subjects;
  • an applied/experimental track, where research is directly combined with the development and implementation of real-life changes in organisations (private or public) or with the design and launch of new business or societal-impact ventures based on innovative product or service concepts.

Both main tracks include the possibility to uptake the desired Junior Research Fellow study route. Learn more about the available Junior Research Fellow positions for the academic year 022025 here.

The EBS doctoral programme has three different student profiles:

Individual PhD student

PhD students concentrating only on their studies and research are called individual or independent PhD students. The requirements for enrolment as an individual student are the same as for junior research fellows, meaning you have to apply for a vacant PhD position.

Independent students have no additional teaching obligation, but they must pass the teaching internship which is a mandatory part in the curriculum. As an independent student, you do not have to apply for a vacant PhD position. You can, therefore, choose any research topic within the EBS research field.

Visiting PhD student

PhD students from other institutions, who wish to spend a period of study at EBS, should contact the department they wish to visit. Individual agreements may be made on supervision, participation in courses and a workplace between the student and the department.

Junior Research Fellow

The junior research fellow will work in a research group with a specific research topic. These positions are financed either by EBS or external funding (or in a combination of both). The junior research fellow is thus employed by EBS but is also a student at EBS being enrolled in the PhD programme.

As an employee, a junior research fellow is provided with a workplace and a salary, and as a student, teaching and supervision. This scholarship and position include an obligation to contribute to teaching at EBS. The duration of the employment is four years according to the nominal PhD study period. Junior research fellow positions are limited and offered to exceptional PhD candidates with a similar vision to fit the EBS academic faculty.

COMPARISON OF THE CLASSICAL
AND APPLIED PHD TRACKS

Classical Academic Track

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 or a published monograph

Tuition Fee 

 € 600/month (€ 7200/year)

Junior Research Fellow positions available  

 Yes

Supervisor  

Academic

Pedagogical internship  

3 ECTS

Core subjects    

 36 ECTS

Special subjects   

12 ECTS

Doctoral seminars  

9 ECTS

Doctoral Thesis and related research

 180 ECTS

Applied concept preparation /validation/ testing/ feedback/ adaptation

-

Target audience

 Postgraduate degree holders aiming to deepen their knowledge of organisational theories and society.

Application deadline

May 1st (non-EU), August 1st, 2025

Applied & Experimental Track

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 

€600/month (€7200/year); separate pricing applies depending on the chosen direction of study.

Junior Research Fellow positions available  

 Yes

Supervisor  

Academic & Business world

Pedagogical internship  

3 ECTS

Core subjects    

12 ECTS

Special subjects   

21 ECTS

Doctoral seminars  

9 ECTS

Doctoral Thesis and related research

 180 ECTS

Applied concept preparation /validation/ testing/ feedback/ adaptation

15 ETCS

Target audience

Entrepreneurs or established organisations with an aim to solve a specific real-life organisational issue.

Application deadline

May 1st (non-EU), August 1st, 2025

Not sure how and where to get started?

Please contact us: doctoral@ebs.ee