United School for Liberal Studies
Doctorate in Communication Studies
PhD
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
CHF 36,000
STUDY FORMAT
Blended, On-Campus
Key Summary
Program duration: 2 up to 4 academic years, part-time
Program format: Part-time, Online
Program language: English
Degree awarded: Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Studies (Ph.D.)
Deadline: no deadline to apply
Location: Online
Starting dates: 6
Program Duration
Part-time students can earn a Doctoral degree in 2 to 4 academic years, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection, and the course planning. Completing half the typical number of courses will result in twice the duration of the part-time program. The more flexible the working hours, the more courses will be available to finish faster. All Postgraduate students are considered part-time. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.
Kick-start your studies up to 6 times per year
Students can choose between multiple starting dates in the fall, winter, spring, and summer of each academic year. Our modular course design and program structure allow for optimal further education planning.
Because of the program's flexible structure and modular design, multiple starting dates are available throughout the academic year in October, November, January, February, April, or May.
Study Destinations
Students can transfer between campuses on a quarterly basis with guaranteed program compatibility. Our quarter-based academic calendar allows for a continuous study-abroad experience across Europe and Asia.
Postgraduate students can study abroad in 6 of our 9 global campus locations:
Our campuses are all located in the city center of several exciting destinations. Students are encouraged to transfer between campuses for one or more quarters but may also choose a single campus as their destination of choice. Students who prefer shorter periods abroad can join our seminar courses taught by visiting professors at several of our campuses throughout the academic year.
Accreditation
Upon successful completion of the study program, students receive an international private Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Studies (Ph.D.) awarded by the school's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned.
Teaching Schedule
Courses are scheduled across main and branch campuses from Monday to Saturday between 8:30 and 18:30, typically in sessions of 3 hours each and in an intensive seminar format with visiting professors. This format provides students the flexibility to combine work and studies, while fostering inter-campus exchanges and global networking.
Refer to the course planning for further details on the availability of seminar courses. Additional courses may be available online; additional academic policies and conditions will apply.
Program requirements
| Courses | European Credits (EC) | |
| PhD-specific courses @ ECLS | 3 | 15 |
| Courses from the Communication Studies cluster | 3 | 15 |
| Courses from the Higher Education Cluster | 3 | 15 |
| Subtotal | 9 | 45 |
| Final Project | Dissertation in Communication Studies | 15 |
| Total | 60 |
DBA courses
- ACA7001 - Applied Research Techniques (5)
- BUS7001 - Corporate Social Responsibility (5)
- BUS7002 - Global Business Development (5)
- BUS7102 - Advanced Cases in Global Business (5)
- COM7002 - Corporate Communication Strategies (5)
- ECO7001 - Advanced International Economics (5)
- HUM7001 - Advanced Organizational Behavior (5)
- HUM7003 - Global Leadership Styles (5)
- INF7001 - Management Information Systems (5)
- INT8801 - Postgraduate Dissertation Proposal (5)
- INT8802 - Postgraduate Dissertation (10)
- MAN7001 - Strategic Decision-making (5)
- QUA7001 - Quantitative Research Methods (5)
Ph.D. courses
- ACA7001 - Applied Research Techniques (5)
- CUL7001 - Applied Cultural Theories (5)
- HUM7002 - Advanced Psychology (5)
- INT8801 - Postgraduate Dissertation Proposal (5)
- INT8802 - Postgraduate Dissertation (10)
- MAN7105 - Advanced Cases in Global Management (5)
- QUA7001 - Quantitative Research Methods (5)
- SOC7001 - Advanced Sociology (5)
Higher Education courses
- ACA7002 - Global Perspectives on Teaching and Learning (5)
- ACA7003 - Higher Education Course Design and Preparation (5)
- ACA7004 - Higher Education Teaching and Evaluation (5)
- ACA7101 - Advanced Cases in Higher Education (5)
This program does not have any scholarship opportunities available.
Accreditation & Global Recognition
UIBS/USLS has earned prestigious rankings in the 2025 global business education landscape:
- QS MBA Ranking 2025: Global Top 200 and European Top 60
- CEO Magazine Global MBA Ranking 2025: Tier One program
- CEO Magazine Global EMBA Ranking 2025: 31st worldwide
- CEO Magazine Global Online MBA Ranking 2025: 17th worldwide
To sign up for the event, make sure to fill out the form to receive the joining link.
Upon successful completion of the study program, students receive a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Studies (Ph.D.) degree awarded by the school's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned.
Career Preparation and Job Placement
Our Careers Department supports our students in planning their career paths by:
- Organizing several career seminars
- Offering the possibility of meeting with business professionals interested in recruiting
- Maintaining job and internship listings on our Careers Portal
Our study programs are designed to meet the demands of a broad range of business professions. Students are also assisted with finding attractive internships and jobs with both local and multinational companies and organizations. In addition, we review our students' CVs and provide useful tips for job interviews.
Dedicated Career Services
With the help of our dedicated career services and our online career center, students and alumni receive the career support they need to help their professional careers take off.
Our dedicated career department organizes relevant career seminars and guest speaker events on a quarterly basis, while our online career center provides 24/7 access to the latest job offers, internship opportunities, and a wide range of videos and articles with helpful tips and advice.
Professional Career Perspectives
Our professional study programs prepare students for a wide range of professions across various industries. It is important to note that our programs do not aim for access to regulated professions or government employment. While access to government employment may be limited due to the private nature of our degrees, several alumni do work for government authorities in a variety of positions.
Part-time students can earn a Doctoral degree in 2 to 4 academic years, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection, and the course planning. Completing half the typical number of courses equals twice the duration of the part-time program. The more flexible the working hours, the more courses will be available to finish faster.
All Postgraduate students are considered part-time. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.