Starting dates

Our academic calendar is based on a quarter system (1 quarter = 10 weeks). Because of the program's flexible structure and modular design, multiple starting dates are available at the start of every Quarter and of every Term, in October, November, January, February, April and May. All campuses follow the same academic calendar.

Academic Calendar / view online

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 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.

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, providing students the flexibility to combine work and studies, and 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 language

All courses are taught entirely in English across the campus network. Students should have a certain proficiency in English when they start. Students may have English as a native language, may have had English as the language of instruction during previuos studies, may have had advanced English langauge courses during previous studies, may have an English language school certificate, and/or may have scores from standardized tests such as TOEFL or IELTS. Refer to the table below for further details on required scores for standardized tests and language school certificates (CEFRL). Depending on the submitted documentation, students may be subjected to an English test at the start of their studies. Typically, non-native speakers who studied in English before or those who had advanced English lessons during previous studies, and with sufficient confidence, perform well. Because of the multi-cultural environment, only a relatively small percentage of students are native speakers.

Study destinations

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.

Program schedule

All campuses offer identical study programs and follow the same program structures for an interruption-free experience. However, not all courses are taught face-to-face at all campuses. Some courses are organized in a hybrid format (partially face-to-face, partially virtual), and some only virtually. Some programs are therefore also only available in a blended format, with some courses face-to-face, hybrid or virtually. Blended programs (and hybrid courses) are an excellent option for independent students as well as for globetrotters travelling far beyond the reaches of our campus network.

Global study trip

Each academic year, students from all campuses in Europe, as well as students from our academic partners can join our Global Study Trip to Tokyo, Japan. The weeklong trip is packed with cultural excursions, company visits, social activities and an Asian Management seminar.

Application deadlines

Our Admissions Department applies a rolling admissions process and does not set deadlines to submit applications because of the multiple starting dates available. Applications are reviewed continuously troughout the year. Only in case a student visa is required do we recommend to apply 1-3 months prior to the intended starting date.

Admission requirements

Students should be fluent in English, and have obtained a Master degree (or equivalent). Refer to the application process for further details on the recommended English language levels.

Degrees with 240 European credits or 160 American semester credits are considered equivalent. Other degrees can be submitted along with your application for review by our Admissions Department. No distinction is made between academic or professional Master degrees.

Students who do not hold a business-related Master degree or equivalent may be required to complete an inbound assessment test prior to starting the program, and, depending on the results, earn an additional number of credits in leveling courses from the Master program in order to be fully prepared for our postgraduate programs.

Faculty

All courses are taught by academically qualified faculty members who have earned a doctoral degree in their field of expertise and also draw from extensive professional experience. Faculty members teaching in the postgraduate courses specific to higher education also hold an adult teaching certificate.

Program fees

Program fees are calculated pro-rata per campus where the student completed courses and earned credits. The total fees are due payable on a quarterly basis on a fixed payment schedule. Program fees cover matriculation and tuition fees but do not include the cost of living, housing, travel, transport, health insurance, study materials and other expenses. For more details, refer to the document attached.

Fee Schedule / view online

Credit system

Doctoral degree programs consist of 60 European credits, equivalent to 40 American semester credits. Courses are assigned a number of credits, indicating the estimated workload. Each credit equals up to 30 learning hours, including contact hours, research hours, self-study hours and group-study hours. The workload of a typical part-time postgraduate student amounts to 5-10 credits and 150-300 learning hours per quarter.

Grading system

Students are assessed on a combination of attendance, participation, individual assignments, group assignments and exams. Assignments may include reading materials, term papers, reports, presentations, and others. The combination of these assessments provides students with an equal opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge. The minimum passing grade is D (60%). In case of an FX grade, students have the option to request a second exam in order to obtain the minimum passing grade of 60%.

Honor system

Students who achieve a certain GPA (Grade Point Average, or the weighted average of all grades earned, calculated on a 4.0 scale), will have their academic honors listed on the academic transcript issued together with the diploma.

Dissertation

The comprehensive dissertation work consists of a dissertation proposal and the actual dissertation. Proposals for its title and contents are submitted by the student and are approved by the school’s academic council, the Global Council for Management Education (GCME). Dissertation work can be directly related to the student’s professional activities.

Academic degree

Upon successful completion of the study program students receive an international private Doctorate 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. Learn more about the school's academic degrees and accreditation.

Ranking

Our Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree program was ranked as a Premier program in the 2019 CEO Magazine DBA ranking. Learn more about the school's rankings.

Flexible Study Programs

Our flexible study programs are based on the American model of higher education, allowing students to choose their courses based on program requirements, previous studies, current interests and future ambitions.

Multiple Starting Dates

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 allows for an optimal further education planning.

Transfer Between Campuses

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.

Truly Global Community

Our truly global community of students, faculty and staff, is made up of 85+ different nationalities from around the world, with students showing great appreciation for cultural diversity and entrepreneurial initiative.

Professionally Experienced Professors

Academically qualified and professionally experienced professors link theory and practice by bringing contemporary case studies into the classroom, preparing students to become the global leaders of the future.

Interactive Teaching Methods

Small class sizes with up to 30 students allow professors to use interactive teaching methods, thereby increasing group interaction, improving group dynamics and building long-lasting connections among students.

Reasons to Join

There's many more reasons to join our programs, so take a look at additional reasons to start your studies at UIBS!

Career Perspectives

Our alumni work in a variety of positions and across a number of industries. Take a look at where our alumni live, where they work and what they do on our LinkedIn page.

Student Services

Starting as a student soon? Then take a look at the various services available to our current and future students, including accommodation, insurance and other services.

Alumni Network

Learn more about our ever-expanding alumni network and take a look at upcoming alumni events at our various campuses and other places around the world.