Duration
107 days
Campus
Audencia Atlantic Campus - Nantes
Format
Blended

Discover our program

The Executive PhD is designed for executives, experts, and experienced professionals who are ready to take the next step in their careers: moving beyond mastery of their field to actively advancing its knowledge and practices.

At the intersection of academic excellence and the strategic challenges faced by organizations, the program enables you to transform a question rooted in your professional experience into an original and rigorous research project with the potential to make a meaningful impact on your sector.

You will develop advanced research skills and learn to critically engage with academic knowledge, drawing on both scientific literature and your own expertise to produce original analyses, generate robust findings, and defend a distinctive contribution.

Through individualized guidance from faculty researchers and participation in an international community of researchers, executives, and experts, you will progressively develop a strong practitioner-researcher perspective and strengthen your ability to bring original thinking to your field.

You will challenge existing knowledge, generate new insights, and develop an original contribution capable of advancing your field of expertise.

Summary
  • Rhythm:
    Part-time
  • Entry level:
    5 ans d'expérience
  • Total duration:
    107 days
  • Degree:
    Diplôme d'établissement -
  • Language(s):
    English
  • Number of places:
    15
  • Format:
    Blended
  • Campus:
    Audencia Atlantic Campus - Nantes
  • Start Date:
    2027-02-22
  • VAE accessible:
    No
  • Type of training:
    Graduating

Program Benefits

Where Research Meets Professional Experience: Turn real-world business challenges into rigorous research questions and produce knowledge that creates value for your industry and organization.

Individualized Doctoral Supervision: Benefit from the guidance of an international faculty and personalized support throughout your research journey.

An International Community That Broadens Your Perspective: Engage with researchers, executives, and experts from diverse backgrounds, and deepen your thinking through seminars, academic exchange, and collaborative projects.

A Flexible, Customizable Path: Balance your professional commitments with your doctoral project through a hybrid format combining online learning and in-person sessions. From Year 2 onward, choose the track that best aligns with your goals: Scientific PhD or Executive PhD.

Research Grounded in Leading International Standards: Draw on the expertise of internationally experienced faculty researchers and research methods recognized across the academic community.

Upcoming sessions

  • Start Date:
    22/02/2027
  • Campus:
    Audencia Atlantic Campus, Nantes
  • Format:
    Blended

Participant profile

Join a Community of Senior Executives and Experts

The Executive PhD brings together experienced professionals from several countries, with an average of 17 years of professional experience and an average age of around 40.

Executives, experts, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers come together to challenge their experiences, perspectives, and strategic issues within a demanding academic community, where the diversity of industries, cultures, and career paths enriches both the quality of discussion and the research itself.

Duration
107 days
Campus
Audencia Atlantic Campus - Nantes
Format
Blended

Target Skills

  • Question: Identify emerging transformations and phenomena, and formulate original research questions.
  • Theorize: Draw on management theories, compare different perspectives, and develop a theoretical framework that makes a novel contribution.
  • Demonstrate: Master international research standards and apply appropriate qualitative, quantitative, or mixed research methodologies.
  • Contribute: Produce original knowledge and demonstrate its contribution to a field of research, beyond the sole resolution of a managerial issue.
  • Transform: Bridge academic excellence and organizational realities in order to translate research findings into knowledge and high-impact levers for action.
  • Influence: Develop a strong identity as a researcher and thought leader, capable of publishing, sharing research with academic and professional communities, and contributing to debates within the field.

Pedagogical methods

Our three-year, part-time Executive PhD combines the flexibility of online learning with the value of in-person sessions held on Audencia’s campuses in Nantes. Delivered in a hybrid format, the program is designed to enable participants to pursue advanced academic qualifications while maintaining their professional commitments.

The program is led by experienced Executive PhD faculty and combines engaging online courses, interactive seminars, and workshops. In-person sessions foster collaboration, exchange, and networking, while providing the academic depth and flexibility required to progress successfully throughout the program.

With a strong emphasis on applied research and cutting-edge management knowledge, this approach enables participants to develop the analytical, research, and leadership capabilities required to drive innovation and create meaningful impact within organizations.

Assessment Terms

Thesis

Duration
107 days
Campus
Audencia Atlantic Campus - Nantes
Format
Blended

Admission terms

  • Preliminary step

Pre-admission interview: Once you have expressed your interest in the program, you will be invited to speak with one of our Program Advisors. This personalized interview is designed to assess how well your professional and personal goals align with the objectives of the program. Your advisor will also provide further information about the program, the organizational arrangements required, and the admissions process.

  • Step 1

Application form: Complete and submit your application online.

  • Step 2

Interview with the Program Director

  • Step 3 - Final Decision

The Admissions Committee will review your application and make a final admission decision within one week. You will be informed of the outcome promptly.

Admission criteria

Master’s degree and at least 5 years of relevant professional experience.

Applicants holding a Bachelor’s degree may also be considered for admission provided they have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience. Admission is subject to limited availability.

Scientific PhD: Academic or research-oriented Master’s degree (e.g., Research Master’s, MSc).

Admission period

Up to 10 business days before the start of the program.

Register now
Duration
107 days
Campus
Audencia Atlantic Campus - Nantes
Format
Blended

Your degree/certification

  • Graduation level: Diplôme d'établissement
  • Organization of recognition of the diploma: Audencia

Accessibility for the Disabled

In line with its three founding values - Innovation, Collaboration and Responsibility - Audencia's social policy places the fight against all forms of discrimination related to age, gender, origin, disability or any other personal characteristic at the heart of its policy and encourages the integration of learners regardless of these attributes.

In particular, Audencia is committed to meeting accessibility standards for people with disabilities in all our locations and to offering specially adapted training courses. For more information, please see our Disability Policy.

Contact us, in complete confidentiality, so that together we can find a personalized solution: diversity@audencia.com