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PHD IN MARKETING

 

Title of the Program: PhD in Marketing

Duration: 3 years

Teaching Language: English

Content: 60 ECTS credits and a research component

 

 

Overview of the Program:

 

Caucasus University has wide experience of conducting PhD programs over the years. The University has been delivering PhD program in Business Administration in partnership with foreign counterparts for more than 10 years. In accordance with modern standards and demand, relevant PhD program in Marketing was established.

 

The PhD. Program in Marketing reflects the mission, vision, and values of the Caucasus University, as well as of the business school. The program takes into account the requirements of the local labor market, the successful experience of Marketing doctoral programs implemented by local and foreign universities, as well as the development trends in Marketing field of study, mainly focused on Consumer Behavior and Digital or Branding strategy. The main objectives of the program are:

 

  • Preparation of Qualified Researchers: Prepare students to be proficient researchers in the field of marketing, capable of applying contemporary theories and research methodologies to address and solve complex problems in consumer behavior and digital or strategic marketing.
  • Development of Research Competencies: Train students to independently plan and conduct original research using relevant quantitative and qualitative methods, ensuring the use of reliable data for impactful studies.
  • Advancement of Knowledge through Critical Analysis: Encourage students to critically analyze and evaluate research findings, enabling them to formulate original conclusions and develop theoretically and practically significant recommendations for innovative solutions to marketing challenges.
  • Enhancement of Teaching Proficiency: Equip students with advanced pedagogical skills, ensuring they are prepared to effectively transfer knowledge in various academic and professional settings through the best teaching methods available.
  • Ethical Academic Practices: Instill high standards of academic integrity and ethical norms in students, ensuring that they conduct and disseminate research with integrity and respect for the scholarly community.
  • International Integration: Prepare students to actively participate and integrate into the international academic community, enhancing their regional perspective and networking capabilities in marketing and related fields.

 

These goals are crafted to ensure that graduates of the PhD program in Marketing are not only experts in their field but also ethical, globally aware, and effective educators and communicators who can contribute significantly to both academic and business sectors in Georgia.

 

Degree Awarded: PhD in Marketing.

Teaching process is structured around semesters. All teaching components last one semester. A semester consists of calendar weeks. Each week comprises contact hours, as well as, hours for independent work. Semester may include 2 or 16 calendar weeks. The number of weeks for each semester is planned individually according to each cohort.

 

The official duration of the program is 3 years (6 semesters). Maximum duration is 5 years (10 semesters). PhD in Marketing program consists of the teaching component (60 ECTS credits) and a research component that comprises no less than 2 years (4 academic semesters).

 

 

I Year II Year III Year
42 ECTS 18 ECTS 4  Academic Semesters
Seminars and Methodological Courses

Teaching-Assistantship

Research Assistantship

 Dissertation 

 

 

 

Out of 60 ECTS of teaching component: 

 

  • 34 ECTS credits contribute to the mandatory seminars and methodology courses·
  • 6 ECTS credits contribute to the elective (optional) seminars (students can choose one of the elective seminars)·
  • 20 ECTS credits contribute to the mandatory teaching/assistanship module. 

 

Before defending the dissertation, the doctoral student is required to: 

 

  • To participate in the scientific conference in the direction of the dissertation topic;
  • The doctoral student is obliged to publish at least two scientific articles (or to have consent for publication). Among them, one article should be published in a refereed (peer-reviewed) journal with a foreign international index corresponding to the specificity of the field. Published articles should be thematically related to the thesis topic;
  • After registering on the research component, PhD student is obliged to present a report on the work completed at the end of each semester in accordance with pre-defined forms.

 

 

                

 

 

Detailed information can be found in the Curriculum  of the English-language Doctoral Program in Marketing.

Procedures for admission to the doctoral program:

 

  1. Submit the documents required for acceptance
  2. Pass the English language exam at B2 level (information about the exam)
  3. Pass Mathematics Admission Test (Test Information) (Test sample)
  4. Interview with the Admissions Committee

 

List of documents required for admission to doctoral programs:

                                                                                                                                                                    

  • Application form
  • Diploma certifying at least Master's degree or equivalent academic degree.
  • Notarized copy of diploma supplement/mark sheet;
  • Proof of English language proficiency on B2 level or Bachelor or Master Degree Diploma of a program taught in English Language; In case an applicant does not possess above mentioned documents, she/he will have to pass Caucasus School of Business admission exam in English Language at B2 level; (In other cases, the candidate is required to pass the B2 level entrance exam in English for the business school;)
  • A research thesis in English that matches the candidate's research interests;
  • Previous publications in the relevant field and participation in scientific research projects and events and at least 2 years of work experience in the relevant field;
  • Two letters of recommendation (prepared in English);
  • Resume (CV) in Georgian and English.
  • Passing score in Math admission exam of Caucasus School of Business;
  • Successful interview with Admission Committee of Caucasus School of Business.
  • Online registration

 

* Terms and conditions of admission are approved by the Admissions Committee and published on the university's website.

 

Important dates:

 

  • The deadline for submitting documents for the doctoral program is – 5 September 2025;
  • Documents can be submitted electronically via email: mjinchveleishvili@cu.edu.ge Or hard copies at the following address: Caucasus University, Paata Saakadze 1;
  • English language test: 13 September 2025;
  • Math Exam: 13 September 2025;
  • Applicant's interviews with CSB Admissions Commission: 16 September 2025.

 

 

Tuition and funding:

 

  • The cost of a three-year doctoral program is 9,000 GEL. (Information on tuition fees for foreign nationals can be found here)
  • Students pay in two parts. In the first year - 4,500 GEL and accordingly in the second year also - 4,500 GEL.
  • At the end of the first year, honors doctoral students will be able to obtain a grant from Caucasus School of Business, the amount of which is GEL 4,500, so this grant will fully fund the remaining tuition fees.

Elene Jgarkava

Dean

Tel: (+995 32) 237 77 77 (330)

E-mail: ejgarkava@cu.edu.ge

 

Mariam Jintchveleishvili

Program Administrative Director 
Tel: (+995 32) 237 77 77 (275)

Mob: (+995) 555 979 434

E-mail: mjinchveleishvili@cu.edu.ge