Doctoral Programme

The goal of this programme is to train researchers, professors, consultants and experts in various business administration and management fields.

Joint IAE Aix-ESSEC Programme

In 1990, IAE Aix-en-Provence and the ESSEC Business School signed an agreement to unite and offer a joint Doctorate Programme, allowing ESSEC professors to teach in the Research Oriented Master programme in Aix-en-Provence. Furthermore, after Research Oriented Master graduation, students can attend the ESSEC Doctorate seminars and have an ESSEC Research Advisor (Directeur de Recherche). In the same way, ESSEC students can enroll in the IAE Aix's Research Oriented Master and Doctorate programmes. In both cases, the members of the thesis juries come from both IAE Aix and ESSEC. The Doctorate title is awarded by the University Paul Cézanne.

Organisation of the programme

Research Oriented Master: the prerequisite Research Oriented Master programme should be completed in one year (two years through derogation). The ex-DEA is intregrated in the Research Oriented Master, as second year. It offers two specialisations : Management Sciences and Financial Engineering.

  • Methodology seminars
  • Specialisation seminars
  • Oral jury examination ("Grand Oral")
  • Research Report
Doctorate Thesis

1st and 2nd year

3rd year

 

 

  • Research progress seminars
  • Methodology seminars
  • Defense of the thesis project
  • CEAG or EDAMBA
  • Research progress seminars

 

  • Pre-defense of the thesis
  • Completion of the thesis research
  • Defense of the thesis
  • Graduation and award of the Doctor in Management Sciences degree by the University Paul Cézanne Aix-Marseille III

* The average duration of the thesis is three years. It can be conducted in less time if research allows it.

Admission Requirements

After Research Oriented Master graduation or equivalent, students can enroll in the Doctorate programme with the approval of a Research Advisor (Directeur de Recherche - HDR) and the Head of the Programme. They can then join the CEROG, the IAE Aix Research Centre. 

Direct Doctorate Enrollment and Research Oriented Master Waiver

In certain cases (graduation with equivalent foreign degrees, high-level research or professional experience credentials), completion and graduation from the Research Oriented Master programme can be waived, upon acceptance from a special commission.

After Research Oriented Master graduation or equivalent, students can enroll in the Doctorate programme with the approval of a Research Advisor (Directeur de Recherche - HDR) and the Head of the Programme. They can then join the CEROG, the IAE Aix Research Center.

Doctorate Seminars

IAE Aix-en-Provence offers specific faculty and advanced classes to Doctorate students. The Doctorate seminars give the opportunity to students to be exposed to the methods and difficulties of research, to master advanced techniques, and to advance their Doctorate Thesis at a regular pace. Attendance of these seminars is mandatory for all students during the first two years of the programme.

  • The Research Progress Seminars allow the exchange of ideas with other students from other Doctorate programmes and the presentation of the students' research.
  • The Methodology Seminars ensure the acquisition of advanced methods not studied during the Research Oriented Master programme, such as: Data Analysis (co-ordinated by J. L. CHANDON)
  • Quality Methods (co-ordinated by F. DANO)

The Research Progress seminars also enable students to develop research formalisation as well as to face various audiences, including two IAE Aix Research Advisors. They provide teaching in research and are special opportunities to rehearse formal presentations to be given in various conference settings.

Methodology seminars enable student to study and master advanced research methodologies. The subjects studied are constantly kept up-to-date and renewed. Each year, new research is added to what represents a truly useful library of methodology and resource centre.

In addition to these seminars, CEROG students can be selected to attend other training sessions, such as:

  • The EDAMBA Summer School programmes (European Doctoral Association in Management and Business Administration).
  • The EDAMBA Summer School enables Doctorate students to attend seminars taught by European and American professors in management research paradigms and related fields.