Ph.D. Programs
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest academic qualification awarded by universities, signifying a candidate's original contribution to knowledge within a specific discipline. Traditionally, a PhD is earned through several years of structured research culminating in a dissertation of approximately 60,000 to 100,000 words, followed by a formal viva voce examination. This conventional route is often pursued by early-career academics or researchers based within academic institutions. By contrast, a PhD by Portfolio offers an alternative path designed for experienced professionals who have already produced substantial scholarly or practice-based work over the course of their careers. Rather than initiating new research from scratch, candidates compile a carefully curated portfolio of existing outputs—such as publications, projects, reports, or innovations—that demonstrate doctoral-level insight, analytical depth, and impact. The PhD by Portfolio thus recognizes and validates prior learning and real-world expertise, offering a rigorous but more flexible route to doctoral recognition for mature scholars, practitioners, and thought leaders.
The Myth of the 3 year Ph.D.
For decades, the three-year PhD has been treated as a kind of academic gold standard—as if time spent enrolled were the clearest measure of intellectual depth. But if you scratch beneath the surface, the timeline begins to look more like tradition for tradition’s sake. Much of that time is padded with institutional delays: long holidays, unhurried feedback cycles, and bureaucratic pacing that rarely matches the urgency of real-world research. The assumption that three years are inherently necessary often goes unchallenged, even when the actual work could, in many cases, be completed far more quickly by a motivated, well-prepared candidate.
Part of the problem is that time has become a stand-in for quality. Rather than evaluating the substance of the research or the capability of the candidate, institutions lean heavily on duration as proof of rigour. But what if we flipped the question? Instead of asking, “How long did it take?” we might ask, “What did it contribute?” Many professionals come into doctoral study with years of practical experience, published work, or deep subject-matter expertise. To insist that they must spend three or more years moving through an academic treadmill designed for less-experienced students isn’t just inefficient—it borders on intellectually lazy.
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What about technology, can A.I be used to speed up a Ph.D.?
Today’s technology, if used wisely, makes it entirely possible to complete a high-quality PhD in a fraction of the time—without cutting corners. AI tools can assist with literature reviews, citation management, data analysis, and even the early drafting process, all while improving accuracy and coherence. Online platforms now enable fast-track communication with supervisors, real-time feedback, and collaborative tools that make the traditional bottlenecks feel, frankly, outdated. The key is ethical use: not outsourcing thinking, but amplifying it. Efficiency doesn’t have to mean lower standards—it can simply mean fewer wasted months waiting for the next committee meeting.
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Where can I get a Ph.D. quickly?
At the Swiss School of Business Research (SSBR), we’ve built our doctoral programmes around this reality. Our flagship PhD by Portfolio is designed specifically for experienced professionals who already possess substantial research or applied knowledge. Rather than forcing them through redundant coursework, we evaluate the work they’ve already done—published studies, professional reports, theoretical frameworks—and guide them in crafting a coherent research narrative that meets doctoral standards. With year-round supervision, feedback in 48 hours, and full alignment with Bologna Process requirements, SSBR offers a model that honours both academic rigour and real-world relevance—without asking students to put their lives on hold for three years.
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