Budapest University of Economics and Business’ Doctoral School of Entrepreneurship and Business provides training to those who wish to examine complex economic issues and the business sphere in a manner that conforms to academic professionalism and scientific rigour.
Our doctoral programme operates in the field of management and organisational sciences and focuses primarily on research examining the operation of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises. A significant proportion of the research conducted by our doctoral students examines from real-world economic and organisational problems.
As of 2026 our doctoral programme operates in a renewed training structure. The rationale behind this transformation was to create a research-focused, flexible doctoral programme: thanks to fewer subjects to complete more time is available for independent research and for the preparation of the doctoral dissertation. Our doctoral students are supported by experienced supervisors, and – in addition to that – the Doctoral School operates as a personalised professional workshop for a small circle of dedicated doctoral students. In the first year of the maximum four-year-long doctoral programme PhD students only take courses designed to develop and support their methodological development.
International academic environment
The language of instruction at the Doctoral School of Entrepreneurship and Business is English. A significant proportion of the PhD students enrolled in the programme are international students, which scenario creates an environment where doctoral students become members of the international academic community whilst still completing the training. The students of the Doctoral School present their research at conferences and workshops, and also engage – through diverse scientific channels and activities – with the international academic community.
Doctoral programme at the intersection of research and practice
Research carried out by PhD students at our Doctoral School typically aims to offer solutions to real-life economic issues and problems facing businesses. Our doctoral students, among other themes, work on topics including:
- the operation of businesses and SMEs
- organisational and managerial dilemmas
- corporate ethics and decision-making
- financial and economic processes
- family businesses and generational succession
Our doctoral programme also caters for interdisciplinary research, and for this reason our PhD students often produce research at the intersection of several disciplines.
The Doctoral School welcomes applications primarily from the following professionals:
- recent master programme graduates,
- professionals with practical experience who have decided to pursue academic research,
- graduates planning an academic career who wish to provide a solution to a research problem they deem important.
Our doctoral programme equips its PhD students with theoretical, methodological and practical knowledge valuable in higher education, the research sector and the world of business.