PhD
January 4, 2026 2026-03-24 4:39PhD
PhD with Cosmoversity in partnership with University of Political and Economic Studies “C. Stere” (USPEE), Moldova
Embrace global business leadership
STARTS ON
Februrary 21, 2026
DURATION
3 years
Online + On Campus
ELIGIBILITY
Masters Degree
Online + On Campus
PhD Programme Overview
Cosmoversity is offering a PhD from the University of Political and Economic Studies “C. Stere” (USPEE) in Chișinău, Moldova. Below is a tailored PhD Course Planner that fits an international 3-year PhD structure with Year 1 coursework followed by Year 2–3 research, adapted for doctoral programmes and aligns with best practice frameworks.
About the University of Political and Economic Studies “C. Stere”
The University of Political and Economic Studies “Constantin Stere” (USPEE) is a dynamic higher education institution located in Republic of Moldova, committed to advancing academic excellence, research, and internationalisation. Founded in 1997 as the Institute of Political Studies and International Relations, the institution was reorganised into a university in 2007 and later named after Constantin Stere, an esteemed lawyer, politician, and thinker whose legacy reflects academic rigor and civic engagement.
USPEE operates under national accreditation and quality assurance frameworks, following the Bologna Process and ECTS system, and offers a full spectrum of academic programmes at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels. As part of its strategic mission, the university emphasises interdisciplinary research, quality learning, and global engagement — preparing graduates to excel in academia, public service, and industry.
The university’s academic structure includes faculties and departments in areas such as Law, Political Sciences, Economics, International Relations, Social Sciences, and Business Administration. Its Doctoral School fosters transparency, international collaboration, and world-class research development, encouraging doctoral candidates to engage in innovative inquiry and contribute to European and global knowledge communities.
USPEE also provides modern learning environments, including advanced e-learning platforms, and facilitates study opportunities abroad through partnership agreements with institutions across Europe, America, and Asia.
As a partner to Cosmoversity, USPEE brings substantial academic expertise, research infrastructure, and a commitment to international quality standards, ensuring that doctoral programmes such as the PhD and DBA are rooted in robust scholarship and global relevance.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) represents the highest level of academic and intellectual achievement. It is designed for individuals who aspire to advance knowledge, influence policy and practice, and position themselves as experts and thought leaders within their field.
At Cosmoversity, the PhD is not only about earning a title, it is about developing the capacity to think critically, research independently, and contribute original insights that shape industries, institutions, and societies. PhD at Cosmoversity is a structured pathway to doctoral success with one year of structured coursework with two years of supervised research, ensuring candidates are well prepared before undertaking independent doctoral inquiry.
Who Should Consider a PhD?
The PhD is ideal for individuals who:
- Are passionate about research and inquiry
- Aspire to academic, research, or policy-focused careers
- Seek to contribute original ideas to their field
- Value intellectual depth and long-term scholarly impact
- Develop advanced research capability grounded in rigorous scientific inquiry
- Enable scholars to produce original, publishable research with academic and societal impact
- Prepare graduates for academic careers, policy leadership, consultancy, and senior professional roles
- Foster interdisciplinary thinking across business, economics, finance, law, governance and related fields
- Year 1 – Doctoral Coursework (60 credits): Focuses on research philosophy, advanced methodologies, data analysis, academic writing, ethics, and proposal development.
- Year 2 – Research Development & Candidature (60 credits): Emphasises independent research, data collection, advanced analysis, and formal confirmation of doctoral candidature.
- Year 3 – Thesis Completion & Dissemination (60 credits): Dedicated to thesis writing, integration of findings, publication outputs, and viva voce preparation.
- Business
- Business Management
- Economics and Political Economy
- Finance and Banking
- Law and Jurisprudence
- Governance, Sustainability and International Relations
- Each candidate is supported by a primary supervisor and co-supervisor
- Regular doctoral seminars, progress reviews, and research panels are embedded throughout the programme
- Candidates receive structured support in publishing, conference participation, and research dissemination
- Online lectures by expert faculties
- Recorded session for offline viewing
- Easy-to-use and accessible LMS
- Assignments for module assessments
- Dissertation on your area of research work
- Successful completion of doctoral coursework (Year 1)
- Approved research proposal and candidature confirmation (Year 2)
- Submission and defence of an original doctoral thesis through a viva voce examination (Year 3)
- Lectures in the evenings and weekends.
- Supervision by qualified and experienced supervisors during the thesis stage.
- Doctoral Symposia’
- Conduct independent, original research at doctoral level
- Publish in peer-reviewed academic journals
- Contribute to policy, institutional, and professional decision-making
- Pursue careers in academia, research institutes, international organisations, consulting and senior leadership roles
- Supervision by PhD Supervisory Panel
- Ethics Approval and Compliance
- Annual Progress Reviews
- Publication Requirement (Journal / Conference)
- Interdisciplinary Integration
- Viva Voce / Oral Defense
Learning Journey
Programme: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — University of Political and Economic Studies “C. Stere” Delivered by: Cosmoversity (partner) Duration: 3 Years Total Credits: 180 ECTS (or equivalent) Structure:- Year 1 — Coursework (60 Credits)
- Year 2 — Research & Candidature (60 Credits)
- Year 3 — Thesis Completion (60 Credits)
| Module | Credits | Purpose |
| Research Philosophy & Paradigms | 10 | Understanding positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism, critical realism |
| Advanced Research Methodology (Qualitative & Quantitative) | 10 | Design, sampling, data collection strategies |
| Academic Writing & Scholarly Communication | 5 | Scholarly writing, literature reviews |
| Research Ethics & Governance | 5 | Ethics committees, consent, integrity, plagiarism |
| Module | Credits | Purpose |
| Data Analysis Techniques (SPSS / NVivo / Python / R) | 10 | Statistical & thematic analysis |
| Systematic Literature Review & Theory Building | 10 | Critical synthesis, gap identification |
| Doctoral Seminar I (Proposal Development) | 5 | Proposal defense preparation |
| Research Impact, Innovation & Sustainability | 5 | Policy relevance, SDGs, industry linkage, Contextual integration |
| Component | Credits | Description |
| Independent Research & Data Collection | 40 | Fieldwork, surveys, interviews, experiments |
| Doctoral Seminar (Candidature Confirmation) | 10 | viva-style confirmation review |
| Interim Research Report | 10 | Progress Assessment report |
| Component | Credits | Description |
| Thesis Writing & Integration | 40 | Full doctoral thesis (80,000–100,000 words) |
| Doctoral Seminar- Pre-Viva & Mock Defense | 10 | Viva preparation |
| Research Dissemination & Impact Portfolio | 10 | Publications, policy briefs, teaching contribution, outreach summaries |
Program highlights
Governance & Quality Features- Supervisory Team: Primary + Co-Supervisor
- Annual Progress Review Panels
- Ethics Committee & Research Integrity Office
- Mandatory Research Training Log
- Publication & Impact Requirement
- Alignment with Level 8 Doctoral Descriptors (UK/EU)
| Year 1 | Coursework + Proposal + Ethics Approval |
| Year 2 | Candidature Confirmation + Data Collection + Journal Paper |
| Year 3 | Thesis + Viva + Research Impact Portfolio |
- By assignments
- Research Proposal defense (VIVA panel)
- Thesis Defence (VIVA panel)
- Candidates must have a Master’s degree or equivalent from recognised institutions.
- Candidates must have at least three years of work experience at the managerial level.
- Candidates must have a thorough command of written and spoken English. English level: 6.0 IELTS or equivalent
About the University of Political and Economic Studies “C. Stere”
The University of Political and Economic Studies “Constantin Stere” (USPEE) is a dynamic higher education institution located in Republic of Moldova, committed to advancing academic excellence, research, and internationalisation. Founded in 1997 as the Institute of Political Studies and International Relations, the institution was reorganised into a university in 2007 and later named after Constantin Stere, an esteemed lawyer, politician, and thinker whose legacy reflects academic rigor and civic engagement.
USPEE operates under national accreditation and quality assurance frameworks, following the Bologna Process and ECTS system, and offers a full spectrum of academic programmes at the Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral levels. As part of its strategic mission, the university emphasises interdisciplinary research, quality learning, and global engagement — preparing graduates to excel in academia, public service, and industry.
The university’s academic structure includes faculties and departments in areas such as Law, Political Sciences, Economics, International Relations, Social Sciences, and Business Administration. Its Doctoral School fosters transparency, international collaboration, and world-class research development, encouraging doctoral candidates to engage in innovative inquiry and contribute to European and global knowledge communities.
USPEE also provides modern learning environments, including advanced e-learning platforms, and facilitates study opportunities abroad through partnership agreements with institutions across Europe, America, and Asia.
PhD Programme Structure (3 Years | 180 ECTS)
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme offered by Cosmoversity, in academic partnership with the University of Political and Economic Studies “C. Stere”, is a three-year doctoral programme designed to develop independent, high-impact researchers capable of contributing original knowledge to their chosen discipline.
The programme follows a structured international doctoral model, combining one year of intensive coursework with two years of supervised research, ensuring candidates build strong methodological, theoretical and ethical foundations before progressing to advanced, original research.
Programme Purpose
The PhD programme aims to:
- Develop advanced research capability grounded in rigorous scientific inquiry
- Enable scholars to produce original, publishable research with academic and societal impact
- Prepare graduates for academic careers, policy leadership, consultancy, and senior professional roles
- Foster interdisciplinary thinking across business, economics, finance, law, governance and related fields
Programme Structure
The programme is structured over three academic years (180 ECTS total):
- Year 1 – Doctoral Coursework (60 credits):
Focuses on research philosophy, advanced methodologies, data analysis, academic writing, ethics, and proposal development. - Year 2 – Research Development & Candidature (60 credits):
Emphasises independent research, data collection, advanced analysis, and formal confirmation of doctoral candidature. - Year 3 – Thesis Completion & Dissemination (60 credits):
Dedicated to thesis writing, integration of findings, publication outputs, and viva voce preparation.
This structure ensures a progressive transition from guided learning to independent scholarship, aligned with European and international doctoral standards.
Areas of Research
Doctoral research may be undertaken in (but not limited to):
- Business
- Business Management
- Economics and Political Economy
- Finance and Banking
- Law and Jurisprudence
- Governance, Sustainability and International Relations
Research topics are approved by the doctoral committee and aligned with the expertise of the supervisory team at the awarding university.
Learning and Supervision Model
- Each candidate is supported by a primary supervisor and co-supervisor
- Regular doctoral seminars, progress reviews, and research panels are embedded throughout the programme
- Candidates receive structured support in publishing, conference participation, and research dissemination
- Online lectures by expert faculties
- Recorded session for offline viewing
- Easy-to-use and accessible LMS
- Assignments for module assessments
- Dissertation on your area of research work
Cosmoversity provides academic mentoring, research skills training, and learner support, while the awarding university ensures academic governance, supervision standards, and final assessment.
Assessment and Award
Assessment is based on:
- Successful completion of doctoral coursework (Year 1)
- Approved research proposal and candidature confirmation (Year 2)
- Submission and defence of an original doctoral thesis through a viva voce examination (Year 3)
Upon successful completion, candidates are awarded the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree by the University of Political and Economic Studies “C. Stere.”
Program Structure and Delivery mode
- Lectures in the evenings and weekends.
- Supervision by qualified and experienced supervisors during the thesis stage.
- Doctoral Symposia’
Graduate Outcomes
Graduates of the programme will be able to:
- Conduct independent, original research at doctoral level
- Publish in peer-reviewed academic journals
- Contribute to policy, institutional, and professional decision-making
- Pursue careers in academia, research institutes, international organisations, consulting and senior leadership roles
Programme Features (Aligned to International Standards)
- Supervision by PhD Supervisory Panel
- Ethics Approval and Compliance
- Annual Progress Reviews
- Publication Requirement (Journal / Conference)
- Interdisciplinary Integration
- Viva Voce / Oral Defense
(All aligned with doctoral standards and common EU/Moldova PhD practices as observed at USPEE.)
What will you learn from the program?
The Wharton Global C-Suite Program will enable you to:
- Consolidate your functional, business, and communication skills to lead from the C-suite
- Understand how to manage complex, multi-partner alliances and nurture strategic business ecosystems
- Develop new approaches for global team building, strategy execution, and implementation
- Focus on the demands of emerging markets and grasp new industry challenges
- Plan and execute global strategy from a range of lenses including leadership, organizational culture, business challenges, and talent management
- Recognize the drivers of corporate value and their tradeoffs: organic revenue growth, returns on capital, and long-term investing
- Identify the factors that help your organization gain and sustain competitive market advantage
Learning Journey
Programme: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) — University of Political and Economic Studies “C. Stere”
Delivered by: Cosmoversity (partner)
Duration: 3 Years
Total Credits: 180 ECTS (or equivalent)
Structure:
- Year 1 — Coursework (60 Credits)
- Year 2 — Research & Candidature (60 Credits)
- Year 3 — Thesis Completion (60 Credits)
Build strong foundations in research design, theory, ethics, and scholarly skills before independent research. Equip candidates with research methods, theoretical depth, interdisciplinary context and academic communication skills.
Term 1 (30 Credits)
Module | Credits | Purpose |
1. Research Philosophy & Paradigms | 10 | Understanding positivism, interpretivism, pragmatism, critical realism |
2. Advanced Research Methodology (Qualitative & Quantitative) | 10 | Design, sampling, data collection strategies |
3. Academic Writing & Scholarly Communication | 5 | Scholarly writing, literature reviews |
4. Research Ethics & Governance | 5 | Ethics committees, consent, integrity, plagiarism |
Term 2 (30 Credits)
Module | Credits | Purpose |
1. Data Analysis Techniques (SPSS / NVivo / Python / R) | 10 | Statistical & thematic analysis |
2. Systematic Literature Review & Theory Building | 10 | Critical synthesis, gap identification |
3. Doctoral Seminar I (Proposal Development) | 5 | Proposal defense preparation |
4. Research Impact, Innovation & Sustainability | 5 | Policy relevance, SDGs, industry linkage, Contextual integration |
End of Year 1 Milestone:
Approved PhD Research Proposal + Ethics Clearance
Conduct original research and confirm doctoral candidacy.
Component | Credits | Description |
1. Independent Research & Data Collection | 40 | Fieldwork, surveys, interviews, experiments |
2. Doctoral Seminar (Candidature Confirmation) | 10 | viva-style confirmation review |
3. Interim Research Report | 10 | Progress Assessment report |
- End of Year 2 Milestone:
Candidature Confirmation by doctoral committee
Annual progress report submitted to the department and supervisor
At least one paper submitted to a peer-reviewed journal
Finalize thesis and demonstrate scholarly contribution.
Component | Credits | Description |
Thesis Writing & Integration | 40 | Full doctoral thesis (80,000–100,000 words) |
Doctoral Seminar- Pre-Viva & Mock Defense | 10 | Viva preparation |
Research Dissemination & Impact Portfolio | 10 | Publications, policy briefs, teaching contribution, outreach summaries |
End of Year 3 Milestone:
Thesis Submission
Viva Voce Examination
Governance & Quality Features
- Supervisory Team: Primary + Co-Supervisor
- Annual Progress Review Panels
- Ethics Committee & Research Integrity Office
- Mandatory Research Training Log
- Publication & Impact Requirement
- Alignment with Level 8 Doctoral Descriptors (UK/EU)
Deliverables Summary
Year 1 | Coursework + Proposal + Ethics Approval |
Year 2 | Candidature Confirmation + Data Collection + Journal Paper |
Year 3 | Thesis + Viva + Research Impact Portfolio |
Method of Assessments
- By assignments
- Research Proposal defense (VIVA panel)
- Thesis Defence (VIVA panel)
Entry Requirements
- Candidates must have a Master’s degree or equivalent from recognised institutions.
- Candidates must have at least three years of work experience at the managerial level.
- Candidates must have a thorough command of written and spoken English. English level: 6.0 IELTS or equivalent
What will you learn from the Global C-Suite Program?
The program is designed to equip forward-thinking executives with a cutting-edge curriculum that reflects current industry trends. You will strengthen corporate strategy, execute global strategy with a growth oriented mindset, lead diverse teams with confidence, and drive business excellence while addressing complex organizational challenges.
The program is divided into two components — 18 weeks of core modules followed by three online electives of six weeks each. It concludes with a two-day networking and graduation event on the Wharton campus in Philadelphia.
Global Strategy
Elevate your leadership skills by delving into strategy, innovation, and effective management. Understand emerging market dynamics, and infuse your leadership with strategic acumen, paving the way for a competitive advantage in the ever-evolving global landscape.
Strategic Thinking
Creating and Sustaining Competitive Advantage
Competing in a Global Environment
Winning in Emerging Markets
Strategic Agility
Executing Growth Strategies
Embark on a strategic journey to leverage innovation and drive growth. By mastering diversification and value creation through growth modes, and decoding scaling metrics, you will be equipped to propel your organization toward transformative growth.
Growth Avenues — Scope Diversification and Consolidation
Creating Value through Modes of Growth
Analyzing an Organization’s Scaling Metrics
The Drivers of Corporate Value
Global Leadership
Gain a sharper understanding of what it takes to be a global leader by navigating the complexities of managing diverse teams. Master the nuances of C-suite dynamics and strengthen your core leadership skills to navigate crises and elevate your leadership.
Managing Collaborative, Global, and Remote Teams
Leadership in Crisis
Your Leadership in the Global C-Suite
Strengthening Your Leadership in the C-Suite
Serving as the Complete Leader
Leader’s Checklist
Global Strategy
Elevate your leadership skills by delving into strategy, innovation, and effective management. Understand emerging market dynamics, and infuse your leadership with strategic acumen, paving the way for a competitive advantage in the ever-evolving global landscape.
Strategic Thinking
Creating and Sustaining Competitive Advantage
Competing in a Global Environment
Winning in Emerging Markets
Strategic Agility
Executing Growth Strategies
Embark on a strategic journey to leverage innovation and drive growth. By mastering diversification and value creation through growth modes, and decoding scaling metrics, you will be equipped to propel your organization toward transformative growth.
Growth Avenues — Scope Diversification and Consolidation
Creating Value through Modes of Growth
Analyzing an Organization’s Scaling Metrics
The Drivers of Corporate Value
Global Leadership
Gain a sharper understanding of what it takes to be a global leader by navigating the complexities of managing diverse teams. Master the nuances of C-suite dynamics and strengthen your core leadership skills to navigate crises and elevate your leadership.
Managing Collaborative, Global, and Remote Teams
Leadership in Crisis
Your Leadership in the Global C-Suite
Strengthening Your Leadership in the C-Suite
Serving as the Complete Leader
Leader’s Checklist
Global Strategy
Elevate your leadership skills by delving into strategy, innovation, and effective management. Understand emerging market dynamics, and infuse your leadership with strategic acumen, paving the way for a competitive advantage in the ever-evolving global landscape.
Strategic Thinking
Creating and Sustaining Competitive Advantage
Competing in a Global Environment
Winning in Emerging Markets
Strategic Agility
Executing Growth Strategies
Embark on a strategic journey to leverage innovation and drive growth. By mastering diversification and value creation through growth modes, and decoding scaling metrics, you will be equipped to propel your organization toward transformative growth.
Growth Avenues — Scope Diversification and Consolidation
Creating Value through Modes of Growth
Analyzing an Organization’s Scaling Metrics
The Drivers of Corporate Value
Global Leadership
Gain a sharper understanding of what it takes to be a global leader by navigating the complexities of managing diverse teams. Master the nuances of C-suite dynamics and strengthen your core leadership skills to navigate crises and elevate your leadership.
Managing Collaborative, Global, and Remote Teams
Leadership in Crisis
Your Leadership in the Global C-Suite
Strengthening Your Leadership in the C-Suite
Serving as the Complete Leader
Leader’s Checklist
FAQ
