Programme Structure

The Doctoral Programme follows the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). To be awarded the doctoral degree, students must accumulate 240 ECTS, distributed as follows:

Compulsory Courses (12 ECTS)

University regulations prescribe one compulsory Research Methodology course and allow departments to add further courses where they consider it necessary. The Department of Communication and Marketing divides methodological training into two self-contained compulsory courses. Students thus receive in-depth training in both fundamental approaches to social and communication research, strengthening their research competence and autonomy.

CM880 Introduction to Quantitative Research and Analysis (6 ECTS)

The course covers the principles of quantitative research design, measurement, data collection and statistical analysis as applied to communication and marketing research.

CM881 Introduction to Qualitative Research (6 ECTS)

The course covers the epistemological foundations, design and principal methods of qualitative research, together with techniques for analysing and interpreting qualitative data.

Additional Courses

The Supervisory Committee may recommend additional courses for each student individually, according to their research needs. These courses carry no ECTS. There is no limit on their number or on when students take them, provided they serve the student's research.

Additional courses may come from the Department of Communication and Marketing or from other departments of the University (e.g. Entrepreneurship, Management, Computer Science). Students may also take them online or through mobility programmes such as Erasmus+ or the EUt+ Graduate Research School (EGRS). Approval and recognition of courses taken outside the Department are subject to rigorous quality assurance procedures. The content, level and learning objectives of each course must meet the academic standards of the programme.

This approach rests on a philosophy of differentiated and personalised learning. Each student builds an educational pathway tailored to their research and develops in-depth methodological and analytical competence.

Comprehensive Examination: Research Proposal (40 ECTS)

In accordance with the Postgraduate Studies Rules of the Cyprus University of Technology, the Comprehensive Examination takes the form of a written Research Proposal, which the student submits, presents and defends orally (mini viva). The examination thus becomes a substantive research exercise rather than a simple test of knowledge.

During the 2nd and 3rd semesters, the student prepares and submits the Research Proposal, of 8,000 to 10,000 words, which includes:

• an extensive literature review
• a theoretical framework
• identification of research gaps
• formulation of aims and research questions
• a preliminary methodological approach

The student presents and defends the proposal before the Supervisory Committee. The Committee assesses the theoretical and methodological adequacy of the proposal, provides structured feedback and approves the successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination. Its recommendation is then ratified by the Doctoral Studies Committee and the Department Council. Upon approval, the student proceeds to the main research stage of the thesis. The process also prepares the student for the final public defence (viva voce).

Progress Seminar (8 ECTS)

The Progress Seminar actively integrates students into the research community and gives them feedback in the early stages of their research. While preparing the Research Proposal, students present the progress of their work in one of the following settings:

• the Department's internal Research Days, or those of another department, held every semester
• the Annual Doctoral Colloquium organised by the Department in collaboration with the European Marketing and Management Association (EUMMAS)
• a scientific conference in a related field, in Cyprus or abroad

The presentation serves as practical preparation for the proposal defence. It also gives students early feedback on their theoretical and methodological approach.

Doctoral Thesis, Presentation and Defence (180 ECTS)

After successfully defending the research proposal, students proceed through the following stages:

Research Stage (4th to 6th semester, 120 ECTS): The student carries out the main body of the research, in line with the approved research design.

Writing Stage (7th to 8th semester, 50 ECTS): The student writes the doctoral thesis.

Presentation and Defence (10 ECTS): The thesis is assessed by a three-member Examination Committee that includes one external examiner. The process comprises:

• a public presentation of the thesis
• a closed oral examination and discussion with the Committee
• the Committee's final decision, with an outcome of Pass or Fail

The Department announces positions twice a year: in early January for September entry (Fall Semester) and at the end of September for January entry (Spring Semester). Applications are submitted online through the University's application portal.

The Academic Affairs and Student Welfare Service checks the completeness of the application, the applicant's qualifications and English language proficiency. The faculty member who announced the position then evaluates the application and invites the candidate to an interview. The Department's Doctoral Studies Committee ratifies the final decision.

Four Admission Criteria

1. A bachelor's degree with a grade of at least “Very Good” (Λίαν Καλώς) or equivalent, in a field related to the Department's subject areas.
2. A master's degree with a grade of at least 7/10 (or equivalent) in a related field, such as Communication, Marketing, Social Sciences, Political Science, Psychology, or Data Science/Computer Science applied to communication and marketing.
3. A short research proposal corresponding to one of the announced doctoral research positions. The proposal must clearly define the topic, aim and research questions and demonstrate its contribution to the literature.
4. English language proficiency: GCE/IGCSE (grade C or above), IELTS (6.5 or above) or TOEFL (580 or above paper-based / 82 internet-based). Graduates of English-taught degree programmes are exempt.

Supporting documents: copies of degree certificates, master's transcript and two letters of recommendation.

Interview: compulsory for all candidates.

Advantage (not a requirement): research or professional activity, such as publications, participation in research projects, conference presentations or relevant professional experience.

Transfer from Another Institution

Doctoral students from a recognised institution who have completed at least two semesters of study may apply to transfer to the Department. The Doctoral Studies Committee examines the application and the Rectorate Council approves it. Recognition of prior study is assessed case by case. The total duration of study ranges from 6 to 16 semesters, of which at least 4 must be completed at CUT.

The Programme operates within the institutional framework of the Cyprus University of Technology, as set out in the Rules of Study and Attendance and in Annexes 2a and 2b of the Postgraduate and Doctoral Studies Regulations (2025): “Principles of Quality Assurance in Doctoral Studies” and “Quality Assurance Requirements for Doctoral Theses”.

Supervision

The Department admits up to four (4) new students per year, so that every student receives individual supervision.

For each student, the Department Council appoints a three-member Supervisory Committee on the recommendation of the Doctoral Studies Committee and the Research Supervisor. The Committee consists of:

• the Research Supervisor, as Chair (in the case of co-supervision, the principal supervisor chairs the Committee)
• two academic staff members of the Department, or of another CUT department, with expertise in a related field

Members from another university or research centre are appointed only when the University has no members with expertise in a related field. The Committee guides the student through all stages of the research, evaluates the research proposal and submits a structured written evaluation to the Department Council. All minutes and decisions are recorded in the Student Record.

Progress Monitoring

Annual Progress Report: Each year, the student submits a report covering achievements, publications, methodological choices and the updated research timeline. The Supervisory Committee approves the report and the Department Council ratifies it. The report may be submitted in Greek or English.

Semester assessment: The supervisor records progress each semester as Pass, In Progress or Fail.

Consequences: If a student fails to submit a report without justification, or if the Supervisory Committee does not approve the report on two consecutive occasions, the Department Council considers measures for compliance or the termination of studies.

Research Proposal (Comprehensive Examination)

The student submits the written proposal no later than the 3rd semester and defends it orally before the Supervisory Committee (mini viva). The proposal must state explicitly what constitutes its originality and scientific contribution. The Committee submits a structured evaluation, recording the points on which it agrees and disagrees with the student, and communicates it to the Department Council.

Thesis Submission and Defence

The thesis is submitted following approval by the Supervisory Committee, no earlier than the 6th semester and no later than eight (8) academic years of study.

Examination Committee: The Department Council appoints a three-member Examination Committee, consisting of:

• the Research Supervisor
• one CUT academic staff member with expertise in a related field
• one external member from another university or university-level research centre

The Research Supervisor never chairs the Committee. External members must have a proven research record in the subject of the thesis and sign a declaration of no conflict of interest.

Procedure: Before the defence, each Committee member other than the Research Supervisor submits an independent written preliminary report. The defence has three stages:

• a public presentation of the thesis in an open lecture
• a closed discussion with the Committee members
• the Committee's deliberation and written recommendation, with an outcome of Pass or Fail

The Committee's final report justifies its recommendation, analyses the originality and contribution of the research and identifies which parts of the thesis are publishable. The Chair of the Department submits the report, through the School, to the Senate for approval. The Office of Academic Affairs and Quality oversees the entire process.

Academic Integrity and Ethics

Plagiarism and data falsification are serious disciplinary offences. The use of artificial intelligence tools is permitted only in accordance with University policy and with full disclosure. Research involving human participants or personal data requires ethics approval and compliance with the data protection framework.

Suspension of Studies

A student may suspend their studies before the start of a semester, or interrupt them temporarily during a semester, for documented reasons (e.g. health, maternity/paternity). This period does not count towards the maximum duration of study. Failure to meet academic obligations, or exceeding the maximum duration without completing the thesis, leads to removal from the student register.

Quality Assurance

The University operates an institutional Quality Assurance System, accredited by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA) and aligned with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG).

Further information: https://www.cut.ac.cy/studies/phd/quality-ass/.