PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

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The Doctor of Philosophy by Research (DOPR) is an advanced, multi-disciplinary postgraduate degree programme designed for candidates with a passion for research, discovery, and academic excellence. This programme is tailored for individuals seeking to contribute to the advancement of knowledge, pursue careers in academia, research, consultation, or specialised fields across a broad range of disciplines.

Being a qualification that opens up boundless opportunities in research and industry, MAHSA University’s DOPR stands as a premier programme for scholars aspiring to push the boundaries of knowledge. Through independent, original research guided by expert supervisors, candidates will develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and a profound understanding of their chosen area of study.

Graduates of the DOPR from MAHSA University will be well-prepared to excel in academia, research institutions, and beyond. They will hold the recognition of respected universities, research facilities, and professional organisations worldwide, equipped to lead innovations, solve real-world challenges, and make impactful contributions to society.​




Programme Structure

SUBJECT CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION
6-month progress report and presentation Preparation and presentation of a detailed progress report highlighting the research conducted, challenges faced, and future directions.
Research Methodology Course Completion of a course covering experimental design, statistical analysis, scientific writing, and project management.
Defence research proposal (DRP) Presentation of the research proposal before a panel of experts to validate objectives, methodologies, and timelines.
Ethics approval (Animal/Human/Not applicable) Obtaining ethical clearance for studies involving animals, humans, or other applicable subjects
Research activities depend on nature of work (methodology) Implementation of approved research methodologies, including data collection, experimentation, and analysis.
Data analysis Processing, analyzing, and interpreting data using relevant tools and statistical methods
Thesis writing (chapters) Writing the thesis with regular consultations with supervisors, including all necessary sections such as introduction, methodology, results, and conclusion.
Scientific paper publication One published or accepted journal article and One published, accepted, or under review
Data analysis Processing, analyzing, and interpreting data using relevant tools and statistical methods
Thesis submission Submission of the finalized thesis in soft-bound format for examination.
Viva-voce (Final) Defending the thesis and research findings before an examination panel.
Post viva-voce Correction of the thesis based on examiner feedback and submission of the corrected thesis in hardbound format.

Entry Requirement

(i) Masters degree in relevant field from universities recognized by the Senate of MAHSA University

(ii) Bachelor's degree candidates with minimum CGPA 3.67 registered for Masters can apply to change to a Doctorate Level provided they comply and are competent to do research at a Doctorate level that is approved by the University Senate or other equivalent qualifications approved by the Senate of MAHSA University

Career Opportunities

Rewarding careers at:


    Academic and Education

  • University Professor or Lecturer

  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow

  • Curriculum Developer


    • Government and Policy-Making

  • Science Policy Advisor

  • Government Research Officer

  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist


    • Research and Development (R&D) Industry

  • Principal Scientist or Researcher

  • Research Director or Manager

  • Laboratory Head

  • R&D Specialist


    Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industries

  • Scientific Consultant

  • Clinical Research Scientist

  • Medical Science Liaison (MSL)


    • Entrepreneurship and Innovation

  • Start-up Founder in scientific or technological fields

  • Innovator of products or solutions in high-tech industries

  • Patent Specialist or Intellectual Property (IP) Consultant


Advantages

Quality
The Doctor of Philosophy by Research is designed in consultation with a panel of local and international experts to ensure the programme meets global academic and research standards.
Affordable
Tuition fees for the Doctor of Philosophy by Research are kept at an affordable level to reduce barriers to accessing high-quality education and advanced research opportunities.
Recognition
The Doctor of Philosophy by Research is approved by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA) and the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia.
Awarded by
MAHSA University
The Doctor of Philosophy by Research is awarded by MAHSA University, a leading institution in Medical, Health Science, and Research Education in Malaysia.