Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Research for Business - Grenoble Business School, French Management School(MBA, MIB)

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Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Research for Business

Practical Information

Program duration Maximum 18 months

Entry requirements Master + at least 1 year of full-time work experience

Degree level Professional Certificate

Program fees Company-sponsored: € 7,000 if , Self-sponsored: € 5,000

This applied research program will be based on an authentic research topic defined by a company. The aim of the program is to provide the participant with an understanding of the research process, problem solving techniques and the tools and methodology necessary to complete a research project as well as providing experience in a specific area of business

This program is for graduates with some work experience who wish to become managers in a focused area of business, pursue a doctoral thesis, work in consulting, or work on major international research projects.

The output of the program is to produce a written research project based on an authentic business problem facing a company. It is expected that the participant will also produce at least one case study which may be used in the teaching of a program of GGSB. There will also be opportunities for joint publication of articles with a member of the faculty of the Business School.

At the outcome of the program participants will have mastered the research process and gained in-depth knowledge in a focused area of business which in turn will provide them with specific expertise for a career in consulting or management.

A graduate of the Post Graduate Diploma of Applied Research for Business should:

Be able to develop a research methodology for company-focused applied research
Be capable to analyze complex business problems
Be able to ground the research topic in the existing literature
Have gained an in-depth knowledge in a focused area of business

Upon successful completion of the program and if the participant wishes to continue in the field of research he/she may be considered for the DBA program of the Doctoral School of Grenoble Ecole de Management.

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Program and modules
The Program revolves around an in-company project under the supervision of a faculty member of GEM-GGSB and a series of workshops, seminars and tutorials on academic writing, research methodology and techniques, research design and data collection and analysis.

The participant will undertake an applied research project in a company During the program the participants will be expected to work on their individual research and have regular contacts with their research supervisor.

The in-company applied research project will be completed on the basis of an internship in a company either in France or abroad. For those who are already in employment the program is organised so that students will be able to combine their research with ongoing careers in business,

Working under the direct supervision of a faculty member, the postgraduate Diploma students will help the company to solve complex business problems, analyse issues facing the company or explore new opportunities.

Participants are free to explore any aspect of management and business issues that they consider relevant. All applied research projects must draw on theory and apply that theory to the interpretation of data. The research cannot be confined to the mere gathering of information or a description of an existing situation. The research project must include the current management theory, analysis, interpretation of data and strategic recommendations.
Types of research projects may include market research and feasibility studies, as well as analyses and comparative studies of consumer behaviour, new product entry strategies or the evaluation of new business opportunities for companies etc. The applied research topic must be approved by the GEM-GGSB supervisor. It is expected that the students will also have an in-company tutor.

Participants will have the opportunity to present their research project to the GEM-GGSB faculty during an internal research seminar and to write research papers or case studies with a faculty member.

Credits

The program holds a total of 60 ECTS credits divided up as follows:

Module	Coefficient	ECTS Credits
Research Methodology	1	6
Research Proposal	2	12
Research Project	7	42

Organization

Students may begin the program at any time between September and January each year. The maximum duration of the program is 18 months.

The first three months will be dedicated to the definition of the research topic and the organisation of the internship where relevant. It is the student’s responsibility to find an internship if the research project is to be based on an internship. Otherwise it is expected that students will be in full-time employment.

Students will attend a research methodology seminar of one week with the MBA students in the Spring semester. This seminar is compulsory.

Twelve months will be spent within the company for the purpose of the research and will include library based research and field research for the purpose of gathering data and information.

The final three months will be spent writing up the research and presenting the final results.

Admission

The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Research for Business student at entry should:

Have a Master’s degree (students with only a Bachelor’s degree and substantial work experience may be admitted to the program)
Preferably have at least 1 year of full-time work experience after having obtained the Master’s degree
Be in a professional situation (post or internship) which will allow him/her to do applied research
Have an excellent level of spoken and written English
Have a basic knowledge of the French language if the position is to be in France
Have analytical skills and Intellectual curiosity
Be autonomous

Application

Application deadlines

To apply for this program candidates must complete the online application and include scanned copies of all original supporting documents (in English, or certified translation if in another language):

Diploma (Bachelor-Level)
University Transcripts (front / back with scale): certified copies of all documents must be sent by regular mail directly from the institution
CV / Resumé
Two references (of which one academic)
Internationally recognized passport picture
Scan of passport
Fluency in English (TOEFL, PTE, IELTS or CPE):
- TOEFL: computer-based: 240 / IBT: 94 (minimum score of 22 in each band) / paper based : 587
- IELTS: 6,5 with a minimum of 6.0 in all areas (Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking)
- Cambridge Profiency Exam : A,B,C
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) with a minimum of 63.
- TOEIC is not accepted

Care should be taken to provide an indication of the research interests and proposed area of research as well as any initial research plans.

Acceptance to the program will be based on the documentation provided and an interview with the Program Director, in person or by telephone. Once admitted to the program all the students will be interviewed by the Research Committee to identify all the potential opportunities in terms of matching applied research students to GEM-GGSB faculty researching in the same field and opportunities for the publication of articles in academic journals.

Program Fees

Diploma in Applied Research for Business	2011-2012
Company-sponsored	7 600 €
Self-sponsored*	5 400 €
Fees if project subject is in Technology Management	4 400 €
Student Admin Fees	200 €

*Students who are self-sponsored may apply for a GEM-GGSB scholarship to finance part of their tuition. The maximum scholarship possible is 2000 euros.

Students who choose a technology management/innovation related research topic, which is the specificity of Grenoble Ecole de Management, will have priority for the award of the scholarships.

Students will normally be paid by the company during their internship.

Fees are subject to change. Please verify program fees each year before commencement.
Policy concerning the refund of tuition fees

Apply online

Contacts

Mara Saviotti
+33 4 76 70 62 31

Our schools

Grenoble Ecole de Management – 12 rue Pierre Sémard - 38000 Grenoble - France