Research foundations & academic inquiry

Objective: To develop the ability to identify a significant academic or professional problem, critically engage with existing knowledge and establish a clear foundation for independent postgraduate research.

Research components:

• Research problem identification
• Critical literature review
• Development of research questions
• Academic and professional inquiry
• Theoretical and conceptual foundations

Objective: To develop the ability to design rigorous research using appropriate qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method approaches aligned with the research question and intended outcomes.

Research components:

• Advanced research design
• Qualitative research methodologies
• Quantitative research methodologies
• Mixed-methods research
• Research ethics and academic integrity
• Data collection and analysis planning

Objective: To develop a coherent and academically defensible research proposal establishing the rationale, theoretical foundation, methodology and intended contribution of the proposed research.

Research components:

• Research proposal development
• Conceptual and theoretical framework
• Methodological planning
• Research ethics
• Proposal review and approval

Objective: To strengthen the learner’s ability to conduct independent postgraduate research, critically evaluate evidence and develop rigorous academic argumentation.

Research components:

• Developing research capability
• Critical analysis
• Academic argumentation
• Scholarly communication
• Research data interpretation
• Academic writing

Objective: To enable learners to investigate an approved research problem independently while receiving structured academic supervision and research guidance.

Research components:

• Independent research
• Academic supervision
• Data collection
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Research progress review
• Critical evaluation of findings

Objective: To demonstrate advanced postgraduate research capability through the completion of a substantial independent research project addressing a relevant academic, professional or organisational problem.

Research components:

• Dissertation development
• Analysis and interpretation of findings
• Critical discussion
• Research contribution
• Academic presentation
• Final submission and review

Upon successful completion of all applicable academic and graduation requirements, learners receive two master’s-level qualifications:

• Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) — EuroAmerican Institute (EAI), Malta
• Master’s degree with an approved specialisation — EIMT, Switzerland

Together, they form the SwissEU™ dual-qualification research pathway, combining advanced postgraduate research capability with a specialised Swiss master’s profile.

The SwissEU™ M.Phil enables learners to develop a specialised academic and professional profile through their research.

Unlike a conventional taught master’s programme, the specialisation is developed primarily through the learner’s:

• professional background;
• approved research topic;
• academic literature;
• research methodology;
• independent investigation; and
• completed dissertation.

The final specialisation is subject to academic review and approval and should remain appropriately aligned with the learner’s completed research.

Potential specialisations may include:

1. Strategic Management
2. Leadership and Organisational Development
3. International Business
4. Corporate Finance
5. Banking Leadership
6. Marketing and Brand Management
7. Human Resource Management
8. Entrepreneurship and Innovation
9. Digital Transformation
10. Artificial Intelligence in Business
11. Business Analytics
12. Logistics and Supply Chain Management
13. Management Information Systems
14. Healthcare Management
15. Educational Management and Leadership
16. Organisational Psychology
17. Investment and Wealth Management
18. Sustainability and Responsible Management

Other specialisations may be considered subject to academic relevance, the learner’s research direction and applicable academic approval.

Start with your research direction

The M.Phil journey begins with an academic question, professional challenge or area of inquiry relevant to the learner’s experience and intended field.

Rather than requiring every learner to follow the same research topic, each candidate develops an individual research direction subject to academic review and approval.

Identify

Define a meaningful professional or academic problem.

Investigate

Critically explore existing knowledge, theories and research evidence.

Design

Develop an appropriate research methodology and research plan.

Research

Conduct an independent investigation under academic supervision.

Contribute

Develop findings, insights or practical implications relevant to the selected field.

Professional experience can provide a valuable starting point for meaningful academic research.

Managers, entrepreneurs, consultants, educators, healthcare professionals and other experienced practitioners regularly encounter complex issues through their professional work.

The M.Phil pathway provides a structured academic process for transforming those issues into rigorous independent research.

Professional experience
↓
Professional or academic problem
↓
Research question
↓
Research methodology
↓
Independent investigation
↓
Research findings
↓
Specialised academic value

The learner’s research direction provides the central academic connection between the two qualifications.

Professional background
↓
Research interest
↓
Approved research topic
↓
Independent research
↓
M.Phil qualification
↓
Specialised Swiss master’s qualification

The M.Phil demonstrates advanced research capability, while the EIMT qualification provides an approved specialisation aligned with the field in which the research has been developed.

This creates a research pathway that develops both scholarly capability and specialised professional positioning.

The M.Phil is particularly suitable for learners who wish to develop advanced research capability without following a heavily coursework-based master’s structure.

Instead of studying a broad series of predetermined taught subjects, learners focus more deeply on a defined area of academic or professional interest.

The programme emphasises:

• Independent academic inquiry

• Critical thinking

• Advanced research methodology

• Scholarly writing

• Systematic investigation

• Evidence-based analysis

• Development of specialist expertise

• Completion of substantial postgraduate research

For experienced professionals, this creates an opportunity to transform existing knowledge and professional experience into a structured academic research asset.

The M.Phil is intentionally broad enough to support research across different professional and academic disciplines.

The qualification focuses on the learner’s ability to conduct advanced research, while the EIMT qualification provides a clearer expression of the field in which that research has been developed.

For example:

Research in artificial intelligence and organisational transformation
→ M.Phil + Master’s in Digital Transformation

Research in educational leadership
→ M.Phil + Master’s in Educational Leadership

Research in corporate investment decision-making
→ M.Phil + Master’s in Corporate Finance

Research in workforce behaviour and organisational performance
→ M.Phil + Master’s in Organisational Psychology

The final qualification title and specialisation remain subject to applicable academic review and approval.

A research-based master’s pathway can provide valuable preparation for learners who may later wish to undertake doctoral-level study.

Throughout the M.Phil journey, learners experience key stages of postgraduate research, including:

• identifying a research problem;
• developing research questions;
• conducting a critical literature review;
• establishing a theoretical or conceptual framework;
• selecting appropriate research methodologies;
• collecting and analysing research data;
• developing academic arguments;
• completing a substantial research dissertation; and
• presenting research findings.

Where academically appropriate, research undertaken at M.Phil level may provide a foundation for identifying or refining a future doctoral research direction.

Admission to any subsequent doctoral programme is not automatic and remains subject to the admission, academic and research requirements of the receiving institution.

Independent research. Direct academic engagement.

The M.Phil is an independent research pathway, but independent research does not mean studying alone.

Through Swiss Live Class Direct™, learners receive structured academic engagement, research development and integrated support throughout their research journey.

Support may include live research workshops, academic consultation, research methodology development and direct interaction with academic staff.

Under the SwissEU™ model, SIMI Swiss supports the academic and research experience, while the respective qualifications are awarded by EAI Malta and EIMT Switzerland in accordance with their applicable academic regulations.

Swiss Live Class Direct™ provides a structured academic connection without franchise-based teaching or intermediary academic delivery.

Research development is supported from the initial research idea through to the final dissertation.

Research topic development

Support in transforming a broad professional or academic interest into a focused and researchable problem.

Proposal development

Guidance in developing the research questions, objectives, literature foundation and proposed methodology.

Research methodology

Support in understanding and applying appropriate qualitative, quantitative or mixed-method research approaches.

Academic supervision

Structured academic interaction to support research progression, methodological quality and intellectual development.

Literature review

Guidance in identifying, evaluating and synthesising relevant scholarly literature.

Data analysis

Support in selecting appropriate analytical approaches and interpreting research evidence.

Academic writing

Support in developing academic structure, argumentation, referencing and scholarly communication.

Dissertation development

Structured guidance throughout dissertation preparation, academic review and final submission.

Academic support assists the learner in developing their research capability but does not replace the learner’s responsibility for producing independent and original academic work.

The M.Phil pathway is designed to develop capabilities that can remain valuable beyond the qualification itself.

Learners are expected to strengthen their ability to:

Question

Identify meaningful problems and challenge existing assumptions.

Analyse

Evaluate evidence, theories and competing perspectives critically.

Investigate

Use appropriate research methods to explore complex questions systematically.

Interpret

Transform data and evidence into meaningful findings and conclusions.

Communicate

Present complex research clearly through academic and professional communication.

Apply

Connect research findings with professional practice, organisational development or further inquiry.