McDonald's is planning to launch its own PhD level management qualification in an attempt to shed the 'McJobs' stigma associated with working for the fast food chain.

David Fairhurst, chief people officer, said that the company's new power to award qualifications made it "a university in its own right", adding the chain wanted to award qualifications equivalent to university degrees.

Fairhurst added that offering a PhD was the next logical addition to the chain's other training programmes.

The company has developed a high reputation over recent years for its training. Fairhurst explained that the company wanted to perfect its existing training regimen, which includes courses in shift management that are equivalent to high school courses, before putting together a post-graduate qualification.

The existing courses teach "the whole dynamics about customer interactions", covering the difficulty of "dealing with aggressive customers" and "safety during the night-time shift".

They also encompass skills such as approaching and helping unserved customers wandering outside the restaurant.

In 2008, the fast-food chain became one of the first companies to be approved by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority to offer A-level standard qualifications.

Fairhurst added that around 2,500 employees had enrolled, including many university graduates. The idea for enrolling was an opportunity for a more hands on practical approach, complementing their three years of academic training.

McDonalds was one of nine companies granted the power to award staff qualifications, in a bid to encourage more British workers to hold recognised certificates to increase their employability.