Management PhD

Program Overview

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This programme equips candidates with the skills to conduct and publish high-quality research, and to pursue careers in leading research-led universities.

Our leading academics undertake research that informs scholarship, education, policy and practice in business, management and society more broadly.

We are one of the UK’s leading research-intensive business schools. Our faculty members are actively engaged with the world’s wider research community. They regularly publish in leading journals in business, management and social sciences. The most recent UK Research Excellence Framework classed 87% of our research as world-leading or internationally excellent.

We have made a commitment to research that makes a positive difference to people’s lives. That is why we launched Research4Good. This campaign aims to communicate our research and the positive impact it has on society.

We welcome PhD scholars interested in developing professional scholarly research in any aspect of business and management.

The PhD programme aims to:

provide a framework within which you can conduct original scholarly research on aspect of management or business

facilitate your development as a fully trained and competent scholarly researcher, able to understand and use research techniques appropriate to your own and subject areas, and to be conversant with research methods used in other subject areas both within business, management and cognate social science disciplines

Learning occurs in several ways:

working with your supervisory team: through working with a minimum of two academic advisers you develop both your research skills and your research study

by undertaking taught research training courses provided through resources from our Doctoral College

through becoming part of the School of Management’s research culture by, for example, participating in research seminars and research centre activities.

With a strong foundation in research, alumni of the PhD programme in the School of Management have earned academic positions at the University of Alberta, University of Birmingham, University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, University of Edinburgh, University of Kent, University of Liverpool, Warwick Business School, University of the West England, among others. Other graduates went on to research careers in government and industry.

School of Management

This programme equips candidates with the skills to conduct and publish high-quality research, and to pursue careers in leading research-led universities.

Our leading academics undertake research that informs scholarship, education, policy and practice in business, management and society more broadly.

We are one of the UK’s leading research-intensive business schools. Our faculty members are actively engaged with the world’s wider research community. They regularly publish in leading journals in business, management and social sciences. The most recent UK Research Excellence Framework classed 87% of our research as world-leading or internationally excellent.

We have made a commitment to research that makes a positive difference to people’s lives. That is why we launched Research4Good. This campaign aims to communicate our research and the positive impact it has on society.

We welcome PhD scholars interested in developing professional scholarly research in any aspect of business and management.

The PhD programme aims to:

provide a framework within which you can conduct original scholarly research on aspect of management or business

facilitate your development as a fully trained and competent scholarly researcher, able to understand and use research techniques appropriate to your own and subject areas, and to be conversant with research methods used in other subject areas both within business, management and cognate social science disciplines

Learning occurs in several ways:

working with your supervisory team: through working with a minimum of two academic advisers you develop both your research skills and your research study

by undertaking taught research training courses provided through resources from our Doctoral College

through becoming part of the School of Management’s research culture by, for example, participating in research seminars and research centre activities.

With a strong foundation in research, alumni of the PhD programme in the School of Management have earned academic positions at the University of Alberta, University of Birmingham, University of Cambridge, Cardiff University, University of Edinburgh, University of Kent, University of Liverpool, Warwick Business School, University of the West England, among others. Other graduates went on to research careers in government and industry.

School of Management

Program Outline

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Programme structure

Most students complete this programme in 3 years. You cannot take less than 2 years to finish your research and the maximum time you are allowed is normally 4 years.

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You will start this programme in September.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Your academic progress and general welfare will be monitored by your supervisor.

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Academic milestones

1. Registration
2. Induction
3. Candidature
4. Confirmation
5. Research
6. Writing up
7. Give notice of intention to submit a thesis / portfolio
8. Submission for examination
9. Examination (Viva Voce)
10. Examiners report
11. Final submission of thesis / portfolio
12. Graduation

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Programme content

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Learning

Doctoral skills online

Doctoral skills workshop

Research project

Seminars

Supervisory team

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Taught content

Our doctoral programme has two modes of study. The primary, default mode is the Integrated PhD programme that provides systematic taught research methods training. However, if you have already earned a postgraduate research degree with appropriate and equivalent training, and have successfully passed to a high enough standard, you may enter the traditional PhD mode. The modes are:

Integrated PhD

Where an initial taught research training phase lasting one year leads to a Masters in Research. This initial training year runs simultaneously with the development of an independent, supervised research project making an original and significant contribution to knowledge. Students usually take between 3-4 years full-time to complete.

Traditional PhD

An independent, supervised research project making an original and significant contribution to knowledge. Students usually take three, but sometimes, four years full-time to complete.

For both modes of study, during the first year of the programme all students complete a set of 7 – 10 taught units to ensure they are provided with a foundation of the research skills needed to complete their PhD during the remainder of the programme. The remaining time is devoted to the completion of the student’s bespoke research project.

The objective of the taught component is to develop the skills necessary to complete the proposed research project to the standard of professional academics and in a timely manner. Through this taught training the student builds strong foundational skills to address current management and business issues using recent conceptual developments, theory, and appropriate methodological tools.

Most students join the Integrated PhD programme and are required to take 10 units during the first year. The subjects covered across these units include:

principles & skills of management research

management research philosophy

qualitative and quantitative methods

research practicum

developing the research proposal

Upon successfully completing all these units, the student earns an MRes degree and proceeds to the PhD programme. Students in the traditional PhD programme take 7 of these training units and register for the PhD programme immediately.

All the taught units require at least one assessed piece of work, whether an exam or coursework.

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Research content

The research component of the programme requires collaboration with your supervisors to explore a business/management problem or issue, generate knowledge in the area, write a thesis at a publishable standard, and defend the thesis to a board of examiners. In doing so, you will develop the inspiration and skills to launch a successful, independent scholarly research career.

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Professional Development

Professional development is a crucial element of doctoral study, not only in supporting your research but also as part of your longer term career development. Our DoctoralSkills workshops and courses will help you build your skills and help you succeed in your doctorate.

Read more about professional development support

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Assessment

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Assessment methods

Thesis

Viva Voce

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Assessment description

The award of the PhD follows the successful completion of the following tasks:

Oral exam – known as a ‘Viva voce’, this normally occurs at two stages. First, as part of the Confirmation process at the end of your first year of PhD study to transfer from MPhil to PhD status of study; and second as part of the final assessment of your PhD Thesis.

Thesis – this is your written research project.