PhD - Aston Business School

Program Overview

Aston Business School's PhD program trains doctoral students to become academics or industry researchers. The three-year program includes research methods modules, data collection and analysis, and thesis writing. Graduates can pursue careers in academia or industry research, with potential paths including research fellow, lecturer, and research scientist. The program offers scholarships and funding opportunities and is available in both full-time and part-time formats.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PhD program at Aston Business School aims to train doctoral students who aspire to become future academics or professional industry researchers.

Objectives:

• Develop the research skills and knowledge necessary to conduct independent research at the doctoral level.
• Contribute to the advancement of knowledge in a chosen field of business or management.
• Prepare graduates for careers in academia or industry research.

Program Description:

• The program is a full-time, three-year program that begins in either October or January.
• Students take four ESRC-approved research methods modules in their first year.
• In their second year, students typically focus on obtaining ethical approval for their research and then on data collection and analysis.
• The third year is typically a writing-up year, where students focus on developing their thesis.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Research Methods 1: Philosophy of Social Science Research
• Research Methods 2: Research Design, Practice and Ethics
• Research Methods 3: Fundamentals in Quantitative Research Methods
• Research Methods 4: Foundations in Qualitative Research Methods

Year 2:

• Data Collection and Analysis
• Research Progress Presentation/Paper

Year 3:

• Thesis Writing

Assessment:

• Year 1: Qualifying Report defense (viva voce oral examination)
• Year 2: Presentation or paper on research progress
• Year 3: Final thesis defense (viva voce oral examination)

Teaching:

• The program is taught by experts across the College of Business and Social Sciences.
• Students have access to a dedicated research society that organizes social and academic events.
• The BSS PhD Hub offers training skills development from experts across the College.
• Each department also runs research seminar series where students can present their research and receive feedback.

Careers:

• Graduates can pursue careers in academia or industry research.
• Potential career paths include research fellow, lecturer, professor, and research scientist.

Other:

• The program is also available in a part-time format.
• Students from majority English-speaking countries are not required to meet English language requirements.
• The program offers scholarships and funding opportunities.

Other:

• Aston Business School is one of only three business schools in the UK to receive the Small Business Charter Award.
• 78% of Aston's business research achieved 3 and 4 in the latest Research Excellence Framework.

UK students (2024/5) Annual full-time fees: £4,786 Overseas students (2024/5) Annual full-time fees: £15,800 Home students, including EU students with settled or pre-settled status, living in England may be eligible for a non-means tested, low interest, loan towards tuition costs and living expenses. Find out more about the Doctoral Loans Scheme.