PhD in Management Studies

Program Overview

The University of Essex's PhD Management Studies program, a 4-5 year full-time doctoral program, provides students without a Master's degree or limited research training a path to doctoral study. Beginning with a Master's-level qualification in the first year, the program develops students' research skills, knowledge, and expertise in workplace issues, preparing them for careers in academia or the public/private sector. Tailored supervision and advanced research methods training support students in their individual research pursuits, culminating in a traditional thesis or 'three paper' thesis.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PhD Management Studies program at the University of Essex is a full-time, 4-5 year program offered at the Southend Campus. It is designed for students who do not have a Master's degree or have limited research training. The program provides a route to doctoral study by allowing students to complete a full-time Master's-level qualification in the first year, equipping them with the necessary business knowledge and research skills. The program's objectives are to:

• Provide students with a comprehensive understanding of contemporary workplace issues and their relationship to wider society.
• Equip students with the research skills and knowledge to conduct independent research.
• Develop students' professional skills and research expertise in their chosen area.
• Foster the next generation of social scientists influencing business theory, policy, and practice.
The program offers a highly individualized PhD experience, with supervisors providing guidance and support to help students achieve their individual research goals, develop their research topic, and create a personalized training plan. Students can choose to follow a traditional thesis approach, where they write a dissertation, or follow a 'three paper' thesis, where they produce three research articles, framed by an introduction and conclusion.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Component 01: COMPULSORY (0 CREDITS)
• Component 01: CORE WITH OPTIONS (60 CREDITS)
• BE958-7-SL or BE984-7-SL
• Component 02: CORE (15 CREDITS)
• International Business and Strategy
• Component 03: COMPULSORY (15 CREDITS)
• Theories and Practice of Entrepreneurship
• Component 04: COMPULSORY (15 CREDITS)
• Global Supply Chain and Operations Management
• Component 05: COMPULSORY (15 CREDITS)
• Research Methods
• Component 06: COMPULSORY (15 CREDITS)
• Managerial Economics
• Component 07: COMPULSORY (15 CREDITS)
• The International Business Environment
• Options from list

Year 2-4:

• Students undertake an intensive study program, attend advanced research methods training, and complete compulsory modules tailored to their individual research needs.
• Students meet regularly with their supervisors and are encouraged to develop their own research ideas independently.
• Students may undertake fieldwork in another location.

Year 4:

• Students continue to analyze their research data and refine their original contribution to knowledge.
• Students collate their work into an approximately 50-80k words thesis.
• Students attend a progress board every six months to discuss their progress and set objectives for the next period.
• Students are encouraged to participate in peer group debates and discussions.
• Students may attend conferences to present their research findings and thesis.

Assessment:

• Students are assessed through a combination of coursework, presentations, and a thesis.
• Students can choose to follow a traditional thesis approach, where they write a dissertation, or follow a 'three paper' thesis, where they produce three research articles, framed by an introduction and conclusion.
• Students are required to attend a Viva Voce examination with examiners from within and outside of the University after submitting their thesis.

Teaching:

• The program is taught by a team of experienced and qualified academics.
• Students benefit from world-class supervision and research training conducted by senior academic staff.
• Students have access to eight research centers across the University's two campuses.
• Students work with two supervisors who provide guidance and support to help them achieve their individual research goals, develop their research topic, and create a personalized training plan.
• Students meet with their supervisors at least once a month and are usually required to submit work before for feedback.
• Students have a supervisory board meeting twice a year to discuss their progress and agree on their plans for the next six months.

Careers:

• Graduates of the PhD Management Studies program have secured roles in academia at some of the best international universities, as well as organizations in the public and private sectors.
• Recent examples include careers with Leeds University Business School, Cambridge Education, EY (Ernst and Young), and public sector roles around the world.
• The University Student Development Careers Services are on hand to provide careers advice and help students make the most of their Essex experience.
• Students have access to CV workshops, one-to-one advice, and career resources.

Other:

• The program attracts students from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities, with wide-ranging social science research interests.
• Students can tailor their studies to a profession or sector of their choice.
• The program is based at the Southend Campus, which is just 40 minutes from the City of London and in the heart of the Thames Gateway, offering fantastic research and networking opportunities.
• The Southend Campus offers excellent facilities to help students conduct their research, including:
• The Forum building, with a library and café
• A 24-hour learning hub, with study spaces, PC access, and quiet places for conducting research
• Access to databases such as Bloomberg, Compustat, Passport GMID, Bankscope, and Datastream
• E-book finance and business packages to support part-time and distance learning (including Ebrary, NetLibrary, Oxford Scholarship Online, Palgrave Connect, and SpringerLink)
• Study skills support for postgraduate students, such as help with the University library, research databases, literature reviews, and presentation skills
• The program is designed to foster the business leaders and researchers of the future.
• Graduates use creativity, innovation, and ethical awareness to meet the many challenges facing the international business world.
• The MSE Group, based at the Southend Campus, is a group of international researchers with an entrepreneurial focus.
• The group organizes regular research seminars and events, giving students the chance to hear cutting-edge research and industry expertise, as well as the opportunity to network with scholars from the School and the wider academic community.
• The Group's research is multi-disciplinary and falls within two broad and interrelated streams – management science and entrepreneurship and SME management.
• Current research projects include exploring “Autism and the world of work” – looking at the challenges faced by individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in the workplace and how they can be offered better support and understanding; and “Accelerating women's enterprise” – research in partnership with the Accelerating Women's Enterprise (AWE) project exploring the challenges and barriers faced by disadvantaged women entrepreneurs.
• Essex Business School is a business school with an international outlook.
• Doctoral students join from all over the world, and the school is committed to the UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).
• Students become part of a lively, international research community, challenging conventional wisdom to make organizations better places to do business.
• Students benefit from academic expertise across a range of business disciplines, from sustainability and leadership to identity and brand management.
• 100% of the business and management research environment is world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
• The school is ranked in the Top 175 for Business and Economics in THE World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
• The school has strong relationships with external stakeholders and funders, including UK research councils and EU framework programmes.