PhD Business Analytics - Business Analytics Degree

Program Overview

The PhD Business Analytics program at the University of Essex equips students with advanced analytical techniques and research skills to tackle cutting-edge business problems using data analytics. Through personalized supervision, research training, and industry collaborations, students prepare for careers in academia, industry, or government, addressing real-world business challenges with research-informed solutions.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PhD Business Analytics program at the University of Essex is designed to meet the growing demand for analytically trained researchers in both academia and practice. It equips students with both classical statistical techniques and modern computational methods to tackle cutting-edge research questions relevant to today's businesses, markets, and societies using small, medium, and big data sets. The program aims to:

• Provide students with the skills and knowledge to conduct rigorous research in business analytics.
• Develop students' ability to apply analytical techniques to real-world business problems.
• Prepare students for careers in academia, industry, or government.
The program is administered by Essex Business School, the largest department at the University of Essex. Students join the School's Strategy, Operations, and Entrepreneurship Group at the Southend Campus and benefit from rich expertise in analytical and quantitative research methodologies.

Outline:

Course Structure:

• A research degree doesn't have a taught structure, giving students the chance to investigate their chosen topic in real depth and reach a profound understanding.
• Students develop new high-level skills, enhance their professional development, and build new networks.
• The program can open doors to many careers.

Components:

• Component 01: COMPULSORY - Essex Business School - Research (0 CREDITS)
• This module reinforces research methods and skills developed through previous study and addresses philosophical issues underlying management and business research.
• It explains how to select research strategies and designs and offers a comprehensive view of methods of data collection and analysis to support the quality and value of research outcomes.

Modules:

• Essex Business School - Research: This module is taught by the Essex Business School and is a level 8 qualification.

Year 1:

• Students begin their studies by meeting with their supervisors and undertaking an intensive induction program.
• They attend advanced research methods training and undertake compulsory modules tailored to their individual research needs.
• By the end of the first year, students should have a solid understanding of the key debates in their field and have defined their research questions, outlining their original contribution to knowledge.

Year 2:

• Students finalize the design of their own research project and either collect primary data or access and analyze large-scale datasets.
• They receive regular feedback on their ideas and findings from their supervisors and are encouraged to develop their own research ideas independently.

Year 3:

• Students continue to analyze their own research data and further refine their original contribution to knowledge.
• They collate their work into a thesis of approximately 50-80k words.
• Students may attend conferences to test out their research findings and thesis on an international stage.

Dissertation:

• Students create a 50-80k word thesis.
• They undertake a progress board every six months, where they, their supervisors, and an independent chair mark their progress and set objectives for the next period.
• Students are encouraged to take part in peer group debates and discussions.

Assessment:

• Assessment: The program is assessed through a dissertation of approximately 50-80k words.
• Viva Voce Examination: Students attend a Viva Voce examination with examiners from within and outside of the University within three months of thesis submission.

Teaching:

• Supervision: 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.
• Supervisory Board Meetings: Students have supervisory board meetings twice a year to discuss their progress and agree on their plans for the next six months.
• Research Training: Students benefit from world-class supervision and research training conducted by senior academic staff.
• Research Centers: The department boasts eight research centers across its two campuses, including the ESRC Business and Local Government Data Research Centre.

Careers:

• Career Paths: Graduates enjoy careers in academia and organizations in the public and private sectors, including at some of the world's most well-known organizations and exciting SMEs.
• Examples of Employers: Groupon, KPMG Group, Right Freight Pvt Ltc, Copal Partners, Capital Markets Intelligence, Credit Data Research.
• Entrepreneurship: Many graduates run their own growing businesses.
• Student Development Team: Students can take advantage of the services offered by the Student Development Team, including careers advice, work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Other:

• Research Areas: Research areas may include complex systems network analysis, market behavior, organization studies, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
• Research Afternoon Presentations: Students are encouraged to present their work at termly research afternoons to gain feedback from doctoral students and staff in the finance, accounting, entrepreneurship, and management disciplines.
• Facilities: Students have access to databases, e-books, finance and business packages, and their own office in their final year.
• International Students: The program welcomes students from countries across the world.
• Full-Time Doctorates: Full-time doctorates are 36-month programs.
Students may be allowed up to 12 months to finish writing up their PhD after the program's completion.

Home/UK fee £4,786 per year International fee £18,750 per year