PhD in Management

Program Overview

The PhD in Management at the University of Birmingham is a research-based program that combines a taught component in research methods with a longer research phase. It aims to develop students' knowledge, skills, and understanding in management research and prepare them for careers in academia, government, business, and other sectors. The program encourages active participation in the life of the Business School and provides a wide range of support services for students.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PhD in Management at the University of Birmingham is a research-based program that combines a short taught component with a longer research phase. The program aims to:

• Broaden and deepen knowledge of research methods.
• Facilitate the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through the thesis.
• Develop transferable professional skills.
• Equip students with the ability to analyze data using qualitative and quantitative techniques.
• Foster understanding of theories underlying different approaches to social science research.
• Encourage active participation in the life of the Business School, including seminars, workshops, and conferences.
• Develop the ability to characterize and solve business and management problems using advanced research tools.
• Enable students to derive policy implications from their research and communicate them effectively to policymakers, practitioners, and other academics.
• Cultivate skills in peer review and constructive criticism.
• Extend the frontiers of the discipline through innovative research.

Outline:

• Structure: The program consists of a taught component followed by a research phase.
• Taught Component: Doctoral researchers are required to take 60 credits of core Research Methods modules from the MA Social Research program in the first year (or first two years for part-time students).
They are also recommended to take Advanced Training Modules from the MA Social Research Program as appropriate to their research and training needs.
• Research Phase: Doctoral students will have completed an 8,000-word research proposal by the end of their first year, which they will present at the first annual review.
This proposal forms the basis for supervised research over the remaining two years of the program and the production of an 80,000-word thesis.
• Modules:
• Core Research Methods Modules:
These modules are taken from the MA Social Research program and cover a range of research methods relevant to management research.
• Advanced Training Modules: These modules are optional and can be chosen based on the student's research interests and training needs.

Assessment:

• Research Proposal: Students are required to complete an 8,000-word research proposal by the end of their first year.
• Thesis: The final assessment for the program is an 80,000-word thesis that presents the results of the student's research.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, and individual supervision.
• Faculty: The program is taught by experienced faculty members with expertise in a wide range of management specialisms.
• Unique Approaches: The program encourages active participation in the life of the Business School, including attending seminars, workshops, and conferences.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths: Graduates of the PhD in Management program can pursue careers in academia, government, business, supranational organizations, or the research arms of major financial institutions.
• Opportunities: The program equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a variety of management roles.
• Outcomes: Graduates are sought after by a wide range of employers in the financial, commercial, and public sectors.
They are typically highly skilled in analytical and research, numeracy, communication, team working, and political and commercial awareness.

Other:

• Specialisms: The program covers a wide range of management specialisms, including business and labor economics, entrepreneurship and local economy, organization, work and employment, procurement and operations management, and strategy and international business.
• International Students: The program welcomes international students and provides dedicated careers advisors for them.
• Careers Support: The University of Birmingham has invested heavily in careers and employability support, including a dedicated Careers Team for the Business School.