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. 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.

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.

The confirmation of the PhD programme (and the end of the probationary period) is subject to students passing an assessment process, which normally involves submission of written work and on oral examination which usually takes place 12 months after the initial registration.

The final stage of the PhD degree is the oral or viva voce examination, in which students are required to defend the thesis to a Board of Examiners.