The PhD is the highest academic degree and as such Durham graduates are in demand for academic posts in leading universities and top business schools for business and management consultancy in commerce and industry and for senior management roles in private sector organisations and government institutions. Whatever your goals, the Durham PhD gives you the opportunity to combine rigorous academic theory with research to influence the world of business and make a unique contribution to your field of study. It attracts exceptional students of the highest calibre, and in conjunction with scholars internationally-renowned for their research and thought leadership, the PhD programme at Durham University Business School is both challenging and stimulating. The Durham PhD is for applicants who normally already hold a Masters qualification (or international equivalent) with a significant research element. This usually means that your first degree will have included a thesis or dissertation at the final stage and some taught research methods. We offer three-year full-time or six-year part-time options, typically with an October start but January and, in special cases, April starts are also possible.