Management

PhD, MPhil

The School of Business offers supervision for the degrees of:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - full-time campus based, part-time campus based and part-time distance learning
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) - full-time campus based

The PhD is available to study both on campus and by distance learning. The MPhil is available to study on campus only.

To apply prepare your Research Proposal Form and follow the How to Apply guidelines in the section below:

You might be interested in signing up for our 5 week online course Discovering Your PhD Potential: Writing a Research Proposal. The course is offered through FutureLearn where you can register your interest for the next available course.

Supervision and research areas

We offer PhD and MPhil supervision in Management in areas compatible with the research interests of our academic staff including:

Economics, Finance and Accounting
Marketing, Innovation, Strategy and Operations
Work, Employment, Management and Organisations

Management Research Training

Information regarding the Research Training modules for Management PhD students.

Interested in a different research area?

It is important that the area you want to work in is broadly compatible with our research interests - otherwise we may not be able to accept your application. However, please do not feel we will not be interested if there is not an exact match. It is sometimes possible to be flexible, so please contact us.

Entry requirements

You must hold a UK undergraduate (Bachelor's) degree with at least First Class or Upper Second-Class honours or an equivalent qualification from a recognised overseas institution.

See academic entry requirements and the English language entry requirements.

How to apply

Research Proposal

Download and complete the Research Proposal Form making sure we offer PhD supervision in the area you want to research.

NOTE: If your proposal is not submitted on the Proposal Form your application will not be considered.

Supporting Documents

Chose your mode of study and click on the appropriate Apply Button at the bottom of the page to start your online application.

Upload the following documents to your online application when prompted:

Your completed Research Proposal Form
Up to date CV
Personal statement explaining your interest in the research, your experience, why it is worth doing and why we should consider you.
Copies of your Degree Certificates and Marks Transcripts of study already completed and if possible a transcript to-date of any study currently being undertaken. If your documents are not in English please include an official translation.
Evidence of English language proficiency if applicable
In the reference section please enter the contact details of your two academic referees in the text boxes provided or upload letters of reference if already available.
In the funding section state clearly how you intend to fund your study. If you do not have an official sponsor or are not applying for one of our advertised studentships please ensure you are able to fund your own study.

When to apply

Campus-based courses We have intakes in January, May and September each year.

Distance learning courses We have intakes in January, May and September each year.

You should try to submit your application as far in advance of your preferred start date as possible.

If you are an international applicant and require a visa to study in the UK you can only study full time and you should submit your application at least four months before the proposed start date.

After you have submitted your application, it will take a minimum of six weeks for you to receive a decision about your application.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees vary according to your fee status and the mode of study (full-time, part-time or distance learning). For clarification please contact pgradmissions@le.ac.uk.

*UK fees will rise each year of study in line with UKRI rates.

UK campus based Full-time

2022/3 academic year: £4,596 per year
2023/4 academic year: TBC in early 2023

UK campus based Part-time

2022/23 academic year: £2,298 per year (UK only)
2023/24 academic year: TBC in early 2023

International campus based Full-time

2022/23 academic year: £15,600 - £17,500 per year
2023/24 academic year: £16,200 - £18,200 per year

* International fees for research degrees in this subject area vary according to the nature of the research project to be undertaken. The applicable fee will be determined at the point an offer of admission is made and will be stated in the offer letter.

Part-time

Please note that owing to UK visa restrictions, part-time campus based registration is not normally available to international applicants.

Part-time Distance learning

UK Distance Learning If you are living in the UK during your DL studies you will pay the UK fees

Starting in 2022/23 academic year: £21,000 Total course fee
Starting in 2023/24 academic year: £21,850 Total course fee

International Distance Learning If you are living outside of the UK during your DL studies you will pay the International fee.

Starting in 2022/23 academic year: £25,000 Total course fee
Starting in 2023/24 academic year: £26,000 Total course fee

Paying for distance learning

The fees quoted are the total fee for the PhD distance learning programme and are paid over the first four years of study. Fees can be paid using any of these options:

Total course fee paid in full before first year registration
Total course fee split into four annual payments with first annual payment made in full before first year registration
Total course fee split into 12 equal instalment payments, spread over years 1-4 of the study. The first instalment to be paid before first year registration

If study extends beyond the 4th year no further fees are required. A payment schedule will be sent with the offer letter.

Funding

For a list of our available scholarships/studentships, please visit our funded opportunities pages.

PhD description

PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team.

PhD students complete an independent research project under the guidance of a supervisory team. The maximum period of registration permitted before thesis submission is 4 years full time / 7 years part time or distance learning.

Active research (including all experimental work, laboratory work, field work, and data collection) will typically take 3 to 3.5 years full time / 6 to 6.5 years part time or part time. On completion of active research students may request approval to register for a writing-up period of up to 12 months.
The period of active research and writing-up together must not exceed the maximum registration period.

The thesis should not normally exceed 80,000 words and must make an original contribution to knowledge and contain work of publishable quality. The thesis must then be defended in a viva voce (oral) examination before a degree can be awarded.

PhDs Explained

Select your mode of study and click on the appropriate online application link below: