Management
PhD, MPhil
The College 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.
Fee waivers available at UK or overseas fee levels
These waivers will be awarded to the best full-time, on-campus applicants to our PhD in Management, alongside the regular recruitment process for the 2025/26 academic year. Applications received by 30 June 2025 will be considered for a fee waiver for the September 2025 start. Applications received after this date can be considered for a fee waiver for starting in January or May 2026.
To apply for a PhD in Management 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.
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
- Enter contact details for two academic (not personal) referees who can comment on your suitability for the research degree programme in the space provided or upload letters of reference on signed headed paper if already available. Potential PhD supervisors cannot act as referees.
- In the funding section please state how you intend to fund your study
- In the proposal section please provide the name of the supervisors and project title
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 5-6 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 campus based full-time
- 2024/25 academic year: £4,786
- 2025/26 academic year: To be confirmed in early 2025
UK campus based part-time
- 2024/25 academic year: £2,393
- 2025/26 academic year: To be confirmed in early 2025
*UK fees will rise each year of study in line with UKRI rates.
International campus based full-time
- 2024/25 academic year: £17,550 - £19,700 per year
- 2025/26 academic year: £17,550 - £19,700 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. International fees are fixed for the duration of study.
Please note that owing to UK visa restrictions, part-time campus-based registration is not normally available to international applicants.
Part-time distance learning
If you are living outside of the UK during your DL studies you will pay the International fee.
UK distance learning
- For study starting between 1 August 2024 and 1 July 2025: £5,912.50 per year for 4 years (£23,650 total course fee)
- For study starting between 1 August 2025 and 1 July 2026: To be confirmed in early 2025
- For study starting between 1 August 2024 and 1 July 2025: £7,037.50 per year for 4 years (£28,150 total course fee)
- For study starting between 1 August 2025 and 1 July 2026: £14,600 per year for 4 years (£58,400 total course fee)
The fees for the PhD by distance learning 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.
Duration of study
The maximum registration permitted is four years full-time or seven years part-time campus and part time distance learning.
The typical duration of a full time PhD is 3 - 3.5 years, PhD students may use the fourth year as a 'writing-up' year for which a reduced fee is payable if active research has been completed (currently £100).
Funding
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 distance learning. 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.
