PhD in Management PhD

Applications are due 1 June, while tuition is £25,190 (full-time) / £12,595 (part-time).

Management research explores the mechanisms behind organisational performance, strategic choice, and employee behaviour. By undertaking a PhD you develop the ability to generate new knowledge that can inform practice and academic debate.

The study progresses over three years. Year 1 provides a solid grounding in social research techniques through 60 credits of core modules, with optional advanced training and the possibility to substitute 20 credits with advanced modules. In Year 2 you craft an 8 000-word research proposal, which becomes the blueprint for the subsequent work. Year 3 is dedicated to producing an 80 000-word thesis while engaging with regular seminars, workshops and conferences that expose you to a wide range of business perspectives.

• 60-credit core Research Methods modules from the MA Social Research programme
• 8 000-word research proposal completed by end of Year 2
• 80 000-word doctoral thesis submitted in Year 3
• Attendance at Business School seminars, PhD workshops and conferences
• Opportunity to join interdisciplinary research themes across five departments

The University of Birmingham, chartered in 1900, is a large, research-intensive redbrick university located in Edgbaston. It offers a broad spectrum of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and has a reputation for multidisciplinary research, substantial campus investment and strong academic staffing. With more than 34,000 students, including a sizeable international community, Birmingham combines historic strengths with modern facilities and a global outlook.

Research and teaching span the arts, sciences, engineering, medicine and social sciences, supported by major investments in campus infrastructure and academic appointments. The university promotes interdisciplinary collaboration through flagship fellowships and research initiatives, and many courses provide opportunities for placements, industry engagement and overseas study on its international campuses. Student support services include extensive academic development, career services and wellbeing provision tailored to an international cohort.

Life at Birmingham blends a vibrant campus with access to the city's cultural and professional resources, enabling students to pursue extracurricular activities, volunteering and professional networking. The institution’s global partnerships and growing research profile open doors for international collaborations and career pathways. Prospective international applicants should carefully check entry requirements, funding and application deadlines and contact the university’s international office for guidance on visas, scholarships and arrival planning.