PhD in Strategy and International Business PhD

The application deadline is 1 June. Tuition is £25,190 (full-time) / £12,595 (part-time).

Graduates of the PhD in Strategy and International Business move into roles such as senior researchers, policy advisors, consultancy leaders, and strategic managers in multinational corporations, international organisations or NGOs, and many continue with post-doctoral research.

The programme’s distinctive feature is a 60-credit training component that runs alongside the research, providing structured seminars, workshops and methodological support throughout the doctorate.

In the first year you attend a series of business-focused seminars and workshops, complete a 10,000-word research document and begin work on an 80,000-word thesis, giving you a solid foundation for independent research on strategy and international business challenges.

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.