Integrated Study (Business and Management) PhD

A 4 year PhD programme which allows students to gain added value from taught subject-based modules as well as undertaking original research. The taught modules allow students to broaden, as well as deepen, their subject knowledge at the same time as undertaking their own research and developing a set of transferable professional skills. The programme will facilitate the creation and interpretation of new knowledge by the research student, demonstrated through the thesis.

Your coursework in year 1 will be taken within the MA in Social Research programme, within the University’s Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) recognised Doctoral Training Centre. This programme aims to provide students with a thorough and advanced education in social research design and the most up-to-date training in methods of data collection and analysis. The combination of core modules and short courses on more advanced topics and Business School modules provides flexibility to relate training to the thesis topic.

If you pass the coursework component, you will progress to normal PhD study in years 2–4. You will work closely with your supervisors in designing and undertaking your own research project, leading to an 80,000 word thesis. You will also undertake additional training in advanced methods and transferable skills, guided by the regular training needs analysis that forms an essential basis for your Career Development Plan. The coursework involves a mix of group-work, lectures, laboratory exercises, and project work. The independent research stage in years 2 – 4 involves self-directed research with supervisory support.

The training available on this Integrated Study PhD programme enables graduates to develop advanced skills in designing and conducting research in the Social Sciences. Such skills are highly applicable to a variety of careers in academia, business, government and non-profit organisations.