Research degrees in Business and Management
About the PhD Programme
Our Doctoral Programme is one of the most vibrant and intensive research degrees in London. Students become members of an internationally recognised research community in which scholarly excellence and innovative training are highly valued. We attract students from around the world who benefit from the School's expertise, energetic research culture and excellent work facilities. As the School of Business and Management, we are committed to the provision of equality of opportunity for all students, PhD researchers and staff. The School’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee is open to all PhD researchers and aims to help improve the diverse and inclusive nature of our PhD programme by offering an open platform of discussion to identify areas of progressive action.
Research degrees normally consist of four years of full-time study in which an original contribution to an academic field is made. We have an excellent record for attracting College Studentships and have placed PhDs in academic positions in top-ranking UK and international universities. Former students have also been recruited to influential positions in the business, corporate and governmental sectors. Our taught programme introduces different methodological approaches in social science research and equips our first year PhD researchers with a wide range of knowledge and skills needed to complete their independent doctoral study. This programme is interdepartmental, involving departments from other Queen Mary and University of London faculties. We also encourage our PhD researchers to attend a range of social science research workshops and training sessions offered by the London Interdisciplinary Social Science (LISS) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), which we are part of.
At Queen Mary, you will work with two supervisors who together will provide you with clear guidance and support throughout your studies. Over the years you can expect to form a close working relationship with your supervisors, meeting regularly during your time with the School. They will also closely advise and prepare you for the formal progression meeting that takes place after 6-9 months of research.
Applications are accepted based on the candidate's previous academic performance, the quality of their research proposal and the availability of two members of staff to supervise the chosen topic. The School also encourages applications from those whose topic might best be supervised jointly with another department within the College.
Research areas
The School of Business and Management has a strong research focus and has quickly established itself as a centre of excellence for research, attracting a solid core of international scholars with world-class reputations and a diverse range of interests. Its unique and vibrant research environment benefits from several research centres, groups and clusters (listed below) and welcomes PhD applications in these areas. Information about these research groups can be found at Research Centres, Groups and Clusters - School of Business and Management The School can supervise PhD projects in most areas including, but not limited to the areas covered by the:
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Accounting & Accountability Research Group
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Creative Accounting: Growing Mindsets for Business & Finance Professionals
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Borderlines: Action Research Groups in Creative & Cultural Economies
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Organisation Studies Research Group
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Public Management & Regulation Group
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Marketing Insights & Digital Societies Research Group
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Research Finance Cluster
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Computational & Quantitative Methods Research Cluster
The Application process
Applicants are asked to submit a proposal of around 2,000 words (excluding the reference list), outlining the research that they hope to undertake, providing key references, a full academic transcript (a record of courses taken and grades achieved) and two academic references should also be included. Applications for PhD studies beginning in September should ideally be submitted no later than May of that year. Students applying for funding have a much earlier deadline, which is usually in January. Please consult the ‘Funding opportunities’ section for information on the exact deadline.
However, before making a formal application applicants are expected to contact a member of staff with interest in research areas relevant to their proposed topic area to discuss their proposed research and gain the academic’s agreement to act as their doctoral supervisor. You can do this by viewing the individual research interests listed on our staff page Academic Staff - School of Business and Management. As mentioned, you can also find information by viewing our Research Centre pages.
Contact
For more information please contact the PhD Programme Administrator, at: sbmphd-admissions@qmul.ac.uk
Further information
All applicants are strongly advised to visit the PhD page on the School of Business & Management website prior to formally submitting an application:
School of Business and Management PhD Hub
The webpage provides information on the application process, what documentation is required, what the entry requirements are and provides detailed information about the PhD programme.
Applicants are also welcome to visit the School’s PhD funding information webpage:
Research Opportunities - School of Business and Management