Postgraduate research in business and management
The Surrey Business School provides a vibrant environment for business and management research. Our research is internationally recognised and reflected in our Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) profile and accreditations by the AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Business Schools) and AMBA (Association of MBAs). The most recent RAE highlighted the strength of our research environment and the international excellence of our doctoral programmes.
We offer lively research groups in which doctoral students play an important part. Our academic staff have international reputations and are committed to research that shapes agendas of scholarship and practice. We support a large and internationally diverse community of doctoral students who are viewed as important collaborators in this venture. We are committed to providing our doctoral students with a sound grounding in research methods and methodology for the research degree programmes we offer.
As a doctoral student you can expect to be challenged by new ideas and to be critical in your research. You will participate in seminars and conferences and be part of a vibrant international community of over 100 doctoral researchers, over two thirds of whom are researching full time within our faculty.
Research degrees
PhD Programme
Our PhD programme is designed to allow you to pursue academically rigorous scholarly research which makes an original contribution to knowledge. Your research will also be of a standard appropriate for publication. Following their PhDs many of our students embark on or continue with academic careers, often in countries other than the UK. Others join government or private sector research organisations, for example working for consultancy or professional research firms.
As a Surrey Business School PhD student, you will undertake a structured, supervised programme of research into one of the many business and management fields in which we have expertise.
You will find full links to our research interests and expertise of our academic staff from the Surrey Business School website.
As part of your studies, you will undertake a tailored programme of formal research training in methods and methodology. The Surrey Business School is, along with other departments in the University, part of the prestigious ESRC-funded South East Doctoral Training Centre. Alongside this and training provided by the University, we provide specific structured training for our PhD students researchers in our own Schools.
In your first year you will take up to three modules of core research methods training. You are also expected to take advantage of advanced research training modules that further support your specific research. These include a range of modules focussed on developing the practical skills required for subsequent careers. Our PhD researchers also organise and run their own annual research conference and attend research group seminars.
At the end of your time as a PhD researcher at Surrey you will be expected to submit an extended thesis for examination. This thesis will demonstrate your ability to pursue scholarly research which makes an original contribution to knowledge. Your research will also be of a standard appropriate for publication.
You will also be expected to answer questions on your thesis and your research in a viva voce examination.
Entry Standards
For a PhD, our expectation is that you hold a master’s degree with at least a merit from an approved university. If you do not have such a degree, you may be admitted providing you hold an Upper Second (2:1) from an approved university or a professional or other qualification deemed by the University to be appropriate.
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in each component (or equivalent.)
Funding
Students may be considered for a postgraduate research studentship to cover Home (UK) and European Union Fees and an annual stipend. Funding is available through the ESRC Doctoral Training Centre.
Fees
UK/EU students - £3,828
Overseas students 2011/12 entrants onwards - £11,550
Overseas students pre 2011/12 entrants - £11,025
Find out more about our fees and funding policies.
Programme length
33–48 months full-time
45–96 months part-time
Start date
1 October, 1 January, 1 April, 1 July
Head of PhD Programme
For general enquiries
T: 0800 980 3200 or
+44 (0)1483 681681
E: pg-enquiries@surrey.ac.uk
For admissions enquiries
T: +44 (0)1483 686300
E: somadmissions@surrey.ac.uk
Integrated PhD Programme
This programme is subject to validation
Our Integrated PhD is a full-time programme designed for those who wish to develop a broad grounding in high level research methods and skills as part of their doctoral studies. Consequently it lays considerable emphasis on:
- structured training in research methods
- researcher skill development
- subject specific training
It is particularly suited to those wishing to pursue an academic or research career, or those currently in academic posts whose research interests complement specific areas of research strengths in:
- International Business, Strategy and Entrepreneurship
- Marketing and Retail Management
- People and Organisations
You will find full links to our research interests and expertise of our academic staff for these specific groups by clicking on the links above.
The Integrated PhD is completed in two sequential stages.
Stage one: Core research training, comprises approximately nine months of full-time study including eight taught compulsory modules covering research methods, researcher skills and subject-specific knowledge and understanding:
- Foundations of Management Research
- Fundamentals of Management Research Methods
- Field Methods
- Principles of Survey Design
- Documentary Analysis and Online Research
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Developing the Professional Researcher
- New Directions in Management Research
This stage culminates in the development and submission of a detailed research proposal for your PhD.
On satisfactory completion (normally at least at merit level) you will progress to doctoral research (Stage two).
Stage two: Doctoral research comprises approximately three years of full time study during which you will undertake a structured, supervised programme of scholarly research into one of our areas of research strength.
Your research will make an original contribution to knowledge and be of a standard appropriate for publication in high-quality refereed journals.
During this time you will also undertake additional advanced specialist training which will be determined with your supervisor and dependent upon your research development needs.
We are part of the prestigious ESRC-funded South East Doctoral Training Centre and, alongside this and the training provided by the University, we provide specific advanced training for our PhD students researchers in our own Schools. These include a range of modules focused on developing the practical skills required for subsequent careers.
Our PhD researchers also organise and run their own annual research conference and attend research group seminars.
At the end of your time as a PhD researcher at Surrey you will be expected to submit an extended thesis for examination. This thesis will demonstrate your ability to make an original contribution to knowledge.
Entry Standards
For an integrated PhD, our expectation is that you will hold a masters degree at a minimum of merit level in business or management or a relevant discipline, which includes a substantive dissertation element and is from an approved university. If you do not hold such a degree, you may be admitted providing you hold an Upper Second (2:1) from an approved university or a professional or other qualification deemed by the University to be appropriate, where it includes a substantive dissertation element.
Non-native speakers of English will be required to have IELTS 7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in each component (or equivalent.)
Funding
Studentships covering both fees and a maintenance stipend are available on a competitive basis for exceptional candidates. Applications for studentships must be received by 31st May for a September start.
Fees
Stage 1:
UK/EU students - £9,190
Overseas students - £14,830
Stage 2:
UK/EU students - fees will be available soon
Overseas students - £11,550
Programme length
42-57 months full-time only
Start date
1 October
Head of PhD Programme
For general enquiries
T: 0800 980 3200 or
+44 (0)1483 681681
E: pg-enquiries@surrey.ac.uk
For admissions enquiries
T: +44 (0)1483 686300
E: somadmissions@surrey.ac.uk
DBA Programme
This programme is subject to validation
Our DBA programme is designed to enable you to make a significant contribution to the enhancement of professional practice in an area of management. Consequently, your research must be rigorous to be worthy of the award of a doctorate and immediately relevant to the world of management through addressing a practical problem. The DBA is a practitioner doctorate and is undertaken through a combination of part-time study and distance learning whilst working.
The DBA is completed in two stages. For more information view our flowchart PDF.
Stage one takes 1.5 years of part-time and distance learning. It comprises six taught modules, culminating in the development and submission of a research proposal for your research. Each component of the programme must be successfully completed sequentially before embarking on the next.
Stage two takes 2.5 years of part-time and distance learning. It consists of a supervised progression of the writing of your thesis, attending cohort seminars, delivering seminar presentations and, finally, the submission and viva voce examination of your thesis. Your seminar presentations will be based on your research in progress, and will be given alongside other members of your cohort so that critical insights can be gained.
Compulsory modules (Years 1 and 2)
Year 1 (Master level)
- Philosophical Underpinnings of Management Research
- Quantitative Research Methods
- Qualitative Research Methods
- Critical Evaluation of Literature
At the end of Year 1, students may request to transfer to a Master of Science in Business Research or to receive a lower award (PG Dip/PG Cert).
Year 2 (Doctorate level)
- Applied Research Project
- Proposal Writing and Proposal
Year 2 (Master level)
- Dissertation
- Reflective Report
Subsidiary awards:
Master of Science in Business Research (180M)
Postgraduate Diploma in Business Research (120M)
Postgraduate Certificate in Business Research (60M)
Entry Standards
For a DBA, our expectation is that you hold an MBA or other Master’s degree in management with at least a merit from an approved university.
You will also have at least three years’ post-degree management experience. Applicants who hold a Master of Research from an approved university may apply for direct access to the thesis stage of the DBA.
Non-native speakers of English will normally be required to have IELTS 7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in each component (or equivalent.)
IT skills and access to software and hardware to allow competent search and analysis are also required.
Fees
All students except continuing IBS students - £10,500
Continuing IBS students - £10,500 (11/12 entry), £9,975 (10/11 entry), £8,500 (09/10 entry)
Find out more about our fees and funding policies.
Programme length
48 months part time and distance learning; maximum period allowed 72 months
DBA Programme Director
For general enquiries
T: 0800 980 3200 or
+44 (0)1483 681681
E: pg-enquiries@surrey.ac.uk
For admissions enquiries
T: +44 (0)1483 686300
E: somadmissions@surrey.ac.uk