The DPhil (Management Research) is a full-time programme, normally taking three years following completion of a masters degree in a relevant subject.
The programme will enable you to carry out original doctoral research which is academically rigorous but also of practical benefit. It will qualify you for a career in top academic institutions or for leading professional or governmental posts involving advanced research.
Year one
Students take taught courses in quantitative and qualitative aspects of research methodology.
In addition, students receive tuition in their specialist subject of interest, for example, decision science, information management, finance, marketing, organisational behaviour or strategic management. They do a survey of the relevant literature in their area, and a thesis proposal sets out the research that they intend to undertake in subsequent years.
During the first year, each student sits examinations in research methodology and their specialist subject of interest. On the basis of performance in their examinations, the literature survey and their thesis proposal, a decision is taken as to whether the student should be allowed to progress to the research stage of their degree.
Year two
In years two and three, students undertake their own research in their chosen area of specialisation. During the second year, students apply for confirmation of DPhil status. At the end of the third year, they submit their thesis.
The DPhil thesis, which should not exceed 100,000 words, must be a significant and substantial contribution to the field of learning in management studies. As a rule of thumb, it should be good enough to be published in book form or as series of academic articles. Students may adopt a range of different methodologies and approaches. Their special contribution can be in the field of theory, methodology or empirical results.
Examples of current theses:
- Governance bonding in the global financial markets, Liang Yu
- Towards an understanding of ethics as material practice, Christian Toennesen
- Classical contingencies and beyond: influences on user behaviour and efficiency in knowledge management systems, Michael Smets.
Support and guidance
At the beginning of the programme, every research student is allocated a supervisor. Supervisors oversee students' study and research and advise them on the preparation of their thesis through regular meetings. Students often receive advice from other relevant faculty members as well.
Download the statement of provision.