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
New overseas students - £11,550
Continuing overseas students - £11,025
Fees for UK/EU students will be available soon.
Programme length
33–48 months full-time
45–96 months part-time
Start date
1 October, 1 January, 1 April, 1 July
PhD 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
DBA Programme
Our DBA programme is designed to enable you to make a significant contribution to the enhancement of professional practice in an area of management. Thus your research has to rigorous to be worthy of a doctorate and immediately relevant to the world of management through addressing real problems. It 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.
Stage one takes approximately 18 months of part-time and distance learning. It comprises of five taught modules, culminating in the development and submission of a research proposal for your final study.
Stage two takes approximately two and a half years of part-time or distance learning. It consists of a supervised progression of the writing of your thesis, attending a cohort seminar, delivering a seminar presentation and, finally, the submission and viva voce examination of your thesis.
Your seminar presentation 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. Each component of the programme must be completed successfully before embarking on the next.
Compulsory modules (Years 1 and 2)
Stage 1 (taught programme)
- Philosophical underpinnings of research methods for management
- Quantitative methods of research
- Qualitative research methods
- Critical evaluation of research
- Research proposal
Stage 2 (thesis writing)
- Literature review
- Methodological approach
- Thesis and viva voce examination
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.
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
New overseas students - £10,500
Continuing overseas students (ibs students only) - £10,500 (11/12 entry), £9,975 (10/11 entry), £8,500 (09/10 entry)
Fees for UK/EU students will be available soon.
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