Management and Business PhD
This programme has a dual-focus on subject-specific knowledge and methods training, which will give you the intellectual foundation to ask cutting-edge questions and then conduct high-quality research to address those questions under close expert supervision.
Key course information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- January 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- £5,238*
- Overseas fees
- £22,700
- Subject areas
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- January 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- £2,619*
- Overseas fees
- £11,400
- Subject areas
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- April 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- £5,238*
- Overseas fees
- £22,700
- Subject areas
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- April 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- £2,619*
- Overseas fees
- £11,400
- Subject areas
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- July 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- £5,238*
- Overseas fees
- £22,700
- Subject areas
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- July 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- £2,619*
- Overseas fees
- £11,400
- Subject areas
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- October 2027
- Attendance
- Full-time
- Duration
- 4 years
- UK fees
- To be confirmed
- Overseas fees
- £23,600
- Subject areas
- Funding
- Funding information
- Entry requirements
- See full entry requirements
- Start date
- October 2027
- Attendance
- Part-time
- Duration
- 8 years
- UK fees
- To be confirmed
- Overseas fees
- £11,800
- Subject areas
- Funding
- Funding information
Why choose this programme?
- Our PhD students are researching topics that address some of the most important issues related to management and business, including in relation to the digital economy and artificial intelligence.
- We offer expert PhD supervision in disciplinary areas including Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance and Accounting, Management (including expertise in human resource management, business analytics, operations management, organisational behaviour, and organisational psychology), and Strategy Marketing and International Business.
- Our PhD students have the opportunity to become involved in the activities of Surrey Business School’s research centres including: Centre of Digital Economy; Centre for Business Analytics in Practice; Centre for Social Innovation Management; Future of Work Research Centre; Sustainable and Explainable Fintech Centre.
- As a PhD student you will receive rigorous instruction and training in research philosophy and methods, together with expert supervision.
- Our researchers often work closely with industry and collaborate with staff across our School, leading to innovative new thinking.
- The University of Surrey is in the South East Doctoral Training Arc (SEDarc) partnership, an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)-funded doctoral training partnership.
Statistics
10th in the UK
For the quality of our research outputs in business and management studies (Research Excellence Framework 2021)
Top 75 in the world
For management and top 100 for business administration in the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2026
Accredited school
Surrey Business School is a member of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and is accredited by the Association of MBAs (AMBA)
Course details
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What you will study
Our PhD in Management and Business will train you in critical and analytical skills, research methods, and in discipline-specific knowledge that will give you the knowledge, skills and abilities needed for a career in academia, or as a researcher in a wide variety of settings.
Our PhD programme takes around three to four years of full-time study (six to eight years for part-time study).
You’ll receive an induction by the University of Surrey’s Doctoral College, as well as a bespoke induction programme from the Business School. This induction will introduce you to the School as well as the Faculty of Arts, Business and Social Sciences in which the School is based.
You will be assigned a principal supervisor and a co-supervisor. Your supervisors will provide you with guidance and advice throughout your programme of study.
A typical three year full-time programme of study would look like the following:
Year 1
In your first year, you will receive instruction in subject-specific knowledge and instruction and training in research philosophy and methods. You will benefit from a regular seminar programme on topics including research methods and research philosophy that will equip you with important skills and understanding. Year 1 will form the foundation of your doctoral research.
Year 2
Once you’ve got the foundation for your doctoral research and passed your confirmation exam, your second year will be spent conducting doctoral research. Students conducting primary research may spend some part of the year away doing field research.
Year 3
Your third year will then be devoted entirely to data analysis, writing up and submitting your dissertation. You’ll have frequent interactions with your supervisor. You’ll also have the opportunity to attend professional development workshops in preparation for the job market. There is a four-year maximum period of study on the PhD programme for full-time students.
We encourage our students to attend conferences and training courses. Financial support is available through a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) to assist with research-related expenses, including travel, conference fees, fieldwork, and specialist training.
Assessment
Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners.
You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.
Location
This course is based at Stag Hill campus. Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Research areas
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Research themes
We have key research themes in:
- Business analytics and operations
- Digital economy and AI
- Entrepreneurship and innovation
- Finance and accounting
- Marketing
- People and organisations
- Strategy and international business.
Discover more about our management and business research.
Academic staff
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See a full list of all our academic staff within the Surrey Business School.
Support and facilities
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Research support
The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate careers and employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.
Colleagues from Surrey Business School are active in directing the activities of our Human Insight Lab that provides a dedicated space for conducting experiments across different types of business and management applications.
You’ll also be allocated an office space, and be given access to a range of online research tools and resources.
Hear from our students
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The University of Surrey is renowned for its research-focused approach. I knew that studying there would allow me to work with esteemed professors and fellow students in a stimulating environment that fosters the development of critical thinking skills.
All these extra-curricular developments show that if you work hard, Surrey will support you into becoming the person you want to be.
Entry requirements
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UK qualifications
Applicants are expected to hold a minimum of an upper second-class (2:1) UK degree and a masters degree (minimum merit) in a relevant subject from an internationally recognised university.
Country-specific qualifications
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category.
These are the English language qualifications and levels that we can accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
Selection is based on applicants:
- Meeting the expected entry requirements and providing all relevant documents including a satisfactory research proposal
- Being shortlisted through the application screening process
- Completing a successful interview
- Providing suitable references.
Fees and funding
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Fees per year
Explore UKCISA's website for more information if you are unsure whether you are a UK or overseas student. View the list of fees for all postgraduate research courses.
* Please note: any start date other than September will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).
Fee options
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £22,700
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £11,400
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £22,700
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £11,400
- UK
- £5,238
- Overseas
- £22,700
- UK
- £2,619
- Overseas
- £11,400
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £23,600
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- £11,800
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100 (subject to legal requirements).
Additional costs
There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey.
Funding
A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.
Studentships
Browse our frequently updated list of funded studentships open for applications.
Register for updates
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Apply
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Application process
Applicants should contact potential supervisors before submitting an application via the website. Please refer to section two of our application guidance.
Apply online
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Management and Business PhD
Full-time, January 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 October 2026
Select
Management and Business PhD
Full-time, January 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 October 2026
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Management and Business PhD
Part-time, January 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 October 2026
Select
Management and Business PhD
Part-time, January 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 October 2026
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Management and Business PhD
Full-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
Select
Management and Business PhD
Full-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Management and Business PhD
Part-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
Select
Management and Business PhD
Part-time, April 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 17 January 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Management and Business PhD
Full-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
Select
Management and Business PhD
Full-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Management and Business PhD
Part-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
Select
Management and Business PhD
Part-time, July 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Friday 16 April 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Management and Business PhD
Full-time, October 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
Select
Management and Business PhD
Full-time, October 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
Management and Business PhD
Part-time, October 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
Select
Management and Business PhD
Part-time, October 2027
Status
- Applications:
- open
- Closing date:
- Sunday 11 July 2027
If you are applying through a studentship, there may be an earlier deadline listed on the studentship advert which should be followed. The above closing date is the last day that any applications for this entry point can be submitted.
After registration
Students are initially registered for a PhD with probationary status and, subject to satisfactory progress, subsequently confirmed as having PhD status.
About the University of Surrey
Need more information?
Contact our Admissions team or talk to a current University of Surrey student online.
Code of practice for research degrees
Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Surrey, you will be agreeing to follow our policies and procedures, student regulations, and terms and conditions.
We provide these terms and conditions at the offer stage. You will be asked to accept these when you accept the offer made to you. You will be provided with these terms and conditions again at registration by way of reminder.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been published in advance of the academic year to which it applies.
Whilst we have done everything possible to ensure this information is accurate; some changes may happen between publishing and the start of the course.