Cranfield School of Management

Cranfield School of Management is a world-class university business school, renowned for its strong links with industry and business. It is committed to providing practical management solutions through a range of activities including postgraduate degree programmes, management development, research and consultancy.

Central to our research agenda are our doctoral programmes – the PhD and Executive Doctorate (DBA) – which have an international reputation for quality and academic excellence. In 2007 our programmes were ranked 8th in the UK, 11th in Europe and 36th in the world in the Financial Times MBA survey. They are also accredited by The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) for their outstanding content and the level of support our students receive.

Cranfield’s approach is unique. We enjoy unparalleled links with business and commerce and our reputation for relevant research ensures that the knowledge you will produce during your doctoral studies will have impact. Join one of our programmes and you will be part of an exciting and vibrant research community, working closely with supervisors, other faculty and doctoral students within the Cranfield Management Research Institute – a state-of-the-art centre for the School’s leading-edge research. Our programmes are truly international and benefit from the, typically significant, management experience that students bring to the School.

Our next PhD programme starts on 6 October 2008. The deadline for applications is 30 June but you are urged to apply earlier in the year particularly if you are seeking funding.

You can study full-time for 4 years or part-time for 6, to suit your lifestyle. Whether you choose the full-time or the part-time option you will be required to attend a research training programme during the first year of study. The full-time training course, which provides essential guided learning in research techniques, is accredited by the ESRC.

A downloadable application form and information on our recruitment process can be obtained from our website. Short-listed candidates for whom potential supervisors have been identified are invited to an assessment day at Cranfield. Special arrangements can be made for international candidates if necessary.

If you need funding to pursue full-time studies, you can be considered for one of our School bursaries. These cover full fees at either the UK/EU rate (£6,500 per annum) or the international rate (£11,000 per annum) and may provide a maintenance grant of up to £12,940 per annum. ESRC studentships are also available to UK candidates and EU candidates who satisfy certain residential criteria.

Research within our School is organised within research centres and subject groups that have functional or thematic approaches. Applicants should position their research topics within these areas.
Research centres
Business Performance
Complex Systems
Corporate Responsibility
Economics and Finance
Entrepreneurial Performance and Economics
Executive Learning and Leadership
Information Systems
Innovative Products and Services
Organisational Transformation
Strategic Marketing and Sales
Supply Chain
Women Leaders

Expatriation
General Management Development
Human Resources
Operations Management
Strategic Management

Please see our website for full details of the programme and information on research opportunities and potential supervisors - www.cranfield.ac.uk/som/phd

General funding sources

For general sources of funding that may apply for study in this department, visit the page(s) below.

Contact details

General funding sources