PhD/ MPhil Programme in the Business School

Business School

Loughborough University

The Postgraduate Research Programme leading to the degree of PhD is ESRC-recognised and is based on individual research in all three years of the full-time programme (equivalent to five years part-time). However, for full-time candidates, first year research is combined with compulsory enrolment on taught Doctoral modules.

The MPhil programme is ERSC recognised and is based on individual research for 2 years full time (3 years part time). However, as with the PhD programme, for full time candidates, the first year of research is combined with compulsory enrolment on taught Doctoral modules. This specific training programme is co-ordinated by Professor Will Seal and taught within the Business School.

As a Doctoral student you will join a lively community of research students and staff, becoming an integral part of the School’s research culture. Conference and symposia attendance is encouraged as is the development of joint publications with your Supervisor. These activities are partially supported by a dedicated fund, open to all research students on a year-by-year basis.

Your Research Programme
Our research centres on in-depth study in the areas of accounting, finance, information technology and strategy, marketing and retail, operations management, international business, organisational behaviour and theory, work and organisational psychology and human resource management.

Doctoral students collaborate with academic staff on research projects and on their dissertations. Because of this close working relationship, applicants should make sure the Business School is a good academic fit and that there is a core group of staff within the program who are involved in research areas that are of interest to them.

Being a Research Student at the Business School
Research Students at the Business School are an integral part of our research activities and culture, enjoying the support of a very diverse and well-rounded community. Students come from across the UK and all over the globe to study here, bringing their individual perspectives and ideas.

Preparing Your Application
We encourage prospective students to first look through our Research Groups to view our current research activities and find a sutable match before applying:

Accounting, Finance and Banking http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/bs/research/rgacc.html
Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/bs/research/rgorg.html
International Business and Strategy http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/bs/research/rgstrat.html
Management Science and Information Systems http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/bs/research/rgmsis.html
Marketing and Retailing http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/bs/research/rgmarrg.html

Eligibility
Successful candidates must have:

- an Honours degree equivalent of British 2i) minimum, with a preference for Masters degree or first class honours equivalent
- a Bachelors or Masters degree in English, or a TOEFL score of 600 or 6.5 IELTS score (subjects must be relevant to proposed area of study)
- a satisfactory research proposal that fits with research interests of staff in the department
two satisfactory academic references.

ESRC Candidates
In addition, ESRC expect candidates who apply to Research Degrees in Business and Management must to be able to show that they are capable of the appreciation and critical assessment of:
- Alternative views of academic issues and management problems
- Organising information and constructing a coherent argument
- Ordering data and views through the writing, numerical and basic research techniques typical of a good final year undergraduate project or dissertation
- Using library and on-line information sources
- Organising an initial project outline
- Individual project management