Business and management postgraduate research degrees

Business and management studies at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 2nd of the modern universities by research power

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

If you're ready to take your existing qualifications and skills in Business and Management into a postgraduate research degree, Portsmouth is the perfect place for you.

As a postgraduate researcher with us, you could research the issues facing organisations and governments such as strategy, enterprise, innovation, leadership, ethics, organisation studies, human resource management and development, employment relations, sales management, advertising, operations research, organisational excellence, and corporate branding.

Our research tracks and addresses the threats and opportunities that arise from an increasingly competitive global business environment. 100% of our research impact in the area of Business and Management Studies was judged as outstanding or as having very considerable reach and significance in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021). When you study for a postgraduate research degree with us, you'll play your own part in transforming our expertise into impact.

You could join research collaborations with bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and Skills for Care. You could also work with businesses and policy-makers who are participants and recipients of our research, to ensure that our work is relevant and has the greatest impact.

Research degrees

Find out about our PhD, MPhil, PhD by Publication and Professional Doctorate opportunities in Business and Management below, including how to apply, entry requirements and funding your degree. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our How to Apply pages.

Business and Management PhDs and MPhils

Explore our pre-approved funded and self-funded PhD projects in Business and Management, or submit your own research idea.

PhD and MPhil projects

Funded

There are currently no funded PhD projects available in this area – for more information on funding your own research project, visit our pages on funding your research degree.

Submit your own idea

If you already have a research idea, find a supervisor whose research interests match yours by searching our Find a PhD Supervisor page. Once you've identified someone suitable, contact them to discuss your idea.

Professional Doctorate

If you're a working professional interested in pursuing work-based research in the field of business and management, find out more about our Professional Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA).

PhD by Publication

A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.

Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6–12 months after registering with us.

For more information, please visit our PhD by Publication page.

Duration, fees and funding

What do my tuition fees cover?

If you're self-funding your PhD, you'll pay tuition fees to the University to cover course and university costs.

Your tuition fees cover:

The cost of your postgraduate research programme* at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations
Bespoke training, professional development courses, networking, and research support through The Graduate School
Research seminars and workshops (university-wide and faculty-specific)
A contribution to funding to attend a conference or development activity in your research field
Tailor-made weekly and monthly events, including weekly, themed experienced researcher-led talks and workshops
Helping you become part of our thriving research community, including Research and Innovation services where 77% of our research is world leading and internationally excellent in REF 2021
Your graduation ceremony
Viva examination and administration costs
The facilities and equipment you need to complete your studies, such as computer rooms, access to laptops, the Library, and laboratories
Access to resources including electronic journals, alternative guide to funding, and thousands of hours of educational videos on LinkedIn Learning
University support services including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support and personal tutors
Membership of the Students' Union (giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice)
Access to software such as Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite (this includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Adobe Premiere Pro)

*Please note that some research programmes may come with additional bench fees.

How long will my research degree take?

MPhil: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
PhD by Publication: 1 year part-time

How much will my degree cost?

PhD and MPhil

UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students

Full-time: £4,786 per year
Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year

EU students

(including Transition Scholarship)

Full-time: £4,786 per year
Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year

International students

Full-time: £17,900 (may be subject to annual increase)
Part-time and part-time distance learning: £8,950 (may be subject to annual increase)

PhD by Publication

External candidates: £4,786

Members of staff: £1,950

All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2024/25 please visit this page.

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Funding support

MPhil full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Postgraduate Loan (UK/EU students only).

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Doctoral Loan (UK/EU students only).

For information on other sources of funding, visit our funding your postgraduate research degree page.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate include an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.

If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Support and facilities

When you join us, you'll be supported by our Graduate School, alongside your assigned supervisory team, who'll help you get the most from our facilities. The Graduate School will help you become part of our thriving, collaborative research community, and help grow your skills as a researcher through the Graduate School Development Programme, which offers training, workshops and events.

You'll also use our exceptional facilities, including our Bloomberg Suite – where you'll have access to data from Bloomberg, Datastream, and S&P Global, and use the latest statistical software, including Stata, Matlab, EViews and SPSS Statistics.

What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?

Once you complete your postgraduate research degree, you'll be a highly-skilled researcher with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in many different industries.

Your postgraduate research qualification demonstrates to potential employers that you're an intelligent, capable and motivated person, with provable abilities and experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity. You'll also develop research management skills, and an in-depth knowledge of the subject on which your PhD is focused.

After researching with us, our successful postgraduate research candidates have gone on to impressive positions in a variety of fields – from positions within academia, to careers in industry and the public sector.