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Introduction
Why choose this course?
All students enrol as probationer research students. The degree for which you register will depend on your academic qualifications and research experience. During the first year, you will formally register your research proposal for one of the below routes.
MPhil
If you undertake an MPhil you will:
critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic
demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
present and defend a substantial thesis by oral examination.
Thesis: 50,000 words
Length of study: Full-time: 2-3 years. Part-time: 3-4 years.
PhD
The criteria for a PhD are similar to those for an MPhil, with the key difference that:
the research carried out will result in an independent and original contribution to knowledge.
Thesis: 80,00 - 100,000 words
Length of study: Full-time: 3-4 years. Part-time: 4-6 years.
Overview
Business and Management is a broad disciplinary cluster which includes sub-disciplines such as Organisational Behaviour, Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and International Business, amongst others. Accordingly, our doctoral students have the opportunity to explore a wide range of innovative research topics of diverse thematic, spatial, and temporal contexts.
As a doctoral student in Business and Management you will be supported to pursue and publish original research, combining your empirical enquiry with a theoretical contribution to knowledge. You will also be invited to participate in a broad range of training workshops and speaker events organised by the School, joining a vibrant research community of students of diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
Research expertise
Oxford Brookes Business School boasts a diverse team of expert supervisors in variety of areas including Organisational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Strategy, Diversity and Equality, Coaching and Mentoring, Business and Organisational History, amongst others. Regardless of the disciplinary focus, our supervisors strive to promote responsible business and managerial practices that have a positive societal impact.
If you study for a PhD in Business and Management you will normally be linked to one of the four research centres depending on your chosen topic within Business and Management: the Centre of Business Society and Global Challenges (BSGC); the Oxford Regions Innovation, Enterprise Lab (ORIEL); the International Centre for Coaching and Mentoring Studies; or the Centre for Diversity Policy Research and Practice.
Modules
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Entry requirements
Applicants should have a good honours degree and a good master's degree at merit level or above that includes a thesis component.
Applicants with equivalent experience will be considered.
Application process
1. Complete your research proposal
2. Compile a personal/motivation statement and identify the Oxford Brookes Business School (OBBS) research centre and any relevant members of OBBS staff who may be interested in your proposal
3. Gather your supporting documents (listed below)
4. Make a direct application.
If you have any difficulty completing your application, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Supporting documents
When applying for this programme of study please upload all of the required supporting documents listed below to the online application portal.
We suggest merging your supporting documents into a single PDF file. Please note there are two specifically designated options for you to upload your two references to.
copies of your previous degree transcripts and certificates (both undergraduate and postgraduate)
a scan of your passport
two academic references
a 2,000-word Research Topic Proposal
evidence of funding (we require evidence of personal funds or letter from funder if being sponsored)
international students must also provide an English Language Certificate with an IELTS score of at least 7.0.
Learning and assessment
While every candidate’s experience will vary according to their particular discipline, topic and methodology, there are several elements that all will undertake:
investigating and evaluating an approved topic
undertaking a critical review of the existing literature in your topic area to set the theoretical context for your work and help demonstrate a gap in the existing body of work
developing and implementing a rigorous and appropriate methodology for researching your topic
demonstrating that your research conforms to all relevant ethical codes of practice
extensive primary field research, analysis and evaluation.
You are supported in your studies through a series of workshops, available on-campus. These workshops include:
Newcomer and progression registration workshops
University Research Ethics approach workshop
Beginning and developing your evaluation of the literature
Qualitative/Quantitative research approaches workshops A and B
Completing your first draft and viva preparation sessions
Assessment
Your progression on the full-time doctoral award will be monitored through an annual process undertaken at the end of each academic year, and through two key progression points after approximately six months and eighteen months of study respectively. Equivalent progression points are identified for part-time candidates.
Formative assessment is ongoing through engagement with deadlines set with your supervisory team, and feedback from OBBS research panels.
Summative assessment takes place through the submission of a 80,000-100,000 word thesis and oral examination (viva voce) with internal and external examiners appointed by the University.
Career Opportunities
Our PhD alumni go on to work in a variety of different settings including academic, government and related agencies, multinationals and small and medium-sized enterprises.
A doctoral award allows you to demonstrate you have the highest level of critical analysis and thinking skills which can be applied to a range of organisational settings. Where and how you apply these advanced research and knowledge insights will depend upon your research topic and aspirations for making a difference to organisations and communities.
Many of our alumni have published from their doctoral studies, in practitioner as well as peer reviewed journals. In addition, many doctoral alumni contribute book chapters or complete books based on their research.
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