Management Studies

The University of Oxford's doctoral programme at the Saïd Business School offers high-calibre management researchers the chance to work closely with faculty at the forefront of their fields, to be part of a vibrant research community and to benefit from the resources and reputation of the University.

The Saïd Business School is a young school in an ancient university, but it has already generated outstanding research strengths in many areas, including:

• accounting
• finance
• marketing
• management science
• organisational behaviour
• strategy, entrepreneurship and international business

The subjects of research at the Saïd Business School are diverse, ranging from the automotive, aerospace and telecommunications industries to professional service firms, the health service and the public sector.

The DPhil, which is known internationally as a PhD, offers you the opportunity to engage with internationally-renowned faculty and access to our nine specialist research centres and facilities. The structure and content of the DPhil programme largely depends on the subject area you want to specialise in. There are two pathways you can take to achieve your doctorate:

Financial Economics pathway

The Financial Economics pathway embraces subjects such as asset-pricing and corporate finance, the design and regulation of securities markets, corporate financial policy and the impact of financial markets on real economic activity. Doctoral students engage with research in key topics in finance, accounting, and management science. 

Management Research pathway

The Management Research pathway is built on coursework and research in theories of organisations, institutions, strategy, and markets, focuses on using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

Thesis

The DPhil thesis should not exceed 100,000 words and must be a substantial contribution in management research or financial economics. You may adopt a range of methodologies and approaches, but your contribution in the field of theory, methodology or empirical results should be relevant enough to be published as a book, or as a series of academic articles.

Support and guidance

Each student has a supervisor or supervisors. Supervisors oversee students’ study and research and help advise them on the preparation of their thesis through regular meetings.

Financial Economics pathway

1. A good undergraduate degree: 2.1 (GPA 3.5 or its equivalent).
2. GMAT or GRE test results.
3. English Test results: we accept TOEFL or IELTS (If English is not your first language). TOEFL iBT 110, IELTS 7.5
4. Three academic references must be submitted via the online application form.
5. A well-developed research proposal.
6. Written work

Management Research pathway

In addition to the items listed above we also require:

• A Masters degree in a relevant subject:  We usually seek a distinction.

Written work

You will need to upload three pieces of writing:

1. An essay or section of a longer piece of work on a topic appropriate to the degree for which you are applying. 2,000 words.
2. A research proposal, which should clearly outline your research plans and help us identify a potential supervisor. Please begin your research proposal with a clear title. 2,000 words.
3. A personal statement. This should explain why you want to do a DPhil, why you want to study at Oxford, the field of your research interests, your preferred supervisor(s) and your post-DPhil plans. 500 words.

• Clarendon Scholarships. This unique scheme offers around 140 new, fully-funded scholarships each year to academically outstanding graduate students, as well as providing a lively and stimulating community of scholars.
• Hill Foundation Scholarships. The Hill Foundation Scholarships fund Russian students to study for full-time graduate courses in any subject at Oxford. The Hill Foundation is a charity which aims to create a community of Oxford scholars and alumni who will work to improve Russian life and culture.The scholarship will cover 100% of University and college fees and a grant for living costs (of at least £14,296). Awards are made for the full duration of your fee liability for the agreed course.