Business and Management

We offer the PhD in Business and Management programme in English, leading to the degree conferred by The University of Buckingham. Companies and institutions need professionals with the skills to manage and market knowledge-intensive products, as well as professionals with a deep understanding of the scientific principles underlying products and processes. The PhD programme in Business and Management focuses on developing employable expertise through in-depth research.

Academic requirements:

International Management, Human Resource Management:

• first or second class Bachelor's degree in any field of study. 

Financial Management, Marketing Management:

• relevant first or second class Bachelor's degree. 

MBA in Data-Driven Management: 

• Bachelor's degree in any field of study,
• transcript with at least one module in mathematics or finance,
• CV,
• work reference of 3-5 years,
• motivation letter. 

Mature students not meeting the above requirements should contact us with their complete application documentation, which will be considered on an individual basis.

English skills:

MSc applicants are required to pass IBS’ own English Language Placement Test that consists of a 100 minute test and an Orientation Interview.

If the applicant has a certificate of

• The International English Language Testing System (IELTS, General) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 points 
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 90 in the iBT version
• Cambridge Certificate with a minimum score of 176 (C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency)
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) with a minimum score of 58
• A C1 level English language certificate
• LCCI certificate with a minimum score of 60
• Previous studies in English

or if the applicant is 

• Native speaker of English (based on passport citizenship),

the applicant is not required to take the written test, only the Orientation Interview.

Course outline

Companies and institutions need professionals with the skills to manage and market knowledge-intensive products, as well as professionals with a deep understanding of the scientific principles underlying products and processes. The PhD in Business and Management focuses on developing employable expertise through in-depth research.

The PhD in Business and Management is an advanced research degree during which students undertake supervised but independent research that leads to a thesis of not more than 100,000 words embodying the results of that research. The thesis must demonstrate extended familiarity with and a comprehensive understanding of the subject and the academic literature in the area; show an ability to construct and execute a plan for primary research, including the collection and critical analysis of data; and embody an original contribution to knowledge in the field of business and management.

Postgraduate students on our PhD programme will first be enrolled on a Probationary PhD Status. All students enrolled onto the programme will be supported by supervisors who will help them develop a research and writing plan and guide them through the preparation of a formal final research proposal during their first two semesters of study. All research students must also subject their work to an annual progress review. Upon demonstrating satisfactory progress at the Annual Review exam at the end of their first year, which includes successfully defending a feasible research proposal, students are upgraded to Full PhD Status. If students should not be successful at their first Annual Review, they may either be asked to resubmit an amended proposal, have their registration changed to an MPhil (Master of Philosophy) degree or, in extreme cases, have their registration terminated.

Recommended PhD topics for business and management

IBS welcomes research proposals that match or are similar to IBS staff’s current research topics and/or fall within the potential supervisors’ areas of expertise. Please consult the guide to writing a research proposal below before submitting an application

Below is a list of PhD topics that our academic staff have suggested as research opportunities for PhD in Business and Management students to undertake. IBS encourages PhD candidates to develop a proposal around one of these topics.

Marketing

• How the Internet of Things (IoT) is to change marketing communication?
• Marketing in times of degrowth – a new potential challenge
• Importance, effects etc. of packaging in marketing

HR / CSR

• Workplace equality and diversity management; workplace diversity and inclusion strategies for specific groups of the labour market
• Corporate social responsibility and sustainability, particularly in relation to technology (bio- and medical technology, AI, automation, social media), the financial industry and / or resource-extractive industries
• HRM and organisational performance

Auditing / controlling

• External and internal auditing: auditors' responsibilities, regulatory frameworks, development of audit procedures in response to current challenges
• Controlling: current trends and methods in controlling, its importance in decision-making

Communication

• Linguistic and communicative strategies in international negotiations
• Analysing aims and intentions in business communication through speech act theory

Organisation theory and organisational behaviour

•  Critical management studies
•  Power and politics in organisations
•  Alternative organising
•  Management education and business schools

Guide to Writing Your Research Proposal