The PhD in Management trains students as researchers, allowing them to develop advanced techniques and in-depth knowledge within the subject of Business. The programme is underpinned by a student-dependent selection of foundational training courses which students will use to develop an all-round knowledge of their discipline, enhance their research abilities and gain a broad range of transferable skills.
Working under the guidance of supervisors students will carry out independent research resulting in an original contribution to knowledge of their field. The Business School is comprised of six main subject groups where students can base their research:
1. Entrepreneurship and Innovation
2. Organisational Studies
3. Marketing
4. Strategy
5. Management Science and Business Economics
6. Accounting and Finance (within the Management PhD programme)
Those joining the programme also have the opportunity for collaborative research and supervision from experts in more than one group, or collaboration from multiple Schools within or outside the University of Edinburgh.
The prescribed period of study for the full-time PhD is 36 months, with students allowed an additional 12 months to write-up their final thesis. To be awarded a PhD students will need to defend their submitted thesis in an oral examination called a viva (assessed according to the University's regulations).
Students who obtain an unconditional offer on the programme will be required to undertake a minimum of 80 credits of taught courses during year 1 of study, although your Supervisory team may approve a selection of up to 120 credits.
It may exceptionally be possible to be excused from one or more courses if you have already passed (or taught) a similar course within the last five years but this must be approved by the supervisory team and Programme Director. All course selections must be approved by the students' supervisory team.
PLEASE NOTE: Students whose proposed topic is primarily within the Management Science and Business Economics subject area are only expected a minimum of 60 credits of taught courses, although your Supervisory team may approve a selection of up to 120 credits.
Before starting your studies you should submit your course selection to Research Support Office (office.pgr@business-school.ed.ac.uk). Please consult your Supervisor regarding all course choices, as they will be required to approve your selection. The Research Support Office will be in touch with all incoming students on how to select and submit their course selection.
The anticipated milestones for doctoral students are as follows:
Stage 1: First year of a PhD is normally spent preparing for your main research work. You will follow a programme of training (i.e. foundation courses), reading and reflecting on relevant literature with the support of your supervisor.
Stage 2: Second year is spent undertaking the main body of the research, usually with empirical data collection and analysis, or selection and analysis of defined primary theoretical sources.
Stage 3: Finally, years three and four are spent completing the analysis, writing and submitting the thesis and then undertaking the oral examination (Viva).
In order to progress to the next year of study, students are required to complete an annual progression review. This is assessed by academic staff members (including their advisory team) to determine the student's suitability for progression.
Students in their first year will have their taught course results taken into consideration as part of the annual progression review. It is expected that in order to progress, first year students should achieve a minimum mark of 50% in each course.
Progression decisions for all doctoral students moving into the next year of study are confirmed by the Research Degrees Committee, or where appropriate, the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Exams Committee.
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