External summary

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:

• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Organisational Studies
• Marketing
• Strategy
• Management Science and Business Economics
• Accounting and Finance

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 and for the part-time programme 72 months, with students on either mode 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 (assessed according to the University's regulations)

Educational aims of programme

The programme aims to prepare students for a diverse array of careers within the subject of Business. During their studies, students will develop in-depth knowledge about relevant theories, models and framework and use this to develop complex solutions to real-world challenges.

Specific aims are to:

• produced an original work that makes a significant contribution to knowledge in, or understanding of, the field of study,
• produced material worthy of publication,
• demonstrated an exceptional knowledge of the field of study and relevant literature,
• showed the exercise of critical judgement with regard to the graduate???s own work and that of other scholars in the same general field,
• presented their work in written and oral forms in a style appropriate to the field and level of study, and
• completed a programme of training in research methods.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

In the context of business studies and its sub-disciplines, by the end of the programme students will be able to:

• Critically evaluate the relationship between empirical research, theory generation and theory testing
• Critically evaluate the different forms of sampling, sampling error and potential biases in the interpretation of research findings
• Explain and apply advanced levels of competence in quantitative and qualitative methods of research
• Discuss with critical awareness discipline-based concepts and approaches to analyse contemporary management issues
• Describe and evaluate the key philosophical and ethical debates underpinning social science research
• Describe and  evaluate current research themes across diverse areas of of financial technology research

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

By the end of the programme students will be able to:

• Explain and apply the principles of research design and strategy in the field of business and its sub-disciplines.
• Define and formulate research problems and questions in order to engage with current disciplinary issues.
• Exercise informed independent thought and critical judgement
• Critically analyse and synthesize information in order to develop sophisticated technological solutions to industrial challenges.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

By the end of the programme students will be expected to:

• Explain and apply the ethical and legal issues pertaining to research
• Undertake independent learning and display independent thought, acknowledging the importance and limitations of their own knowledge
• Respond effectively to unfamiliar problems in unfamiliar contexts.
• Complete a piece of major work that shows evidence of independent learning.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

By the end of the programme, students demonstrate:

• Ability to present complex information clearly and cohesively both orally and in writing
• Capacity for sythensising written and verbal information

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

By the end of the programme students will be expected to:

• Engage and work effectively within diverse groups
• Demonstrate independent action and initiative
• Effectively manage time and workload demands within a dynamic and challenging work environment
• Engage with an international postgraduate community
• Follow an independent programme of study through to completion

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

These skills are covered under the headings above.

Programme structure and features

The programme will be available for full-time or part-time study. The full time route is 36 months and the part-time route 72 months, with commencing either in January or September.

To gain entry to the programme applicants must meet the following requirements:

Minimum Academic Requirement

Entry to the PhD in Management requires that applicants have the following minimum qualifications:

• Normally a postgraduate master's degree from an accredited institution in the UK or overseas. We accept applications from those still currently studying for a master's, but any offer will be conditional on successful completion at the required standard.
• Evidence of above-average academic achievement (more than 65% overall) and normally a postgraduate master's dissertation with distinction (UK equivalent). MBA or master's students without a dissertation are welcome to apply and should normally provide evidence of distinction-level work (UK equivalent).

Minimum English Requirement

With respect to English language requirements, candidates who are required to provide a Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) to meet the University English language policy must meet the following minimum scores:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 7.0 (with no score lower than 6.0 in each section)
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) iBT: 100 (with scores no lower than 20 in each section)*
• PTE (Pearson Test of English): 67 (with no score lower than 56 in each section)**
• Duolingo English Test (DET): 125 overall
• CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): Grade B
• CAE (Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English): Grade A
• Trinity ISE: ISE III with a pass in all four components

*This includes the Special Home Edition.

** Only applicable for those starting their programme of study before 30th September 2020.

***Only applicable to those when no other recognised test (such as the Special Home Edition of TOEFL-iBT) is available.

Foundation Training Courses

Students who obtain an unconditional offer on the programme will be required to undertake approximately 120 credits of taught courses during year 1 of study. It may exceptionally be possible to be excused from one or more of your core 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. Students whose proposed topic is primarily within the Management Science and Business Economics subject area are only expected to take 20-40 credits.

Compulsory Courses

All students regardless of subject area are expected to study:

• Introduction to Research in Business (CMSE11494) - 20 credits

Students whose proposed topic is not primarily within the Management Science and Business Economics subject area are also expected to study:

• Supervised Reading: Refining the Proposal (CMSE11442) - 20 credits
• Supervised Reading: Literature Review (BUST11231) - 20 credits

Optional Courses

Students on the programme can request to study any level 11 (postgraduate) course at the University of Edinburgh as an optional course. Rcommended optional courses are:

• Foundations of Econometrics (CMSE11388) - 20 Credits
• Applications of Econometrics(CMSE11389) - 20 Credits
• Research Skills in the Social Sciences: Data Collection (PGSP11016) ??? 20 credits
• Quantitative Data Analysis 1 and 2 (SCIL11009) ??? 20 credits
• Research Design (PGSP11208) ??? 20 credits
• Qualitative Research (CMSE11312) ??? 20 credits
• Analysing Qualitative Data (PGSP11110) ??? 20 credits

For those students whose proposed topic is primarily within the Management Science and Business Economics the following courses are recommended:

• Supervised Reading: Refining the Proposal (CMSE11442) - 20 credits
• Supervised Reading: Literature Review (BUST11231) - 20 credits

To successfully progress onto the next year of study and continue on the programme students must pass an annual review. Annual reviews consist of a written and oral component, where students must present their work to date and plans for the upcoming year of study.

Annual reviews for 1st year students include a summary of their taught course performance. Progression in year 2 and beyond is based only on the students??? performance during the written and oral components of the annual review, i.e. no taught courses are considered.

The learning process will be didactic, lecture-based (during year 1) and research-focused. The number of students studying any taught course is likely to range from between 10 and 30, with the majority of lecture-based classes lasting 2 hours for each session. Taught courses normally require students prepare weekly in advance by reading materials prescribed in handouts on the learning platform and by reflecting on the issues to be discussed during the class. Assessment will normally include a mix of in-course written essays and oral presentations/discussions and written examinations at the end of the semester of study.

Students who do not progress to the end of the PhD programme will have an opportunity to use the credits gained during their first year of study and achieve an exit award of a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma. Those who successfully gain 120 credits from taught courses prescribed by their supervisory teams may also have the opportunity to exit the award with a Master of Science or Master of Philosophy if they submit a piece of written work meeting the additional 60 or 120 credit requirement respectively.

Social Responsibility

This programme seeks to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in a complex, multi-layered and fast-changing area of the financial sector as the understanding and betterment of complex economic interactions is critically important for the society. By enabling and encouraging students to become critically aware and to develop autonomous views and arguments for current challenges in financial technology, through innovative techniques and a strong emphasis on research, reflection and critical analysis, this programme is capable of embedding the University???s core objective of increasing awareness of social responsibility questions in its specific area.

Sustainability, Equality and Diversity

This programme seeks to deploy a variety of teaching and learning techniques ranging from face-to-face teaching contact during the taught courses portion of the programme, regular one-on-one counsel from Business School and industrial partner Supervisors, to the utilisation of e-learning instruments that take advantage of the University IT platforms. The overarching goal is to ensure flexibility, autonomy and self-reliance in students??? learning while at the same time preserving and enhancing high teaching and learning standards. It is envisaged that this blended approach to teaching and learning will secure strong results in terms of the sustainability and good use of resources in the delivery of the programme; it will also ensure that a diverse student audience will be able to attain its learning outcomes by taking the utmost advantage of the opportunities offered.

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Teaching and Learning Methods

This PhD programme includes both taught and research components. The Business School's strategy in learning and teaching is to deliver a dynamic, engaged, classroom experience that exposes our students to both practical and theoretical perspectives on business issues in ways that stretch and challenge them. The learning outcomes and graduate attributes listed above are achieved by a mixture of formal lectures, tutorials, student presentations, guest speakers and research assignments. At the PhD level a substantial amount of independent study is required of students. Learning methods are complemented by meetings with the students??? designated Supervisors.

The frequency of contact with supervisors depends on the wishes of the individual student and supervisor. However, students are likely to meet with their supervisor once every 1-2 weeks. The supervisor is also naturally the first line of pastoral support, since personal difficulties and study difficulties tend to go together. However, additional academic and pastoral support is offered by the Subject Area Group Representatives and the Programme Director.

The School provides targeted, timely and useful feedback to students on their performance in a number of ways:

• through direct comment by staff members during teaching;
• through informal meetings that students can arrange with course organisers, Supervisor meetings, or other members of the teaching team, where additional support or advice on how to improve their learning strategies and practice is required;
• through written comments provided to students during the course of the academic session on formative assessment, such assessment designed to assist students in improving their essay and examination technique; and,
• through individual written feedback provided to students on summative coursework.

The School is always looking to improve the quality and helpfulness of its feedback to students, and takes seriously the comments on feedback provided anonymously in course questionnaires and via the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey.

Facilities

Within the University you will find several libraries dedicated to supporting students' studies. The two you will likely have the most contact with are the Main Library (close to the School) and our own Business School Hub.

The Main Library

This holds the primary collections in arts, humanities, social sciences, medicine and informatics. It also houses the older books in all subjects, most of the special collections of rare books and manuscripts, the University archives and the Lothian Health Service archive. Within the library you will also find a Cafe and the IS Helpdesk.

The Business School Hub

The Hub, the Business School's postgraduate library and study centre, is located in LG.03 on the lower ground floor within the School. The School Librarian, manages database procurements and licensing as well as the maintenance of textbooks and journals, and is a great resource if you need help searching for literature or using specialist subscription databases.

Accessing e-resources

While you can visit the libraries in person to access hardcopy materials or make use of the study spaces, the University also has a great selection of e-resources which you can access off-campus. To start searching, check out our Databases A-Z or you can search by subject. If you need to access premium business resources, such as company and financial data or market research reports.

PhD students will also be able to make use of facilities at the Business School, where they will have similar access to Business School facilities available to academic and support staff. Wireless network access is available in many parts of the University campus. Course teaching will be at facilities across the University of Edinburgh campuses.

Assessment methods and strategies

The assessment strategy relies upon a combination of methods to meet the full range of aims and learning objectives and draw maximum advantage from the variety of teaching approaches employed. Taught courses employ a range of assessment types, for example group presentations and reports, individual essays and formal examinations. Most courses will contain a range of different assessment methods and students have an opportunity to receive marks and both formal and informal feedback on coursework before summative assessments/exams are held towards the end of each semester. Once students have progressed successfully into their 2nd year they will undertake the main research element of their programme. Self-study is a crucial component of this and Supervisors will help provide direction and feedback through this period. Formal individual feedback is also generated after each annual review.

Career opportunities

The Business School offers training events and support for all our postgraduate research students in both academic and key life skills. The School also provides a supportive training programme of its postgraduate teaching assistants; a three-year programme of training is operated in which the first year of training is compulsory.

Other items

The programme encourages and supports training in transferable skills and personal development. While the development of such skills is an integral element of the courses offered through the programme, the School and the wider University provide numerous additional opportunities. Optional courses and learning opportunities in transferable skills are available and details will be provided to new and returning students at the beginning of each academic year.

All students are required to take note of the School???s Research Ethics Guidelines at the beginning of their studies and sign a form agreeing to abide by these guidelines, regardless of how much such issues may pertain to their own research.