Business Research Degrees - PhD
Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.
Birmingham City Business School have a long and successful history in the field of business research. The wide range of experiences, skills and specialisms within the faculty allow us to have one of the most diverse business research degree portfolios in the country. There are three entry dates to the programme each academic year, in September, February and May.
- Level Postgraduate Research
- Study mode Full Time/Part Time/Distance Learning
- Award PhD
- Start date September 2025, February 2026
- Fees View course fees
- Subject
- Location City Centre
This course is:
Open to International Students
Overview
Birmingham City Business School have a long and successful history in the field of business research. The wide range of experiences, skills and specialisms within the faculty allow us to have one of the most diverse business research degree portfolios in the country.
There are three entry dates to the programme each academic year, in September, February and May.
What's covered in this course?
There are a number of key themes underpinning research in Birmingham City Business School:
- Change management and organisational development/transformation
- Leadership and multi-unit management
- Complexity, behavioural & neuroscience approaches to leadership
- Exploration of contemporary issues in international and comparative human resource management
- Financial management
- Marketing Strategy & E-Marketing
- Strategic Change & Strategy Formulation
- Strategic leadership and effective decision-making
We work closely with all kinds of companies to produce collaborative and bespoke research projects and engage in knowledge transfer partnerships (KTPs) throughout the UK and beyond. All of our research feeds back into our innovative undergraduate and postgraduate programmes,
Course Structure
PhD degrees extend Master's level study by making a significant contribution to academic understanding of a particular issue. The thesis explores current theories and frameworks and demonstrates how insights from empirical study or reasoning warrant a fundamental reconceptualisation. By the end of the programme students will have written a thesis of around 80,000 words. Students will be orally examined on their work by two or more examiners.
The Business School believes it is valuable for research students to undertake research which aligns very closely with the research strengths of the research groups within the school.
While personal research proposals will be considered, the School would welcome applications from students who wish to undertake specific research on proposals from one of our research centres.
Why Choose Us?
Research is a core component of what we do at Birmingham City Business School. Our researchers are committed to discovering new knowledge and delivering real benefit to culture, industry, society and the environment.
Our dynamic research community works across disciplines and with external companies to address local, national and global challenges.
Find out more
OPEN DAY
Join us for a Virtual Open Event where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, meet our subject academics and learn more about postgraduate finance, all from the comfort of your own home.
Next Event: 5 February 2025
Research Interests
Work in this area is mainly directed through our Business School, which was recognised by REF 2014 as having significant impact. The Business School is engaged nationally and internationally through research to promote entrepreneurialism and social enterprise for the betterment of society.
Our long tradition of research in small business and enterprise has had considerable impact on aspects of entrepreneurship education, finance and marketing contributing significantly to the development of enterprising individuals across the world.
Current interests
Birmingham City Business School, has academics specialising in:
- Business start-up and entrepreneurship,
- Finance,
- Management and governance,
- Leadership
- HRM & International HRM
- Business strategy, and
- Innovation
Past research projects
Our Business School has carried out focused research on entrepreneurship education and graduate entrepreneurship since 2004. Specifically, much of the research has sought to track the impact of entrepreneurship education on graduates over time.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: PhD
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3-4 Years
-
TBC
- Part Time
- 4-7 Years
-
TBC
- Distance Learning
- 4-7 Years
-
TBC
Award: PhD
Starting: Feb 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3-4 Years
-
TBC
- Part Time
- 4-7 Years
-
TBC
- Distance Learning
- 4-7 Years
-
TBC
International students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
Award: PhD
Starting: Sep 2025
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3-4 Years
- £15,120 in 2025/26
- Part Time
- 4-7 Years
-
TBC
- Distance Learning
- 4-7 Years
-
TBC
Award: PhD
Starting: Feb 2026
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3-4 Years
- £15,120 in 2025/26
- Part Time
- 4-7 Years
- £7,560 in 2025/26
- Distance Learning
- 4-7 Years
- £9,450 in 2025/26
If you’re unable to use our online application form for any reason, please email Research.Admissions@bcu.ac.uk.
You must complete a research proposal and upload this as part of your application. Please note that we will not be able to process your application without having received your research proposal.
Entry Requirements
Applicants are required to hold a minimum of a 2:1 Honours degree, in a discipline related to business, to be considered for a PhD. Some PhD opportunities, such as those funded by a particular research council, may additionally require a Masters level degree.
| English language requirements 2022/23 | ||
|---|---|---|
| IELTS |
6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each category If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
|
| Other accepted qualifications | Visit our English language page | |
Your research proposal should be no more than 1500 words excluding bibliography.
Research proposal guidance
Your research proposal should address the following areas:
The Working Title of Proposal
Justification for Study
Why do you consider this subject worthy of study at PhD level? This should be considered in some detail providing sufficient background for the non-specialist to be able to gain an idea of the background to the study, its general purpose and its importance.
Outcome of the Study
How will the completed PhD contribute to the body of knowledge associated with this subject? Remember that we will expect a PhD to generate novel data and/or novel interpretations or ideas within a subject area and it must be made clear in your proposal how this will be attempted
Research Methodology
This should include an assessment of the physical, technological, human and literary resources required to undertake quantitative or qualitative research. The research committee is unlikely to look favourably on a proposal that fails clearly to demonstrate what the necessary resources are and that they are readily available (or will be).
Literature Review
This should include a summary of the current debates, areas of contention or controversy, the principal commentators and the seminal works within the subject area.
Course in Depth
Why study a PhD?
Are you keen to contribute innovative ideas to your field? Looking to solve problems, discover something new, and make a difference to society?
We have a vibrant research community here at Birmingham City University, with many talented postgraduate researchers developing and exchanging knowledge across their fields.
Conducting a PhD will allow you to develop cutting-edge research in your area of interest, with the support of your research supervisor and fellow research community.
The PhD Journey
The nature of a research degree is such that it is not possible to state an exact timescale for the programme. A part-time PhD (for entrants with a relevant Master's qualification) could be expected to take 4-5 years.
In the case of full-time study, a PhD may require 30-36 months. Nevertheless, it should be noted that there is wide variation from these averages for individual students.
Modes of Study
Our PhD programmes are offered full-time or part-time. These modes of study ensure that we can create a PhD research plan around your lifestyle needs, even if you are in full-time employment or overseas.
Full-time PhD Research: three to four years
As a full-time PhD research student you will undertake much of your research on campus using the facilities at Birmingham City Business School.
You will be expected to complete your research and submit your work for examination within 36-43 months.
Part-time PhD Research: four to seven years
You would chose part-time PhD research if you opt to study whilst in employment or if full-time study is impractical.
You will be encouraged to use the campus facilities when you can and may often work from home.
You will be expected to complete your research and submit your work for examination within 48-72 months.
How the PhD is assessed
The criteria to be awarded a PhD is to make a ‘unique contribution to knowledge.’ Whether a student has achieved this is determined by a panel of experts, including internal and external academics. The panel will assess the student’s written thesis, and the student’s oral defence of that thesis in a viva voce.
Employability
The value of a PhD to employability
The Doctor of Philosophy or PhD is recognised worldwide and is often an essential requirement for those wishing to follow an academic or research or consultancy career in industry or commerce. Our Business Management PhD research degree has been designed to help you achieve a career in industry, research and/or academia.
After the PhD
Research students are the lifeblood of our research community and we support them in all the subject areas through our network of research centres. After completing their studies, many go on to become academics in universities, or researchers in industry, business and the public sector, ensuring that the country can sustain a vibrant knowledge-based economy.
International
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Details of the entry requirements for our courses
- Some of the good reasons why you should study here
- How to improve your language skills before starting your studies
- Information relevant to applicants from your country
- Where to find financial support for your studies.
Facilities & Staff
Our Facilities
We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.
The Curzon Building
This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.
The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.
The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.
The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.
The Curzon Building also features:
- An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
- Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
- A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
- Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
- Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point
Our staff
Dr Alexandros Psychogios
Professor in International Human Resource Management
Prof. Alexandros Psychogios has a BSc in Political Science & Public Administration (University of Athens, Greece), MSc in Public Policy & Public Finance (University of Athens, Greece), MA in Services Management (University of York, UK) and a PhD in Industrial & Business Studies (University of Warwick, UK).
More about AlexandrosDr Bruce Philp
Head of Graduate School of Management
Prior to studying at university, Bruce Philp worked in the pharmaceutical industry. After roles at several universities, he is now the Head of Graduate School of Management at Birmingham City University.
More about Bruce