Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• What is a PhD?
• What will I get from a PhD?
• How does it work?
• Entry requirements
• Application closing dates

What is a PhD?

A PhD is a Doctorate of Philosophy, a prestigious qualification which is the highest level of degree that a student can achieve, demonstrating talent, academic excellence and a thirst for knowledge. In a modern knowledge-based economy, highly educated and skilled people such as doctoral graduates are in great demand. They form the most highly educated and skilled group in the UK and internationally. Many will go on to use their skills within academia or in research-intensive occupations in industry. However, there will be others who will draw on their research background and the skills gained through a doctoral degree in a wide variety of other occupations. Examples of the type of employment opportunities taken up by PhD holders can be found at Vitae.

What will I get from a PhD?

You will get a huge sense of personal achievement. Our doctoral training programme will help you develop transferable skills that will be invaluable in your subsequent career. The research techniques and methodologies you master will enable you to make a direct contribution to the advancement of knowledge in your particular subject area.

Successful candidates are awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and are permitted to use the title ‘Dr’.

How does it work?

Duration

The maximum registration for a PhD programme is four years with full-time study, or eight years with part-time study.

Assessment

All PhD students are initially registered for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil), and the PhD registration is confirmed after the successful completion of an upgrade assessment (at the end of year 1 for full-time students and year 2 for part-time study). You will be registered for a PhD when you pass this upgrade. Your academic progress will be monitored throughout your degree studies, via formal progress reports and regular meetings with your supervisors.

You complete a body of primary, novel research and submit a doctoral thesis of up to 100,000 words, which you then defend via an oral examination to the satisfaction of the examiners. Your thesis must meet the expectations specified in the QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary according to the research topic and/or specific studentships. The normal minimum entrance requirement is an upper second class honours degree or masters degree, relevant to the proposed area of study, from a recognised higher education institution in the UK or other recognised degree-awarding body. The comparability of qualifications from outside the UK with The Open University requirements will be determined through reference to UK NARIC. 

The research topic pages (in the menu of our Research areas page) give details of specific entry requirements, and provide contact details to discuss your suitability for the PhD.

English language proficiency

In order to study with us, you will need to have a good command of English. If your first language is not English, you will need to verify that your competence in the English Language in all four elements (reading, writing, listening and speaking). The University requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any of the four categories (or approved equivalent). If you are an overseas student, you must have your level of proficiency certified through a provider approved by UK Visas and Immigration and provide your certificate and grade with your application.

Application closing dates

Entry may be permitted for direct registration with The Open University at the following points of year: October and February. This ensures that students benefit from development and training in peer groups. You should check the details given on the relevant research topic page or studentship advertisement for specific dates.

PhD Research Degree

The University of Southampton is one of the UK’s top 15 research universities. We are a member of the influential Russell Group – an association of 20 major UK research universities. The Southampton Business School’s PhD programme has been awarded +3 recognition for full-time students by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and has also received research studentships from ESRC and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) for its doctoral programme.

Introducing your course

All students wishing to complete a PhD at the Southampton Business School must register for our PhD in Business Studies and Management. PhD applications will be considered in any research area of: accounting, financial markets and banking, entrepreneurship, innovation, strategy, sustainability, corporate social responsibility, accountability and governance, human resources management, organisational behaviour, information technology/systems, management science, operational research, supply chain management, risk management, digital and data driven marketing and health management.

Importance is placed on ensuring adequate academic supervision, hence we carefully examine your proposed area of research study in order to ensure that such supervision is readily available.

Course Facts

Degree Awarded:PhDHyperlink toView entry requirementsApply for this courseOrder a subject brochureOrder prospectus

Programme Overview

Entry Requirements

Programme Structure

Fees & funding

In order to have an appreciation of the research expertise available and research undertaken at the Southampton Business School you may visit our six Departments and Research Centres.

Southampton Business School’s Departments

• Department of Accounting
• Department of Banking and Finance
• Department of Decision Analytics and Risk
• Department of Digital and Data Driven Marketing
• Department of HR Management and Organisational Behaviour
• Department of Strategy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Interdisciplinary research across Departments is also undertaken through the following Research Centres

• Accounting, Accountability and Governance (CRAAG)
• Centre for Risk Research (CRR)
• Centre for Operational Research, Management Science and Information Systems (CORMSIS)
• Organisational Behaviour/Human Resources Research Group
• Centre for Inclusive and Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CISEI)

View the programme specification for this course for 2020/21 entrants

Key facts

Programme Duration: 

• Full-time – Maximum 4 years (minimum 2 years)
• Part-time – Maximum 7 years (minimum 3 years)