Management PhD / MPhil

Our investment in an excellent research environment and a flourishing cohort of PhD researchers coupled with our refreshingly interdisciplinary focus put the Management School at the forefront of academic research, making a difference to our many local, national and international partners.

Why study with us?

I am thankful for all the learning and experiences as it has equipped me in facing various challenges and opportunities presented within as well as outside of academia. Most importantly I have been, and continue to be, surrounded by inspirational individuals and a motivating community whose interests are to see me grow and develop.

Mary Joy Baloyo - Management PhD student
  • 91%

    of our School's research classified as 'world leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*) in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)

  • 160

    international experts shape world-class academic thought and make a direct impact on a wide range of organisations.

  • 100%

    of our research environment classified 'world leading' (4*) or 'internationally excellent' (3*) in the latest Research Excellence Framework (2021)

Overview

The University of Liverpool Management School offers you the chance to explore your own ideas through our postgraduate research programmes. We provide a stimulating student experience combined with thought provoking advice from our academic staff and believe that postgraduate students are a vital part of the research environment of the School.

Research in the Management School is driven both by theory and making its mark on businesses, industries, policies and practice. ULMS has a research environment that is conducive to producing research of world-class and international excellence in its originality, significance, rigour and impact. The impact of research at ULMS meets the highest standards of reach and significance, locally and globally.

Our research interests

We particularly welcome research proposals that match those of our researchers, including:

  • Operations Management and Logistics
  • Organisational Behaviour and Human Resources
  • Knowledge, Learning and Education
  • Strategy, International Business, Governance, Risk & Crisis
  • Small Businesses, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 
  • Public Sector and Health
  • Management, Business History
  • Marketing and Consumption
  • Sustainability, Developmental Studies, Charities and Austerity
  • Sports Management.

Research themes

Our academic staff not only publish in leading scholarly journals but also conduct research programmes for companies and governments worldwide. From the distribution of pharmaceuticals in Africa, through the development of micro-enterprise in India, to the regeneration of Merseyside, our research projects address key issues affecting the world. As a postgraduate student, you can be involved. Our research focuses on growing enterprises, growing innovation and growing communities, around the world and most importantly, in our own region.

Facilities

At your Management School Induction you will be shown the ‘Hot Desk’ working environment, exclusively for use by postgraduate research students. As you progress through the programme, you will be allocated a space in a shared Postgraduate Student Office within the ULMS Doctoral Suite or Mulberry Court.

ULMS has two dedicated computer suites located on the Ground floor of the building (Management School: Grove):

  • The McKenzie Trading Room offers 40 PCs with Bloomberg access. Each PC has a dual monitor and a Bloomberg keyboard
  • The Grove Wing Computer Room has 28 PCs running the standard University of Liverpool Network. 
  • DataStream is available on one PC in the PGR Hot Desk Room, and on three PCs within the Grove Wing Computer Room.
  • Local printing/photocopying/scanning facilities.

Research groups

Research Centres

Research Centres develop the School's contribution to established themes with a strong focus on applying ideas through funding and impact related work. The School currently hosts three:

• Centre for Entrepreneurship
• Centre for Supply Chain Research
• Centre for Sports Business

Research Clusters

Research Clusters are grass-roots driven and interdisciplinary, focussing on the development of new theoretical and empirical work, typically at the early stages of the knowledge production/impact cycle. The Management School currently hosts two Research Clusters:

• Econometrics and Business Statistics
• Organisational and Employee Well-being


Study options and fees


MPhil / PhD Duration UK students International Students
Full time 2-4 years £4,712
  • Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £27,800 (Band A)^
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering* £27,800 (Band A)^ or £21,850 (Band B)
  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £21,850 (Band B)
Part time 4-6 years £2,356
  • Faculty of Health and Life Sciences £13,900 (Band A)^
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering* £13,900 (Band A)^ or £10,925 (Band B)
  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences £10,925 (Band B)

The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’. You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.

* Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project. Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.

^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.


Entry requirements

Applications are welcomed and will be considered in our highly competitive programme from well qualified graduates who would typically hold a UK first degree or equivalent in the first or 2:1 class, in a relevant subject.

English language requirements

IELTS Academic requirement - SELT and non-SELT Overall 7.0 no band below 6.5
TOEFL iBT requirement Minimum 100 overall with L 21 R 21 W 21 and S 23
C1 Advanced CAE requirement Overall 185 with no less than 176 in any paper
PTE Academic requirement69 with minimum scores of 61 in each component
Trinity College London, Integrated Skills in English (ISE II)ISE II with an overall pass with merit in components
Cambridge IGCSE as a First LanguageGrade C
Cambridge IGCSE as a Second LanguageGrade B
Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Proficiency)Overall 185 with 176 in components
Cambridge English Level 3 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced)Overall 185 with 176 in components
Cambridge English Level 2 Certificate in ESOL International (Advanced)Overall 185 with 176 in components

How to apply

Research degree applications can be made online.  You'll also need to ensure that you have funding to cover all fees.

Applications are open all year round.

More about applying for research degrees

Apply online

Before you apply, we recommend that you identify a supervisor and develop a research proposal


Find a supervisor

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The University of Liverpool Management School has over 170 academics from around the globe working at the forefront of world-leading research.

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Need help finding a supervisor? Contact us


Related studentships: self-funded and funded PhD projects


Related Doctoral Training Partnerships

Doctoral Training Partnerships support future researchers with funding and a rewarding learning environment where you can collaborate with leading researchers.

Find a scholarship

We offer a range of scholarships to help you meet the costs of studying a research degree.

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