PhD Business and Enterprise
Mode: Full-time; Part-time
Overview
The School of Business has a growing research degrees programme, with an emphasis on part-time study by students who are simultaneously developing and enhancing their professional careers. The School offers traditional postgraduate research study leading to the award of PhD.
Funding successes
The School has been successful in securing considerable research funding from many sources including the Economical and Social Research Council (ESRC), The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR) and Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) (through Knowledge Transfer Programmes) and the European Commission.
Enterprise through research
Enterprise as a core research narrative invites researchers to contribute work notable for academic quality and impact and all sorts of areas could fall within this theme including, but not limited to, SMEs, local economy, organisational analysis, social enterprise and society. It offers opportunities to work collaboratively on research and publications, share data, complementary methodologies and connect with enterprise activities.
Engaging with business and society
The School is also committed to ‘civic engagement’ with a mission to share practical research outcomes to improve the society around us and this is reflected in many of the impact case studies which are being generated. Our local business community is essential to the success of London and we are keen to engage in research which supports that community through systematic capture of the structure, economic impact or business lifecycle.
We therefore would like our research to be academically strong and capable of generating impact locally, nationally or internationally. We are happy to consider a broad range of research proposals within the business domain so long as they can be seen to offer the potential for rigour, originality, reach and impact.
A PhD, by definition, is an original contribution to knowledge. A research degree is different from a taught course. Research students are expected to self-direct their learning with support from a supervisory team.
Accreditations
| Mode | Duration | Start date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mode Full-time |
Duration | Start Date January; February; March; April; May; September; October; November |
Location |
| Mode Part-time |
Duration 5 years |
Start Date January; February; March; April; May; September; October; November |
Location |
| Mode Distance learning |
Duration 6 years |
Start Date January; February; March; April; May; September; October; November |
Location |
Employability
Research skills development
All research students are required to participate in a Key Skills Development programme aimed at developing transferable skills in addition to those employed in carrying out research. Training in research methods is available through frequent research seminars.
When necessary the research student can follow, in part, relevant Masters courses available within the School and in particular units on research methodology. In some cases, research students are encouraged to follow other courses available within the University or externally aimed at improving their general expertise in their chosen areas.
In addition, they may be encouraged to follow language courses aimed at improving their oral and written skills - both essential in their future careers.
Transferable skills
A research degree will equip you with many transferable skills. The self-discipline, the demand for clear analytical thinking, and the ability to turn criticism of others work into something constructive of your own, all constitute a unique training for almost any kind of career. The excitement and satisfaction of finding new facts, a new idea, or a new way of looking at something can be highly rewarding.
Attending conferences
Research students are often sponsored to attend national and international conferences and to meet leading scientists in their fields and to present their research findings. The progress of all research students is formally monitored by the University's Research Degree Committee.
Employability Service
We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.
At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:
- An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
- Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.
Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.
Professional links
Links with external funding bodies for research have been developed and particular attention has been given to increasing the quantum of external funding for research activity.
External funding has been obtained from sources that include the European Union, UK Research Councils, major charitable research foundations and the U.K. Government’s Department of Trade and Industry.
Particular attention has been given towards the development of postgraduate research degrees and increasing the levels of external funding for research activity.
- In further recognition of the School’s entrepreneurial culture and leading-edge practice it has been awarded the Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs (IoEE) Centre of Excellence status. This is the IoEE’s flagship organisational accreditation for organisations that promote and deliver enterprise skills development.
Teaching and learning
All research students are supported in their work by a staff supervisory team. In the first instance students are supervised by their Director of Studies, with whom they are expected to maintain close contact, whilst further guidance may also be given by co-supervisors.
The first efforts of the supervisory team will be to enable research students to prepare their registration. This normally takes place after an initial probationary period of six months (full-time) or nine months (part-time). The School offers opportunities for students to present their work in progress to a School audience that is both supportive and critical, through open staff/student seminars.
Where relevant to their research field, students are able and encouraged to take units from the wide range of taught masters programmes within the School.
Entry requirements
Applicants for a Research Degree programme at LSBU are usually expected to have a good honours degree (2:2 and above) and a relevant postgraduate qualification, preferably a merit at Master's level. Please also supply two academic references as part of your application. You will also be required to show proof of all of your qualifications. If English is not your first language you will be required to prove your competency in English, showing an IELTS score of at least 7.0 at postgraduate level. You will be invited to an interview with your potential supervisor, in person or by telephone, prior to an offer being made.
How to apply
| Mode | Duration | Start date | Application code | Application method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mode Full-time |
Duration | Start date January; February; March; April; May; September; October; November |
Application code P052640 |
Application method |
| Mode Part-time |
Duration 5 years |
Start date January; February; March; April; May; September; October; November |
Application code P052640 |
Application method |
| Mode Distance learning |
Duration 6 years |
Start date January; February; March; April; May; September; October; November |
Application code P052640 |
Application method |
Home/EU postgraduate students and research students should apply through our dedicated application system.
Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply section for postgraduate students and our How to apply section for research students.
International applicants should use our international application system. Full details can be found on our How to apply section for international students.
See our admissions policy (PDF File 544 KB) and complaints policy (PDF File 127 KB).
Considering your application
Your application will be circulated to a number of potential supervisors who will look at your academic qualifications, experience and the research proposal to decide whether your research interest is something that could be supervised at LSBU.
There will also be an interview either by telephone or at the University. If you are successful you will be offered a place on a course and informed of the next enrolment date. The whole process normally takes between six to eight weeks, from receipt of your application to a decision being made about your application at the School.
Research proposal
When applying, please attach an outline of your research proposal (approximately 1,500 words).
Prepare to start
We help our students prepare for university even before the semester starts. To find out when you should apply for your LSBU accommodation or student finance read the How to apply tab for this course.
Enrolment
Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.
Fees and funding
Fees are shown for new entrants to courses, for each individual year of a course, together with the total fee for all the years of a course. Continuing LSBU students should refer to the Finance section of our student portal, MyLSBU. Queries regarding fees should be directed to the Fees and Bursaries Team on: +44 (0)20 7815 6181.
Full-time
Part-time
Year 1 FT Southwark SEPT FULL YEAR
| UK/EU fee: £4325 | International fee: £13780 |
| AOS/LSBU code: 9005 | Session code: 1FS00 |
| Total course fee: |
| UK/EU £13960 |
| International £42325 |
Year 1 PT Southwark SEPT FULL YEAR
| UK/EU fee: £2595 | International fee: £8268 |
| AOS/LSBU code: 9025 | Session code: 1PS00 |
| Total course fee: |
| UK/EU £13960 |
| International £42325 |
Year 1 PTDL Southwark SEPT FULL YEAR
| UK/EU fee: £4325 | International fee: £4325 |
| AOS/LSBU code: 9057 | Session code: 1DS00 |
| Total course fee: |
| UK/EU £22610 |
| International £22610 |
The individual fee for this course is shown above. For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.
At the London Doctoral Academy we are committed to supporting and developing professional researchers who are driven to make a difference. We have a range of PhD Scholarships available in partnership with businesses and organisations - and when they're available we'll publish notices on the London Doctoral Academy site.