MPhil/PhD Business and Management

Start date: You can start in May, October or January.

Course length: The MPhil is studied over two years. You can study the PhD for three years full time, or six years part time. The new route PhD is studied over four years.

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

Research is an important component of academic life. It plays a major role in supporting what we teach to our students, and directly helps organisations to solve real world issues.

Our research combines the best of both worlds by having strong connections with the Derbyshire region and active international links. The work - only some of which is highlighted here - often contributes directly, not only to the development and well-being of the region, but also to the body of knowledge in the scientific community at large.

Current research projects include:

• "A recipe for change" - a customer focused communication framework for system sustainability
• Quality life - quality work: gender work-life management in the Hungarian tourism sector
• The impact of organisational learning and leadership style on managerial innovation: A study of the Quatari Ministry of Interior
• An empirical investigation to develop a framework to assess and evaluate critical factors for emotional values at the point of service delivery
• Female participation in entrepreneurship: Lost opportunity or sound strategy?
• Knowledge consideration in interorganisational relationships - an examination across relationship stages.

You can undertake a negotiated programme of research leading to the award of either a Master of Philosophy degree or a Doctor of Philosophy degree.

These higher degrees are awarded in recognition of a successful period of research training normally culminating in the production of a thesis.

There are three routes to a higher degree:

MPhil
This is designed for graduates who want to gain a strong knowledge and understanding of the subject and then take the discipline forward through an approved programme of original research.

New Route PhD
The route is for recently qualified graduates with good honours degrees who are keen to progress immediately to a research experience in their preparations for a career in which the ability to undertake research will play a key role.

Traditional Route PhD
This route entails a programme of research which normally takes three years of full time study. You can choose to take it part time over a period of up to six years. The traditional route enables capable and qualified individuals to pursue an original research investigation into a chosen topic within a field of enquiry.

You will normally hold a first or second class honours degree, an equivalent qualification or relevant experience.

If your first language is not English we must be satisfied that you have the necessary command of the language to undertake the research investigation. We will require IELTS 7.0, unless you can demonstrate an adequate command of English through the recent successful completion of an award bearing programme from a UK university. If you are an overseas applicant you may be required to complete a course in English as a Foreign Language before being enrolled as a research student.

We'll design an individual research programme to suit your topic, and you will regularly meet your supervisor for guidance and progress monitoring.

You'll develop a real expertise in your chosen area which can lead to real career progression either in business or in academia.

"I've not only gained and increased my knowledge of marketing, but also learned empirical research skills. This will last with me forever and be of immense benefit to my future career in marketing."

Nan Jiang