Business - Research, MPhil/PhD at University of Greenwich

Our business research degree (MPhil/PhD) allows you to undertake rigorous and critical exploration of an area of business with support from an expert supervisor.

Why study this at Greenwich?

•  Flexible registration. (Full time: MPhil 18-36 months, PhD 24-48 months, MPhil/PhD 36-48 months. Part time: MPhil 30-48 months, PhD 36-60 months, MPhil/PhD 48-84 months.)
•  You can begin your studies in September or January.
•  The standard entry route requires you to register as an MPhil student and to transfer to PhD once you have demonstrated adequate progress.
•  This degree is accredited by the European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration.
•  You work with an expert in your chosen field who will provide ongoing support and guidance.

Our Master of Philosophy (MPhil) with the possibility to transfer to our Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) involves the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge in your chosen academic disciplinary field or area of professional practice in business or economics.

Degree aims

This degree aims to:

• Provide you with the ability to design and realise a research project for the generation of new knowledge, and a deep understanding of applicable research methods for academic enquiry
• Allow the creation of new scientific knowledge, through original research and advanced scholarship, to extend the forefront of that disciplinary field or area of practice.

Course structure

Unlike taught courses (such as Bachelor's and Master's courses), this degree provides a more critical and rigorous exploration of your chosen research field. It places much more emphasis on original research and the contribution to scientific knowledge.

You will attend taught courses in your first year to lay the foundation from which you will develop advanced research skills including the gathering, analysis and presentation of quantitative and qualitative data.

Supervisors

At the heart of this MPhil/PhD is the collaboration between you and your research supervisors. Our supervisors, your first point of contact in the faculty, are experts in your chosen area and will guide you through the process of:

• Refining your research project and its expected deliverables
• Outlining a suitable plan of work, monitoring its realisation, and helping you to keep your commitment to it
• Guiding you to obtaining ethical approval to realise your research, if your study requires it
• Identifying any further taught courses and training events (in addition to mandatory ones) to be attended in support of your research project.

Research

You are encouraged to contact us to discuss your research interests and you will graduate with a degree title that reflects your area of specialism. Your award will be based on the completion of a thesis.

The Business School's main research expertise is located in its research groups. We have expertise and can supervise research students primarily in the areas of work and employment, human resource management, organisational behaviour, accounting and finance, financial services, critical and social research in accounting, public policy, political economy, applied economics, social and economic network analysis, network science, international business, strategic management, supply chain management, knowledge management, entrepreneurship and innovation, urban systems, marketing and tourism.

Research is seen as an essential activity for the Business School as a foundation for excellence in teaching, and as a basis to provide contract research and consultancy services to business and the wider community, both nationally and locally (especially within south-east London and Kent).

Attendance

The normal route accepted by the University is to register first as an MPhil student and transfer to PhD after demonstrating sufficient progress in your research. To do this, you will need to apply for the MPhil/PhD course.

Course duration

• MPhil is 18-36 months full-time and 30-48 months part-time;
• PhD is 24-48 months full-time and 36-60 months part-time;
• MPhil/PhD is 36-48 months full-time and 48-84 months part-time.

For further guidance on how to apply and the application form, please refer to the entry requirements section. 

Employability

We have developed strong relations with many academic institutions, research centres, and companies in the financial centres in London, including in the City, Canary Wharf, and Fenchurch Street. This offers you networking, mentoring and internship opportunities, making it a perfect location to develop your career.

You can also reach out to top employers through our dedicated Business School Employability Office. The team focuses on developing your employment skills through CV support, interview skills workshops and guidance through mentors to progress in the industry. This includes the opportunity to network with employers and recruiters at career fairs.