executive phd in management uk

Jennifer Salonga

Global Executive Ph.D. Recruiter Schedule a call --> +33 (0)6 78 44 12 62

• Global Executive Ph.D.

October 2025

Language of instruction

Where you study

• Executive Education
• Fees & Financing

Global Executive Ph.D. Designed for an executive audience

Information Coronavirus:

Despite the situation related to Covid-19, we continue to accompany you with your professional development project.

The ongoing recruitment process: Application files to be completed online and selection interviews conducted remotely. Our team is always ready and available to listen to you.

Doctoral-level Qualification

The world we are living in is facing profound evolution and relentless change. In this environment, we need visionary leaders who are capable of adapting, learning and inspiring others. Our programme enables senior executives and business leaders to act as reflective practitioners and to conduct valuable, doctoral-level research on a part-time basis over three to four years. You will benefit from the expertise of ESCP’s international world-class faculty.

Participants are expected to remain in employment and leverage their professional and personal experience throughout the programme.

Overview of ESCP Global Executive Ph.D.

Research method modules.

Develop methodological and theoretical skills at a doctoral level

Advanced Specialisation Modules

Develop field-specific expertise

Modules delivered over 3 residential sessions

Research paper.

Apply the skills you have acquired to a concrete industry-relevant problem. Participants who successfully complete this paper and all courses from year 1 will be awarded an Executive Masters in Management Research from ESCP Business School.

Ph.D. Dissertation

Complete a publishable-level research work in your chosen field of expertise. The dissertation can take the form of three publishable papers or a monograph.

Why choose ESCP's Global Executive Ph.D. programme?

A unique opportunity.

The ESCP Global Executive Ph.D. represents a unique opportunity to enhance, validate, and leverage your professional expertise within a rigorous academic framework.

Stimulates your Intellectual Expertise

Whether your goal is to enhance your knowledge and expertise in a given operational area, enhance your industry practice with academic experience, or continue your lifelong appetite for learning, the ESCP Global Executive Ph.D. is for you. The programme will enable you to combine the most advanced academic research findings with the "hands-on" experience of experts and apply your conclusions to complex management paradigms.

Your Benefits

Company benefits, key facts of the global executive ph.d..

• 86 executive participants
• 2020 inaugural cohort
• 33 nationalities represented
• 44 year old, on average
• 16 average years of work experience
• 12 average years of managerial experience
• 30% C-level, owners, and partners

Satisfaction rating  (2023) 3,7/4

Webinar What do entrepreneurs learn from failure?

Tuesday, 17 september 2 - 3 p.m. (cest).

Prof. Yi Jiang Professor of Management

[On-demand] Webinar The Future of Management

Tuesday, 18 june 2 - 3 p.m. (cest).

Prof. Frédéric Fréry Professor of Management

[On-demand] Webinar An Executive Ph.D. Journey: How to Choose Your Research Topic

Tuesday, 16 april 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (cest).

Prof. Daniela Lup Professor of Management

Sam Sena Global Executive Ph.D., Class of 2025

[On-demand] Webinar Elevate Your Expertise: Becoming a Thought Leader Through Research

Thursday, 7 march 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. (cet), [on-demand] webinar the impact of ai on research, thursday, 1 february 2:30 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. (cet), your resources white papers, discover the entire series of white papers: leaders for the future., global executive ph.d. academic research & a hands-on approach, programme structure, stage 1 18 months.

Coursework and First Research Paper

Stage 2 18* or 30 months * 18 months for accelerated participants

• 6 Research methods modules
• 4+ Advanced Specialisation modules
• Research Paper 2 (RP2)
• Research Paper 3 (RP3)
• 2 Research Bootcamps

The Ph.D. dissertation can take the form of three publishable papers or a monograph.

Following Stage 1 and the successful completion of required courseworks and Field Research Paper 1 (RP1), you will be awarded an Executive Master in Management Research.

Following Stage 2 and the successful completion of your Ph.D. dissertation, you will be awarded an Executive Ph.D. (ESCP degree). ESCP Business School is a founding member of the Sorbonne Alliance.

For more details, contact your programme advisor .

Innovative Learning Model

• A combination of academic, managerial teaching and reading materials will allow you to see how theoretical insights can be immediately translated into business outcomes.
• An adapted learning methodology enables participants to combine their career experience with a Executive Ph.D. including assignments that help you master new knowledge in detail.
• In-depth specialisation seminars allow you to acquire cutting-edge skills and to reflect on current and future trends in management.

International Standards

The courses adhere to the highest international standards. You will be taught research methodologies and benefit from specialisation courses linked to your dissertation project. Assignments will be given after each module to allow you to better integrate both the fundamentals and advanced concepts. You will also have a dedicated supervisor as well as coaching sessions to guide you towards the successful completion of your dissertation.

RESEARCH METHODS MODULES (Methodological and theoretical skills development)

• Research Methods: Theory and Practice
• Art Thinking and Research Creativity
• Theory Building in Management Science
• Design of Field Research Methods
• Reading Seminar
• Quantitative Methods: Empirical Methods and Causal Inference
• Quantitative Methods
• Applied Econometrics* * Participants who choose this module will have three specialisation modules instead of four.

SPECIALISATION MODULES (Field-specific expertise development) Below are examples of specialisation modules offered in alternate years.

Some advanced specialisation modules will be available and delivered online.

• Management of Innovation
• Advanced Topics in the Future of Work (Diversity, Inclusion and Global Leadership)
• Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence and Social Media
• Advanced Topics in Consumption in New Digital Age
• Advanced Topics on Finance and Society
• Advanced Topics in Behavioral Finance and Tech-driven Financial Services

Information & Operations

• Advanced Topics in Big Data and Digital Transformation
• Advanced topics in the Future of Supply Chain and Operations Management
• Advanced Topics in the Robot and AI wave: business implications

Entrepreneurship

• Advanced topics in Entrepreneurial Decision-making under Uncertainty

Accounting & Management Control

• Advanced topics in Accounting and Boundaries of Organizations in the Digital Economy

Economics & Public Policy

• Advanced topics in Real Estate and Public Policy

Sustainability

• Advanced Topics in Sustainability

Ph.D. dissertation

Participants are required to write a Ph.D. dissertation , which takes the form of a monograph or three publishable papers. The Ph.D. dissertation defence is oral and open to the public.

Students are expected to complete the Ph.D. programme in 3-4 years in total.

Participants will be guided by their dissertation advisors all throughout this intellectual journey and supported through coaching and the “research bootcamps” which will help orient and adjust their work.

Global Executive Ph.D. Work closely with world-class faculty and benefit from their cutting-edge expertise and research

Professor Avgoustaki's interests lie at the intersection of human resource management and industrial relations. Her work has been published in Industrial and Labour Relations Review, Human Resource Management, and Economic and Industrial Democracy. Her work has been covered in media outlets such as The Financial Times, FT China, Business Insider UK, Le Monde, Le Figaro, The Daily Mail, Insider, CNBC, Le Soir, The Guardian, Women’s Health, New Scientist, Entrepreneur, MDR Radio, CNBC, and the World Economic Forum.

Professor Becker's research focuses on econometric modelling of marketing decisions, particularly advertising and its effectiveness. Maren’s work has been published in the Journal of Marketing and Journal of Marketing Research and was featured in press outlets such as die Zeit, Markenartikel, and Harvard Business Manager.

Professor Bunkanwanicha's research lies research lies at the intersection of family business, political connections, and finance. Published in top-tier finance and economic journals, namely the Review of Financial Studies, the Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, the Journal of Comparative Economics, his research has been also presented in major academic conference such as the American Finance Association (AFA), the Western Finance Association (WFA), the European Finance Association (EFA).

Based on Professor Bureau's research on creative practices, he created the Art Thinking : a method to create the improbable with certainty. He teaches this method in unique locations like Centre Pompidou. He has been a visiting scholar at UC Berkeley and City University of New York. Sylvain is also the co-founder of Storymakers, an app to make pitches people remember, and co-author of Free Your Pitch (Pearson, 2018).

Almudena Cañibano holds a PhD in Employment relations and organisational behaviour from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Her research seeks to understand the changing nature of work and its impact on employee well-being and organisational outcomes. She has looked at work practices such as flexible working and the digitalisation of work. Her work has been published in outlets such as Human Relations, Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Management Decision and the Oxford Handbook of Participation in Organizations .

Areas of expertise : Sustainability, Supply Chain Management, Circular Economy transition.

Recent publications : Carmagnac, L., Carbone, V. and Touboulic A. (2022) “A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: The Ambiguous Role of Multistakeholder Meta-organisations in Sustainable Supply Chains”, Management, in press.

Areas of expertise : strategic innovation, entrepreneurship, international business, market strategies.

Recent publications : BRIDOUX, F., COEURDEROY, R. and R. DURAND Heterogeneous social motives and interactions: The three predictable paths of capability development, STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT JOURNAL, 2017

Professor di Giuli was a research assistant at the London School of Economics and a visiting fellow at Harvard Business School. Her research focuses on corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, mergers and acquisitions and family firms.

Frédéric Fréry is a Professor of Strategic Management at ESCP. He is author or co-author of 40 books, among which Stratégique, the most widely used strategy manual in the French-speaking world. He is also honorary professor at CentraleSupélec and expert for the Association Progrès du Management. He has been a Visiting Scholar at Stanford University and a Visiting Professor at the University of Texas at Austin. His research and teachings focus on strategy, organization and management of innovation.

Professor Getz is a former Visiting Professor at Cornell and Stanford. His book Freedom, Inc. has been published in 14 countries and won the Best Business Book award. His other book L'entreprise liberée has also won the Best Business Bookaward. Isaac has studied over 300 organizations on four continents and has published extensively.

Professor Haenlein is the most cited researcher in the field of Word-of-Mouth, among the top three in the field of Customer Relationship Management and among the top ten in the field of Social Influence. Since May 2019 Michael is part of the Executive Committee of EMAC where he serves as Vice President Corporate Relationships.

Héctor González Jiménez has worked on projects for small to medium sized businesses as well as large international companies such as Pepsi or Ford. He is interested in interdisciplinary research that addresses phenomena on the self and consumption as well as human-robot interactions.

Professor Karehnke's work has been published in Management Science (Spanning Tests for Assets with Option-Like Payoffs: The Case of Hedge Funds) and the Review of Finance (Time-varying state variable risk premia in the ICAPM) among others.

Professor Daniela Lup produces research, teaches, and consults in areas related to organizational behaviour, with a focus on practices related to decision making during transformation, negotiations, diversity & inclusion, creativity & teamwork. Her work is published in internationally renowned journals such as Organization Science, Journal of Business Ethics, Work Employment Society , and has been featured in Harvard Business Review and LSE Business Review .

Jaime P. Luque is Associate Professor of Economics at ESCP Business School, where he holds the BNP Paribas Professorship in Real Estate and serves as Director of the Monaco Real Estate Tech Innovation program. He is the Academic Director of the MSc in Real Estate and the Institute of Real Estate Finance and Management . Prior to joining ESCP in July 2018, he was Real Estate faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Business. Jaime’s research interests include real estate finance, real estate technology and housing. He has published in the Journal of Economic Theory, Journal of Public Economics, Economic Theory, Real Estate Economics, and Regional Science and Urban Economics.

Professor Moatti's current work focuses on the sustainable dimension of supply chain management, as well as innovation strategies in the fashion industry. She is the author of articles (published in Strategic Management Journal, European Management Journal, and International Journal of Logistics: Research and Applications, and Management, Business Strategy and the Environment, Supply Chain Forum – An International Journal…).

Professor Zhou received the Shanghai 1000-Talents Award (2018) and consequently leads the multi-disciplinary and multi-country research in the field of big data analytics, artificial intelligence, IoT, cryptography, and transportation engineering.

Guest Professor

Prof. Edmondson is the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at the Harvard Business School, a chair established to support the study of human interactions that lead to the creation of successful enterprises that contribute to the betterment of society. She has been recognized by the biannual Thinkers50 global ranking of management thinkers since 2011, and most recently was ranked #3 in 2019; she also received that organization’s Breakthrough Idea Award in 2019 and Talent Award in 2017.

Join A Dynamic Ecosystem Of Corporate And Academic Research Leaders

Be a part of the ESCP global knowledge community. Benefit from the latest research at the highest level linked to companies and business and share your knowledge with colleagues from a large variety of academic specialisations and institutions around the world.

Global Executive Ph.D. candidates will be immersed in a world of knowledge:

• Participants can attend research seminars, conferences and colloquia organized by ESCP's full-time Ph.D. programme,
• Benefit from all the ecosystem of ESCP Chairs and Professorships.

Discover our multiple chairs and professorships on significant topic: Chairs & Professorship

Global Executive Ph.D. Admission

Admission requirements, a previous university degree.

A previous university degree: Masters (MBA or equivalent Masters). Non-management Masters holders are required to take additional management courses from the ESCP Executive MBA programme.

A minimum of ten years’ professional experience

A minimum of 10 years’ professional experience (at least 3 years at managerial level).

English proficiency (C1 level)

English proficiency (C1 level): courses are taught in English and all coursework must be submitted in English. IETLS: 7; TOEFL: 100 or In-house English Test (free) provided by British Council: CEFR c1*.

Admission Process

Application deadlines, for the 2024 intake.

Please contact the Global Executive Ph.D. recruitment manager, Jennifer Salonga , to receive the list of upcoming jury dates.

Individual assessment meeting with the admissions department (initial discussion in person, by phone or visio-conference, with your programme advisor or another member of the admissions team).

Applications are made online. The applications file will be made available to you following your initial discussion with your programme advisor. Please note that only complete applications will be reviewed:

• Your personal details: name, address, e-mail, telephone number
• Degree certificates or grade transcript
• Up-to-date CV
• Two reference letters, ideally one from an individual who knows you in a professional context (e.g. current or former manager) and the other by a person of your choice, if possible from an academic context (e.g. a university professor)
• English language certificate (for non-native English speakers), TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS
• Copy of passport or ID
• Application fee of €350
• Statement of purpose: 1500 - 2000 words

Your application will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

Following a successful review of your application, an online admission interview with the Academic Admissions Jury (Executive Ph.D. Committee) will be organised.

Admission decision

Confirmation of enrolment and payment of tuition fees (You will be asked to pay a deposit to secure your place).

Statement of purpose

Your statement of purpose should address the following questions: Why do you want to do a Global Executive Ph.D. at this point in your career? What do you expect to acquire from the programme? What are your career aspirations following the Global Executive Ph.D.?  Please describe your previous research experience, if any. What area of research are you interested in at this stage?

This programme is accessible to people with a disability

Global Executive Ph.D. Fees & Financing

Tuition fees for the 2025 intake, scholarships.

For more details, you can contact your programme advisor .

ESCP has partnerships with banks in several countries around the world. Loans at reduced rates are available for admitted candidates (final decision with the bank).

Funding may also be available in the form of scholarships or government loans in your country. Our Admissions Officer will be happy to advise you about funding opportunities.

Our on-campus teams are available to discuss tailored instalment schedules and flexible payments.

Global Executive Ph.D. Meet Us

Events - europe, fairs - america, fairs - africa / middle east, fairs - asia.

DPhil Management

Start date:

• 6 October 2025

Time commitment:

About the programme

Our doctoral training will immerse you in all aspects of academic life.

You will be both a student and a junior research colleague. We provide courses in a wide variety of research methods and you will work closely with your supervisors to define your research question and develop your thesis. In addition, you will have opportunities to gain teaching and research assistant experience and become involved with the intellectual community within both Saïd Business School and the wider University. You will attend academic conferences, make presentations, organise lectures and seminars and contribute to management and academic decisions.

Both of our doctoral programmes run in parallel, with only differences in taught courses and preparation for writing in relevant journals to your subject of choice.

We have deliberately kept the programmes small which means that in the vast majority of cases, students are fully funded to allow them to devote their energies to research. The DPhil corresponds to a PhD degree offered at most other universities.

Supervision

You will be assigned two supervisors to act as your academic advisers and mentors.

Your supervisors will be in your specialist area of interest. It is important you identify that there are faculty at the school who work in your area of interest who could potentially supervise your thesis. You can note within your application if you're interested in a particular research area and working with a specific faculty member. 

You will work closely with your supervisors to define your research question and develop your thesis. It is an important relationship and also a very personal one: it is shaped by you, your supervisors and the ways you interact. You will have a minimum of nine meetings, or equivalent per year.

The allocation of graduate supervision is the responsibility of Saïd Business School. It is not always possible to accommodate student preferences to work with a particular member of staff. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside Saïd Business School.

Potential supervisors

You do not need to contact any faculty in advance of making your application. In the application form you can indicate your preferred supervisor(s) and they, along with other related faculty will review your application.

Below is a list of faculty open to supervising DPhil students this coming year.

Research areas and supervisors

Entrepreneurship, strategy, and technology management.

Pinar Ozcan  - Pinar specialises in qualitative research in strategy and entrepreneurship, particularly in technology markets. Her current research includes AI and business models in tech start-ups (e.g, fintech), digital transformation and platform strategies.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

Ivona Hideg  - Ivona’s main programme of research includes workplace equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI). In her work, she focuses on gender, but also examines issues surrounding race, ethnicity, language and accent including intersection of various identities that we all hold.

Grounded in psychological theories and using experimental methodology, Ivona’s work seeks insights on root causes of inequities in the workplace, such as persistent underrepresentation of women in top leadership positions and other male-dominated fields (ie entrepreneurship).

By doing so, Ivona seeks to develop and test solutions for greater equity, inclusion and career outcomes of traditionally disadvantaged groups.

Global strategy and comparative institutional analysis

Mari Sako - Mari's main areas of expertise include global strategy, comparative institutional analysis, outsourcing and offshoring, professional services firms and professions, artificial intelligence (AI) and business models.

Her current research examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in legal services, conducted as part of a UKRI-funded programme . Doctoral applications are most welcome from students in social sciences, who can work with Mari on exploring the impact of AI on:

• business models
• the future of work
• technology startup ecosystems in professional services (such as law and accounting).

She is open to doctoral research proposals in this and related fields of research.

Matthew Amengual - Matthew focuses on the comparative political economy of sustainable and inclusive development.  His research has investigated on how institutions and contestation shape outcomes for firms, workers, and communities. 

His current work investigates labour standards in global supply chains, seeking to understand how interactions between multinational firms, suppliers, civil society organisations, and states can create conditions for improved working conditions.  He utilises a wide range of empirical approaches, including qualitative case studies and a range of quantitative methods. 

Matthew is interested in supporting doctoral students seeking to work in: 

• Governing standards in global supply chains
• Sustainability challenges in global markets 
• Institutional change and weakness in regulatory governance  

Akshay Mangla - Akshay's interests lie in questions of when, why and how states build institutional capacity to perform their core functions in developing countries. Within this broad agenda, his ongoing research investigates the causes and consequences of institutional reform initiatives within frontline agencies of the Indian state (eg primary education and the police).

He is also examining how non-state actors, including private firms and civil society organisations, engage with the frontline state during policy implementation, thereby influencing bureaucratic effectiveness and the quality of public services. He is interested in advising DPhil students working on these and related topics in the political economy of development.

Artificial intelligence and media management

Alex Connock - Alex is an Oxford academic in the media business and author of the 2022 book Media Management and Artificial Intelligence: Understanding Media Business Models in the Digital Age , plus the 2024 follow-up title Media Management and Live Experience: Sports, Culture, Entertainment and Events .

Alex is Senior Fellow at Saïd Business School, teaching Marketing and Media Business courses at BA, MBA and EMBA level.  He co-launched and ran Oxford postgraduate diploma in Artificial Intelligence for Business from 2021-3. and is Lecturer at St Hugh’s College, Oxford in Management.  

Alex’s research interests are in the fast-growing and commercially significant space where AI meets media creativity and discovery.  

Operations management and business analytics

Agni Orfanoudaki  - Agni conducts research at the intersection of machine learning and optimisation with applications in the industries of healthcare and insurance. Her research agenda primarily focuses on developing new methods and models for healthcare practitioners using data-driven techniques. She is also studying the implications of these models on automated decision making, addressing the implementation challenges of machine learning algorithms in practice.

 Areas of interest:

• Business analytics
• Healthcare operations
• Algorithmic insurance
• Personalised medicine

Organisation studies and strategy

Eero Vaara - Eero’s research focuses on organisational and strategic change. His work deals with:

• strategy process and practice research
• studies of radical change, such as mergers and acquisitions
• work on institutional change and legitimation
• research on multinational corporations, nationalism and globalisation.

He is a world-leading expert especially in communicative and discursive perspectives. Eero combines practically relevant topics such as strategy work and management of post-merger integration with deep theoretical and methodological reflection on organisational and strategic processes and practices.

Eric Zhao -  Eric's research is cross-disciplinary in nature and sits at the intersection of strategic management, organisation theory and entrepreneurship. He is actively involved in four major research areas:

• optimal distinctiveness
• institutions and entrepreneurship
• resource and resourcefulness
• resilience and crisis.

His 2017 SMJ article 'Optimal Distinctiveness: Broadening the Interface between Institutional Theory and Strategic Management' and his solo-authored book 'Optimal Distinctiveness: A New Agenda for the Study of Competitive Positioning of Organizations and Markets' are widely regarded as foundational contributions to the burgeoning literature on optimal distinctiveness.

Violetta Splitter - Violetta’s research focuses on organisational and strategic change. In particular, her work deals with:

• open strategy
• open organising
• power in strategy making

Violetta is a leading expert in practice-theoretical perspectives on strategising and organising. Violetta combines practically relevant topics such as (open) strategy work with deep theoretical and methodological reflection on organisational and strategic processes and practices.

Scenario planning

Rafael Ramirez - Rafael researches scenario planning and ground breaking research on interactive value and networked strategy, which has led to widely cited papers in the Harvard Business Review, the Strategic Management Journal and to the development of the Ox ford Collaborative Strategy Lab.

Social entrepreneurship

Alex Nicholls  -  Alex's main areas of expertise include:

• impact investing
• impact measurement
• social entrepreneurship
• public policy and social innovation
• systems change
• social movements

His current research explores the materiality of impact risk - in terms of both financial and impact outcome risk, the use of AI in impact measurement and reporting, and historical patterns of ethical consumption. He is open to doctoral research proposals in these areas as well as others.

Supply chain management

Steve New :  Steve has interests across the field of supply chain management, including how firms' practices relate to questions of ethics, human rights and sustainability. He has particular interest in the impact of commercial practices and inter-organisational power.

His recent work has focussed on questions of supply chain transparency, wages within supply chains and the challenge of incorporating ESG criteria in procurement from smaller companies.

Sustainability and commons governance

Juliane Reinecke  -  Juliane’s research explores how organisations can address various sustainability challenges including climate change, human and labour rights, and sustain the global commons. As no business can address these systemic challenges alone, a particular focus of her research lies in how multiple stakeholders collaborate to create novel governance solutions. Current projects include collective action for labour rights in the Bangladesh garment supply chain and the role of institutional investors, particularly pension funds, in the transition to a net zero economy.

Juliane welcomes candidates pursuing interdisciplinary approaches and/or using qualitative methodologies, such as ethnography.

Systems complexities

Harvey Maylor -  Harvey is open to a range of lenses being brought to bear on systems complexities and the ‘lived experience’ of systems leaders. Particular areas of interest include:

• What is the impact on performance of the relationship between the NEO profile of an individual and the complexities of the system that they are charged with leading?
• Is there a moral limit to the complexity we should ask organisational leaders to face? And is there an impact on the delivery of public value of high levels of complexity?
• What is the impact of systemic voids on the delivery of grand challenge objectives?
• Systems of routines: linking the areas of routine dynamics and systemic design as a tool for organisational analysis.

System design, forecasting, human algorithm interaction

Kejia Hu - Kejia's work orbits around a central tenet: unlocking business value from data, but doing so together. This emphasis on harmonious human-AI interaction underlines her research, reflecting the conviction that data's true potential is tapped not just through technology but with collective human insight and collaboration.

Her expansive collaborations with Fortune 500 entities and industrial pioneers are a testament to her profound expertise, yielding research that resonates in top-tier academic journals and bears multiple research and best paper awards.

Technology, innovation and transformation

Richard Cuthbertson - Richard's research interests focus on the operations of innovation, turnaround, and transformation involving the firm, their supply chains, and third parties, such as government and trade associations. Recent research includes an examination of  the dynamic capabilities of grocery retailers, the organisation and operations of leading technology companies, and the green transition in traditional industry sectors, such as steelmaking.

Review some current research taking place around the school including from our DPhil students and alumni

Review articles and podcasts written by our researchers at  Oxford Answers .

Learn more about becoming a researcher from Andromachi Athanasopoulou, who graduated in 2007 and is now an Associate Professor in Organisational Behaviour at Queen Mary University London and an Associate Fellow at Oxford Saïd.

Manuel Hepfer, recent graduate of the DPhil in Cybersecurity and Management Studies, has written an article on  steps businesses can take to boost their resilience to cyberattack .

Ali Aslan Gümüsay, Michael Smets and Tim Morris published an article on religious diversity at work in the Harvard Business Review . An excerpt of their article 'God at work': engaging central and incompatible institutional logics through elastic hybridity , published in the Academy of Management Journal.

In his first year, current DPhil student, Alex Rustler co-authored a paper alongside faculty member, Matthew Amengual  on public perceptions of business involvement in human rights violations.  

Assessment and programme milestones

Our DPhil offers students the opportunity to engage with internationally renowned faculty who are here to help you become an academic scholar.

You will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). You are required to take three core courses in quantitative and qualitative research methodology during your first year.

• Introduction to management research methods
• Statistical research methods
• Management and organisation theory

During second and third terms, you will undertake advanced research methods training and, in consultation with your supervisor, select specialist courses, available from a choice of topics relevant to area of interest. Examples of specialist elective courses previously available:

• Political economy
• Organisational theory
• Foundations of strategy
• Social network analysis

Advanced methodology courses:

• Advanced qualitative research methods
• Advanced quantitative research methods

Following successful completion of all necessary courses and within a maximum of six terms as a PRS student (and normally by the fourth term) you will be expected to apply for transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status. A successful transfer of status from PRS to DPhil status is required to be able to show that your proposed thesis gives a clear indication of whether it would be reasonable to consider submission within the course of a further three terms, if work on the thesis continues to develop satisfactorily. Students who are successful at transfer will also be expected to apply for and gain confirmation of DPhil status within nine terms of admission, to show that your work continues to be on track. Both milestones normally involve an interview with two assessors (other than your supervisor) and provide important experience for the final oral examination. You will be expected to submit a thesis, which provides a significant and substantial contribution to the field of learning in management, which should not exceed 100,000 words after four years from the date of admission. It should be good enough to be published in book form or as a series of academic articles. To be successfully awarded a DPhil in Management you will need to defend your thesis orally (viva voce) in front of two appointed examiners.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations where it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

The faculty has made me feel like a junior colleague from the very start and they offer the chance to work together on their research projects. Magdalena Plesa Current DPhil in Management student

Benefits and opportunities

• Engage with internationally renowned faculty
• Conference and research funding
• Training in principal research methods at both at Saïd Business School and wider University

Opportunities

• Paid teaching and research assistant opportunities
• Contribute to management and academic programme decisions through student representation on committees
• Postgraduate careers resources

You will become a member of an Oxford college. Your college is both an academic and social community that will enrich your time at Oxford. It offers everything from formal dinners and balls to sports and lecture series.

The Oxford college system enables you to interact with students and faculty from other disciplines. Some colleges provide also accommodation for students. 

Who can apply

Our candidates are passionately intellectual people with a superlative academic record and are committed to a career in academia.

DPhil in Management

You will require:

• a good undergraduate degree: 2.1 (GPA 3.5 or its equivalent)
• GMAT or GRE test results
• TOEFL or IELTS test results (If you are not from an English speaking majority country)
• three pieces of written work, including a well-developed research proposal
• three academic references
• £20 application fee

Successful applicants typically have a distinction in a Master’s level degree in addition to their undergraduate studies, but exceptional applicants from undergraduate programmes in relevant subjects will be considered.

Application process

Applications for October 2025 entry are open.

The application deadline is 13 December 2024 at 23:59 UK time.

Complete applications received by the deadline will be considered. You will be informed by late January if you have been shortlisted for interview.

Final decisions will be communicated by the end of February.

There are nine shared places available for the DPhil Finance and DPhil Management. The average number of applications for entry between 2021 and 2023 was 94. 

Application advice

These videos will help you understand the qualities we are looking for.

Introduction

Getting to know you

Explaining your project

Enhancing your position

Fees and funding

The course fee in 2025-26 is £25,160 for both home and overseas students.

The programme is four years in duration. Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). Please be aware that fees usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Additional cost information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Scholarships and funding

Doctoral students admitted to our programme receive full funding over four years. This includes course fees and an annual living expenses stipend. To maximise the overall availability of funding for candidates, we will identify suitable alternative scholarships and may ask you to submit funding applications. We also ask that you identify and pursue any other funding opportunities, including external funding.   

For some scholarships you are required to submit a scholarship essay and/or tick the relevant box in the Funding section of the application form.

Cost of living

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course. Please read the University's  living expenses page for information about likely living costs for 2025-26.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

• Please contact us if you have any queries.
• [email protected]

• Executive PhD

Executive PhD PhD

• Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate research
• Start Date(s): October
• Duration: 3 to 7 years
• Study Mode(s): Part-time
• Campus: Online
• Entry Requirements: More information

Introduction:

Unlock the next level of your professional career and embark on a transformative journey that leads to the highest academic qualification of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree with Nottingham Business School.

Designed for industry leaders and business professionals, this innovative doctoral pathway offers the flexibility to conduct PhD research while continuing your full-time career. Apply your research directly to your work, drive impactful change in your field and gain a competitive edge. With specialised and personalised guidance from experienced supervisors and on-campus engagement, you will develop new perspectives on business, leadership, management and economics.

Executive PhD candidates will be assisted in applying their research to their professional work, and to contribute to the advancement of their fields as well as the organisation or policy arena. We aim to inspire leaders and managers to develop new perspectives and approaches towards managing and leading transformational change in a unique and innovative way.

Progress at your own pace

Apply your research projects to your work, engage on campus, excel in your career, what you’ll study.

The Exec PhD offers the rigour expected from a standard PhD but with added flexibility to enable you to engage in both theory and practice. You can opt to either develop your PhD as a traditional thesis (see option 1) or opt for option 2 that offers an opportunity to develop your thesis using 3-4 case studies based around your work and/or organisational practice. You also have the option of engaging with both primary and secondary data as part of your research.

• Option 1: Traditional Thesis Route
• Option 2: Projects and Papers Route
• Training Programme

A traditional PhD dissertation typically follows a structured format designed to systematically address a research problem. While specific structures may vary slightly depending on discipline guidelines and the nature of the research, a conventional PhD dissertation generally comprises the following chapters. This structured approach ensures that a PhD dissertation is comprehensive, logically organized, and systematically addresses the research problem, contributing valuable insights to the field:

1. Introduction: The introduction sets the stage for the entire dissertation. It should explain the broader context of the research topic, providing necessary background information, clearly articulates the research problem and specific research questions the dissertation aims to address, and outlines the objectives of the research and its significance, emphasizing the contribution to the field of management.

2. Literature Review: The literature review chapter provides a comprehensive overview of existing research related to the dissertation topic. It discusses relevant theories and models that underpin the research and may review empirical research findings, identifying gaps, inconsistencies, and areas requiring further exploration. This synthesis of the literature helps to build a conceptual framework or model that guides the research.

3. Methodology: The methodology chapter details the research design and methods used to conduct the study. It explains whether the study is qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods, and justifies the choice, describes the data collection methods, such as surveys, interviews, or archival data, and the sampling strategy and outlines the techniques used for data analysis, such as statistical analysis, thematic analysis, or case study analysis.

4. Results: The results chapter presents the findings of the research without interpretation. It includes the collected data in an organized manner, using tables, charts, and graphs as appropriate and summarizes the main findings, directly answering the research questions posed in the introduction.

5. Discussion: The discussion chapter interprets the results, linking them back to the literature review and theoretical framework. It explores the implications of the findings, explaining how they advance knowledge in the field of management, compares the findings with existing studies, highlighting consistencies and divergences, discusses the theoretical contributions and practical applications of the research and acknowledges the limitations of the study and suggests directions for future research.

6. Impact: The impact chapter emphasizes the broader implications and significance of the research. It discusses how the research contributes to academic knowledge and future research directions in management, may outline the practical applications of the findings for managers, organizations, and policymakers, or highlight any potential influence on management practices, organizational policies, or public policy. It can also aim to describe how the research engages with and benefits various stakeholders, including businesses, communities, and industry practitioners.

7. Conclusion: The conclusion chapter succinctly summarizes the research and its outcomes. It recapitulates the main findings of the study, emphasizes the contributions to theory, practice, and policy and offers concluding remarks and reflections on the research journey.

The "Projects & Papers" route is an alternative structure for a PhD dissertation, where the research is presented through a series of interconnected projects and/or papers, each contributing to the overall research theme. Here's how such a dissertation might be structured:

2. Literature Review: This chapter provides a brief overview of the existing literature related to the three case studies or papers. It discusses relevant theories and models that underpin the research in the case studies, summarizes and critiques existing empirical research, identifying gaps and areas needing further investigation covered in the three projects and develops a conceptual framework that ties together the individual projects or papers.

3. Methodology: The methodology chapter outlines the research design and methods used across the projects or papers. It includes overview of research design that describes the overall research design and the rationale for choosing specific methodologies, overview of data collection methods, and overview of data analysis techniques. Any ethical considerations and how they were managed throughout the research process may also be included here.

4. Papers or Projects: Each subsequent chapter is a standalone paper or project that addresses a specific aspect of the overarching research problem. Typically, each paper includes the following sections:

Paper/Project/case study 1: [Title]

• Abstract: A brief summary of the paper.
• Introduction: Introduction to the specific study, linking it to the overall research theme.
• Literature Review: Focused review of literature relevant to this paper. This includes case background , i.e., provides detailed background information on the case, including the organization, industry context, and key stakeholders.
• Methodology: Detailed description of the methods used in this specific study. This includes the case description, i.e., describes the events, processes, or phenomena being studied, using rich, qualitative (or quantitative/mixed methods) data.
• Results/Discussion: Presentation of the findings and interpretation of the findings, linking back to the broader research questions. Also, analyses the case considering the research questions and theoretical framework. Discusses key findings and insights, linking them to the broader research context.
• Implications for Practice: Explores the practical implications of the case study findings for managers, organizations, and policymakers.
• Conclusion: Summary of key points and implications.

Paper/Project 2: [Title]

• Follows the same structure as Paper/Project 1.

(Continue with as many papers or projects as needed)

5. Impact: The impact chapter emphasizes the broader implications and significance of the research. It discusses how the research contributes to academic knowledge and future research directions in management, may outline the practical applications of the findings for managers, organizations, and policymakers, or highlight any potential influence on management practices, organizational policies, or public policy. It can also aim to describe how the research engages with and benefits various stakeholders, including businesses, communities, and industry practitioners.

6. ‘Wrapper’ / Integration and Discussion: This chapter synthesizes the findings from all the papers or projects, including the case study, highlighting their collective contributions to the research problem. It includes:

• Synthesis of Findings: Integrates the key findings from each paper or project, discussing how they collectively advance knowledge in the field.
• Theoretical Contributions: Explores the contributions to theoretical frameworks and models.
• Practical Implications: Discusses the practical applications of the research for management practice, policy, or industry.
• Limitations and Future Research: Identifies limitations of the research and suggests directions for future studies.

Our NBS PhD Programme offers a bespoke Doctoral Training Course that offer unique opportunities to engage in specialised doctoral level training and development to help you advance in your area of interest and topic. You will have the opportunity to grow and develop as a researcher in an inclusive and supportive environment and receive feedback from peers and subject experts during your doctoral journey.

In year 1 of study, you can expect to be taught a range of foundational topics such as introduction to academic research, undertaking literature review, how to design a research project, what is a theoretical framework and understanding research philosophy. In subsequent years of study, you will engage more deeply with research methodologies and techniques, understanding impact, research ethics and critical thinking.

The taught workshops are complimented by a range of hybrid research workshops that run all through the academic year to provide additional and complimentary support and learning opportunities. Candidates can also take advantage of a range of online doctoral workshops run by the NTU Doctoral School and open to all PGR candidates registered with NTU.

Introductory workshops: Term 1

• Introduction to what is a doctorate and undertaking a PhD
• Introduction to Critical Thinking and Academic Writing
• Introduction to Theory Building
• Introduction to Literature Review
• Introduction to Research Philosophy
• Introduction to Research Paradigms
• Introduction to Research Design and Methodology

Introductory workshops: Term 2

• Introduction to Qualitative Research (data collection and data analysis approaches)
• Introduction to Quantitative Research (data collection and data analysis approaches)
• Introduction to Mixed Methods
• Introduction to Research Ethics and Data Management

Advanced workshops: Term 3

• Qualitative Research Methods (e.g., Discourse Analysis / Conversation Analysis / Ethnography / Auto-Ethnography / Storytelling Methods / Psycho-Social Approaches)
• Quantitative Research Methods (e.g., Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis, Research Design Survey Advanced, Structural Equation Modelling, Behavioural Economics, Classic Linear Regression)
• Advanced Statistics and Research Software tools (e.g., Introduction to Econometrics, Introduction to STATA and Quantitative Tools, Introduction to NVivo).

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How you’re taught

The NBS Executive PhD programme offers a unique part-time (PT), at-distance mode of study, tailored to the needs of industry professionals, senior managers, and business leaders. The PT at-distance format is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the demands of a professional schedule, allowing you to pursue your doctoral research alongside your full-time work. By offering a flexible and supportive structure, the at-distance mode of study empowers industry professionals to achieve academic excellence while advancing your professional careers.

Learning Outcomes:

The PhD Course learning outcomes are*:

• The creation and interpretation of new knowledge, through original research of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication.
• A systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge.
• The general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge.
• Make informed judgements on complex issues in specialist fields, often in the absence of complete data.
• Able to communicate their ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

*Adopted from QAA UK Quality Code for Higher Education, section 4.18.

Staff Profiles

Chunping liu - senior lecturer.

Nottingham Business School

Steven Brown - Professor of Health and Organisational Psychology

Ursula f. ott - professor, piers thompson - professor, mollie painter - professor, xiao ma - professor and director of centre for business transformation, amon simba - associate professor, baback yazdani - executive dean, careers and employability.

The Executive PhD programme at Nottingham Business School is a transformative experience that will empower you to drive innovation and growth within your field and career. By integrating academic research with professional practice, the programme equips you with the knowledge and skills to make a lasting impact on your industry.

• Research-Driven Insights: You will gain the ability to conduct in-depth, original research on pressing industry challenges. This research leads to actionable insights and new approaches that can be directly applied to your professional work.
• Strategic Decision-Making: Through your doctoral research, you will develop a deeper understanding of your industry and gain the ability to make strategic, data-driven decisions. This expertise can lead to better business outcomes and career growth.
• Networking Opportunities: The programme offers you the chance to engage with a diverse academic community, building valuable relationships with peers, faculty, and industry experts. These connections can lead to new collaborations and professional opportunities.
• Career Advancement: Graduates of the programme are well-positioned for career advancement, whether through promotions, new leadership roles, or opportunities in academia or consulting. The prestigious Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree further enhances your credentials.

By completing the Executive PhD programme, you will not only gain a prestigious qualification but also the tools and knowledge to make a significant impact in your professional lives. This comprehensive experience sets the stage for continued success and growth in your career and beyond.

Entry requirements

• International

Successful applicants for the PhD in Nottingham Business School normally hold a first-class honours degree from a UK university or an equivalent qualification. There are occasions where a high-quality application is considered from those with an upper second-class honour’s degree with a Masters degree at Merit or Distinction level from a UK university or an equivalent qualification.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

International students will also need to meet the English language requirements - IELTS 6.5 (with minimum sub-scores of 6.0). Applicants who have taken a higher degree at a UK university are normally exempt from the English language requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English language proficiency requirement will normally be asked to complete an English Language course.

Fees and funding

Year one: £16,500

Subsequent years: £16,500*

*Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the course fee for the subsequent years will be subject to annual review.

Included in fees:

• NBS Doctoral Training Programme which is delivered by internationally renowned senior researchers.
• NTU Doctoral Training workshops and sessions throughout the duration of the PhD.
• Support for our postgraduate research cohorts to network with one another and, through encouragement and support to present at academic conferences to meet other experts in their field.
• Bespoke facilities in the new Belgrave Postgraduate Centre.
• Library and database access.

How to apply

Visit the Doctoral School's step by step guide to  make an application .

Useful links:

• NBS PhD webpage (offers important overview of the programme, links to research centres, and guidance on how to apply): https://www.ntu.ac.uk/course/nottingham-business-school/res/phd-research-degrees-at-nottingham-business-school
• University guidance on preparing to apply - https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/postgraduate/phd/how-to-apply
• Guidance on how to write a research proposal: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/study-and-courses/postgraduate/phd/how-to-apply/writing-a-research-proposal

For informal discussions or further information please contact the Director of Doctoral Programmes Dr. Chunping Liu ( [email protected] )

• Postgraduate Research

Business Administration (Executive Doctorate) / DBA

• Part time available:

Studying in:

• Management School
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Our Executive Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) is an action-research based postgraduate programme, designed for senior professionals who want to drive transformational impact within their organisations, and become thought leaders in their professional area.

Why study with us?

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

International experts shape world-class academic thought

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

Format: part-time Delivery: hybrid Starting in: September 2024 Duration: 4.5-7.5 years

Visit the Executive DBA programme pages .

Executive EDBA Director of Studies, Dr Paul Ellwood talks about the programme.

At an individual level, the Executive DBA is a professional doctorate for business leaders, which means it provides access to the highest level of academic qualification. At a company level, the programme equips senior managers with high-level analytical and problem-solving skills to drive transformational change within their organisations.

This is a hybrid part-time learning programme, combining online modules with on-campus residencies during the first two years, to allow working professionals to study while fulfilling their job obligations.

The Executive DBA expands the traditional support from an expert supervisor, with Doctoral Development Plan modules aimed at strengthening the students' research capabilities, so they are able to deploy these skills during their thesis workplan and after graduation.

Programme structure

The Executive DBA is structured in two stages:

Stage 1 - Pre-thesis stage

During the pre-thesis stage students will complete four modules aimed at developing their research skills.This is an intensive 2-year period which combines four on-campus residencies with online learning sessions.After completing the Stage 1 of the programme, students will gain 180 credits at Level 7.

Stage 2 - Thesis development

During the thesis development stage, students receive regular one-to-one online support from their individual supervisor. In addition, students are provided with continuous research skills development through two new Doctoral Development Plan modules. During these sessions, students have access to group seminars and refresher workshops on different methodologies and aspects of the research process. The goal is to build capability and capacity, for students to be able to deploy these skills, not only in their thesis workplan, but also to continue doing this after graduation. The doctorate is awarded once students have completed Stage 2 of the programme, which accounts for 360 credits. 

The whole process can be completed in 4.5 years, however, we understand unexpected personal or professional situations can affect our students' progress. If needed, students are allowed up to 7.5 years to finish the programme.

Find out more about the Executive DBA programme structure .

Study options and fees

Fees and Scholarships

The fees for the Executive Doctorate in Business Administration programme are £46,000

• £13,000 per year for the 2-year pre-thesis stage
• £8,000 per year for the 2.5-year thesis development stage.

For those who continue in the thesis development stage beyond 2.5 years, an additional fee of £4,000 per year will be payable.

There are two scholarships available for this programme:

ULMS Executive DBA Award

ULMS Progress to Executive DBA Award

Entry requirements

Executive DBA applications are welcomed and will be considered from well qualified graduates, who would typically hold a UK first or 2:1 class first degree or equivalent, in a relevant subject. 

In addition, applicants must have:

• MBA/Masters in business and/or management (or a related discipline)
• At least 5 years of significant experience working at senior level within an organisation or as a consultant.

English language requirements

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

Applying online is fast and easy, and applications are  open all year round .

You  do not  need to find a supervisor prior to starting your application. This is something which is arranged during pre-thesis stage of the programme, once you have demonstrated a sufficient level of progress in your research proposal.

Find out more about the Executive DBA application process  and  how to write your research proposal  before you apply.

You will need to ensure you have funding to cover all fees. Find out the different funding options and scholarships for the Executive DBA .

Find a supervisor

Need help finding a supervisor contact us.

• The Exec DBA Team
• Email: [email protected]

Related studentships: self-funded and funded PhD projects

Find a scholarship.

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

See scholarships

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