Postgraduate Research

Business and Management research degrees

Choose a research programme

Mode and duration

Start date

The length of programme registration will be longer as it includes the maximum writing-up phase. See further details on how research degrees are structured at Hull and thesis submission expectations.

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How to apply

Hull University Business School provides an inspirational environment for researchers in the early stages of their careers.

About our Business and Management research degrees

We offer PhD research degrees in Accounting, Economics, Finance, Logistics, Marketing, Regional and International Business, Leadership and Organisational Change, The Centre for Systems Studies, and Organisation, Ethics and Society.

Our PhD is a four-year full-time degree, which requires a student to complete the equivalent of 540 credits worth of research, including both research specialist modules and research thesis preparation. PhD students have the opportunity to add to the sum of knowledge in their chosen field by producing an original piece of research. They are closely supported and given opportunities to travel and attend conferences.

On-campus facilities for research students are excellent. Study in an inspiring collection of Grade II listed buildings, seamlessly integrated with modern facilities to provide a wonderful place to study, work and meet, complemented by ongoing investment in the latest business technologies.

Research topics

Our experts welcome applications from postgraduate students interested in higher degree research across a broad range of topics.

We welcome proposals related to any of the following research areas.

The Postgraduate Training Scheme

It is now widely recognised by employers, professional bodies and research funding agencies that specialist expertise alone is not sufficient preparation either for research or a subsequent career. With this in mind, we require all our postgraduate research students to follow a research training programme relating both to their particular field of study and to generic skills; for example, information technology and communication skills.

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Programme structure

PhD structure


Full time	Part time
3 years of research, with up to 12 months writing up if required	6 years of research, with up to 24 months of writing up if required

Writing up and thesis submission

A standard full-time PhD programme comprised three years of research plus up to 12 months of thesis finalisation (also referred to as “writing-up”). Part-time is six years plus up to 24 months thesis finalisation if needed.

For full-time students, the thesis finalisation phase should take three months but may be extended to one year without further paperwork. For part-time students, thesis finalisation should take six months, but may be extended to two years without further paperwork. The maximum thesis finalisation period is included in your overall programme length, which means that international PGRs will not need to apply for an additional visa to cover this phase.

If you need to move into the thesis finalisation period of your research degree, you must enrol for this phase and you will be liable to pay a continuation fee.

Thesis submission timelines

It is expected that you will submit your thesis within the timeframes outlined below:

Submission by 3 years and 3 months full-time.
Submission by 6 years and 6 months for part-time.

Entry Requirements

What do I need?

You should normally have, or expect to obtain, at least a 2:1 Honours degree, or international equivalent, in a related discipline appropriate to your intended research.

Contacting your prospective supervisor before you submit your application is not essential but may be helpful.

Typical offer

2:1 in a relevant subject area