PhD
South Kensington, United Kingdom
DURATION
5 up to 6 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
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EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
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STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* fully funded
Introduction
A fully-funded PhD for aspiring scholars seeking an academic career
We believe that rigorous academic analysis can provide practical solutions to complex problems in society. Our fully-funded Ph.D. program provides students with the opportunity to conduct their research in a world-leading university, finding solutions to key challenges in modern business. As a Business School, we rank first in the UK for research environment and second for management and business students, while Imperial College London ranks first in the UK overall for research (REF 2021).
Starting with a one or two-year Master’s in Research (MRes), depending on your chosen research area, you will gain a strong theoretical grounding and thorough research training to prepare you for the PhD. As a doctoral student you will have the benefit of supervision from leading world scholars. You will develop the expertise and research skills necessary to pursue a career in academia with previous Imperial doctoral graduates finding success in other leading universities such as Copenhagen Business School, Tsinghua University, University of Amsterdam, University College London, and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Ideal Students
Who are we looking for?
At Imperial, we are looking for well-rounded candidates with the aptitude and ambition to thrive in our Ph.D. programs and make a global impact as future leaders of business and society.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
We offer a fully-funded Doctoral program at the Business School. This includes a full tuition fee waiver (Home/EU or Overseas fees) plus a living stipend for up to five years through the Business School Graduate Teaching Assistant Scholarship. Funding for a sixth year can be considered on a case-by-case basis, with the potential to undertake a teaching or research assistant studentship with one of the Business School's research centers.
Some of our scholarship funding comes from EPSRC and ESRC for candidates who meet Research Councils UK’s academic and residential eligibility conditions. During the MRes, you will discuss with our team to find out whether you are eligible to move onto any of these awards.
Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarship
In addition, there are also opportunities to apply for the prestigious Imperial College London President’s PhD Scholarship which offers additional funding such as a consumables fund of £2000 per annum.
If you are successful in receiving a President’s PhD Scholarship or research council funding then this will replace your Business School Graduate Teaching Assistant Scholarship for the duration of your studies. All scholarships and awards are contingent on continuing satisfactory academic progress.
Curriculum
Programme content
The Business School Master’s in Research (MRes) is an integral part of the PhD, introducing theory and research methods in Finance, Economics, and Management, providing you with a solid foundation for your doctoral studies. Depending on the research area you choose to specialize in, you will embark on a one or two-year MRes program as shown below.
*Please note program content is subject to change. The modules mentioned below are just a sample of what is available in the program.
MRes - One year
You will complete a one-year MRes if you choose Analytics and Operations / Marketing
During the MRes one-year program, you will complete elective modules relevant to your field, these will provide you with valuable research tools in addition to research methods modules and specialist modules. Elective modules may be taken from different departments within the school and may also be available from other faculties within Imperial College London.
- Data Analysis Tools
- Systematic Reviews
- Specialist Modules
- Research methods modules
- Other elective modules
MRes - Two year
You will complete a two-year MRes if choosing: Economics and Public Policy, Finance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Strategy and Organisational Behaviour
For the MRes two-year program, you will complete core modules, research methods modules, and specialist modules in addition to completing a Research Project in your second year. You will submit your dissertation in the summer term followed by an oral exam. Progression to the PhD depends on successful completion of the MRes.
- Data Analysis Tools
- Systematic Reviews
- Year one compulsory modules for Economics and Public Policy pathway
- Year one compulsory modules for Finance pathway
- Year one compulsory modules for the Innovation and Entrepreneurship pathway
- Year one compulsory modules for Strategy and Organisational Behaviour pathway
- Elective modules for Economics and Public Policy pathway
- Elective modules for Finance pathway
- Elective modules for Innovation and Entrepreneurship pathway
- Elective modules for Strategy and Organisational behaviour pathway
- Research Project
PhD - year one
Research plan
When you progress from the MRes to the PhD, you will work with your supervisors, chosen based on your research interests. Your supervisors will help you develop your research question, identify research and teaching opportunities, and support you through your studies and the academic job application process.
- Seminars and conferences
- Early Stage Assessment
PhD - Years two and three
Thesis
Armed with feedback from the Early Stage Assessment, you will work intensely on your thesis, focusing on the collection and analysis of empirical data and developing theoretical frameworks. Under the guidance of your supervisors, the thesis allows you to conduct a substantial piece of original research.
- Late stage review
PhD - year four
You will embark on the Continuing Research Stage, which will culminate in the submission of your thesis and the viva voce examination. You must submit your thesis within five or six years of starting the program depending on the research area you choose to specialize in.
Rankings
Advance your academic success at a world-class research institution
- with 97% world-leading or internationally excellent research (REF 2021)
- #1 in the UK for research (Imperial College London, REF 2021)
- 1% top one percent of business schools worldwide to have achieved triple accreditation
- 6 research areas in Europe (Imperial College London, Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023)
- 6th in the world (Imperial College London, QS World University Rankings 2024)
- #1 city for students (London, QS Best Student City Rankings 2023)
Career Opportunities
Career impact
In recent years, our Ph.D. students have joined leading universities, research centers, and institutions such as Tsinghua University, University College London, Copenhagen Business School, the Bank of England, the University of Bath, King’s College London, National Chengchi University, the University of Sussex and Renmin University in China. Others have sought top positions in the industry or founded successful start-ups.
The doctoral program has been re-structured in recent years to focus more on academic development and it is anticipated that over the coming years, placements will focus more on academia than industry.
Preparing brilliant minds for rewarding academic careers
The majority of our doctoral students go on to pursue careers in academia or research and our program offers the teaching experience, skills training, and guidance to help you achieve your career goals. Combined with the essential skills and experience, the people that you meet during your doctoral experience will be key to helping you secure your future academic placement.