13
13th for Business and Management in the UK
QS World University Rankings by Subject (2025)
99
99th for Business and Management in the world
QS World University Rankings by Subject (2025)
LUMS is ranked 1st for Research Power in REF 2021 (Business and Management Studies)
Do you want to use advanced technical skills to solve problems in the world of management science? Join our global group of high-potential scholars using quantitative analytical skills to address complex modern problems.
Our innovative research focuses on operations research, management science, business analytics, operations management, information systems and project management. We have particular strengths in the following areas:
We lead through our research centres, including:
Our staff incorporate insights from their latest research into their teaching, and their links with industry will also help to boost your career prospects. For example, we regularly hear about exciting opportunities for data scientists.
As part of our friendly and thriving community of staff and students, you will enjoy access to state-of-the-art databases, a research training seminar series, dedicated office space, scientific computing facilities, and IT support. You will exchange ideas and holistic views through workshops, conferences, seminars, and communal group working, and you will benefit from the support of a final-year student during your first few months to help you settle in.
You will receive specialised support from two supervisors as you research and write your thesis. In addition to your thesis, an oral examination will form an integral part of the assessment of your doctoral research.
Part-time PhD study over five years is available through the Theory and Practice of Management PhD.
Oliver talks about his research and the opportunities he has gained from studying for a PhD in Management Science at the Management School.
The PhD in Management Science includes two pathways; Business and Management and NATCOR. We also have Integrated PhD (1+3), and MRes opportunities.
The Management School's doctoral office offers a range of optional research training seminars to enhance your skills. Please note that you will follow this pathway if your research focuses on operations management, information systems, and project management.
Students following the NATCOR pathway are required to attend five residential courses from the following list over a two-year period, plus the two compulsory research training seminars:
Students are also required to take an induction workshop, which includes research integrity and ethical research.
For more information and to apply please visit the NATCOR website.
A selection of our recent and current PhD projects are listed below. These include topics within the STOR-i Doctoral Training Centre, which is a joint venture between the School of Mathematical Sciences, and the Department of Management Science. These projects usually have supervisors in both departments and/or an industrial partner.
Studentships offered by the Department of Management Science
A relevant UK Master's degree with a minimum of 65% overall and 65% in the dissertation, or a non-UK Master's degree, graded at the equivalent level.
We may also consider non-standard applicants; please contact us for information.
As part of your application you also need to provide a viable research proposal of up to 5,000 words, which has the potential to make a significant contribution to prior literature. Guidance can be found on our writing a research proposal webpage.
We require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test.
We also consider other English language qualifications and if your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.
If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, complete our enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you.
We also have more details on our website about:
Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master's pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master's degrees. Visit INTO Lancaster University for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.
We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2026/27 entry fees have not yet been set.
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate programmes starting in 2025 you must pay a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
There is no application fee if you are applying for postgraduate study starting in 2026.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Find all fees and funding information for students at Lancaster University.
Details of our scholarships and bursaries for 2026-entry study are not yet available, but you can use our opportunities for 2025-entry applicants as guidance.
Check our current list of scholarships and bursaries.
Discover the research interests of our academics to find a synergy with your desired area of research.
Find out more about our range of options to help you fund your postgraduate studies.
PhD Management Science, 2015
Linda has routinely gone above and beyond the scope of her supervisory duties in order to allay my worries, concerns, and anxieties.
PhD Management Science, 2015
I have to thank both of my course supervisors, they kept me going when times were tough.
.jpeg)
Oliver Schaer went on to become an Assistant Professor at Drexel University in Pennsylvania, United States, after earning a PhD in Management Science in 2019. Read Oliver's blog from his time as a PhD student with us.
Oliver's blogOur Management Science job market candidates are listed below. Please visit PhD job market candidates for a full list of LUMS candidates.
For further details, please contact the Doctoral Office.
Centre for Marketing Analytics & Forecasting
Optimisation
Simulation and Stochastic Modelling
The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. Find out more about our Charter and student policies.
