Overview
Top reasons to study with us
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9
9th for Business and Management in the UK
QS World University Rankings (2024)
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72
72nd for Business and Management in the world
QS World University Rankings (2024)
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Lancaster University is top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2024
A PhD in business or management is highly valued in many professions as well as an increasingly key qualification for those wishing to pursue an academic career in management studies. It can provide a springboard into the next level of career opportunities. If you’re contemplating this path, why not choose to study with the UK’s most research-intensive business school, according to the latest Research Excellence Framework?
Research in the Department of Organisation, Work and Technology sets the agenda for debate in key issues such as human resource management and employment relations; ethics, sustainability and management; information, technology and society; management, organisations and society; and leadership organisations and society.
Staff in the department are drawn from a range of backgrounds including human geography, human resource management, organisation studies, history, philosophy, and sociology. Our interdisciplinary community brings humanities and wider social science perspectives into management research – something that’s widely acknowledged as crucial in reshaping management research and education.
During your PhD, you will be part of a fantastic research environment including our extensive library facilities and electronic resources. We also run a strong seminar series and workshops to encourage collaboration and cross-fertilization of ideas. You will be able to access advanced research training courses run by the Economic and Social Research Council-funded North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP).
As a PhD student, you will be appointed two subject experts/supervisors to help guide you through the process of researching and writing 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 5 years is available through the Theory and Practice of Management PhD.
Entry requirements
Academic Requirements
A relevant UK Master's degree with the 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.
If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.
Additional Requirements
As part of your application you will also need to provide a viable research proposal of up to 5000 words which has potential to make a significant contribution to prior literature. Guidance for writing a research proposal can be found on our writing a research proposal webpage.
English Language Requirements
We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.
We normally 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.
If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.
Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk
Fees and funding
| Location | Full Time (per year) | Part Time (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Home | n/a | n/a |
| International | £20,790 | n/a |
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Additional costs
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.
College fees
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 2023 and 2024, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses. Fees for students starting in 2025 have not yet been set.
Computer equipment and internet access
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.
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Application fees and tuition fee deposits
For most taught postgraduate applications there is 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.
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.
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What is my fee status?
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.
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Fees in subsequent years
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, the tuition fees for subsequent years of your programme are likely to increase each year. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
Scholarships and bursaries
You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.
Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.
If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.
| Scheme | Based on | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Based on {{item.eligibility_basis}} | Amount {{item.amount}} |
We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.
Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.
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Management and Business
- Advanced Leadership Perspectives MSc
- Advanced Leadership Perspectives PGCert
- Advanced Leadership Perspectives PGDip
- Business Administration MBA
- Business Administration (Executive) MBA
- Business Analytics MSc
- Cyber Security Executive MBA MBA
- Digital Business, Innovation and Management MSc
- Human Resource Management MSc
- Human Resources and Consulting MA
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship MSc
- Innovation and Improvement Science MSc
- Innovation and Improvement Science PgCert
- Innovation and Improvement Science PgDip
- International Business and Strategy MSc
- International Masters Program for Managers No Qual (PGT)
- Leadership and Management PgCert
- Leadership and Management (Health Care) PgCert
- Leadership Practice MSc
- Leadership Practice PgDip
- Leadership Practice (Apprenticeship Pathway) PgDip
- Logistics and Supply Chain Management MSc
- Management MSc
- Management (Entrepreneurship and Strategy) PhD
- Management Science MRes
- Management Science PhD
- Management Science PhD (Integrated)
- Medical Leadership MSc
- Medical Leadership PgDip
- Medical Leadership PgCert
- Organisation, Work and Technology MRes
- Politics, Philosophy and Management MSc
- Professional Development PGCert
- Professional Practice MA
- Professional Practice MSc
- Professional Practice PgCert
- Professional Practice PgDip
- Project Management MSc
- Theory and Practice of Management PhD
- Theory and Practice of Management (IDPM) PhD
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Find a PhD Topic
Discover the research interests of our academics to find a synergy with your desired area of research.
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Studentships and Funding
Find out more about our range of options to help you fund your postgraduate studies.
Job market candidates
Our Organisation, Work and Technology job market candidates are listed below. Please visit our PhD Job Market Candidates page for a full list of LUMS candidates.
For further details, please contact the Doctoral Office.
Organisation, Work and Technology job market candidates
Marta Ferri
PhD studentCentre for Technological Futures , Pentland Centre
Colin Hill
PhD studentCentre for Technological Futures , Materials Science Institute PhD Student, MSF PhDs Cohort 2 (2019/20)
Student Insights
In her blog, Rachael Barrow reflects on her PhD journey so far including the focus of her research, attending conferences and the rewards of gaining teaching experience "I could not be more pleased with my experience or promote the programme more to future students. The experiences and opportunities it has afforded me has been invaluable for my development towards an academic career."
Read BlogAlumni Profiles
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Important Information
The information on this site relates primarily to 2024/2025 entry to the University 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.
Our Students’ Charter
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. View our Charter and other policies.
Why Lancaster?
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League tables and reputation
A highly-ranked university with a global reputation.
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Colleges and community
Your college will be your home away from home.
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Careers and employability
Career support for our students through university and beyond.
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Student life
Lancaster has so much to offer. On our campus, in our city and in our community, you’ll find your place – whoever you are.
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Where is Lancaster?
Lancaster is easy to get to and surrounded by natural beauty.
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The campus and the city
Our campus and the surrounding area is a great place to call home.
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Your global experience
Build your global community on campus and around the world.
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Wellbeing and support
Services to help you fulfil your potential at Lancaster.
