Management Science

PhD

  • Entry year 2024 or 2025
  • Duration Full time 3 - 4 years

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 9

    9th for Business and Management in the UK

    QS World University Rankings (2024)

  • 72

    72nd for Business and Management in the world

    QS World University Rankings (2024)

  • Lancaster University is top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2025

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:

  • Marketing analytics and forecasting
  • Health systems
  • Information systems
  • Supply chain management
  • Optimisation
  • Simulation and stochastic modelling
  • Transport and logistics.

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.

We lead through our research centres, including the Centre for Marketing Analytics and Forecasting, the Centre for Productivity and Efficiency and the Centre for Transport and Logistics. 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.

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.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

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.

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 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.

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 £4,786 n/a
International £20,790 n/a

General fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

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.

Postgraduate digital open event - 6 November

Join us online and let us tell you about postgraduate study at Lancaster and how to apply.

Book our online event
 A student sitting in a library using their laptop

Important Information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 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.