Overview
Would you like to join one of the largest groups of marketing academics in the UK? Become a part of the most research-intensive business school in the UK, according to the latest Research Excellence Framework, where we have a lively research ethos and seek doctoral students who can build on our success.
Over the years, our expertise has grown into two areas: consumer research and market dynamics. Our research interests are particularly focused within specialist areas including Sustainable Innovation, Marketing and Digital Strategy, Markets, Design-Led Thinking, Consumption Insights, Digital Consumption, Social Justice, and Health Inequality. Furthermore, we have several active groups of researchers interested in business marketing and business networks in the context of supply chain interactions, innovation, market development, and the development of the firm in international markets. Our department is also linked to the Centre for Consumption Insights, which is a platform for our staff to engage in specialist research that centres on the transformative aspects of consumer research and consumption-related phenomena of pertinence to culture and society. Topics of interest here include consumer vulnerability, diet and health, the environment and family.
As a member of this PhD programme, you will have access to state-of-the-art databases, dedicated office space, scientific computing facilities, and IT support. We offer a research training seminar series, workshops and conferences to create the ideal environment for innovative thinking.
Many of our staff work closely with marketing practitioners. This allows us to make sure our research is relevant to commercial and public-sector organisations, as well as to the academic community. You will receive support from a specialist supervisor 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 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 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 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 |
Additional fees and funding information accordion
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 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.
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.
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.
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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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 Marketing 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.
Marketing job market candidates
Alumni profiles
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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.
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