Postgraduate open day: Saturday 10 February 2024
Join our on-campus open day this February to talk to students and lecturers and find out how and when to apply.
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Top reasons to study with us
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69
69th for Business and Economics in the World
Times Higher Education World University Rankings (2023)
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70
70th for Business and Management in the world
QS World University Rankings (2023)
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Lancaster University is top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2024
The part-time PhD in the Theory and Practice of Management (TPM) combines the academic rigour of a traditional PhD with the accessibility of a structured, part-time research programme. A recent EFMD doctoral conference hosted at Lancaster gave significant emphasis to the changing forms of knowledge production within academia and in society more broadly, and the need for universities to update their provision to reflect the societies they serve. This programme is a response to that need, with its increased focus on research impact and business engagement. It also recognises that doctoral researchers form an integral part of our research community and add value to the research conducted here at Lancaster.
Through a combination of online resources and facilitated activities, face-to-face workshops, and collaborative supervision, the programme will be accessible to part-time researchers from the public, private and third sectors. Working closely with academic faculty, they will be supported in developing their research skills at the same time as generating a valuable contribution to knowledge.
There are two routes within the programme, designed to meet the needs of a range of applicants. This main route (PhD in Theory and Practice of Management (TPM)) is open access and is designed to offer a strong methodological understanding/skillset, a ‘light touch’ grounding in the management discipline, and to support participants in producing a quality piece of independent research.
The International Doctorate in the Practice of Management (IDPM) route delivers the same qualification but is founded upon the existing IMPM programme and is only open to graduates of this programme. Following completion of the IMPM Major Paper, students will undertake tailored research training designed to enable them to produce a quality piece of research. There is significant overlap between the two training programmes, and between our part-time and full-time training programmes, to offer the richest possible experience to participants on all routes.
This open-access TPM route consists of the modules shown in the course structure, all of which are compulsory.
Participants will also need to undertake 15-30 hours of tailored research training in relation to data collection and data analysis, in alignment with their research.
Participants will be awarded a PhD on successful completion of the listed modules, plus a 45,000-word thesis and an academic paper of publishable quality.
Entry Requirements
Academic Requirements
- UK Master's level qualification with 65% overall and 65% in the dissertation (or international equivalent) or 7 years' relevant experience
- Bachelor's transcript and certificate
- Master's transcript and certificate
- Research proposal
- CV
- Two references
- English test for overseas applicants
Course Structure
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
Core
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Foundations of Management Research
This module is divided into three sections:
1. The Foundations of Social Science Research.
This element of the module will provide you with an understanding of the foundational underpinnings of management research. Core topics will include:
- Introduction: Mapping the field;
- The Enlightenment and Positivism: the march of science;
- Social Constructionism: the making of meaning;
- Interpretive approaches: phenomenology, symbolic interactionism and pragmatism;
- Critical Theory: Marxist heritage and contemporary critique;
- Critical Realism: a stratified perspective;
- Feminism, knowledge and society;
- Hermeneutics: the role of culture and tradition;
- Postmodernism: a crisis of confidence; The fifth moment: present issues and future possibilities.
2. An Introduction to Quantitative Research
The quantitative element of the module will cover the following topic areas, with the intention of providing an overview of relevant approaches and methodologies:
- Introduction to quantitative research: the search for relationships;
- Survey-based research; Experiment-based research;
- Cross-tabulations and chi-square tests;
- Hypothesis testing (t tests and ANOVA);
- Measuring statistical relationships: correlation and regression analysis;
- Introduction to computer-aided data analysis using SPSS
3. An Introduction to Qualitative Research
The qualitative element of the module will cover the following topic areas, with the intention of providing an overview of relevant approaches and methodologies:
- Introduction to qualitative research: the search for meaning; Introduction to mixed methods; Common methods of data collection: e.g. interviews, focus groups, questionnaires, case studies, observational techniques; Common methods of data analysis: e.g. coding and memos, hermeneutics, semiotics, discourse.
Core
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Design Issues in Management Research
This module will introduce you to research design issues in business and management. The module will make the assumptions and procedures necessarily entailed in management research of different kinds (including qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods) more explicit. The approach emphasises the place of different research designs and strategies in the accomplishment of knowledge about management as well as how to craft research. In this way, it offers a basis for the appreciation and evaluation of different varieties of research as well as providing an opportunity for you to consider these issues in relation to your own research.
Core
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Research Skills Training - various/tailored
You will be required to undertake between 15 and 30 hours of specific, advanced research training relevant to their research design. This could relate to data collection methods, data analysis methods or broader methodological understanding.
Suitable modules, workshops or courses could be accessed from PhD or MSc programmes from the Management School r wider university, events run by our DTP partners Liverpool and Manchester, or events hosted by the Northern Advanced Research Training Initiative (NARTI). The proposed training must be approved as relevant and at the right level by your supervisors and the programme director. Training attended can be assessed or unassessed, but you will be required to write a brief (500 word) report on each piece of training attended giving a brief summary of the content, how it relates to your research, and how you will utilise the learning going forward.
Core
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Delivering Impactful Research
The aim of this module is to support you in building impact into your current and future research, rather than seeing it as an add-on. Topics covered will include:
- Understanding the significance of impact
- Routes to impact - considering the different ways in which impact can be achieved
- Building impact into the research design
- Engagement with project stakeholders as a route to impact
- Aligning with the agendas of policy-makers and funding bodies as routes to impact
- Being an impactful researcher
Core
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Communicating with Different Research Audiences
This module will support you in developing your ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders to your research. Topics covered will include:
- Understanding the different agendas of different research stakeholders - including funders, end-users, policymakers and research participants, and hence the form, content and frequency of communication they might desire
- Considering the similarities and differences between academic and practitioner audiences in this regard, and the implications for modes of communication
- Developing the ability to utilise a range of communication channels, including digital and social media, effectively, including having an awareness of some of the pitfalls
- Understanding the ethical issues relating to the dissemination of research outcomes
- Developing a personal presence and profile in support of your research agenda.
Fees and Funding
| Location | Full Time (per year) | Part Time (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Home | n/a | £8,000 |
| International | n/a | £8,000 |
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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.
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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 (Organisation, Work and Technology) 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 (IDPM) PhD
Confirmation of supervisors
Programme supervisors will be drawn from the four departments within the School’s Business and Management doctoral pathway, namely:
Applicants are advised to look at the profiles of academics within these departments to gain an overview of the broad range of topic areas for which we can offer supervision.
Studentships and funding opportunities
As a part-time programme, there is no studentship funding available to applicants for this programme.
I can’t thank you enough for all the encouragement and belief during my first year which was my most challenging year. New environment, weather, technology, language, food, and no family or friends. Now I have two papers accepted in prestigious conferences and am writing the final chapter of my thesis. All was anchored on your encouragement that I can do it!
Alumni profiles
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.
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