Research Degrees

Staffordshire University Business School offers MPhil and PhD awards in Business & Management and Economics. The school currently has around 40 students who study full-time, part-time or by blended. These students share and contribute to a vibrant research community that operates at the cutting edge of knowledge. There are Open Society Foundation Scholarships available on this award for qualifying students.

What is a PhD?

The regulations at Staffordshire University award a PhD to candidates who have ‘critically investigated an approved topic resulting in an independent and original contribution to knowledge and demonstrated an understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field, (and) has presented and defended a thesis by oral examination … to the satisfaction of examiners.’

In your application we will want to know in which area of academic knowledge you want to place your PhD study. We will assess whether we can provide supervisors who have the knowledge of your academic area. Note that to succeed you have to demonstrate capability in using research methods, hence our emphasis on requiring all research students to enrol on a University-wide research method course.

Routes to a PhD

There are several routes to gaining a PhD.

• MPhil/PhD is the most common route for Economics and Business & Management students. The MPhil stage usually includes a critical review of existing academic literature on the subject and often a pilot research study. This can then be written up (c 30,000 words) and successful students are awarded an MPhil. Alternatively if you decide to progress to the PhD you can do so by a short report (c5,000 words) which acts as a summary of the work done so far and a plan for the PhD itself. At University students can undertake an MPhil or MPhil/PhD by part-time, full-time or blended learning.

• Direct PhD is where the candidate already has a Masters degree in the intended area for the PhD, for example MSc in Economics for a PhD in Economics. MBAs and other generalist business Masters qualifications do not fall into this category and these students need to take another route (e.g. MPhil/PhD, see above). Direct PhD study can be completed by full-time, part-time or blended learning.

Time commitment

The minimum and maximum time periods for MPhil/PhD and PhD direct are shown below:

For the purpose of period of study, blended learning students are normally thought of as ‘part time’. They are expected to allocate 20 hours per week to their research while away from the University

Full-time students

Full time students need to work 37 hours a week, although many work longer hours.

Part time students

Part time students should budget around 20 hours a week. Multiplying 20 hours per week by the number of years gives a realistic base from which to assess the PhD time commitment and keeping a job. Many people can work 60 hours per week for a few weeks, but this is a substantial commitment over many years. Calculate if you have the resources to do this – time, money, energy, etc. Think also about how you can arrange your other commitments (family, friends, earning money etc.) so that you can successfully complete your PhD over this long period of time. Only one time extension is available. We will screen you carefully to make sure you intend to finish and also that we can contribute to your studies by providing strong supervision.

Blended learning students

You are normally at Staffordshire University for at least three months each year and work as a full-time student in that period. In the first year this is usually for the Semester 1 teaching period, and in subsequent years by arrangement with your supervisory team. When you return to your home base you are expected to continue your work as a part time student. 

For more information about Research Degrees please contact: