Overview
We are passionate about the research we do and have built a dynamic community that inspires talented researchers from around the world to explore questions that matter – both at the forefront of academic debate and in addressing the challenges faced by policy makers and the world of business.
Our doctoral researchers study towards a PhD in business and management, economics or information science, working under the supervision of two or more supervisors. You will join whichever of our academic groups suits your research interests best and you will be actively involved in our research centres and research interest groups.
Beginning a research degree is perhaps the most exciting and demanding phase in any academic career. As the pinnacle of academic qualifications, it marks the transition from being largely taught by others to becoming an independent academic, conducting your own research and developing your own ideas. Our goal is to guide you through that process of becoming a fully-fledged PhD graduate equipped for a wide range of rewarding professional careers.
The School of Business and Economics is a triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) top 10 UK business school. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF), 86% of our business and management research is 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'.
Why you should choose us
Our research
Our Research Centres represent the key areas of our research strength, Academic Groups are the fundamental areas of teaching and research in which individual staff members are grouped, and our Research Interest Groups are emerging areas of research.
Accounting and Finance
This group’s research interests span a broad spectrum of methodologies ranging from social science-orientated techniques to applied financial economics. The key objective of group members is to produce research that is rigorous but also relevant to contemporary accounting and finance issues/debates.
The group’s areas of expertise are:
- corporate finance
- financial markets
- management accounting
- corporate governance and sustainability
Many group members possess professional and academic qualifications. A number of group members serve/have served on prestigious academic and practitioner boards, as well as holding editorial positions in key academic journals in their respective fields.
Economics
The Economics academic group undertakes rigorous and relevant applied research in macroeconomics, microeconomics and econometrics, with a view to applying the powerful and flexible tools of economics to both understand and inform the economic decisions of individuals, firms, governments and other institutions.
Research outputs range from traditional academic articles published in world-leading scholarly journals to work with a significant impact on public policy.
The group’s research interests and expertise span the following key areas:
- Monetary Economics and Macroeconomics
- Microeconomics
- Financial Economics
- International Economics
Information Management
The research carried out by this group is led by the Centre for Information Management. The Centre undertakes world-leading research on the effective management of information and knowledge assets, investigating big data, mobile technologies, email, social networks and social media, open and linked data, knowledge management in the voluntary sector and much more.
International Business, Strategy and Innovation
This group comprises teachers and researchers whose work draws on multiple disciplines including economics, sociology, psychology, anthropology and political science. The group is committed to the advancement of world-class management scholarship and to the development of ideas that will help managers make better sense of some of the most complex problems of globalisation and the digital economy.
Key areas of specialism within the group include:
- Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets
- Internationalisation Strategies
- Culture-strategy Nexus in Global Organisations
- Social Innovations and Entrepreneurship
- Strategy and Performance in Complex Environments
- Digital Innovations and Development
Management Science and Operations
Our Management Science and Operation group is one of the leading academic groups in the country that brings together expertise in the areas of management science, operational research, business analytics, decision and risk analysis, systems, and operations and supply chain management.
We are committed to improving management practice by designing and implementing analytic approaches that help tackle routine, strategic or policy problems. Our academic approaches are typically supported by models that can often be represented mathematically or visually and built using specialist software.
Marketing and Retailing
This group is extremely successful in advancing knowledge in marketing and retailing through high quality academic and applied research with an international perspective.
Key areas of expertise include:
- Export marketing and performance measurement
- International comparisons of marketing strategy and competitive positioning
- Retailing
- Strategic orientations and international competitiveness
- Cross-cultural perceptions of product newness
- Consumer behaviour in international contexts
Work and Organisation
This interdisciplinary social science teaching and research group brings together academics interested in a broad range of ‘people management’ issues.
Members conduct research within the broad areas of: organisation studies, work psychology and human resource management.
Output ranges from traditional academic scholarship to work with a significant impact on public policy and management. Key areas of expertise include:
- Career Management; gender and diversity
- Leadership, business ethics, responsibility
- Organisational psychology; digital technologies
- Sociology of work, employment, and organisation
- Well-being, workplace behaviour, occupational health
- Working identities, workplace equalities, job security
Research Centres
We have developed collaborative Research Centres to further enhance our international reputation. These Centres are key components of the School’s research agenda and aim to be instrumental in shaping policy and practice across both the public and private sector.
Centre for Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation
The Centre for Corporate Entrepreneurship and Innovation is a joint research centre between the School of Business and Economics and the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Loughborough University London. Through research, engagement and international partnerships, the Centre provides research and practice-based insights on how executives build, manage and sustain the innovative organisation now and into the future.
Centre for Information Management
The Centre for Information Management’s main purpose is to undertake internationally recognised research for the benefit of the individual, organisations, government and society. It aims to evidence the significance and value of information, challenge thinking and practice around information management and improve performance through analysis, interpretation and judgement of information.
Centre for Productivity and Performance
This Centre for Productivity and Performance focuses on research in different fields of productivity, efficiency and performance measurement, and related areas, such as industrial organisation and decision and risk analysis. Its research portfolio aims to assist decision and policy makers in evaluating and improving the performance of firms and public sector bodies.
Centre for Service Management
The Centre for Service Management engages in applied research and scholarship to support the design, engagement and transformation of service organisations, conducting research that matters to organisations across the sectors. It provides new knowledge to inform academics and educate managers through the exploration of theory and practice of service management and pursues collaborative partnerships in the area of service management.
Centre for Work, Organisation and Society
The Centre for Work, Organisation and Society aims to contribute to leading national and international debates on work, employment and organisations in society. Researchers draw on multidisciplinary perspectives that enable inquiry into psychological, cultural, technological, geographic, political economy and social dimensions of people at work and the organisation of production.
Research Interest Groups
Research Interest Groups are individual clusters of faculty, researchers and doctoral researchers working on a common research theme. These groups evolve over time and represent emerging areas of research strength within the School:
- Behavioural Decision Sciences
- Health and Wellbeing
- Knowledge and the Digital Economy
- Money and Developing Economies
- Simulation Practice
- Smart Mobility and Transportation Analytics
- Trade Agreements, Negotiation Strategy, Investment and Technology (TRANSIT)
Centres for Doctoral Training
Centres for Doctoral Training (CDT) integrate PhD research and an enhanced research training package into a four-year integrated programme. The School of Business and Economics is part of the new EPSRC Centre for Sustainable Hydrogen (SusHY) in partnership with Nottingham, Birmingham and Ulster.
The School is also part of the University funded CITHEI Centre for Doctoral training to understanding cultures of equality, diversity, and inclusivity (EDI) in higher education.
Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP)
The School of Business and Economics is proud to be part of the ESRC Midlands Graduate School DTP in partnership with Warwick, Nottingham, Birmingham, Aston and Leicester.
Your development
Support from your supervisors
As a doctoral researcher in the School of Business and Economics, you will have regular meetings with your supervisors - members of academic staff with appropriate expertise. The Director of Doctoral Programmes can provide additional guidance and support, as can other academic staff if appropriate.
As a doctoral researcher you will join a lively community of researchers and staff, becoming an integral part of the School’s research culture. Conference and symposia attendance is encouraged, as is the development of joint publications with your supervisors, which will enable you to hone and develop your research. These activities are partially supported by a dedicated fund, open to all doctoral researchers.
You will also enjoy close interaction and collaboration with academic staff - pre-eminent researchers who are well regarded within their respective fields and active in research, publishing and professional organisations.
Skills and experience
A PhD programme will give you the opportunity to develop new and highly sought-after skills which can set you up for a range of careers. It is a chance to make a novel contribution to knowledge, to become a world expert in a particular field, and it can open a range of doors with different employers. You will also enhance your interpersonal skills, such as networking and relationship building, which will be invaluable in your future career.
As a doctoral researcher in the School of Business and Economics, there are also opportunities to develop skills in supporting undergraduate teaching, or as tutorial assistants.
Your future career
Recent graduate destinations include:
- HM Revenue & Customs, Senior Policy and Technical Advisor
- KWS Group (Germany), Global Expert Customer Insights and Pricing; and Brand and Analytics Manager, Project Lead Digital Transformation
- ESMD Global Network, Consultant
- Bosch, Sourcing Manager
- The British University in Egypt, Lecturer
- Trakya University, Turkey, Lecturer
- Bangkok University, Lecturer
- Queen’s University Belfast, Lecturer
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are listed using standard UK undergraduate degree classifications i.e. first-class honours, upper second-class honours and lower second-class honours. To learn the equivalent for your country, please choose it from the drop-down below.
Entry requirements for United Kingdom
A master's in a relevant subject with an average programme mark of 65% or above (or equivalent international qualification) and a 2:1 honours degree in a relevant discipline.
In exceptional cases, substantial professional work experience/qualifications may also be taken into consideration.
Afghanistan
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masters | 95% | 85% | 70% |
Albania
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diplomë e Nivelit të Pare (First Level (University) Diploma (from 2010) | 9.5 | 8.5 | 8 |
Algeria
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence (4 year) / Diplome d'Inginieur d'Etat / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures | 16 | 14 | 12 |
Argentina
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | 8.5 | 7.5 | 6.0 |
Armenia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakalavri Kochum | 90% | 80% | 70% |
| Magistrosi Kochum | 3.9 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
Australia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours degree (AQF level 8) | First Class, 80% | Upper Second, 70%, H2A | Lower Second, 60%, 2B |
| Ordinary degree - AQF Level 7 pass (mark 46 or 50) | High Distinction (80% or 85%) | Distinction (75% or 80%) | Distinction (70% or 75%) |
Austria
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree/ Diplomstudium / Magister degree | A (or 1.5) mit Auszeichnungbestanden | 60% or B or 3.0 (or 2) | 50% or C or 2.7 (or 3) |
Azerbaijan
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakalavr Diplomu | 4.5 | 4 | 3.5 |
| Diplomu (Specialist Diploma) | 90% | 80% | 70% |
Bahamas
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree from University of the West Indies only | 1st (GPA 3.6) | 2:1 (GPA 3.0) | 2:2 (GPA 2.5) |
Bahrain
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Bangladesh
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUET or 'Good Private' University - 4 year degree | BUET - 1st (70%) / 3.5 | BUET - 2nd (60%) / 3.0 | BUET - 2nd (55%) / 2.75 |
| Other universities - Masters (1-2 years) following a 3 or 4 year degree | 80% / 4.0 | 65% / 3.25 | 50% / 2.5 |
Belarus
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist Diploma (5Yr) | 9 | 7 | 5 |
Belgium
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor degree | Magna Cum Laude | Cum Laude | 60%/12 |
| Licenciaat | 80% | 70% | 60% |
| Licencie | 17 | 14 | 12 |
Belize
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree from University of the West Indies only | 1st (GPA 3.6) | 2:1 (GPA 3.0) | 2:2 (GPA 2.5) |
Benin
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maitrise | 18 | 15 or Bien | 12 or Assez Bien |
Bermuda
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree from University of the West Indies only | 1st (GPA 3.6) | 2:1 (GPA 3.0) | 2:2 (GPA 2.5) |
Bolivia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Licenciado, 4 years Private (public/private) | 85/78 | 75/66 | 67/55 |
Bosnia and Herzegovina
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma Visokog Obrazovanja / Diplomirani | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Botswana
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's degree | A or 80% | B or 70% | C or 60% |
Brazil
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil - 4 yr Bacharel or Licenciado/Licenciatura or Título Profissional | 8.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
Brunei
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunei | First | Upper Second (60%/B/3.1) | Lower Second (50%/C/2.7) |
Bulgaria
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 yr Diploma za Zavarsheno Visshe Obrazovanie (Diploma of Completed Higher Education) | 6 | 5 | 4 |
Cambodia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 years | 90% or 9 or 4.0 | 80% or 8 or 3.5 | 70% or 7 or 3.0 |
Cameroon
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor degree or Diplome d'Etudes Superiures de Commerce | 1st or 15 | 2:1 or 14 | 2:2 or 12.5 |
| Diplome d'Ingenieur or Diplôme d'Ingénieur de Conception or a Maitrise or a 4 year Licence | 20 or GPA 3.7 | 20 or Bien (GPA 3.4) | 20 or Assez Bien (GPA 3.1) |
Canada
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA 4.0/percentage scale | 3.7/85% | 3.3/75% | 2.7/68% |
| Out of 9 | 8 | 6 | 5 |
| Out of 12 | 10 | 8 | 6 |
Chile
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grado de Licenciado / Título (Profesional) de [subject area] (4 years) | 6 | 5.5 | 5 |
China
Students are required to have a bachelor degree (4 years) for entry to a postgraduate programme. The University uses the Shanghai Academic Ranking of World Universities to identify the required final mark, as outlined on the table below:
| First class (70%) | Mid 2:1 (65%) | 2:1 (60%) | Mid 2:2 (55%) | 2:2 (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai Rank Top 250 | 85% | 81% | 80% | 78% | 77% |
| Shanghai Rank 251-500 | 89% | 84% | 83% | 81% | 80% |
| Shanghai Rank 501+ | 92% | 87% | 86% | 85% | 82% |
Affiliated colleges
The University will consider students from Affiliated Colleges in the following way:
Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities in the top 250 Shanghai rankings will considered if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 80%-84%.
Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities which are 251-500 in the Shanghai rankings will considered if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 82%-87%.
Applicants from colleges affiliated to universities which are above 500 in the Shanghai rankings will considered as follows:
- School of Business and Economics: not considered
- All other programmes if they have achieved or are likely to achieve final marks of 82%-87%.
Universities given special consideration
Applicants from a small number of Chinese universities that specialise in business, management, finance or creative arts will be given special consideration by the University. The full list of these universities and the Shanghai band under which they will be considered can be found in the PDF below.
Download the list of Chinese universities given special consideration here
Colombia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licenciado / Título de [subject area] | 4.5 | 3.75 | 3.2 |
Costa Rica
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licenciado | 9 | 8 or 80 | 7 or 75 |
Croatia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baccalaureus / Prvostupnik | 4.5 | 3.8 | 3.0 |
Cuba
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-year Titulo de Licenciado / Licenciatura | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Cyprus
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyprus | 8.5 | 7.0 | 6.5 |
Czech Republic
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakalár (after 2001) 6 yr integrated Magistr | 1 | 1.5 | 2 |
Denmark
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 year Candidatus/Candidata Magisterii or Bachelor degree (7 point scale) | 12 | 10 | 7 |
Dominican Republic
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 year Licenciado | 3.8 | Magna Cum Laude 3.5 | Cum Laude 3.2 |
| Título de [subject area] | - | 85% | 82% |
Ecuador
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Título de Licenciado | 8.5 | 8 | 7 |
| Título de [subject area] | 85% | 80% | 70% |
Egypt
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | 3.5 | 3.2 | 2.8 |
| Universities only | BA 90%, BSc 85% | BA 80%, BSc 75% | BA 65%, BSc 65% |
El Salvador
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 year Licenciado | 8.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| Título de Ingeniero | 85% | 75% | 65% |
| Arquitecto | - | Muy Bueno | Bueno |
Estonia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakalaureusekraad or Magister or Magistrikraad | 5 or A | 4 or B | 3 or C |
Ethiopia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's | A/GPA 4.0 | A/GPA 3.5 | B/GPA 2.8 |
Finland
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kandidaattii/Kandidat (out of 3) | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Maisteri/Magister (out of 5) | 4.5 | 3 | 2.5 |
France
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence (3 years)/ Maitrise/ Diplôme d'Ingénieur | 14 | 13 | 11 |
Georgia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-year degree (% = new system) | 5 (95%) | 4.5 (85%) | 4 (75%) |
Germany
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| German Bachelor/ Diplom, Magister Artium / Zeugnis über den Zweiten Abschnitt der Ärztlichen Prüfung | 1.5 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
Ghana
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghana | First | Upper second/60% | Lower second/50% |
Greece
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universities | 8.5 | 7.0 | 6 |
| TEI and non-University Institutions | 8.5 | 7 | 6.5 |
Grenada
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree from University of West Indies - classification | 1st | 2:1 | 2:2 |
| Degree from University of West Indies - grade / percentage | A | B / 75% | C / 55% |
| Degree from University of West Indies - GPA | 3.6 | 3.0 | 2.0 |
Guatemala
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liceniado / Titulo de (subject area) - 4years | 90% (public university) / 95% (private university) | 80% (public university) / 85% (private university) | 60% (public university) / 70% (private university) |
Guyana
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's | GPA 4 | GPA 3.5 | 3.0 |
Honduras
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Título de Licenciado / Grado Académico de Licenciatura (4 year degree) - GPA out of 5 | GPA 5 or 90% | GPA 4 or 80% | GPA 3.5 or 70% |
Hong Kong
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
Hungary
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alapfokozt or Egyetemi Oklevel / Bachelor | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Iceland
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baccalaurreatus degree or Kandidatsprof/Candidatus Mag | 8.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
India
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Institutions listed on the Indian Ranking of Higher Educational Institutions Framework |
65% (First) | 60% (First) | 55% (Upper second) |
| All other Indian institutions | 70% (First with distinction) | 65% (First) | 60% (First) |
Indonesia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarjana I (S1) from A (or B) credited Universities | 3.7 (4.0) | 3.3 (3.7) | 3 (3.3) |
Iran
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iran | 17 | 15 | 13 |
Iraq
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iraq | 80% | 75% | 70% |
Ireland
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic of Ireland | First (70%) | Upper second (60%) | Lower second (50%) |
Israel
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 yr Bachelor Degree | 90% | 80% | 70% |
Italy
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma di Laurea | 109/110 | 104/110 (or 27) | 100/110 (or 26) |
Ivory Coast
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures | 16 | 14 (Bien) | 12 (Assez Bien) |
Jamaica
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by UCJ and CCCJ | 1st (GPA 3.6) | 2:1 (GPA 3.0) or B | 2:2 (GPA 2.0) or C |
Japan
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 85% | 80% or B or 3.0 | 70% or C or 2.0 |
Jordan
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3 or 3.5/5 or 75% | 2.8 or 65% |
Kazakhstan
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA 5.0/percentage scale | 4.5 or 90% | 4 or 85% | 3.5 or 80% |
| GPA 4.33 scale | 3.9 | 3.7 | 3.2 |
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.7 | 3.4 | 3 |
Kenya
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | First / 70% / A | Upper second / 60% / B | Lower second / 50% / C |
Kosovo
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kosovo | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Kuwait
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.6 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Latvia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latvia | 9 | 7 | 6 |
Lebanon
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| American | 90% (3.5) | 80% (3.2) | 70% (2.8) |
| French | 18 | 15 | 12 |
Liberia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's | 4.0 or 90% | 3.5 or 85% | 3 or 80% |
Libya
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BSc Engineering, Architecture, Medicine | 85 (3.6) | 75 (3.0) | 65 (2.5) |
| Other bachelor's degree from a university | 90 (4.0) | 85% (3.6) | 75% (3.0) |
Lithuania
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lithuania | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Macau
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macau | 1st or GPA 3.7 | 2:1 or GPA 3.0 | 2:2 or GPA 2.5 |
Macedonia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macedonia | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Malawi
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's only | MSc 75% | MSc 70% | MSc 65% |
Malaysia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | First Class | 2.1 | 2.2 |
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Malta
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Malta | 1st (80%) | 2:1 (70%) | 2:2 (55%) |
Mauritius
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mauritius | 1st or 70% | 2:1 or 60% | 2:2 or 50% |
Mexico
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Moldova
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma de Licenţă (Diploma of Licentiate) | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Mongolia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) | 90% or 3.5 | 80% or GPA 3.2 | 70% or GPA 3.0 |
Morocco
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morocco | 17 | 15 | 13 |
Mozambique
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 year Licenciatura | 16 | 14 | 12 |
Myanmar (Burma)
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 year Master's degree | 5 or 85% | 5 or 75% | 4.5 or 65% |
Namibia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Namibia | 80% or A | 70% or B | 60% or C |
Nepal
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's (after 3 year bachelor degree) | 90% or 3.9 GPA | 80% or 3.8 GPA | 65% or 3.3 GPA |
Netherlands
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | 8 | 7 | 6 |
New Zealand
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Year Honours degree (480 credits) - Level 8 | First (7.0) | Upper Second (6.0) | Lower Second (4.0) |
| 3 Year degree (360 credits) - Level 7 | A+ (9.0) | A- (7.0) | B+ (6.0) |
Nicaragua
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licenciatura (4 year) | 90% | 80% | 70% |
Nigeria
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 point Scale | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| 5 point scale | 4.5 | 3.8 | 3.5 |
| 4 point scale | 3.5 | 3 | 2.5 |
Norway
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | A | B | C |
Oman
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.5 |
Pakistan
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Year degree only (the higher of the 2 option) | A- or GPA 3.7 | B or GPA 3.0 | C+ or GPA 2.6 |
| 2 or 3 year bachelor's plus Master's | First (60%) | Second (55%) | Second (50%) |
Palestine
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor Degree | A / 90% / 3.7 | B+ / 85% / 3.3 | B / 80% / 3.0 |
Panama
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Year Licenciado / Título de [subject area] | 91 (A) | 81 (B) | 71 (C) |
Papua New Guinea
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Papua New Guinea | 1st | 2:1 | 2:2 |
Paraguay
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area] | 4.5 (85%) | 4 (80%) | 3.5 (75%) |
Peru
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Year Título de Licenciado / Título de [subject area] | 14 | 13 | 12 |
Philippines
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degree from prestigious state universities or Centres of Excellence (COE) | Summa Cum Laude 4.0 / 96% / 1.0 | Magna cum Laude 3.5 / 92% / 1.5 | Cum Laude 3.0 / 87%/ 2.0 |
Poland
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor Degree (post 2003) Magister (pre- 2003) | 5 | 4.5 / 4+ | 4 |
Portugal
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 18 | 16 | 14 |
Qatar
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Romania
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma de Licenta/ Diploma de Inginer | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Russia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Russia | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
Rwanda
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 year bachelor (Hons) degree (480 credits) | 1st, 16/20 (80%) | 2:1,14/20 (70%) | 2:2, 12/20 (60%) |
Saudi Arabia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| GPA 5.0 scale | 4.5 | 3.75 | 3.5 |
Senegal
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees | 16/20 or Tres Bien | 14/20 or Bien | 12/20 or Assez Bien |
Serbia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diplomirani/ Bachelor's degree | 9 | 8 | 7 |
Sierra Leone
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honours degree or masters | 1st (70%) | 2:1 (60% or B) | 2:2 (50% or C) |
Singapore
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | First | Upper second | Lower second |
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.7 | 3.0 | 2.7 |
| GPA 5.0 scale | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.0 |
Slovakia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slovakia | 1.5 or B | 2.0 or C | 2.5 or C/high D |
Slovenia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slovenia | 9.5 | 8.5 | 7 |
South Africa
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classification | 1st | 2:1 | 2:2 |
| Percentage scale | 75-100% | 70-74% | 60-69% |
South Korea
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA out of 4.5 | 4.0 / A | 3.5 / B | 3.0 / C+ |
| GPA out of 4.3 | 4.0 / A | 3.0 / B | 2.7 / C+ |
Spain
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licenciado / Título de Ingeniero / Título de Arquitecto | 8.5 | 7 | 6.5 |
| UCM grading | 3.0 | 2.0 | 1.5 |
Sri Lanka
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 year Professional degree or Bachelor Special or Honours degree | 90%, GPA 3.70 | 80%, GPA 3.30 | 70%, GPA 3.0 |
Sudan
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sudan (North and South) | 1st or 70% or B+ | 2:1 or 66% | Mid 2:2 or 60% or B |
Sweden
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden | - | Overall grade of VG with a minimum of 90 credits at VG | Overall grade of G with a minimum of 90 credits at G |
Switzerland
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | 6 | 5 | 4 |
Syria
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| State universities 4 years of study | 80% | 70% | 60% |
| Private universities 4 years of study | 90% | 80% | 70% |
Taiwan
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category 1 (4 year degree) | 80% | 75% | 70% |
| Category 2 (4 year degree) | 85% | 80% | 75% |
Tajikistan
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tajikistan | - | 4.5 | 4 |
Tanzania
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanzania | 1st | 2:1 | 2:2 |
Thailand
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Trinidad and Tobago
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For degrees studied at The University of West Indies or degrees accredited by ACTT | 1st or B+ or 70% | 2:1 or B or 65% | 2:2 or B- or 60% |
Tunisia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licence, Maîtrise, Diplôme National d'Ingénieu | 16 (tres bien) | 14 (bien) | 11 (assez bien) |
Turkey
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisans Diplomasi or a Műhendis Diplomasi | 3.5 | 3 | 2.5 |
Turkmenistan
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Yr Bakalavr, Specialist Diploma or Magistr | 5 | 4.5 | 4 |
Uganda
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uganda | 1st or 4.4 | 2:1 or 3.8 | 2:2 or 3.0 |
Ukraine
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dyplom Magistra or a Bachelors degree (11 / 5) | 4.5 | 4.0 | 3.5 |
United Arab Emirates
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.6 |
United States of America
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA 4.0 scale | 3.5 | 3.2 | 2.8 |
Uruguay
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licenciado (4 year) | 10 | 9 | 8 |
Uzbekistan
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakalavr Diplomi / Diplomi (Specialist Diploma) | 90% or GPA 4.5 | 80% or GPA 4.0 | 70% or GPA 3.0 |
Venezuela
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licenciado/Professional title. (4 year) | 18/20 or 8/9 | 16/20 or 7/9 | 14/20 or 6/9 |
Vietnam
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-point scale | 8.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 |
| 4-point scale | 3.5 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
Zambia
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Master's | A or 4.0 or 80% | B+, 3.5 or 70% | B or 3.0 or 60% |
Zimbabwe
| First-class honours (70%) | Upper second-class honours (60%) | Lower second-class honours (50%) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4 year degree | 1st or 75% | 2:1 or 65% | 2:2 or 60% |
English language requirements
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.
Fees and funding
UK fee
- Full-time degree per annum
- £4,500
International fee
- Full-time degree per annum
- £18,100
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. University fees and charges can be paid in advance and there are several methods of payment, including online payments and payment by instalment. Fees are reviewed annually and are likely to increase to take into account inflationary pressures.
How to apply
If you can't find an advertised project that fits your interests and experience, we encourage you to browse our academic groups and contact academics that you feel would be best placed to supervise your PhD project. This initial contact can help you develop your own research proposal and identify a supervisor. You will then need to formally apply with your research proposal to the School of Business and Economics. If you are unsure who might supervise your project, we still encourage you to apply and we will aim to find supervisors who can work with you.
Your application should include an extensive outline of your proposed topic of research. This should include a statement justifying the choice of topic; the aims, objectives and methodology; and a short review of relevant references. The potential original contribution of the PhD should also be identified. No application can be considered without this outline.
