phd management oxford

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DPhil in Management

University of oxford, different course options.

• Key information

Course Summary

Tuition fees, entry requirements, similar courses at different universities, key information data source : idp connect, qualification type.

PhD/DPhil - Doctor of Philosophy

Subject areas

Management (General)

Course type

About the programme

Our doctoral training will immerse you in all aspects of academic life.

You will be both a student and a junior research colleague. We provide courses in a wide variety of research methods and you will work closely with your supervisors to define your research question and develop your thesis. In addition, you will have opportunities to gain teaching and research assistant experience and become involved with the intellectual community within both Saïd Business School and the wider University. You will attend academic conferences, make presentations, organise lectures and seminars and contribute to management and academic decisions.

Both of our doctoral programmes run in parallel, with only differences in taught courses and preparation for writing in relevant journals to your subject of choice.

We have deliberately kept the programmes small which means that in the vast majority of cases, students are fully funded to allow them to devote their energies to research. The DPhil corresponds to a PhD degree offered at most other universities.

Assessment and programme milestones

Our DPhil offers students the opportunity to engage with internationally renowned faculty who are here to help you become an academic scholar.

You will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). You are required to take three core courses in quantitative and qualitative research methodology during your first year.

Introduction to management research methods

Statistical research methods

Management and organisation theory

During second and third terms, you will undertake advanced research methods training and, in consultation with your supervisor, select specialist courses, available from a choice of topics relevant to area of interest.

UK fees Course fees for UK students

For this course (per year)

International fees Course fees for EU and international students

You will require: a good undergraduate degree: 2.1 (GPA 3.5 or its equivalent). Successful applicants typically have a distinction in a Master’s level degree in addition to their undergraduate studies, but exceptional applicants from undergraduate programmes in relevant subjects will be considered. Three pieces of written work, including a well-developed research proposal, three academic references.

Professional Practice and Management in Architecture PGCert

Bristol, university of the west of england, international management msc/pgdip/pgcert, operational research - phd, university of kent, management - phd, philanthropic studies (distance learning) - pcert, pdip, ma.

Business and Management

MPhil or PhD

Find a course

Start dates.

January 2024 / June 2024

Application deadline

Applications for international candidates must be received in full by:

• 31 May 2024 (for September 2024 entry)
• 30 September 2024 (for January 2025 entry)
• 31 January 2025 (for June 2025 entry)

Applications for home and distance learning candidates must be received in full by:

• 30 June 2024 (for September 2024 entry) - only entry for Doctor of Coaching & Mentoring
• 31 September 2024 (for January 2025 entry)
• 28 February 2025 (for June 2025 entry)

Distance learning

Course length

Full time: minimum 3-4 years

Part time: minimum 4-6 years

Oxford Brookes Business School

Funding status

Self-funded

Attend an open day or webinar

Write your research proposal

Apply direct

Business and Management is a broad disciplinary cluster which includes sub-disciplines such as Organisational Behaviour, Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and International Business, amongst others. Accordingly, our doctoral students have the opportunity to explore a wide range of innovative research topics of diverse thematic, spatial, and temporal contexts.

As a doctoral student in Business and Management you will be supported to pursue and publish original research, combining your empirical enquiry with a theoretical contribution to knowledge. You will also be invited to participate in a broad range of training workshops and speaker events organised by the School, joining a vibrant research community of students of diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

Research expertise

Oxford Brookes Business School boasts a diverse team of expert supervisors in variety of areas including Organisational Behaviour, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, Strategy, Diversity and Equality, Coaching and Mentoring, Business and Organisational History, amongst others. Regardless of the disciplinary focus, our supervisors strive to promote responsible business and managerial practices that have a positive societal impact.

If you study for a PhD in Business and Management you will normally be linked to one of the four research centres depending on your chosen topic within Business and Management: the Centre of Business Society and Global Challenges (BSGC) ; the Oxford Regions Innovation, Enterprise Lab (ORIEL) ; the I nternational Centre for Coaching and Mentoring Studies ; or the Centre for Diversity Policy Research and Practice .

Degree routes

All students enrol as probationer research students. The degree for which you register will depend on your academic qualifications and research experience. During the first year, you will formally register your research proposal for one of the below routes.

If you undertake an MPhil you will:

• critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic
• demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
• present and defend a substantial thesis by oral examination.

Thesis: 50,000 words

Length of study: Full-time: 2-3 years. Part-time: 3-4 years.

The criteria for a PhD are similar to those for an MPhil, with the key difference that:

• the research carried out will result in an independent and original contribution to knowledge.

Thesis: 80,00 - 100,000 words

Length of study: Full-time: 3-4 years. Part-time: 4-6 years.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

You will benefit from:

• a supervisory team of two to three researchers who can provide the best combination of expertise to support your work
• training courses in research methods provided by the Business School and wider University
• regular seminars and learning activities at department, school and university level
• experience of presenting work to different audiences
• opportunities to network and discuss your work with staff and fellow students.
• engage with our entrepreneurs in residence and visiting entrepreneurs
• work with local, regional and multinational businesses (where appropriate)
• collaborative opportunities, including receiving industrial funding and sponsorship.

You will be supported in developing and sharing your expertise through:

• opportunities to present at internal seminars and conferences
• dupport in attending, and ultimately presenting at external conferences (some financial assistance is available)
• training as an Associate Lecturer and the opportunity to engage in teaching activity on appropriate modules offered by the Business School.

Learning and assessment

While every candidate’s experience will vary according to their particular discipline, topic and methodology, there are several elements that all will undertake:

• investigating and evaluating an approved topic
• undertaking a critical review of the existing literature in your topic area to set the theoretical context for your work and help demonstrate a gap in the existing body of work
• developing and implementing a rigorous and appropriate methodology for researching your topic
• demonstrating that your research conforms to all relevant ethical codes of practice
• extensive primary field research, analysis and evaluation.

You are supported in your studies through a series of workshops, available on-campus. These workshops include:

• Newcomer and progression registration workshops
• University Research Ethics approach workshop
• Beginning and developing your evaluation of the literature
• Qualitative/Quantitative research approaches workshops A and B
• Completing your first draft and viva preparation sessions

Assessment methods used on this course

Your progression on the full-time doctoral award will be monitored through an annual process undertaken at the end of each academic year, and through two key progression points after approximately six months and eighteen months of study respectively. Equivalent progression points are identified for part-time candidates.

Formative assessment is ongoing through engagement with deadlines set with your supervisory team, and feedback from OBBS research panels.

Summative assessment takes place through the submission of a 80,000-100,000 word thesis and oral examination (viva voce) with internal and external examiners appointed by the University.

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After you graduate

Career prospects.

Our PhD alumni go on to work in a variety of different settings including academic, government and related agencies, multinationals and small and medium-sized enterprises.

A doctoral award allows you to demonstrate you have the highest level of critical analysis and thinking skills which can be applied to a range of organisational settings. Where and how you apply these advanced research and knowledge insights will depend upon your research topic and aspirations for making a difference to organisations and communities.

Many of our alumni have published from their doctoral studies, in practitioner as well as peer reviewed journals. In addition, many doctoral alumni contribute book chapters or complete books based on their research.

How to apply

Entry requirements.

Applicants should have a good honours degree and a good master's degree at merit level or above that includes a thesis component.

Applicants with equivalent experience will be considered.

Application process

• Complete your research proposal
• Compile a personal/motivation statement and identify the Oxford Brookes Business School (OBBS) research centre and any relevant members of OBBS staff who may be interested in your proposal
• Gather your supporting documents (listed below)
• Make a direct application .

If you have any difficulty completing your application, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page .

Supporting documents

When applying for this programme of study please upload all of the required supporting documents listed below to the online application portal .

We suggest merging your supporting documents into a single PDF file. Please note there are two specifically designated options for you to upload your two references to.

• copies of your previous degree transcripts and certificates (both undergraduate and postgraduate)
• a scan of your passport
• two academic references
• a 2,000-word Research Topic Proposal
• evidence of funding (we require evidence of personal funds or letter from funder if being sponsored)
• international students must also provide an English Language Certificate with an IELTS score of at least 7.0.

*If applying for the (FT or PT) Distance learning option please comment in your motivation statement and research proposal upon your ability to access resources (IT, library) which will ensure you can attend relevant online and intensive sessions, and how you intend to manage your time commitment to doctoral studies. Applications deadline is Friday 19th May 2023 for September entry. We cannot guarantee that applications submitted after this date can be considered for Autumn 2023 entry.

Tuition fees

Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.

For International fees the following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support. 

Home fees are set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and are released approximately five months before the start of each academic year.

If you have any questions about fees, get in touch with the Research Degrees Team at  [email protected] .

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

• For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
• For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy  page

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Cookie statement

DPhil programmes

Oxford's Department for Continuing Education offers part-time DPhil programmes in the following disciplines:

• Archaeology
• Architectural History
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
• English Local History
• Evidence-Based Health Care
• Literature and Arts
• Sustainable Urban Development

What is a DPhil?

The term 'DPhil' stands for 'Doctor of Philosophy', sometimes referred to as a 'doctorate' or 'PhD'. This is an advanced research degree awarded on the basis of a thesis and an oral examination called the viva voce. The thesis must be a significant and substantial piece of research, make an original contribution to its field, and be presented in a lucid and scholarly manner. In the viva, the candidate is required to defend their thesis and to demonstrate a good general knowledge of their field of study.

A DPhil is the highest level of a degree that a student can achieve.

Level and demands

All DPhil applications are considered on their academic merits. 

As guidance, you should have achieved at least 2.1 honours, 3.5 GPA, or equivalent in an undergraduate degree. On some programmes, successful applicants have also normally achieved a distinction in a master’s degree. More information about entry requirements can be found on each individual programme page.

DPhil students are not required to be resident in Oxford, but will normally be required to attend for at least 30 days per year and to meet their supervisors at least once per term.

College affiliation

All students studying for a degree (including DPhil) must be a member of a college. There is single application process to the DPhil programme within which you can specify a college choice. Your choice of college is up to you, and does not affect the academic viability of your application to the DPhil itself.  A number of Oxford colleges accept applications from part-time postgraduates, whereas others do not: please consult the graduate prospectus or enquire with  individual colleges . (Even if you are accepted onto the degree, please note that you are not guaranteed a place at your first choice of college).

Applicants may wish to note that the majority of students on part-time degree programmes are members of Kellogg College and most of the tutors and lecturers are Fellows of the College. Kellogg is dedicated to graduate part-time students and has developed a unique expertise in attending to the intellectual, social, IT and welfare needs of part-time, mature graduate students. The College is based a short distance from the Department on the Banbury Road.

Libraries and computing facilities

Registered students receive an Oxford University card, valid for one year at a time, which acts as a library card for the Departmental Library at Rewley House and provides access to the unrivalled facilities of the Bodleian Libraries which include the central Bodleian, major research libraries such as the Sackler Library, Taylorian Institution Library, Bodleian Social Science Library, and faculty libraries such as English and History. Students also have access to a wide range of electronic resources including electronic journals, many of which can be accessed from home. Students on the course are entitled to use the Library at Rewley House for reference and private study and to borrow books. More information about the Continuing Education Library can be found at the  Bodleian website . 

The University card also provides access to facilities at Oxford University Computing Service (OUCS), 13 Banbury Road, Oxford. Computing facilities are available to students in the Students' Computing Facility in Rewley House and at Ewert House.

Graduate School

The Graduate School facilitates a stimulating and enriching learning and research environment for all of the Department’s diverse range of graduate students.

Student spotlights

Discover how others have used their Oxford DPhil for further study, career progression or personal enrichment. 

Katherine Maxwell

Shaun morley, anne jensen, steve edwards, rosemary yallop, further information.

• Open Search Close Search
• DPhil in Public Policy
• DPhil in detail
• How to apply to the DPhil
• DPhil fees and funding

Do you want to help improve governments by providing them with research-based evidence? Are you motivated to carry out in-depth academic research that can make a positive contribution to public policy?

Our Doctorate in Public Policy or DPhil (as a PhD is known at the University of Oxford) in Public Policy is structured as a full-time course over three years (there is a part-time option for candidates in exceptional circumstances). The course has an emphasis on solving pressing public problems and provides robust training for understanding particular policy challenges and for evaluating, devising or implementing policy solutions.

At the Blavatnik School we focus on question-driven research: this means that the focus is on analysing and finding solutions to policy issues and challenges that governments face around the world. As a DPhil student, you will concentrate on research that answers policy questions, drawing on rigorous concepts, theory and methods from multiple disciplines, rather than developing new theories or methods in a particular discipline.

At the end of your studies, you will be expertly qualified to conduct research, whether as an academic, in a governmental role, or in other influential policy organisations, institutes and think tanks.

The DPhil in Public Policy aims to:

• Hone your research skills in ways that are relevant to policy-focused research.
• Develop your interdisciplinary understanding of policy challenges.
• Equip you to be able to design and undertake original research which makes a real contribution to the development and/or analysis of public policy.
• Enhance your ability to communicate your research findings to the policy community in a way that ensures real world impact.
• Enable you to present a lucid and scholarly thesis for examination.

You will have the opportunity to attend an impressive set of seminars within the Blavatnik School and across the University of Oxford, where you will learn in a multidisciplinary environment and present your research proposals to relevant audiences. You will also benefit from being part of an extraordinary network of peers to share ideas and advice, while meeting and interacting with prominent public policy practitioners who will help you root your research into practical issues.

Our DPhil alumni have gone on to build successful careers in various sectors – from  working on critical EU negotiations  at the European Commission to  establishing a leading law firm  in Colombia. With its emphasis on the real-world application of policy knowledge, our DPhil specifically prepares you for a high-level career in public service, government and non-governmental organisations, as well as academia and the private sector.

Oxford graduates are highly sought-after by employers across the world and the career prospects for you after completing your DPhil in Public Policy are excellent. At the Blavatnik School you will develop the skills required to succeed in your career as well as benefit from a programme of career-focused events. Collaborating with your fellow students and faculty will help you discover career paths and opportunities in public service and academia. We also offer an outstanding programme of speaker events at which many visitors discuss their careers, and outside of the School there are many events organised by departments, centres, societies and colleges – all of these provide opportunities to meet with global specialists and develop your network of contacts.

You will be interacting and sharing opinions with fellow DPhil students and other Blavatnik School students – forging relationships that will last well beyond the time you will spend at the School. As your career develops, being part of this community will mean you have a shared learning experience with like-minded peers throughout the world.

The Blavatnik School’s alumni form a close-knit community providing them with social connections, professional guidance and a trusted source of advice. These connections also serve as powerful reminders for all of us of our shared commitment to public service and our desire to make a positive, real difference in the world.

Learn more about the course details, the fees, funding options and how to join our community.

Doctoral Programs

Doctoral programs in accounting, financial economics, marketing, operations, and organizations and management.

The Doctoral Program gives students unparalleled expertise in management. Candidates work under Yale SOM's distinguished faculty, learning side by side with diverse and accomplished scholars.

Deadline: December 15

The application deadline is December 15 of the year in which admission is sought.

Specializations

Students focus in one of the core disciplines of management, developing in-depth knowledge and pursuing their own research interests: Accounting , Finance , Marketing , Operations , or Organizations and Management .

Application for admission to the Doctoral Program in Management is made through the Yale Graduate School.

Students take foundational PhD-level courses in their areas of specialization, and then choose from a course list that spans the university, drawing from some of the best academic departments in the world.

The program's small size allows senior faculty to take an active role in preparing each student for the job search.

DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences

• Entry requirements
• Funding and Costs

College preference

• How to Apply

About the course

The DPhil (doctoral) course in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences provides an opportunity for highly-qualified students to undertake innovative Internet-related research.

The Oxford Internet Institute's (OII) students work on multidisciplinary research across the social sciences. Many projects fit within the following broad themes:

• digital knowledge and culture
• digital politics and government
• education, wellbeing and digital life
• ethics and philosophy of information
• information geography and inequality
• digital policy and online security
• economics of information and the internet
• online platforms and social networks.

Over this three- to four-year course (six to eight years for the part-time course), students produce an important and original piece of scholarship that will make a significant contribution to the dynamic area of internet research. OII DPhil graduates have the qualities and transferable skills necessary to excel in teaching, research, policymaking or business.

Doctoral students at the OII address research questions from across a spectrum of disciplines. OII DPhil students anchor their research in disciplinary questions (in, for instance, politics or sociology), while also situating their research in broader social science theories and methods.  OII faculty are international leaders in their research fields, and their teaching and supervision reflect their innovative research. The diverse cohorts of doctoral students complement the strength of the course by providing a multidisciplinary peer network for students to engage in ideas, discussion and debate.

The DPhil course at the OII is also available on a part-time basis. The part-time course is spread over six to eight years of study and research. The part-time degree offers the flexibility of part-time study with the same high standards and requirements as the full-time DPhil course. The part-time DPhil also provides an excellent opportunity for professionals in high tech industries to undertake rigorous long-term research that may be relevant to their working life. Please visit the department website for further details on part-time doctoral study  or contact the Graduate Studies Assistant .

As a part-time student you will be required to attend seminars, supervision meetings and other obligations in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year. Attendance will be required during term-time a minimum of one day each week. There will be limited flexibility in the dates and pattern of attendance, which will normally be determined by the fixed teaching and seminar schedule during term. Attendance may be required outside of term-time on dates to be determined by mutual agreement with your supervisor. You will have the opportunity to tailor your part-time study in liaison with your supervisor and agree your pattern of attendance.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Oxford Internet Institute and it is not always possible to accommodate the preferences of incoming graduate students to work with a particular member of staff. Please see the full list of faculty members eligible to supervise DPhil students for this course. Under exceptional circumstances a supervisor may be found outside the Oxford Internet Institute. A supervisor may be found outside the list on the course web page, and co-supervision is also possible.

Students should normally expect to meet with their supervisor around three to four times a term.

The sequence of milestones for a DPhil student are as follows:

• Admission as a Probationer Research Student (PRS)
• Transfer to DPhil status (‘Transfer of Status’)
• Confirmation of DPhil status for DPhil students (‘Confirmation of Status’)
• Submission of thesis

All students will be initially admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS), during which time you will be required to attend and pass core modules from the OII’s training programme as directed by the Graduate Studies Committee. Students who have already completed similar courses in their past academic career can request an exemption from one or more modules by providing sufficient evidence. 

Within a maximum of four terms as a full-time PRS student or eight terms as a part-time PRS student, you will be expected to apply for, and achieve, transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status. A successful transfer of status will require the student to show that their proposed thesis and treatment represents a viable topic and that their written work and interview show that they have a good knowledge and understanding of the subject. Students are also required to demonstrate satisfactory completion of the core modules by this point.

Following successful transfer, students will need to apply for and gain confirmation of DPhil status to show that the work continues to be on track. This will need to be completed within nine terms of admission for full-time students and eighteen terms of admission for part- time students.

Both milestones involve an interview with two assessors (other than your supervisor) and therefore provide important experience for the final oral examination.

Full-time students will be expected to submit an original thesis of not more than 100,000 words three or, at most, four years from the date of admission. If you are studying part-time, you be required to submit your thesis after six or, at most, eight years from the date of admission. To be successfully awarded a DPhil In Information, Communication and the Social Sciences you will need to defend your thesis orally (viva voce) in front of two appointed examiners.

Graduate destinations

The Oxford Internet Institute provides you with skills and opportunities in teaching, research, policymaking and business innovation. Employers recognise the value of a degree from the University of Oxford, and the OII's doctoral students regularly go on to secure excellent positions in academia, industry, government, and NGOs.

Alumni who have pursued academic careers have taken up research and teaching positions at the University of Oxford, Cornell University, University of Hong Kong, Imperial College London, Durham University, University of New South Wales, Coventry University, University of Leicester, University of Ottawa, and Michigan State University. OII DPhil alumni also work in wide-range of organizations including The World Bank, Open Technology Fund, Oxfam, Cisco, McKinsey and Google.

The  OII Alumni page  features interviews from both MSc and DPhil alumni about their time at the Department and career paths after Oxford.

Changes to this course and your supervision

The University will seek to deliver this course in accordance with the description set out in this course page. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the University to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. In addition, in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.

Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.

For further information please see our page on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.

Entry requirements for entry in 2024-25

Proven and potential academic excellence.

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

Please be aware that any studentships that are linked to this course may have different or additional requirements and you should read any studentship information carefully before applying. 

Degree-level qualifications

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent:

• a master's degree with a mark of at least 67% ;  and
• a first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in any subject.

It is expected that applicants will hold a taught master's or other advanced degree, normally in one of the social sciences, including law, but candidates from other disciplines embracing the social study of technology will also be considered.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.5 out of 4.0.

If your degree is not from the UK or another country specified above, visit our International Qualifications page for guidance on the qualifications and grades that would usually be considered to meet the University’s minimum entry requirements.

GRE General Test scores

No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience

• Strong analytical abilities in understanding the social aspects of the internet, World Wide Web and related technologies, as shown by the candidate’s writing sample and/or the reports of referees, is required.
• Part-time applicants will also be expected to show evidence of the ability to commit time to study and, if applicable, an employer's commitment to make time available to study, to complete coursework, and attend course and University events and modules. Where appropriate, evidence should also be provided of permission to use employers’ data in the proposed research project.
• While prior publication is not required, evidence of successful academic publication will be taken into account and may provide the applicant with an advantage.
• It would be expected that graduate applicants would be familiar with the recent published work of their proposed supervisor.

English language proficiency

This course requires proficiency in English at the University's  higher level . If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement. The minimum scores required to meet the University's higher level are detailed in the table below.

*Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) † Previously known as the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE)

Your test must have been taken no more than two years before the start date of your course. Our Application Guide provides  further information about the English language test requirement .

Declaring extenuating circumstances

If your ability to meet the entry requirements has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (eg you were awarded an unclassified/ungraded degree) or any other exceptional personal circumstance (eg other illness or bereavement), please refer to the guidance on extenuating circumstances in the Application Guide for information about how to declare this so that your application can be considered appropriately.

You will need to register three referees who can give an informed view of your academic ability and suitability for the course. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the types of reference that are required in support of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Supporting documents

You will be required to supply supporting documents with your application. The  How to apply  section of this page provides details of the supporting documents that are required as part of your application for this course and how these will be assessed.

Performance at interview

Interviews are normally held as part of the admissions process.

All applications are reviewed by at least two members of faculty with relevant experience and expertise. Applicants are shortlisted based on the quality of  written application. Those who are shortlisted will normally be interviewed.

Interviews are usually held around three to six weeks after the application deadline. There is usually only one interview held, which lasts 30 to 40 minutes and can be held via video conferencing software. You will be asked questions about your academic background, your research plan, and why you think the Oxford Internet Institute would be the best place to conduct your studies. The interview panel will consist of at least two interviewers which will normally include the potential supervisor.

How your application is assessed

Your application will be assessed purely on your proven and potential academic excellence and other entry requirements described under that heading.

References  and  supporting documents  submitted as part of your application, and your performance at interview (if interviews are held) will be considered as part of the assessment process. Whether or not you have secured funding will not be taken into consideration when your application is assessed.

An overview of the shortlisting and selection process is provided below. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide  more information about how applications are assessed . 

Shortlisting and selection

Students are considered for shortlisting and selected for admission without regard to age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, race (including colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief (including lack of belief), sex, sexual orientation, as well as other relevant circumstances including parental or caring responsibilities or social background. However, please note the following:

• socio-economic information may be taken into account in the selection of applicants and award of scholarships for courses that are part of  the University’s pilot selection procedure  and for  scholarships aimed at under-represented groups ;
• country of ordinary residence may be taken into account in the awarding of certain scholarships; and
• protected characteristics may be taken into account during shortlisting for interview or the award of scholarships where the University has approved a positive action case under the Equality Act 2010.

Initiatives to improve access to graduate study

This course is taking part in a continuing pilot programme to improve the selection procedure for graduate applications, in order to ensure that all candidates are evaluated fairly.

For this course, socio-economic data (where it has been provided in the application form) will be used to contextualise applications at the different stages of the selection process.  Further information about how we use your socio-economic data  can be found in our page about initiatives to improve access to graduate study.

Processing your data for shortlisting and selection

Information about  processing special category data for the purposes of positive action  and  using your data to assess your eligibility for funding , can be found in our Postgraduate Applicant Privacy Policy.

Admissions panels and assessors

All recommendations to admit a student involve the judgement of at least two members of the academic staff with relevant experience and expertise, and must also be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies or Admissions Committee (or equivalent within the department).

Admissions panels or committees will always include at least one member of academic staff who has undertaken appropriate training.

Other factors governing whether places can be offered

The following factors will also govern whether candidates can be offered places:

• the ability of the University to provide the appropriate supervision for your studies, as outlined under the 'Supervision' heading in the  About  section of this page;
• the ability of the University to provide appropriate support for your studies (eg through the provision of facilities, resources, teaching and/or research opportunities); and
• minimum and maximum limits to the numbers of students who may be admitted to the University's taught and research programmes.

Offer conditions for successful applications

If you receive an offer of a place at Oxford, your offer will outline any conditions that you need to satisfy and any actions you need to take, together with any associated deadlines. These may include academic conditions, such as achieving a specific final grade in your current degree course. These conditions will usually depend on your individual academic circumstances and may vary between applicants. Our ' After you apply ' pages provide more information about offers and conditions . 

In addition to any academic conditions which are set, you will also be required to meet the following requirements:

Financial Declaration

If you are offered a place, you will be required to complete a  Financial Declaration  in order to meet your financial condition of admission.

Disclosure of criminal convictions

In accordance with the University’s obligations towards students and staff, we will ask you to declare any  relevant, unspent criminal convictions  before you can take up a place at Oxford.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)

Some postgraduate research students in science, engineering and technology subjects will need an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate prior to applying for a  Student visa (under the Student Route) . For some courses, the requirement to apply for an ATAS certificate may depend on your research area.

The department prides itself on providing a stimulating and supportive environment in which all students can flourish. The OII faculty works at the cutting-edge of their fields, and this innovative research is fully reflected in their course teaching. As a fully multidisciplinary department, the OII offers you the opportunity to study academic, practical and policy-related issues that can only be understood by drawing on contributions from across many different fields.

In addition to the formal requirements of the DPhil thesis, all OII doctoral students have access to regular training in the key professional skills necessary to support their research and future employment. These range from classes on advanced research methods as part of the OII’s option course offerings to professional development training (provided both by the department and the University) such as presentation skills, academic writing and navigating the process of peer review.

You will attend a weekly seminar in which you will present your own work for critique, and critique the work of your peers. The OII also provides opportunities for DPhil students to gain teaching experience through mentored assistantship roles in some of its core MSc courses.

The department's busy calendar of seminars and events brings many of the most important people in internet research, innovation and policy to the OII, allowing students to engage with cutting-edge scholarship and debates around the internet and digital technologies.

OII students also take full advantage of the substantial resources available at the University of Oxford, including world-leading research facilities and libraries, and a buzzing student scene. The departmental library provides students access to a range of resources. Additionally, the  Social Sciences Library provides valuable additional resources of which many students choose to take advantage of.

Oxford Internet Institute

The Oxford Internet Institute (OII) is a dynamic and innovative department for research and teaching relating to the internet, located in a world-leading traditional research university. The multidisciplinary OII offers the opportunity to study academic, practical and policy-related issues that can only be understood by drawing on contributions from many different fields.

The OII is the only major department in a top-ranked international university to offer multidisciplinary courses in the social sciences dedicated to understanding the impact of the internet, data, and information technologies on society. We offer masters and doctoral level education across several degrees focused on social data science or the social science of the internet and technology.

Digital connections are now embedded in almost every aspect of our daily lives, and research on individual and collective behaviour online is crucial to understanding our social, economic and political world. As a fully multi-disciplinary department, we offer our students the opportunity to study academic, practical and policy-related issues and pursue cutting-edge research into the societal implications of the internet and digital technologies.

Our academic faculty and graduate students are drawn from many different disciplines: we believe this combined approach is essential to tackle society’s big questions. Together, we aim to positively shape the development of our digital world for the public good.

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The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25. You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships , if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential. 

For further details about searching for funding as a graduate student visit our dedicated Funding pages, which contain information about how to apply for Oxford scholarships requiring an additional application, details of external funding, loan schemes and other funding sources.

Please ensure that you visit individual college websites for details of any college-specific funding opportunities using the links provided on our college pages or below:

Please note that not all the colleges listed above may accept students on this course. For details of those which do, please refer to the College preference section of this page.

Further information about funding opportunities for this course can be found on the institute's website.

Annual fees for entry in 2024-25

Full-time study.

Further details about fee status eligibility can be found on the fee status webpage.

Part-time study

Information about course fees.

Course fees are payable each year, for the duration of your fee liability (your fee liability is the length of time for which you are required to pay course fees). For courses lasting longer than one year, please be aware that fees will usually increase annually. For details, please see our guidance on changes to fees and charges .

Course fees cover your teaching as well as other academic services and facilities provided to support your studies. Unless specified in the additional information section below, course fees do not cover your accommodation, residential costs or other living costs. They also don’t cover any additional costs and charges that are outlined in the additional information below.

Continuation charges

Following the period of fee liability , you may also be required to pay a University continuation charge and a college continuation charge. The University and college continuation charges are shown on the Continuation charges page.

Where can I find further information about fees?

The Fees and Funding  section of this website provides further information about course fees , including information about fee status and eligibility  and your length of fee liability .

Additional information

There are no compulsory elements of this course that entail additional costs beyond fees (or, after fee liability ends, continuation charges) and living costs. However, please note that, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Please note that you are required to attend in Oxford for a minimum of 30 days each year, and you may incur additional travel and accommodation expenses for this. Also, depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur further additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, and field trips. You will need to meet these additional costs, although you may be able to apply for small grants from your department and/or college to help you cover some of these expenses.

Whilst many graduate students do undertake employment to support their studies, please remember that students on the full-time arrangement of the OII's DPhil course are subject to limits on the number of hours that may be worked each week. Part-time student are not subject to these limitations.

Within these limitations, many of the OII's existing full-time DPhil students have been employed on a short or long-term basis as Research Assistants on grant-funded projects gaining valuable research experience. The OII also offers Teaching Assistant positions on the MSc degree for DPhil students who can display the appropriate skills. In addition, there are employment opportunities within the University (such as teaching, translation, and research assistance) as well as within the OII.

For full information on employment whilst on course, please see the University's  paid work guidelines for Oxford graduate students .

Living costs

In addition to your course fees, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the range of likely living costs for full-time study is between c. £1,345 and £1,955 for each month spent in Oxford. Full information, including a breakdown of likely living costs in Oxford for items such as food, accommodation and study costs, is available on our living costs page. The current economic climate and high national rate of inflation make it very hard to estimate potential changes to the cost of living over the next few years. When planning your finances for any future years of study in Oxford beyond 2024-25, it is suggested that you allow for potential increases in living expenses of around 5% each year – although this rate may vary depending on the national economic situation. UK inflationary increases will be kept under review and this page updated.

If you are studying part-time your living costs may vary depending on your personal circumstances but you must still ensure that you will have sufficient funding to meet these costs for the duration of your course.

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. Please note that ‘college’ and ‘colleges’ refers to all 43 of the University’s colleges, including those designated as societies and permanent private halls (PPHs). 

If you apply for a place on this course you will have the option to express a preference for one of the colleges listed below, or you can ask us to find a college for you. Before deciding, we suggest that you read our brief  introduction to the college system at Oxford  and our  advice about expressing a college preference . For some courses, the department may have provided some additional advice below to help you decide.

The following colleges accept students for full-time study on this course:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Exeter College
• Green Templeton College
• Hertford College
• Keble College
• Kellogg College
• Linacre College
• Mansfield College
• Pembroke College
• Reuben College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• Trinity College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Wycliffe Hall

The following colleges accept students for part-time study on this course:

Before you apply

Our  guide to getting started  provides general advice on how to prepare for and start your application. You can use our interactive tool to help you  evaluate whether your application is likely to be competitive .

If it's important for you to have your application considered under a particular deadline – eg under a December or January deadline in order to be considered for Oxford scholarships – we recommend that you aim to complete and submit your application at least two weeks in advance . Check the deadlines on this page and the  information about deadlines and when to apply  in our Application Guide.

Application fee waivers

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application. Application fee waivers are available for the following applicants who meet the eligibility criteria:

• applicants from low-income countries;
• refugees and displaced persons; 
• UK applicants from low-income backgrounds; and 
• applicants who applied for our Graduate Access Programmes in the past two years and met the eligibility criteria.

You are encouraged to  check whether you're eligible for an application fee waiver  before you apply.

Readmission for current Oxford graduate taught students

If you're currently studying for an Oxford graduate taught course and apply to this course with no break in your studies, you may be eligible to apply to this course as a readmission applicant. The application fee will be waived for an eligible application of this type. Check whether you're eligible to apply for readmission .

Do I need to contact anyone before I apply?

You are recommended to contact a potential supervisor (or supervisors) in the first instance to get feedback on the fit of your proposed research with the expertise of the supervisor before you apply. The full list of faculty members eligible to supervise DPhil students for this course, including their research interests and contact details, can be found on the departmental website. Please note that the Oxford Internet Institute will only admit students where appropriate supervision is available.

Completing your application

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents .

For this course, the application form will include questions that collect information that would usually be included in a CV/résumé. You should not upload a separate document. If a separate CV/résumé is uploaded, it will be removed from your application .

If any document does not meet the specification, including the stipulated word count, your application may be considered incomplete and not assessed by the academic department. Expand each section to show further details.

Proposed field and title of research project

Under the 'Field and title of research project' please enter your proposed field or area of research if this is known. If the department has advertised a specific research project that you would like to be considered for, please enter the project title here instead.

You should not use this field to type out a full research proposal. You will be able to upload your research supporting materials separately if they are required (as described below).

Proposed supervisor

If known, under 'Proposed supervisor name' enter the name of the academic(s) who you would like to supervise your research. Otherwise, leave this field blank.

Referees: Three overall, academic and/or professional

Whilst you must register three referees, the department may start the assessment of your application if two of the three references are submitted by the course deadline and your application is otherwise complete. Please note that you may still be required to ensure your third referee supplies a reference for consideration.

Professional references are acceptable, particularly if you have been out of education for some time, though these should focus particularly on your intellectual abilities rather than more narrowly on job performance.

Your references will support intellectual ability, academic achievement, aptitude and potential for research investigation.

Official transcript(s)

Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

More information about the transcript requirement is available in the Application Guide.

Personal statement and research proposal: Statement of up to a maximum of 500 words and proposal of up to a maximum of 2,500 words

Your statement of purpose/personal statement and research proposal should be submitted as a single, combined document with clear subheadings. Please ensure that the word counts for each section are clearly visible in the document.

Personal statement

You should submit a convincing personal statement (statement of purpose) explaining your reasons for applying to the course and highlighting your relevant academic and professional experience. It should be written in English and should be a maximum of 500 words.

If possible, please ensure that the word count is clearly displayed on the document.

Research proposal 

You should also submit a research proposal that should focus on your proposed research topic, rather than your personal achievements, interests and aspirations. Your proposal should include:

• an indicative bibliography;
• an indicative title;
• a short introduction/synopsis;
• a discussion of the most relevant scholarly literature; and
• a research question or hypothesis.

The issue or question should emerge from your review of the literature. Please also provide a rationale for the importance of this research topic.

Your research proposal should also indicate your proposed methodological approach. This will depend on the kind of research you envisage. If empirical research is planned, then please discuss the likely data or evidence to be collected. At this stage these ideas are exploratory, and likely to develop and change once you are accepted.

Your research proposal should be written in English and should be a maximum of 2,500 words. You do not need to include the indicative bibliography in your word count. 

Your research proposal will be assessed for your potential to carry out doctoral research, the quality and coherence of the proposal and the originality of the project.

It will be normal for your ideas to subsequently change in some ways as you develop your project. You should nevertheless make the best effort you can to demonstrate the extent of your research question, sources and method at this moment.

Written work: One essay of a maximum of 2,000 words

An academic essay or other writing sample from your most recent qualification, written in English, is required. An extract of the requisite length from longer work is also permissible.

The word count does not need to include any bibliography or brief footnotes.

If you have not previously written on areas closely related to the proposed research topic, you may provide written work on any topic that best demonstrates your academic abilities.

This will be assessed for evidence that demonstrates your aptitude and potential for research investigation.

Start or continue your application

You can start or return to an application using the relevant link below. As you complete the form, please  refer to the requirements above  and  consult our Application Guide for advice . You'll find the answers to most common queries in our FAQs.

Application Guide   Apply - Full time Apply - Part time

ADMISSION STATUS

Closed to applications for entry in 2024-25

Register to be notified via email when the next application cycle opens (for entry in 2025-26)

12:00 midday UK time on:

Friday 5 January 2024 Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships Final application deadline for entry in 2024-25

*Three-year average (applications for entry in 2021-22 to 2023-24)

Further information and enquiries

This course is offered by the Oxford Internet Institute

• Course page on the institute's website
• Funding information from the institute
• Academic and research staff
• Research at the institute
• Department open days
• Social Sciences Division
• Residence requirements for full-time courses
• Postgraduate applicant privacy policy

Course-related enquiries

Advice about contacting the department can be found in the How to apply section of this page

✉ [email protected] ☎ +44 (0)1865 287210

Application-process enquiries

See the application guide

Visa eligibility for part-time study

We are unable to sponsor student visas for part-time study on this course. Part-time students may be able to attend on a visitor visa for short blocks of time only (and leave after each visit) and will need to remain based outside the UK.

PhD with Integrated Study in Management programme overview

Find out more about the learning outcomes for the PhD with Integrated Study in Management, and the training and development courses available to you as a student.

Learning outcomes

By successfully completing our PhD with Integrated Study in Management, you will be able to:

• Pursue original research, making a significant contribution to knowledge in, or understanding of, your field of study
• Relate particular research projects to the general body of knowledge within your field
• Present the results of your research in a critical and scholarly way
• Produce material worthy of publication

Training and development

Our PhD with Integrated Study in Management students work closely with their supervisory team, and are offered top-level training opportunities throughout their studies.

Research towards a doctorate is underpinned and supported by our doctoral training programme. A large number of seminars and workshops delivered by eminent experts from around the world will be available throughout the year, providing ample opportunity for advanced learning and networking.

During your first year, you will undertake 180 credits of taught courses designed to train you in the theory and methods necessary to conduct high-quality research.

You will be guided by your supervisors and the Research Support Office on which courses are most appropriate, and how to join.

Full programme details can be found on the University degree programme tables website.

PhD with Integrated Study in Management programme table

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Your Programmes

University of Oxford

DPhil (PhD) Management Studies

1 in 10 applicants to this programme received an offer.

Data shown above is for entry in academic year 2019/20 (sources) .

Previous Years

Why are there inexact numbers? For data protection reasons, when the number of applications, offers, or admissions is low for a given course (or in some cases, regardless of the numbers), some universities report only approximate numbers. Based on these, we have computed the range of possible values.

Data sources

• FOI Request by S.H Crozier. July 2016.
• FOI Request by Albert Warren. December 2019.

The acceptance rate , or offer rate, represents the fraction of applicants who received an offer. Note that this will be generally lower the acceptances rates (acceptances divided by applicants) published by many other sources. This article explains it in more detail. The acceptances generally indicate the number of offer holders who accepted the offer and fulfilled its conditions. For some universities, however, it denotes the number of applicants who accepted the offer, regardless of whether they subsequently met its conditions.

Data Reliability

Unless otherwise noted, the data presented comes from the universities and is generally reliable. However, some of the differences between years and/or courses may be due to different counting methodologies or data gathering errors. This may especially be the case if there is a sharp difference from year to year. If the data does not look right, click the "Report" button located near the top of the page.

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The 10 best schools for finance in the world.

Stanford Graduate School of Business is among the best schools for finance worldwide ©Stanford GSB / iStock

What are the best schools for finance across the globe? Find out the top destinations to study finance including the likes of Oxford Saïd and Harvard

By  Fay Nyberg

Fri May 10 2024

For those seeking the competitive advantage of attending a business school that’s highly-acclaimed for finance education, the annual QS MBA by Career Specialization Rankings places nine out of the top 10 best finance schools in the world in the US.

Read on to find out which business schools rank at the top of this year's list, and explore some of the unique characteristics that make the top business schools for finance stand out.

The 10  Best Schools For Finance

10. university of michigan ross school of business.

The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business is a top 10 ranking b-school when it comes to finance. With a fast-track finance MBA program, the accelerated course prepares ambitious students for summer internship positions at the end of the first year. 

The curriculum includes valuation, corporate financial policy, and financial modeling. There’s also a student-run MBA Investment Banking Club to support applications for internships and help Michigan Ross financiers’ careers progress. Ross MBA graduates are hired by the likes of Goldman Sachs, Barclays and BlackRock. 

9. Cornell University Johnson Graduate School of Management

The Johnson School is part of the University of Cornell, one of the largest universities in the US Ivy League. It ranks among the 10 best finance schools at number nine in this year's list. 

The two-year MBA course incorporates a summer internship and students can focus on finance by choosing a semester-long corporate finance immersion, which includes a mix of theory and practice.

Leading S&P 500 companies across a wide range of industries including finance hire Johnson’s MBA students for internships, including the likes of American Express and Bank of America.

Check out the  Cornell Johnson MBA Class Profile

8. Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management

The Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University offers a full-time MBA with a finance major. All MBA students begin their studies by looking at the basic tools and skills needed for a finance career. 

They can then hone their finance skills further by selecting electives such as value investing, or experiential learning courses with simulation elements such as impact investing and sustainable finance.

Faculty members here serve as editors of leading professional publications. Some like Professor Dean Karlan are founders of nonprofits dedicated to finding and promoting solutions to global poverty issues.

Check out the  Northwestern Kellogg MBA Class Profile

7. University of Oxford Saïd Business School

If you’re looking to study a top finance MBA outside of the US, the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School is a top 10 ranking school that's based in England. The MBA curriculum includes core courses examining the foundations of business, plus elective options like corporate valuation and financial management for banks and insurers. 

MBA students at Oxford Saïd can apply to the MBA Finance Lab for the opportunity to work through case studies. The school also offers a DPhil in Finance and MSc in Financial Economics, with an option to combine a master’s degree with a one-year MBA. 

Find out how to successfully  apply to the Oxford Saïd MBA

6. University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Just missing out on the top five in this ranking of the best finance schools, the University of Chicago Booth School of Business offers both an MBA in Analytic Finance and a  Master in Finance Program. Following up on the MBA with a concentration in finance means you select four finance-focused courses from options such as portfolio management and financial markets and institutions.

Esteemed faculty members here include Nobel Prize winners like Professor Eugene F. Fama , who is widely considered the ‘father of modern finance' and fellow Nobel Laureate,  Professor Lars Hansen . 

Find out how to successfully  apply to the Chicago Booth MBA

5. NYU Stern School of Business

The NYU Stern School of Business is number 5 in the QS MBA’s rankings of the best finance schools for 2023. The school takes a ‘flexible first’ approach to its MBA program, which is highly customizable. 

MBA students following the finance curriculum can select up to three specializations in related fields like financial systems and analytics, accounting, or supply chain management. There are also opportunities for real-world learning through participation in programs like the Michael Price Student Investment Fund, which offers hands-on asset management experience. 

Read the  NYU Stern MBA  Jobs & Salary Review

4. Columbia Business School

New York’s Columbia Business School has the lure of being located in the city that’s the center of global financial markets. Beyond the nearby bustle of Wall Street, this Ivy League school has more guest lectures and speaker visits to its campus than any other top business school. 

The MBA’s core finance elements focus on the foundational topics of value, financial accounting, and corporate finance. There are over 300 electives to choose from, with recommended courses to follow for a finance career path. The school also offers an MS in Financial Economics and a Finance PhD.  

Read the  Columbia MBA  Jobs & Salary Review

3. Stanford Graduate School of Business

Studying a finance MBA can give you a broad range of opportunities both within finance and beyond. For those who aspire to work with the biggest names in tech, Stanford's Graduate School of Business campus is located in the heart of Silicon Valley in California.

The first-year MBA curriculum includes the foundations of finance, financial accounting, and microeconomics. Those following a finance pathway can select year two electives including economics of the private equity industry, money and banking, and angel and venture capital financing for entrepreneurs and investors. 

Check out the  Stanford GSB MBA Class Profile

2. Harvard Business School 

Boston-based Harvard Business School has a dedicated finance MBA curriculum and boasts a busy calendar of seminars delivered by top global names in finance.

The MBA program’s core modules in finance develop student’s ability to make financial and managerial decisions. Year two electives include investment management and field courses such as value creation in small and medium firms.

Among the key factors that make this Ivy League school standout are its award-winning faculty members. For example, professor Lauren J.Cohen was invited to brief US congress on policy matters and delivered a keynote address at the launch of Nigeria’s Central Bank digital currency.

Dive into the  Harvard MBA Notable Alumni

1. The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania

Wharton is the leading school for an MBA for finance in the QS list, coming out on top against the other best finance schools in the US.

The b-school has been a leading name in finance education and research for over 120 years. Global names in finance hire Wharton MBA students as staff and interns, including the Bank of America, Barclays, and Goldman Sachs & Company.

The Wharton MBA curriculum includes core modules such as corporate finance and macroeconomics, and the global economic environment. 

The wide variety of electives means you can customize the program to support a financial career pathway. Examples of options include international financial markets and cryptocurrencies or data science for finance. 

Read the  Wharton  MBA  Jobs & Salary Review

• Best Business Schools

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• How To Apply

Course closed:

Management Studies is no longer accepting new applications.

Note: Applications directly to the PhD are only accepted from students who are completing (or have completed) a CJBS research MPhil, or from students completing the MPhil Economics Research at Cambridge  (please see departmental website for the specific MPhil needed for each PhD pathway).

The PhD Programme at Cambridge Judge Business School is designed to prepare students for an academic career in a business school. It develops PhD students who challenge conventional wisdom and advance knowledge through innovative theory and empirical research leading to publications in top-tier academic journals.

The educational aim is to teach students to undertake research and produce papers for publication in top-tier journals in one of the management disciplines:

• Operations & Technology Management
• Business Economics
• Organisational Behaviour
• Organisational Theory & Information Systems
• Strategic Management

The first year of the PhD course is probationary. Students are assessed on the basis of a first-year report or comprehensive examination, and a series of coursework modules.

Learning Outcomes

Publications or invitations to revise and resubmit research papers in leading academic management journals. One of the papers with the student as the lead author will serve as the student's "job market paper" to secure placement in a junior faculty position in a business school.

Students only continue to the PhD in Management Studies from the MRes at CJBS, from a research MPhil programme at CJBS or occasionally from the Cambridge MPhil Economics Research. For full details please see the departmental website .

For MRes students, continuation on to the PhD is immediate upon obtaining 70% or higher overall average and 70% or higher in the dissertation  (where the overall average includes the dissertation).

For CJBS MPhil students, following their application for PhD, applicants will be interviewed by a panel of faculty members. The PhD admissions committee will then make a decision on the basis of the interview report, the strength of the overall application (with particular weight on academic reference letters) and the performance in the Michaelmas term courses. Admissions offers are conditional on the overall performance on the MPhil. The minimum condition is 70% or higher overall mark and 70% or higher in any dissertation or project.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

Cambridge Judge Business School also hosts Experience Days throughout the year. Please see Cambridge Judge Business School wide-events page for further information.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, judge business school, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, michaelmas 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Funding Deadlines

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Management Studies PhD
• Strategy, Marketing and Operations MPhil
• MSt in Entrepreneurship MSt
• Master of Accounting MAcc
• Finance MFin

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Oxford Executive Diploma in Organisational Leadership

Start date:

• 12 February 2025

Time commitment:

About the programme

Are you ready to lead with certainty in the ‘Age of Uncertainty’?

It’s clear that the ‘Age of Uncertainty’ is upon us, bringing with it market turbulence, stunted growth and political change. In unprecedented times, leaders bear the burden of balancing the scales, from the needs of the employer versus those of employees, to prioritising agility and innovation along with structure and strategy. The best leaders are the ones who master this balance, calmly addressing complex challenges with confidence and clarity. 

The Oxford Executive Diploma in Organisational Leadership creates meaningful connections between experienced leaders, enabling them to share best practices, experiences and develop practical professional tools to effectively navigate change, lead with purpose, and strategically respond to future challenges.

Immersive, interactive and rigorous, this part-time, master’s-level programme consists of four modules taught in person in Oxford over one year:

• Leadership fundamentals
• The strategic mindset
• The strategic leader
• Building resilience as a leader

Upon successful completion, you will graduate from this diploma programme with a deeper understanding of your executive influence, the practical tools to develop as a senior leader and to respond effectively to unprecedented business scenarios, and the advanced capabilities required for the most challenging leadership roles.

This rigorous academic programme offers a unique focus on the twin topics of leadership and the organisational landscape in which leaders work. Sue Dopson Academic Director and Professor of Organisational Behaviour

You and your class

You and your peers will be experienced professionals, specialists and C-suite executives, who are looking to: 

• Learn from other seasoned leaders, developing the tools and personal leadership style needed to accelerate their careers 
• Broaden their perspective and advance their knowledge of effective leadership practices to lead effectively 
• Sharpen their strategic leadership approach to navigate unprecedented business challenges 
• Connect with other executives to expand their global network and formalise their leadership capabilities, ready to pivot into a new industry 
• Develop a strategic approach to successfully lead, develop and scale their ventures

Class profile (2022-2024)

Study alongside a diverse range of executive peers from around the world, sharing experiences and gaining fresh insights.

Average class size

Average age

Nationalities

Employment sectors

Female students

I truly believe that this has been the most transformative development experience that I have had as a leader so far. Speaking to like-minded peers helped me to open myself up and to connect with my sense of self and purpose on a deeper level. Jan Baan Chief Executive Officer, Omoda, Netherlands

• Accredited, master’s-level University of Oxford qualification  
• Meaningful connections with experienced global leaders 
• Sharpened approach through leader-to-leader learning 
• Study part-time and immediately apply your learnings 
• Learn from world-leading faculty 
• Expand your global professional network 
• Access latest research and insights
• Become a resilient leader 
• Enjoy exclusive Oxford benefits (see below) 

To your organisation

• Retain and nurture top talent to support organisational development and succession planning 
• Benefit from participant diversity that encourages thinking beyond the bounds of individual organisations, geographies and sectors 
• Gain practical solutions to address their greatest challenges through the findings from your Final Integrative Assignment (FIA) 

Oxford experience

You will benefit from a variety of unique Oxford experiences.

Including: 

• Dinners with your cohort at historic Oxford colleges 
• An Oxford Union-style debate 
• Executive insights sessions to enrich your learning
• Executive impact workshops to help you elevate your presence
• Social events such as punting, college visits and walking tours 
• Associate Oxford college membership 
• Membership of the prestigious University of Oxford alumni network and Oxford Business Alumni (OBA) Network, upon successful completion of the programme 
• Traditional Oxford end-of-course celebration event with family and friends 

Student stories

Discover what the Diploma in Organisational Leadership is really like in the words of our students.

Reflecting on my rewarding journey in Oxford

Describing the indescribable

Abigail Stockham

From a seat to a whole world!

Yara El Ali

More stories

Meet the faculty

Our outstanding teaching team brings access to cutting-edge research, a wealth of industry experience and the ability to present complex concepts and lead high-level executive debate.

Academic Director and Professor of Organisational Behaviour

Michael Smets

Associate Professor in Management and Organisation Studies

Richard Whittington

Professor of Strategic Management

Marc Ventresca

Associate Professor of Strategic Management

Professor in Organisations and Impact

Eleanor Murray

Associate Dean for Executive Education and Senior Fellow in Management

Lecturer in Organisation Studies

Sally Maitlis

Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Leadership

Jonathan Trevor

Professor of Management Practice

I feel incredibly optimistic about the future – not only because of what I have learned and gained from the course, but also because of the networks and opportunities it has given me. It is a real door opener. Katie Bradford Operations Consultant for media and non-profit organisations, UK

A pathway to Oxford's Executive MBA

A route towards the Oxford Executive MBA.

Whilst the Diploma in Organisational Leadership is a stand-alone postgraduate qualification, the programme also offers a route towards the Oxford Executive MBA. Should diploma participants choose to pursue the Executive MBA, and gain a place on the programme, they will receive exemptions from four module assessments, as well as a fee reduction. Attendance will be required at all modules, regardless of assessment exemption.

How to apply

This programme is designed for experienced professionals, with at least five or more years' work experience.

This accredited organisational leadership diploma is designed for experienced executives, typically with an upper-second class undergraduate degree or equivalent at a minimum, and at least five years’ relevant work experience.

There are 55 places available in our 2025 cohort. The programme received an average of 107 applications per year for entry in 2020-22.

Scholarships and funding

We are pleased to offer a variety of prestigious awards to recognise outstanding talent across our diploma community.

These include:

• Rewley Scholarships
• Scholarships for Women
• The Mark Le Page Africa Diploma Scholarship for Women
• Director’s Awards
• Oxford Community Scholarships

Total programme fee for both home and overseas participants is £33,900.

The fee covers tuition costs, course materials, essential reading texts, assessments and associate college membership. Lunch and refreshments are provided daily, and there is a special evening dinner with your cohort during each module.

Accommodation is not included in the fee. You should make arrangements to stay in Oxford during the modules.

• Hannah Gelder, Business Development Executive
• [email protected]
• +44 (0)7734 228302