The Durham PhD

PhD

THE DURHAM PhD

03

DURHAM UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL

BETTER BUSINESS THINKING

CONTENTS 1.

Introducing Research at Durham PAGE 05 – Welcome

2.

Why Durham?

PAGE 06

3.

Why Study for a PhD? PAGE 07 – Class Profile

4.

The Durham PhD PAGE 08 – Programme Structure and Timeline – Researcher Training Programme – Congregation

5.

Our Research Departments PAGE 12 – Economics, Accounting and Finance – Business and Management (including Marketing)

6.

Research Clusters PAGE 13

7.

A World-Class Learning Environment PAGE 16 – Alumni Network

8.

Entry Requirements PAGE 18

9.

How to Apply PAGE 19 – Fees and Finance For further information PAGE 20

05

1.

INTRODUCING RESEARCH AT DURHAM Research is the lifeblood of Durham University Business School. It is internationally renowned for its academic rigour and the benefits it brings to society as a whole. We work with partners around the world to push boundaries, not just keeping up with the latest developments, but setting the agenda and leading the way to better business thinking.

WELCOME Durham University Business School has an international reputation for research excellence and a proud heritage of developing doctoral graduates of the highest calibre.

Across four academic departments and thirteen research clusters, the School has over 260 full-time staff, including around 150 academic and professional staff, and more than 40 visiting professors and fellows.

The School is one of an elite group worldwide to carry three internationally-recognized accreditations

by EQUIS, AACSB and AMBA for the quality of its research, teaching and environment. We are a proud member of the European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration (EDAMBA). Our research reputation attracts senior figures from both academia and industry, and we have an active seminar programme involving distinguished national and international speakers representing a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. As a member of our research community, you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge and skills through these avenues and more.

Studying at PhD level is a challenging and stimulating experience. As a School we pride ourselves on a supportive community of faculty, staff and students, so you can be sure we are committed to helping you achieve your personal and career goals. The School is a vibrant, stimulating and positive environment and our dedicated IT service, library and administrative department are available to anticipate and meet your needs. Durham represents an exciting and unique opportunity to study for a PhD and I look forward to sharing the experience with you!

Dr Mathew Hughes Director of the PhD Programme

DURHAM UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL

2.

WHY DURHAM? Join our world-renowned research community and take your place at the forefront of business thinking.

Durham University Business School is the ideal place for you to gain your research qualification.

• Located at a World Heritage Site, Durham University is one of the oldest and most prestigious academic institutions in the UK. • Our research spans the major disciplines of business studies, marketing, Islamic finance, accounting, finance and economics – 95% of outputs are judged to be of international standard (most recent Research Assessment Exercise, 2008).

• Studying at Durham will give you the opportunity to connect with an international community - our students and staff come from over 100 countries; around 60% of our faculty are from outside the UK. • We work with some of the world’s most admired scholars to solve the business challenges of today and the future. These partnerships enable you to network with those most respected in their field and be recognised for your contribution to business.

• We are a member of the European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management and Business Administration (EDAMBA). EDAMBA promotes and facilitates cooperation by providing and managing a network to exchange information and PhD candidates.

Durham University is ranked a top-five UK University The Complete University Guide 2015

Durham is one of an elite group of 60 business schools worldwide to have triple accreditation.

07

3.

WHY STUDY FOR A PhD?

CLASS PROFILE (CURRENT COHORT) NATIONALITY

• Intellectual freedom • Natural curiosity • Critical thinking to the highest level • A unique contribution to your field • Self development The term PhD is short for Doctor of Philosophy. It is the highest academic degree and as such Durham graduates are in demand for academic posts in leading universities and top business schools; for business and management consultancy in commerce and industry; and for senior management roles in private sector organisations and government institutions.

Whatever your goals, the Durham PhD gives you the opportunity to combine rigorous academic theory with research to influence the world of business and make a unique contribution to your field of study. It attracts exceptional students of the highest calibre, and in conjunction with scholars internationally-renowned for their research and thought leadership, the PhD programme at Durham University Business School is both challenging and stimulating.

As part of our vibrant and welcoming research-led community, you will work alongside a diverse faculty of research students and international academics to develop a critical command of your subject. You will cultivate highlevel skills of analysis and appraisal, be able to use a range of research methodologies, and will work independently.

NORTH AMERICA 1%

EUROPE 14%

OTHER ASIA 33%

SOUTH AMERICA 1%

INDIA 5%

RUSSIA 2%

CHINA 29%

AFRICA 4%

UK 11%

GENDER PROFILE

MALE 58%

FEMALE 42%

We take a proactive approach to all aspects of diversity, including gender ratio, and welcome PhD applications from female students.

AGE RANGE 20-29 YEARS 43%

30-39 YEARS 42%

40-49 YEARS 11%

50-59 YEARS 2%

60-69 YEARS 1%

70-79 YEARS 1%

4.

THE DURHAM PhD You can study the Durham PhD via the following routes: If you have a UK Masters qualification or international equivalent • Three years full-time • Six years part-time If you do not have a UK Masters qualification or international equivalent • Four years full-time (PhD with Integrated Studies route)

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND TIMELINE Each student will experience a period of study that in many ways will be unique to them. But there are similarities in terms of key milestones throughout the PhD programme structure and timeframe.

Our research students say….

‘You need a strong support network to encourage, challenge and inspire you to achieve. Durham has that.’

Emma Black, PhD Graduate

09

1.

Year One Setting the foundations of your research

OCT - DEC

JAN - MAR

Induction

MAR - MAY

JUN - AUG

Preparation for formal review

Formal review and mini-viva

Supervised research (literature review, initial conceptual development, research design, pilot or scoping project) Research Seminar Series by departments Research training Doctoral Seminar Series

2.

Year Two Carrying out your research

OCT - DEC

JAN - MAR

Induction

MAR - MAY

JUN - AUG

Preparation for confirmation review

Confirmation review presentation and mini-conference

Supervised research (formal conceptual development, data collection and fieldwork, preliminary data analysis) Ongoing research training based on training needs analysis Doctoral Seminar Series Research Seminar Series by departments Opportunities to attend scholarly conferences

3.

Year Three Completing your research and writing your thesis

OCT - DEC

JAN - MAR

Induction

MAR - MAY

JUN - AUG

Preparation for confirmation review

Confirmation review presentation and mini-conference

Supervised research (completion of data analysis, discussion of findings and contributions, and writing your thesis) Ongoing research training based on training needs analysis Doctoral Seminar Series Research Seminar Series by departments Opportunities to attend scholarly conferences

DURHAM UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL During your studies you will have two supervisors who are experts in your area of study.

By the end of your research period you will complete a thesis of up to 100,000 words, the aim of which is to demonstrate your capacity to pursue scholarly research independently. It must make an original contribution to knowledge and be of a standard appropriate for publication in high quality, peer-reviewed academic journals of international standing. It is usual for a PhD thesis to contain the equivalent of at least three articles which are eligible for publication in such journals.

Once you’ve submitted your thesis and it has been read by two examiners, you’ll take an oral examination or ‘viva’ during which you’ll be expected to show mastery of your topic.

• • • •

Personal effectiveness Communication skills Networking and teamworking Career management

As a member of the School’s research community, you will also have the opportunity to attend our regular Doctoral Seminar Series and the Research Seminar Series held by each department. The Doctoral Seminar Series provides you with unique opportunities to develop your knowledge, research and writing skills, and is specifically designed to up-skill your soft skills in this respect. Each academic department in the Business School also offers its own Research Seminar Series where guest speakers from around the world come to present their work, giving you a valuable opportunity to view the latest research and network with renowned scholars.

RESEARCHER TRAINING PROGRAMME Our staff are highly qualified researchers and teachers, passionate about their subjects and committed to ensuring you achieve your full potential in a supportive learning environment and research community. They are also widely-published researchers who are making an impact in their own disciplines in the international arena.

Doctoral study is demanding. To succeed, you need a clear understanding of your discipline and how you would like to contribute to it. Whatever your chosen field, you’ll require research skills, particularly research method skills, and a wider range of personal transferable skills. The University offers a Researcher Development Programme designed to get you off to a good start.

It will continue to support you throughout your studies and complements the discipline-specific training provided by the School.

Students following the standard 3-year PhD route can also attend the research training modules provided by the School and relevant Masters modules, subject to agreement with the supervisors.

Meet our academic faculty at: www.durham.ac.uk/business/about/our-people

The School also supports students to attend special training events and national and international research conferences.

The programme is open to all students registered for higher degrees by thesis. The skills you acquire will not only help you research at Durham, but also enhance your employability.

The programme is made up of a series of courses, online study and developmental opportunities throughout the year covering:

CONGREGATION The finale to the programme is congregation, a gathering of successful students, their families and friends, and members of the Business School to witness and celebrate the conferring of degrees in the magnificent setting of Durham Cathedral.

• Research skills and techniques • The research environment • Research management

DURHAM GRADUATE RECOGNISED FOR EUROPEAN AWARD Durham PhD graduate, Dr Silvia Galli, was awarded the UniCredit & Universities Foundation Best PhD Thesis Award 2014.

Dr Silvia Galli Durham PhD graduate

Dr Galli, who received her PhD in Economics at Durham, is a Research Associate in the School of Economics and Politics at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland.

The title of Silvia’s thesis Innovation-Specific Patent Protection and Growth, covered the fields of research economic growth, innovation policy, intellectual property rights and macroeconomics, with a special interest in R&D-driven economic growth.

Commenting on her achievement, Dr Galli said, ‘I am extremely proud and honoured. It is also deserved recognition for the PhD programme in Economics at Durham University Business School. Thanks to my PhD I have been able to progress my career as I desired.’

11

THE DURHAM PhD WITH INTEGRATED STUDIES YEAR 1 Should you study for the PhD through the Integrated Studies route, the timeframe is extended by an initial first year of advanced research training, followed by the three-year scheme forming Years 2 to 4 (as shown on page 09).

The Durham PhD with Integrated Studies is available in routes: Management, Marketing, Accounting, Economics, Finance and Islamic Finance.

Year 1: Management and Marketing Routes OCT - DEC Module: Research Design, Process and Philosophy Module: Logic and Argumentation Module: Advanced Seminars in Business and Management

JAN - MAR

MAR - MAY

JUN - AUG

Module: Advanced Qualitative Research Methods Module: Advanced Quantitative

Research Methods

Module: Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (continued) Module: Advanced Quantitative Research Methods (continued)

Module: Supervised Dissertation

Two relevant Masters level subject-specific modules

Two relevant Masters level subject-specific modules (continued)

Assessments

Assessments

Doctoral Seminar Series Research Seminar Series by departments

Year 1: All Other Routes (Accounting, Economics, Finance and Islamic Finance) OCT - DEC Module: Research Design, Process and Philosophy Module: Advanced Research Methods Part 1 Masters level subject-specific modules

JAN - MAR

MAR - MAY

JUN - AUG

Module: Advanced Research Methods Part 2

Module: Advanced Research Methods Part 2 (continued)

Module: Supervised Dissertation

Masters level subject-specific modules Assessments

Assessments

Doctoral Seminar Series Research Seminar Series by departments (Please note modules may be subject to change)

DURHAM UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL

5.

OUR RESEARCH DEPARTMENTS Our Research Departments work with partners in all sectors to inform policy and develop innovative approaches to thinking and problem-solving.

During your studies at Durham you will be affiliated to a Research Department, and as an alumnus of the University, you will continue to be a member.

Research Departments sit within: • Economics, Accounting and Finance • Business and Management (including Marketing)

‘Research shapes and inspires everything we do. It informs our teaching and impacts on the wider world.’

Mark Learmonth Deputy Dean (Research)

Professor of Organisation Studies

Our research students say…

‘Durham has an outstanding world ranking. The academic staff are known for their quality research and I believed that having Durham on my resume would certainly make it a first-class one. Thanks to my PhD degree I made a huge jump in my academic career.

I got exposed to many opportunities, for example networking with known researchers in the field; participation at scientific conferences and deploying my teaching experience to undergraduate and postgraduate classes. On completion of my doctorate I joined the German Jordanian University. Without the personality-shaping through the academic as well as the social experiences in Durham, such achievements would have been impossible.’

Malek Alsharairi

PhD Accounting and Finance Head of International Accounting Department German Jordanian University

13

6.

RESEARCH CLUSTERS Within our Research Departments sit Research Clusters which provide a framework for research at the doctoral level. Each cluster is a broadbased thematic area of research and is steered by members of Durham faculty who have a national or international reputation in their field.

ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING This area sets out to improve accounting and related practices through research-led programmes. Areas of particular interest include enhancing the completeness and credibility of financial and non-financial information and exploring the socio-economic impact of different types of information.

DURHAM CENTRE FOR ISLAMIC ECONOMICS AND FINANCE At Durham we have been pioneers in research and education in Islamic finance, economics and management for over 25 years.

With Islamic financial institutions now operating in more than 75 countries worldwide, and working with brands with assets approaching US$2 trillion, Islamic finance has become an important influence on the world’s financial stage.

At the heart of this dynamic area of study is the Durham Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance. Building on the international success of the Durham Islamic Finance Summer School, the new Centre offers exclusive facilities for students choosing to specialise in Islamic finance.

ECONOMIC GROWTH AND POLICY CHINA DEVELOPMENT China’s economy is rapidly growing and becoming increasingly influential. In the last few years it overtook Japan to become the world’s second largest economy. Group members of China Development, including faculty and PhD students, conduct research into a broad range of issues in this important area and have subscribed to a variety of databases on Chinese firms. The group pools resources, and shares knowledge and specialist skills to produce high quality research papers.

CRITICAL STUDIES Traditional approaches to business often play down key issues such as power, control, cultural representations of business, environmentalism, identity, gender, agency and voice. This group challenges conventional thinking, tackling management issues by applying a range of critical theories. Work encompasses all management disciplines including HRM, finance, accounting and marketing, across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

This group focuses on economic growth and ways to explain and understand it more clearly. Researchers, led by Professor Parantap Basu, investigate the broad determinants of economic growth, and the possible impact of this on individuals and wider society.

Ongoing projects cover a range of economic issues that affect economic growth such as inequality, finance, education, monetary and fiscal policy, and – in international terms – malnutrition, extreme poverty and low aspiration.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP Researchers of entrepreneurship, led by Professor Paul Westhead, have an outstanding record for delivering high quality academic research. The Centre for Entrepreneurship collaborates with the School’s Policy Research Group, under the leadership of Professor Ian Stone, which plays a major role in applied policy research for government and other agencies. The doctoral programme, led by Dr Mat Hughes, offers a range of research study opportunities integrated with staff interests.

DURHAM UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL

INSTITUTE OF LOCAL GOVERNANCE

OPERATIONS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

This is a pioneering research and knowledge exchange venture designed to maximise the benefits of collaboration between universities in North East England and the wider public realm.

It is hosted by Durham University in the Business School. It is an innovative and unique partnership between the North East’s local authorities, universities, police forces and fire and rescue services whose purpose is to source university research and expertise for its public sector partners. Wherever possible the work is delivered via a process of collaboration between academics and practitioners.

This dynamic, multidisciplinary team is committed to seeking out, creating and conveying knowledge about business and service operations and the management of complex supply chains.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

ORGANISATIONAL DYNAMICS AND ECOLOGICAL STUDIES

This multidisciplinary group provides unique insights by combining disciplinary lenses to perform research in the area of international business, marketing and strategy. While the common denominator of the research is the international dimension, the ultimate objective is to understand the challenges that confront individuals and firms in an increasingly globalised world. Members of faculty are widely published in journals such as: Journal of Management, Journal of International Marketing, Journal of Product Innovation Management, and European Journal of Business Research.

This group carries out and coordinates studies in the area of economic sociology, focusing on how environmental selection processes shape organisational populations and industries. In particular, the research looks closely at institutional processes and the effects of institutionalisation. A key area of study relates to the emergence of organisational codes applied by the audience members of the focal population and explaining the impact of (partial) compliance/non-compliance with these codes.

Other research topics include internal organisational dynamics and cultural and structural changes.

LEADERSHIP AND FOLLOWERSHIP

QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH IN FINANCIAL ECONOMICS

What makes a leader? And how is a leader defined by their followers and other external influences? This group aims to build knowledge in the area of leadership and followership, and promote this to practitioners. It supervises PhD students in this field, including research around traditional approaches, implicit leadership theories and followership.

Our group focuses on all aspects of quantitative and empirical financial modeling and draws expertise from areas as diverse as applied stochastic modeling, financial econometrics, banking, microstructure and asset pricing. The work of the group is underpinned by state-of-the-art data facilities that drive the financial risk measures contained in The Durham Finance Laboratory.

MARKETING Our main aim is to advance and share knowledge in the field of marketing, the management and practice of marketing and consumer culture. We do this by helping academic staff, students and practitioners to research ideas, produce high quality publications and discuss how to put theories into the real marketing world.

We are a diverse team where different members bring their own perspectives. Mainstream managerial views sit alongside a critical take on marketing, including more sociological perspectives.

With excellent connections to global businesses, governments and think tanks, it focuses on operations and processes in areas that really matter to business managers. At the same time, developing links between research, skills and employability by offering interactive group courses that respond to the real world of business.

15

OUR RESEARCH STUDENTS SAY...

‘My years at Durham University were some of the best and the Business School equipped me with the skills to improve the quality of life of so many in the UK and around the globe. The two wonderful things about Durham and its people were their ability and willingness to provide access to research experts, networks and resources, and to afford a very high degree of academic freedom.

Whilst performing research at Durham I was able to pursue what most intrigued and motivated me.’

Peter Wallace PhD Graduate

We are successful in attracting research funding from a range of sources including research councils, agencies, trusts and private enterprise. We have received recent grants from bodies including: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Association of Chartered Certified Accountants British Academy College of Policing Economic and Social Research Council Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology European Commission European Research Council Leverhulme Trust Northern Advanced Research Training Initiative Procter & Gamble PSP Society for the Advancement of Management Studies Technology Strategy Board The Research Council of Norway

DURHAM UNIVERSITY BUSINESS SCHOOL

7.

A WORLD-CLASS LEARNING ENVIRONMENT One of the School’s campuses is in the city of Durham with a UNESCO World Heritage Site at its heart. Most of our PhD students are based here, whilst Islamic Finance students study at the Durham Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance. Our other campus is the forward-looking Queen’s Campus at Stockton-on-Tees where Accounting PhD research students study.

At both locations you can immerse yourself in the culture, heritage and vibrant energy that the North East of England has to offer.

In Durham, you’ll benefit from all the resources you’d expect at a leading business school at our newly-extended world-class facility at Mill Hill Lane. From the latest IT and library services to a virtual learning environment and a dedicated postgraduate research suite, you’ll have everything to hand to make the most of your research and learning.

• Inspiring, contemporary facilities to promote excellence in education and research • Student-facing services at its heart to afford you easy access • Superior business facilities to enhance working with some of the world’s most admired organisations • Enhanced interdisciplinary research through welcoming and accessible third space.

Queen’s Campus is purpose-built to deliver worldclass programmes at the striking waterfront location of Stockton-on-Tees. You will find it combines a vibrant and close-knit research community with excellent research facilities and a wealth of sport, cultural and leisure activities. For example, our new high specification lab for research students includes the latest equipment for eye tracking and other biometric analysis; and high-tech fixed and mobile observation.

We also have Bloomberg terminals for accessing economic and financial data.

Both campuses are well-connected with Newcastle Airport and Durham Tees Valley Airport within easy reach, and railway stations within walking distance.

A free bus service regularly runs between Durham City and Queen’s Campus too.

17

Mill Hill Lane Campus, Durham Durham Centre for Islamic Economics and Finance

OUR RESEARCH STUDENTS SAY...

Queen’s Campus, Stockton-on-Tees

‘I chose Durham because of its world-class research, support for students and fantastic facilities. Very knowledgeable academic staff achieve a high quality research output and are always approachable and open for any kind of discussion.

ALUMNI NETWORK When you enrol, you become a member of our alumni association. The network serves around 13,000 Durham graduates and reaches over 100 countries worldwide. It facilitates friendship and business connections, and sits at the heart of the ‘Durham Experience’.

All our graduates and students are invited to join the alumni online community and enjoy a range of benefits: • Continually sharpen your skills through our webinar series and careers workshops.

• Access our online career resources, video library and eBooks – at any time to suit you!

• Build your social and professional network through our global events programme. Events include continuous professional development, social events and networking opportunities through the Durham Speaker Series and Corporate Forum • Enhance your knowledge by accessing our business journals and databases.

My supervisors are incredible in guiding my research. They are available for discussions and knowledgeable about my PhD topic in Marketing. To support this, I attend diverse research seminars, which inspire me and broaden my perspectives. The social life is great too; the college system at Durham definitely gives you the advantage to engage and socialize. I have made amazing friends at Ustinov College where I have been staying. The PhD programme also organises regular social outings for research students to meet each other.

During my PhD studies I get the chance to teach in-class and on distance learning courses, to both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, which is essential for pursuing an academic career, which is what I intend to do. The programme encourages and supports students for academic activities such as conferences and statistical training. I also get to collaborate with other lecturers and professors on potential papers.’

Tao Xue

PhD in Marketing

Contact our dedicated alumni team for more information, email business.alumni@durham.ac.uk or visit www.durham.ac.uk/business/alumni

Andrew Smith, SG Photography Ltd.

8.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS To apply for a place on the Durham PhD you will need to be focused and ambitious, aspire to a career in management research and be able to analyse complex scenarios.

Specifically, you will need: • Typically a relevant undergraduate degree of an upper second class (2:1) classification.

• A Masters degree, normally with a mark of at least 65% in your Masters dissertation (or an equivalent) and at least 60% in your taught modules.

• All applications must be accompanied by the submission of a research proposal, the strength and fit of which will serve as a further mechanism to determine eligibility.

NON UK STUDENTS • Typically a relevant undergraduate degree equivalent to an upper second class (2:1).

•

A degree that is equivalent to a UK Masters. You also need to have completed and passed (at a level equivalent to at least 65%) a dissertation module or an equivalent.

Check the full list of equivalent qualifications at www.durham.ac.uk/international/countryinfo

•

If English is not your first language you will need IELTS 7.0 (no element below 6.5) or Pearson Test of English Overall Score 70+ (no element below 62). Please note that these can be no more than 2 years old at the month the programme starts, eg. for a programme commencing in October 2015 the IELTS or PTE test must have been taken in or after October 2013. TOEFL IBT is no longer accepted as an English qualification for visa purposes.

• All applications must be accompanied by the submission of a research proposal, the strength and fit of which will serve as a further mechanism to determine eligibility.

DURHAM PHD – INTEGRATED ROUTE The typical admissions requirements for this programme are as follows: •

An undergraduate Bachelors degree in a discipline relevant or related to the subject applied for, from a recognised university or other institution of higher education, and normally with an overall mark of at least 60, including a mark of 65 or more for a dissertation where one is present. Where a dissertation is not present, an overall of mark of at least 65 will be expected.

• Where a candidate possesses a postgraduate Masters degree in a discipline relevant or related to the subject applied for, from a recognised university or other institution of higher education, an overall mark of at least 60 across taught modules and a mark of 65 or more for a dissertation where one is present, is required. Where a formal dissertation is not present but is instead substituted by a business project (or equivalent), an overall of mark of at least 65 will be expected.

• Equivalent grades to those stated above will be required where the typical UK grade scale and system are not used (e.g., a mark of 65 outside of the UK grading system is not directly equivalent to a UK score of 65 and does not always indicate an Upper Second Class Honours or Merit in some systems).

• Applicants with a sufficiently strong research methods background, as evidenced normally by their Masters degree and their performance on taught research methods and dissertation therein, would normally be recommended for direct admission to the standard 3-year PhD programme.

• Applicants who have graduated some time ago would normally be expected to be considered for admission to the PhD with Integrated Studies Programme and not the standard 3-year PhD Programme. The undergraduate (and postgraduate if applicable) performance of the applicant will still be assessed (in line with the above) but particular consideration will also be given to the relevance, appropriateness and value of any employment and industry experience to the proposed programme of study and research proposal. It is anticipated that any such candidate would benefit from updating areas of specialist knowledge and research skills and so would not be envisaged for direct entry onto the standard 3-year PhD Programme.

• For applicants whose first language is not English, evidence of competence in written and spoken English by achieving an IELTS score of 7.0 or above (with no element below 6.5), or 102 or above in TOEFL IBT (with no element below 25), or equivalent, is necessary.

All applications must be accompanied by the submission of an initial research proposal, the strength and fit of which will serve as a further mechanism to determine eligibility.

It is important that your general research interests match those of at least one member of our academic staff. For detailed information on the range of expertise and experience of our academic faculty and details of their research interests, please visit www.durham.ac.uk/business/about/our-people

19

9.

HOW TO APPLY Successful application is based on your ability to meet the entry requirements, your research proposal and the School’s capacity to provide relevant supervision for your research.

We have two intakes each year, in October and January. Deadlines for applications are: • October intake: end of July of the same year • January intake: end of October of the previous year Please check www.durham.ac.uk/business/programmes/phd/applying

Our admissions process follows three stages:

You should also submit the following documents online, as part of your application. Without these documents your application cannot be processed: • Copies of certificates of degrees awarded (up to three may be uploaded) • Copies of transcripts of modules studied (up to three may be uploaded) • Evidence of proficiency in English (where this is not your first language) • Two references, one of which must be academic (reference letters should be emailed directly to us by your referees using the downloadable reference form)

STAGE ONE

• Your Curriculum Vitae.

Please ensure that:

If you experience any difficulty in attaching your supporting documents to your online application, you may email them to us at research.admissions@durham.ac.uk.

• You meet our entry requirements (above) • You can meet the financial requirements of the programme • You have your research proposal ready.

STAGE THREE STAGE TWO You will be asked for the following information: • Academic qualifications and career to date •

An outline of your research interests of about 2,000 words.

Please submit your proposal within the section of the online application entitled Other Relevant Experience. However, if your research proposal contains tables or graphics, please upload your document via the section Supporting Documents under Scholarships/Other

• A 300-500 word abstract giving a summary of the Research Proposal

We will process your application on the basis of all the information provided and will normally let you know our decision within four to six weeks. In certain circumstances we may need to request further information.

A successful application will be sent to Durham University’s Student Recruitment and Admissions Office (SRAO) with a recommendation for approval. (We will contact you direct if we are unable to recommend your application for approval.)

SRAO is responsible for approving all postgraduate applications.

You should be aware that approval by SRAO is not a formality and that in some cases where we recommended approval, SRAO will be unable to support this. Until you receive an offer from SRAO, you have not received a formal offer of a place.

• The names and addresses of two academic referees • Details of any support needs you may have • Your chosen College (joining a college is optional for part time students). Find out more about the College system and the Durham colleges at www.durham.ac.uk/colleges

FEES AND FINANCE For the latest information on fees and funding your PhD, visit www.durham.ac.uk/business/programmes/phd/finance

Doctoral Admissions Office Durham University Business School Mill Hill Lane, Durham DH1 3LB, UK T +44 (0) 191 334 5404 E research.admissions@durham.ac.uk

Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in this publication is correct as of December 2014. The University will use reasonable endeavours to deliver programmes in accordance with the descriptions provided.

Copyright Š Durham University 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the permission of the University.

@DUBusSchool Find us on Facebook