PHD Sheffield Business School Management, Finance, Service Sector

The PhD Sheffield Business School (Management, Finance, Service Sector) at Sheffield Hallam University can be taken full-time for four years or part-time for seven years. It is taught at the City Campus and allows students to primarily conduct independent research while meeting regularly with their supervisory team for support. Students will learn research ethics, teaching skills, and data management, all of which are essential for their development as researchers.

In this programme, students join a community of doctoral researchers from various departments, including Management and Finance. They apply their research to solve real-world problems in areas like hospitality, tourism, and business operations. At the start of their studies, students will work with their supervisors to identify their specific learning needs, and these will be reviewed throughout the programme. They also have opportunities to attend writing retreats and research training events to further enhance their skills.

Sheffield Hallam University was established in 1843 and is structured into three main colleges: the College of Business, Technology and Engineering, the College of Social Sciences and Arts, and the College of Health, Wellbeing, and Life Sciences. The university is home to around 32,000 students, with about 18% of them being international students.

According to the Research Excellence Framework, 72% of the research submitted by the university has been evaluated as world-class or internationally excellent. In recognition of its commitment to academic quality, Sheffield Hallam University received a Gold rating in the 2023 Teaching Excellence Framework.

The university also holds a five-star rating in the QS Star system, excelling in various areas such as teaching quality, employability, facilities, and innovation.

• International students who need a student visa for studying in the UK are not eligible for this course.
• Applicants must submit a research proposal that is no longer than 1,500 words and provide details about two referees who can comment on the applicant's academic abilities and skills. 
• They also need to include a personal statement that addresses four specific questions and attend an interview, which can be conducted either online or in person.

Grade Requirements:

• Applicants should hold an undergraduate degree with at least a second-class upper (2.1) or possess a master's degree with merit in a relevant field.

English Proficiency:

• For applicants who do not speak English as their first language, it is necessary to have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0, with no skill section below 6.5. 
• Alternatively, applicants can demonstrate their English proficiency by having completed a UK Master's degree with a merit grade or higher.
• Both qualifications mentioned above need to be taken within a two-year period prior to the course start date.

The tuition fee for international students enrolling in the Sheffield Hallam University PhD Sheffield Business School (Management, Finance, Service Sector)  programme for the academic year 2025/26 is £17,725 per year.

Sheffield Hallam University has several scholarship opportunities available for international students. For those pursuing a BSc (Hons) Events and Leisure Management (top-up) course, the Events and Leisure Management Dean's Scholarship provides £6,000 to support their education. The GREAT Scholarships offer a reduction of £10,000 on tuition fees for postgraduate students from Ghana, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Pakistan who begin their studies in September 2025. 

Additionally, the Transform Together Scholarships offer a 50% discount on tuition fees for full-time students, while the Joyce Spurr Art Travel Fund grants between £50 and £250 to fine art students who wish to attend art events in the UK.

The following are potential careers for students who earn a PhD from Sheffield Business School (Management, Finance, Service Sector):

• Lecturer
• Research Fellow 
• Consultant 
• Financial Manager
• Business Development Manager
• Insurance Advisor

Candidates can apply for this course through the university's online application form. Those who have questions or need support can get in touch with one of our trained counsellors.