PhD Business
Course overview
The PhD in Business at Kingston University is a programme where you focus on research. It's designed for people who want to investigate and add new understanding to subjects like management, marketing, finance, or starting their own business. This qualification prepares students for jobs in universities, as consultants, or in senior positions in various industries.
Students will be guided by experienced supervisors, work in a supportive research community, and benefit from good connections with businesses through the university’s recognised Business School. The research you do is often related to actual challenges faced by businesses, which means it's useful and has a real impact.
Learning on this programme is mostly about you directing your study, with support provided through seminars and workshops. Your work will be assessed based on a final, long piece of writing called a thesis, and an oral examination (viva voce) where you'll discuss your research. This is to see how original your work is and what new insights it offers.
Entry requirements
Candidates need two letters of recommendation from academic referees. These letters should confirm that the referees believe they are suitable for the programme. A short research proposal of approximately 2,000 words will also be evaluated.
Grade Requirements
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Candidates should hold a first or second-class honours undergraduate degree and a master's degree in general management or a business-related subject.
English Proficiency
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Applicants whose first language isn’t English need to demonstrate proficiency. An IELTS overall score of 7.0, with no lower than 6.5 in each component, is also considered.
Scholarships
Alumni Discount
Award: 10% discount on tuition fees.
Up to 10% of feesChelsea Arts Club Trust MA Award
The Chelsea Arts Club Trust MA Materials and Research Award is a £2,500 bursary, awarded each year to an MA Fashion or MA Sustainable Fashion student.
Up to £2,500Chevening Scholarships
Award: Tuition fees, travel costs and living allowance subsidised.
Family Bursary
The family bursary is a 10% tuition fee discount for international students with a direct family connection.
Up to 10% of feesInternational Merit-Based scholarships
The scholarships are worth £5,000 towards your first year tuition fees.
Up to £5,000International Success Support Scholarship
The International Success Support Scholarship provides £2,500 towards tuition fees.
Up to £2,500Niloufar Ebrahim Scholarship
The scholarship will cover a portion of tuition fees for the applicant, up to the value of £1,000.
Postgraduate Progression Scholarship
The Kingston University Postgraduate Progressions Scholarship offers a 15% reduction in postgraduate tuition fees.
Sanctuary Scholarships
The Kingston Impact Scholarship
£5,000 tuition fee contribution to two MBA students.
Up to £5,000The Kingston MBA Scholarship
Kingston University Business School is proud to offer a tuition fee scholarship of £5,000 to self-funded candidates.
Up to £5,000
Career opportunities
Graduates of the PhD in Business from Kingston University are prepared to perform effectively in business-related roles. Some of the promising job roles they can work in include:
- University Lecturer or Professor
- Business Consultant
- Research Analyst
- Corporate Strategist
- Policy Advisor
- Entrepreneur or Start-up Founder
Cost of study
International students interested in the PhD Business at Kingston University should expect to pay £17,300 for full-time, and £8,650 for part-time study in the 2025/26 academic session.
Admission
If you're thinking of applying for the PhD Business course, it's a good idea to get in touch with one of AHZ’s advisors for one-on-one guidance on your application.
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