PhD Business

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.

Kingston University is a well-respected university with over 20,000 students who come from more than 140 different countries. The university’s Business School has a very important recognition called AACSB accreditation. Only about 6% of business schools around the world have achieved this. This accreditation shows that the Business School is dedicated to providing excellent business education.

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

• 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

• 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.

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.

For international students who are signing up for the PhD in Business at Kingston University, there are many ways to get financial support. These opportunities can help with the cost of your tuition fees and any other extra expenses you might have. The PhD Studentships for 2025 offer 20 new PhD studentships for enrolment in late September 2025; the International Scholarship, which provides up to £5,000 towards tuition. Other funding opportunities include the KU Alumni Studentships, Race Equality Studentships, and Alumni Discount.

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

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.