PhD Cranfield School of Management’s

Cranfield School of Management’s PhD programme is internationally renowned, for its rigour, structure, faculty support and global perspective.

The programme is ideal for scholars wishing to build their careers in academia, excel academically, make significant strides on their career path and shape new realities for business, management and policy. The Research Excellence Framework 2014 (REF) assessed that in the Business and Management unit of assessment, 60% of Cranfield University’s research is world-leading or internationally excellent.

Researchers on the PhD programme are registered for 3 years full-time

The PhD programme begins with an induction week, immersing you in the essential research philosophy, methodologies and skills required to carry out doctoral level research and exposing you to the rigour required of research at this level. This will allow you to hit the ground running with your own research project. Your studies will be further supported through relevant research training over the course of the programme.

Throughout your PhD you will meet frequently with your supervisors, who will support and guide you through the research process,. In addition, your progress will be formally assessed through progress reviews, which enable us to ensure resources and support are in place so that all researchers get the most from their studies.

All PhD researchers are required to complete a thesis that demonstrates an original contribution to knowledge. Examination is based on the written work and its defence at a viva voce.

Doctoral Training

At Cranfield, we believe that all our doctoral researchers should receive world-class training in research methods, but that this training should be tailored to the individual researcher.

You will complete an annual Development Needs Analysis that will help us to identify the most appropriate training for you. This will include the core training undertaken during orientation week which is then extended through a series of masterclasses that you will attend over the course of the programme. Outside of this core requirement, your training will be tailored to the development needs of you and your specific research project. This may include attending the University Doctoral Core Research Methods Training (DCRMT) Programme courses, directed reading and individually identified external training provision.