research degrees

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research, that makes a difference

This is the place to make an impact. Enrol on one of our research degrees, and you'll be working on ideas that will help make businesses smarter, more innovative, and better places to work.

You'll be part of a diverse, supportive community, alongside researchers and lecturers with extensive industry experience. You'll benefit from the latest facilities, but your work won't just stay within these walls. It'll help companies in Leeds and beyond to learn, change, and grow.

Be part of a great research community

  1. Be supported by a dedicated, friendly and experienced teaching team
  2. Join a school with a strong track record of producing rigorous, innovative and globally relevant research
  3. Access on-site and off-site resources including the university’s library services, to support your studies
  4. Collaborate in a supportive research environment, that encourages self-development 
  5. Benefit from the school’s connections with business and industry leaders

Our research programmes

Leeds Business School is open to applications for two research student awards, the DBA (Doctorate in Business Administration and the PhD.

Applications are encouraged across all six of our subject areas. We are particularly interested to receive applications that directly link to the Sustainable Business Research Institute (SuBRI) and address one or more of the school's research themes:

  • Enterprise Innovation Management and Competitiveness
  • Management Education, Employment and Skills
  • Retail, Innovation and Consumer Studies
  • Leadership, Governance and Responsibility
  • Strategic Communication
  • Economics, International Business and Finance

We work closely with our sister school, the Law School, as well as with other areas of the university, to ensure that we can supervise research topics that cross disciplinary boundaries or draw upon new and exciting combinations of techniques.

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Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

With a focus on the development of knowledge with practical application, our DBA is designed to support leaders, managers and professionals in industry to address real business issues in a contextual setting.

Delivered part-time, the programme allows you to combine the managerial demands of your career with your drive to gain a professional doctorate, the highest level of professional qualification available in business and management.

Our DBA gives you the opportunity to join like-minded individuals and be part of an ever-developing relationship between academia and business, creating a valued learning experience whilst developing novel solutions to key challenges and making a real contribution to your chosen field.

Our DBA alumni go on to forge more success in the personal professional careers in business, regional and national government as well as through academia. We welcome both UK and international applications to our DBA programme. More details can be found here.

The DBA programme is typically four to six years.
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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The Leeds Business School PhD programme has, over the last several years, established a strong track record of producing rigorous, innovative and globally relevant research. We are open to UK and international applications for the full-time programme (three years plus write up) and the part-time programme (five years plus write up). We also value the insight that active business professionals bring to the research degree programme, and would normally encourage students who work to study part-time to ensure that they can devote enough space to both work and research.

In addition to sponsored and self-funded PhDs we have some themed bursary PhDs. These are available when advertised on The Graduate School pages or through Find a PhD.

The PhD programme is typically three to six years.

facilities and resources

a supportive learning environment

All Leeds Business School research students have access to the university's library services, including its online resources. Students living in Leeds and studying on-campus can additionally access the physical resources of the school, including the new Professional Practice Suite and a hot-desk study room reserved for research student use. On-campus students may also be entitled, depending on circumstances, to claim a university-issued laptop for the duration of their course and support to develop and disseminate their study at conference and other research fora.

Research students across the university are supported by The Graduate School, who provide administrative support and guidance and also arrange the Research Training Programme. Business School students can benefit from regular training sessions held at both the City and Headingley Campuses on a range of topics relevant to their research methods and journey.

 
ready to take the next step?

how to apply

Once you have decided which programme would be suitable for you we recommend getting in touch to discuss your idea with an Academic Supervisor. You can use our Find an Academic Supervisor tool or browse our research centre pages to find relevant academic colleagues to talk with.

When you've found a supervisor you're happy to work with, then you can submit your application to The Graduate School.

If you would like to enquire about the DBA programme you can contact us via email at DBA@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.

Study with us

the graduate school

Study for a research degree at Leeds Beckett and you'll join a thriving academic community in an inspiring and supportive environment.

other links
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