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  4. Business and Management

Business and Management

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An image to illustrate studying business and management with The Open University

The Open University Business School is a leading international management school with the largest management education programme in Europe. Research is at the heart of our activities, underpinning our teaching, consultancy, advisory and policy work.  Our research is based around three themes:

  • Socially responsible management and regulation
  • Knowledge, innovation and entrepreneurship
  • International management practice, education and learning (IMPEL)

These themes include traditional business disciplines, and newer areas such as social marketing, social enterprise and management learning. Working in collaboration with institutions around the world, our research involves extensive engagement with professional practice in business and management and offers wider benefits to society.

We offer two research degree programmes: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Master of Philosophy (MPhil).

Key facts

  • 40 per cent of our research was assessed as ‘internationally excellent’ or better in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.
  • External project funding from a wide range of sources such as EU Framework 7, Leverhulme Trust, British Academy, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
  • Opportunity to join a lively community of doctoral and masters research students.
  • Opportunities for personal and professional development via our seminar programme and bespoke training events.
  • Requirements for entry onto PhD are a 2:1 (or equivalent).  Previous training in research methods would be welcomed but are not a prerequisite as we can provide such training.
  • The PhD programme is not available by distance learning.
  • Students are normally required to be resident in the UK for the duration of their studies.
  • Full-time funded studentships are advertised in January for specific projects determined by the Business School.
  • Full-time self-funded applications are welcomed in any of the business and management research topics. Applications must be received by the 1 June to start on 1 October of the same year.
  • We do not offer funding for part-time study. Part-time self-funded applications are accepted at any time but all successful students start on 1 October. Applications must be received by the 1 June to start on 1 October of the same year.

Further information

If you have an enquiry specific to this research area please contact:

Name:
Debby Hing
Email:
oubs-research@open.ac.uk
Phone:
+44 (0)1908 655272

For general enquiries please contact the Research Degrees Team via the link under ‘Your questions’ on the right of the page.