phd management cambridge

Smart. Open. Grounded. Inventive. Read our Ideas Made to Matter.

Which program is right for you?

Through intellectual rigor and experiential learning, this full-time, two-year MBA program develops leaders who make a difference in the world.

A rigorous, hands-on program that prepares adaptive problem solvers for premier finance careers.

A 12-month program focused on applying the tools of modern data science, optimization and machine learning to solve real-world business problems.

Earn your MBA and SM in engineering with this transformative two-year program.

Combine an international MBA with a deep dive into management science. A special opportunity for partner and affiliate schools only.

A doctoral program that produces outstanding scholars who are leading in their fields of research.

Bring a business perspective to your technical and quantitative expertise with a bachelor’s degree in management, business analytics, or finance.

A joint program for mid-career professionals that integrates engineering and systems thinking. Earn your master’s degree in engineering and management.

An interdisciplinary program that combines engineering, management, and design, leading to a master’s degree in engineering and management.

Executive Programs

A full-time MBA program for mid-career leaders eager to dedicate one year of discovery for a lifetime of impact.

This 20-month MBA program equips experienced executives to enhance their impact on their organizations and the world.

Non-degree programs for senior executives and high-potential managers.

A non-degree, customizable program for mid-career professionals.

PhD Program

Program overview.

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Rigorous, discipline-based research is the hallmark of the MIT Sloan PhD Program. The program is committed to educating scholars who will lead in their fields of research—those with outstanding intellectual skills who will carry forward productive research on the complex organizational, financial, and technological issues that characterize an increasingly competitive and challenging business world.

Start here.

Learn more about the program, how to apply, and find answers to common questions.

Admissions Events

Check out our event schedule, and learn when you can chat with us in person or online.

Start Your Application

Visit this section to find important admissions deadlines, along with a link to our application.

Click here for answers to many of the most frequently asked questions.

PhD studies at MIT Sloan are intense and individual in nature, demanding a great deal of time, initiative, and discipline from every candidate. But the rewards of such rigor are tremendous:  MIT Sloan PhD graduates go on to teach and conduct research at the world's most prestigious universities.

PhD Program curriculum at MIT Sloan is organized under the following three academic areas: Behavior & Policy Sciences; Economics, Finance & Accounting; and Management Science. Our nine research groups correspond with one of the academic areas, as noted below.

MIT Sloan PhD Research Groups

Behavioral & policy sciences.

Economic Sociology

Institute for Work & Employment Research

Organization Studies

Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Strategic Management

Economics, Finance & Accounting

Accounting  

Management Science

Information Technology

System Dynamics  

Those interested in a PhD in Operations Research should visit the Operations Research Center .  

PhD Program Structure

Additional information including coursework and thesis requirements.

MIT Sloan Predoctoral Opportunities

MIT Sloan is eager to provide a diverse group of talented students with early-career exposure to research techniques as well as support in considering research career paths.

Rising Scholars Conference

The fourth annual Rising Scholars Conference on October 25 and 26 gathers diverse PhD students from across the country to present their research.

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The goal of the MIT Sloan PhD Program's admissions process is to select a small number of people who are most likely to successfully complete our rigorous and demanding program and then thrive in academic research careers. The admission selection process is highly competitive; we aim for a class size of nineteen students, admitted from a pool of hundreds of applicants.

What We Seek

• Outstanding intellectual ability
• Excellent academic records
• Previous work in disciplines related to the intended area of concentration
• Strong commitment to a career in research

MIT Sloan PhD Program Admissions Requirements Common Questions

Dates and Deadlines

Admissions for 2024 is closed. The next opportunity to apply will be for 2025 admission. The 2025 application will open in September 2024. 

More information on program requirements and application components

Students in good academic standing in our program receive a funding package that includes tuition, medical insurance, and a fellowship stipend and/or TA/RA salary. We also provide a new laptop computer and a conference travel/research budget.

Funding Information

Throughout the year, we organize events that give you a chance to learn more about the program and determine if a PhD in Management is right for you.

PhD Program Events

Discover your doctoral path.

An in-person event for prospective students with Boston-area management programs

September 12 PhD Program Overview

During this webinar, you will hear from the PhD Program team and have the chance to ask questions about the application and admissions process.

DocNet Recruiting Forum at University of Minnesota

We will be joining the DocNet consortium for an overview of business academia and a recruitment fair at University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management.

September 25 PhD Program Overview

Complete PhD Admissions Event Calendar

Unlike formulaic approaches to training scholars, the PhD Program at MIT Sloan allows students to choose their own adventure and develop a unique scholarly identity. This can be daunting, but students are given a wide range of support along the way - most notably having access to world class faculty and coursework both at MIT and in the broader academic community around Boston.

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Profiles of our current students

MIT Sloan produces top-notch PhDs in management. Immersed in MIT Sloan's distinctive culture, upcoming graduates are poised to innovate in management research and education.

Academic Job Market

Doctoral candidates on the current academic market

Academic Placements

Graduates of the MIT Sloan PhD Program are researching and teaching at top schools around the world.

view recent placements 

MIT Sloan Experience

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The PhD Program is integral to the research of MIT Sloan's world-class faculty. With a reputation as risk-takers who are unafraid to embrace the unconventional, they are engaged in exciting disciplinary and interdisciplinary research that often includes PhD students as key team members.

Research centers across MIT Sloan and MIT provide a rich setting for collaboration and exploration. In addition to exposure to the faculty, PhD students also learn from one another in a creative, supportive research community.

Throughout MIT Sloan's history, our professors have devised theories and fields of study that have had a profound impact on management theory and practice.

From Douglas McGregor's Theory X/Theory Y distinction to Nobel-recognized breakthroughs in finance by Franco Modigliani and in option pricing by Robert Merton and Myron Scholes, MIT Sloan's faculty have been unmatched innovators.

This legacy of innovative thinking and dedication to research impacts every faculty member and filters down to the students who work beside them.

Faculty Links

• Accounting Faculty
• Economic Sociology Faculty
• Finance Faculty
• Information Technology Faculty
• Institute for Work and Employment Research (IWER) Faculty
• Marketing Faculty
• Organization Studies Faculty
• System Dynamics Faculty
• Technological Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Strategic Management (TIES) Faculty

Student Research

“MIT Sloan PhD training is a transformative experience. The heart of the process is the student’s transition from being a consumer of knowledge to being a producer of knowledge. This involves learning to ask precise, tractable questions and addressing them with creativity and rigor. Hard work is required, but the reward is the incomparable exhilaration one feels from having solved a puzzle that had bedeviled the sharpest minds in the world!” -Ezra Zuckerman Sivan Alvin J. Siteman (1948) Professor of Entrepreneurship

Sample Dissertation Abstracts - These sample Dissertation Abstracts provide examples of the work that our students have chosen to study while in the MIT Sloan PhD Program.

We believe that our doctoral program is the heart of MIT Sloan's research community and that it develops some of the best management researchers in the world. At our annual Doctoral Research Forum, we celebrate the great research that our doctoral students do, and the research community that supports that development process.

The videos of their presentations below showcase the work of our students and will give you insight into the topics they choose to research in the program.

Attention To Retention: The Informativeness of Insiders’ Decision to Retain Shares

2024 PhD Doctoral Research Forum Winner - Gabriel Voelcker

Watch more MIT Sloan PhD Program  Doctoral Forum Videos

• [email protected]

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Topic description and stories

Testing the water

Industry placements for PhD students can be hugely beneficial for all concerned. We hear from two former students and the companies they worked for.

The unschooled anthropologist working with Q'eqchi' weavers

Living for ten months with Q’eqchi’ weavers in the Alta Verapaz of Guatemala, PhD student Callie Vandewiele watched and listened as the women crafted...

Cambridge receives new funding to support PhD students in science and engineering

The University of Cambridge has received new government and industrial funding to support at least 350 PhD students over the next eight years, via...

Postgraduate Open Day 2017 - meet our postgrads

Nearly 10,000 postgraduate students from more than 250 countries, working in countless different subject areas, contribute to Cambridge’s thriving...

Step inside the mind of the young Stephen Hawking as his PhD thesis goes online for first time

Stephen Hawking’s PhD thesis, ‘ Properties of expanding universes’ , has been made freely available to anyone, anywhere in the world, after being...

Astrazeneca and Cambridge announce new joint PhD and clinical research scholarships

AstraZeneca and the University of Cambridge today announced three new joint schemes to support more than 80 PhD scholarships and eight clinical...

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• Business PhD - School of Management

Business PhD - School of Management MPhil, PhD

Research ( full-time, part-time)

Cambridge , Chelmsford

January, April, September

For application deadlines  visit our how to apply page .

You will be part of a diverse, international body of researchers whose work is making a positive difference in the world of business and organisations in the private, public and third sectors. Our doctoral programme draws on the expertise of our staff and research centres and supports PhD research students to contribute to current knowledge and practice and progress into careers as academics or expert practitioners.

Full description

We are keen to support research into the issues at the forefront of contemporary practices in managing people, marketing, entrepreneurship and tourism, all with an international outlook. The School of Management is home to the Impact research centre, where staff members are conducting funded research into impacts of digital technology on management practice.

Pursue your research degree with us and you’ll be part of an inspiring research environment. You’ll receive regular supervision from academics who are active in your field, and you'll participate in a doctoral training programme that prepares you for the methodological challenges and key milestones involved with conducting a postgraduate research project. You will become part of a community of active researchers that gives you opportunities to attend expert seminars and present your own work as it develops.

Our students conduct research in a wide variety of topics that address developments and problems in contemporary organisations and work. A variety of methods from qualitative, quantitative, doctrinal research in law. You will also have access to basic training required for teaching at university level and opportunities to observe experienced teachers or conduct teaching with appropriate guidance and mentoring.

We can supervise your research in most areas of business, helping you to develop transferable skills which will be invaluable in your future studies or career.

Here are a few of our specialisms.

• Entrepreneurship
• Operations management
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Human Resource Management
• Sustainability

Completion times MPhil: full-time 1-3 years, part-time 2-4 years.

PhD via progression from MPhil, including that period: full-time 2.5-5 years, part-time 3.5-6 years.

PhD: full-time 2-4 years, part-time 3-6 years.

For further guidance on the duration of research degrees please refer to the Research Degrees Regulations .

Research theme

Research in the Faculty of Business and Law

World-leading research at ARU

Supervision and support

We know how important it is that all our PhD students feel confident throughout their time with us.

At an early stage in your studies, you’ll be allocated a supervisory team with specific expertise aligned to your research proposal. You'll have two formal supervisors who you’ll meet regularly. Meetings will usually include setting and reviewing objectives to enhance your academic progress. Whenever you need support to discuss academic and administrative matters, or even more general help and advice during your studies, our team of supervisors offer continual and friendly guidance.

Find a supervisor by taking a look at our people’s expertise from the School of Management.

Whether you’re undertaking research, teaching students or writing up your thesis, you’ll be fully supported with ongoing training and development, covering the following areas:

• Developing your research proposal
• Intellectual Property (IP) in the research context
• Research Ethics and Integrity
• Presenting your research and argument
• Intensive methodology training week (compulsory)
• Learning and teaching in practice and the fundamentals of teaching business, to support you if you undertake any teaching duties

Where you'll research

Your faculty.

You have a highly active mind and see opportunity everywhere. Now you need theory and life-changing skills to sharpen your approach to management. At the Faculty of Business & Law, you will immerse yourself in a multicultural environment where technology blends with teaching to create a dynamic and innovative learning environment. An environment to help you gain those skills.

• Visit your faculty

Where can I study?

Our striking, modern campus sits by the riverside in Chelmsford's University and Innovation Quarter.

Explore our Chelmsford campus

Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.

Explore our Cambridge campus

Fees & funding

Course fees, uk students, 2024/25 (per year).

£4,786

UK students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year)

£2,392

International students, 2024/25 (per year)

£15,900

International students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year)

£7,950

In some cases extra costs known as bench fees will be charged for a postgraduate research degree. These are to cover additional/exceptional costs directly related to a specific research project.

Some examples of these costs are (the list is not exhaustive): equipment hire, access costs to specialist equipment/workshops, volunteer expenses, specialist tissue/cell culture, specialist reagents or materials, specialist software, access to specialist databases, data collection costs, specialist media, recording or digital storage needs.

We charge bench fees in bands. They may apply for every year of your course. These bands are the same for full- and part-time students.

If you have to pay bench fees this will be made clear at your interview, and stated in your offer letter.

For 2024/25 the bench fee bands are:

£1,200

• £2,200
• £4,500
• £8,900

PhD by Published Work

Initial registration: £1,500 Full registration: £4,500

Writing up fees 2024/25

How do i pay my fees.

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in instalments – though you won't need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. Find out more about paying your fees .

For advice on the Doctoral Loan and other sources of funding, including ARU scholarships, visit our finance guide for postgraduate researchers .

You might also find The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding helpful.

ARU research

Join us as a PhD researcher and you’ll be joining a group of passionate leading researchers who are experts in their fields. Our research-active staff are dedicated to producing relevant and significant outcomes and solutions that can be applied in the real-world.

Our four research centres are at the heart of knowledge generation in our business school. All centres welcome PhD researchers to join their community and work alongside academics on the latest research developments. Visit our centre pages to learn more about the PhD opportunities available:

• Centre for Inclusive Societies and Economies (CISE)
• Centre for Research into the Organization of Work and Consumption (CROWC)

ARU's academic excellence was recognised in 2021, as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), an exercise which assesses the quality of academic research. Sixteen areas of our work were classed as generating world-leading research . The results showed that we're making a significant impact on the societies we live in.

A PhD research degree an excellent way to progress your business or management career, or pursue a career in academia. With a study solution to fit your needs, you can opt to study part-time or full-time and can focus your thesis on an issue close to you, your employer or industry.

Thanks to our international reputation and the comprehensive research training and development we provide, we’re an equally compelling option if you want to pursue an academic career. This includes modules in academic writing and publishing, compiling research bids, conference presentation, research methods and management, networking and team working.

Contact details

If you're interested in finding out more about postgraduate research study opportunities, please contact [email protected]

MPhil or PhD with progression from MPhil: You’ll need a Bachelors degree or  equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.

PhD: You’ll need a Masters degree or equivalent  in a related subject area.

Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request. 

If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.  

Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the programme as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Contact our postgraduate research degree team  for more information about studying a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate at ARU.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your research programme.

Suggested courses that may interest you

Business phd - school of economics, finance and law mphil, phd.

Full-time, part-time research ()

Professional Doctorate in Business and Management DBA

Part-time research ()

Law MPhil, PhD

Get more information, uk applicants.

01245 686868

International applicants

+44 1245 683680

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To obtain a PhD degree you must complete three years full-time training (or five years part-time) and carry out an original piece of research which makes a significant contribution to learning in one of the many research areas in the Department. At the same time, the Department expects that students will leave with the wider skills necessary to be successful in either an academic or a non-academic career. Research students are therefore expected to obtain an effective training in research and to broaden their background knowledge, as well as to undertake a novel research project. In their first year, students take a minimum of two taught modules from a wide range of courses offered by the Department. Modules consist of lectures and practical work, and each module involves about 80 hours of work. You will also participate in a researcher development programme during your first year, and you are expected engage in personal development opportunities throughout the PhD in order to develop important transferable skills.

As a research student working in the Department of Engineering, you will work most closely with your Supervisor , who is responsible for guiding your research and training. You can expect at least eight one hour-long individual meetings with your supervisor every calendar year, although it may be much more frequent. You will also have daily contact with the research group you are working within. In addition, you will be assigned an Adviser , who will take an active interest in your progress and be available to provide additional support and advice when needed.

All doctoral research takes place in University of Cambridge facilities. However, the Department and its supervisors have strong links to other institutions both in the UK and around the world. After their first year, students may therefore apply for permission to undertake research in other institutions for extended periods of time. There may also be opportunities to teach small groups of engineering undergraduates to widen your experience and gain valuable expertise in explaining engineering concepts.

At the end of your first year, you will write a 15,000 progress report on your research to date, and discuss your work with two assessors. Passing this assessment is a requirement to continue with the PhD beyond the first year. After completing three years of research, you will submit a 60,000 word thesis on your research and have an oral examination. The final deadline for submission of the thesis is four years after the start date (or seven years for part-time students), but we advise students to aim to submit by either the end of their tenth term, or the end of their funding, whichever is soonest.

The PhD in Engineering can be tailored to suit your particular interests. Applicants must identify a supervisor that they wish to work with on their application form, and contact them directly to discuss their research interests in advance of submitting an application. You can browse current topics of research in the department and identify potential supervisors via the research pages of our website. You should state the name of the supervisor(s) that you wish to work with on your application form, and should also give at least an indication of the topic you wish to undertake research on, so that we can direct your application appropriately.

Further information, including entrance requirements and how to apply, can be found on the online  Course Directory . The Engineering Postgraduate Students website contains resources for current students and may also be of interest to applicants:  www.graduate.eng.cam.ac.uk .

 Academics accepting PhD Students for 2025/26 can be found via the following links;

Electrical Engineering -  https://ee.eng.cam.ac.uk/index.php/graduate-studies/

Mechanics, Materials and Design -  http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/research/academic-divisions/mechanics-materials-and-design/postgraduate-studies-research-students

Civil Engineering -  https://civileng.eng.cam.ac.uk/study

Manufacture and Management -  https://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/education/phd/topics/

Information Engineering:  http://www.eng.cam.ac.uk/research/academic-divisions/information-engineering/postgraduate-studies

• Harvard Business School →
• Doctoral Programs →

PhD Programs

• Accounting & Management
• Business Economics
• Health Policy (Management)
• Organizational Behavior
• Technology & Operations Management

Students in our PhD programs are encouraged from day one to think of this experience as their first job in business academia—a training ground for a challenging and rewarding career generating rigorous, relevant research that influences practice.

Our doctoral students work with faculty and access resources throughout HBS and Harvard University. The PhD program curriculum requires coursework at HBS and other Harvard discipline departments, and with HBS and Harvard faculty on advisory committees. Faculty throughout Harvard guide the programs through their participation on advisory committees.

How do I know which program is right for me?

There are many paths, but we are one HBS. Our PhD students draw on diverse personal and professional backgrounds to pursue an ever-expanding range of research topics. Explore more here about each program’s requirements & curriculum, read student profiles for each discipline as well as student research , and placement information.

The PhD in Business Administration grounds students in the disciplinary theories and research methods that form the foundation of an academic career. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program has four areas of study: Accounting and Management , Marketing , Strategy , and Technology and Operations Management . All areas of study involve roughly two years of coursework culminating in a field exam. The remaining years of the program are spent conducting independent research, working on co-authored publications, and writing the dissertation. Students join these programs from a wide range of backgrounds, from consulting to engineering. Many applicants possess liberal arts degrees, as there is not a requirement to possess a business degree before joining the program

The PhD in Business Economics provides students the opportunity to study in both Harvard’s world-class Economics Department and Harvard Business School. Throughout the program, coursework includes exploration of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, probability and statistics, and econometrics. While some students join the Business Economics program directly from undergraduate or masters programs, others have worked in economic consulting firms or as research assistants at universities or intergovernmental organizations.

The PhD program in Health Policy (Management) is rooted in data-driven research on the managerial, operational, and strategic issues facing a wide range of organizations. Coursework includes the study of microeconomic theory, management, research methods, and statistics. The backgrounds of students in this program are quite varied, with some coming from public health or the healthcare industry, while others arrive at the program with a background in disciplinary research

The PhD program in Organizational Behavior offers two tracks: either a micro or macro approach. In the micro track, students focus on the study of interpersonal relationships within organizations and the effects that groups have on individuals. Students in the macro track use sociological methods to examine organizations, groups, and markets as a whole, including topics such as the influence of individuals on organizational change, or the relationship between social missions and financial objectives. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program includes core disciplinary training in sociology or psychology, as well as additional coursework in organizational behavior.

Accounting & Management  

Business economics  , health policy (management)  , marketing  , organizational behavior  , strategy  , technology & operations management  .

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Description

Most of our PhD students spend their second year away from Cambridge, conducting their fieldwork for which some limited financial assistance is available.

A part-time PhD route is available and proceeds in a similar sequence but over a longer duration, with a maximum allowed length of seven years. Candidates who intend to carry out fieldwork as part of their doctoral research cannot be considered for the part-time route.

In the first year of the PhD programme there is a focus on training in research methods and transferable skills. Students will take a Research Methods course and it is compulsory for all first year PhD students to attend, including part-time students. Students are also encouraged to attend seminars and other events that are organised by the Centre of Development Studies and departments throughout the University, such as the Social Sciences Research Methods Centre .  All candidates for the PhD programme are not at first registered for the degree, as they have to pass a  registration exercise  towards the end of the first academic year of study. The registration exercise aims to ensure that the candidate’s project is viable, that an appropriate methodology has been developed, and that the candidate is capable of carrying the project through successfully. Failure to pass the registration (which may be repeated only once) will result in removal from the course. Details of First Year Assessment for current First Year students are found on Moodle.

Transferable Skills Training  is available through the University and further information can be found  here . 

PhD students are invited to give a presentation on their own research at seminars run by the Centre. This is a great opportunity to develop presentation skills and receive valuable feedback from both senior academics and peers relating to their thesis. Presentation of a paper at one of these seminars is a requirement of the PhD programme.

The essence of the Cambridge experience , however, is that the PhD candidate works closely with the PhD supervisor. He or she will help the candidate develop the thesis project through discussion and the review of draft materials presented by the candidate. 

The process of working on the thesis will differ from candidate to candidate, depending on their project, their preferences and the style of supervision adopted. However, in general, it is expected that the first year will be devoted not only to completing the Research Methods modules, but also to the development of a detailed and well thought-through thesis outline and methodology. In particular, at the outset, the student should devote some time to considering how they will be making an original contribution to the field through their work.

As members of a research-oriented institution, Cambridge University academic staff are entitled to sabbatical leave . As a result, it is possible that in any particular term or year one of the members of the academic staff may be away. The University always endeavours to make appropriate arrangements for substitute teaching, but occasionally one or another option may be suspended during a staff member's leave.

By the end of the programme , candidates will have acquired excellent skills, experience and knowledge to undertake postdoctoral work (research, teaching or both) or another profession related to the field of development studies. 

For details of the virtual Postgraduate Open Day, held in November each year: Postgraduate Open Day

The  fees and funding  page contains details of schemes specific to this course., the  frequently asked questions page should cover anything else that the other pages have missed.

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PhD in Management Program

A phd in management: where business research and education intersect.

Become an industry thought leader while preparing tomorrow’s business leaders.

Our fully funded PhD in Management is designed for ambitious students and professionals interested in a career in university teaching and research.

This residential program, based at the Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management in Ithaca, NY, combines Ivy League rigor and real-world relevance to prepare you for successful careers in academia.

Why Get a PhD in Management?

With a strong focus on management science and applied research, this doctoral degree is ideal for someone looking to teach at the university level and contribute to the greater body of industry knowledge. Pursuing a PhD in Management is also an ideal next step for executives and senior managers who want to make a transition to academia or enhance their research skills for a successful consulting career.

Fully Funded, Highly Flexible: What Makes Cornell’s Management PhD Different?

As you explore PhD programs’ degree requirements, faculty engagement, and campus experience, Cornell stands alone.

In Cornell’s highly flexible program, you’ll choose a specific area of study and build your own dissertation committee. Our program faculty are genuinely interested and invested in your intellectual development. In this small and highly selective program, you will get to know the faculty and your peers well.

The SC Johnson Graduate School of Management is home to leading research centers and a high-impact academic journal; these open you up to unique learning and mentorship opportunities.

Business Simulation Lab

The Debra Paget and Jeffrey Berg Business Simulation Lab facilitates in-person and online behavioral research related to decision-making and problem-solving.

Discover More About BSL

Our Three-Pronged Approach to a PhD in Management

The Johnson School’s doctoral degree in management combines the best of theory and practice, building on a three-pronged foundation:

Hands-on Experience

Develop your research and analytical skills. You’ll work with classmates to examine existing literature and theories for class deliverables, which will often include your own original research.

Customizable Curriculum

Design your own academic pathway. You’ll choose one of six primary areas of study and create your own dissertation committee.

University-Wide Coursework

Draw on the expertise from across Cornell. You’ll get to select graduate-level courses from schools and colleges devoted to law , hospitality , engineering , labor relations , and other fields.

At a Glance: Cornell’s Fully Funded PhD in Management

The fully residential, fully funded PhD in Management program includes a tuition waiver and a stipend for living expenses. Here’s a quick overview of what to expect:

Degree Awarded

PhD in Management

Program Location

Ithaca, NY, with options in New York City

Program Format

Foundational coursework, original research, and six potential areas of study

Hear from Our Community

“PhD is a marathon, not a sprint, and collaborating with great people is paramount. At Cornell, I’ve found a place where amazing people come together, supporting my research and personal growth. Choosing Cornell means joining a community that knows how important it is to work with exceptional people to excel in the program.” – Elina Hur PhD ’23

Customize Your Path: Our Areas of Study

When you apply to the Johnson School’s PhD in Management, you will select a primary area of study. Choosing a concentration allows you to gain specialized skills and knowledge while growing a portfolio of original research.

Examine the role of accounting information in firms and financial markets. PhD-level research at Cornell explores topics such as how firms report information to investors, how accounting information is used to manage firms, and the nature of auditing.

Strategy & Business Economics

Use modern tools and methodologies to gain a better understanding of the world. PhD students in this area explore many aspects of economics including industrial, behavioral, labor, and organizational.

Dive deep into the financial structure and issues of organizations. Your research might look at how conflicts of interest affect corporate policy, how investor psychology affects asset pricing, or how to detect price bubbles.

Learn how theories from operations research, economics, psychology, and sociology intersect to inform corporate and consumer decisions. Your PhD studies will explore both quantitative and behavioral perspectives of marketing.

Management & Organizations

Prepare for a research-focused career in academia or industry. This versatile concentration develops skilled, innovative, analytical researchers through a broad curriculum and close faculty collaboration.

Operations, Technology, & Information Management

Develop the technical skills and behavioral analysis knowledge you need to address high-impact managerial decisions. This focus area also offers an option to complete coursework at Cornell Tech in New York City.

Idea Generation to Publication: A Career in Teaching and Research

The majority of our PhD in Management students pursue careers in academia. After graduation, many land tenure-track teaching positions at top-tier business schools and continue to advance knowledge through original research. Johnson School PhD students often field multiple offers and see starting salaries range from $150,000 to $250,000.

Finding Your Place at Cornell: Meet Our Current PhDs

Students from around the United States and across the globe arrive at the Johnson School to earn their PhD in Management—and their diverse research interests, educational backgrounds, and professional experiences make for a vibrant, enriching learning environment.

MEET CURRENT PHD STUDENTS

Research and Placements: Making an Impact in the Management Field

After earning the PhD in Management, our alumni go on to teach and inspire future leaders at top-tier institutions. Not only do they teach and conduct research alongside some of the most brilliant minds in business, but they also advance the field through publishing in leading journals and presenting their work at industry conferences.

Recent PhD in Management Placements

• Piyush Anand, PhD ’21, assistant professor of marketing, Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice University
• Guarav Kankanhalli, PhD ’20, assistant professor, Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh
• Eunjee Kim, PhD ’21, assistant professor, Mays Business School, Texas A&M University
• Sarah Lim, PhD ’21, assistant professor, Gies College of Business, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• Xuege Lu, PhD ’22, assistant professor, Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota
• Subrina Shen, PhD ’21, assistant professor, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin

Recent Research Publications

• “ Do Real Estate Values Boost Corporate Borrowing? Evidence from Contract-Level Data ” in the Journal of Financial Economics (2022) — Gaurav Kankanhalli, PhD ’20, with Murillo Campello, Robert A. Connolly, and Eva Steiner
• “ Converging Tides Lift All Boats: Consensus in Evaluation Criteria Boosts Investments in Firms in Nascent Technology Sectors ” in Organization Science (2021) — Xirong (Subrina) Shen, PhD ’21, with Huisi (Jessica) Li, PhD ’20, and Pamela S. Tolbert 
• “ Initial and Longer-Term Change in Unit-Level Turnover Following Leader Succession: Contingent Effects of Outgoing and Incoming Leader Characteristics ” in Organization Science (2020)— Huisi (Jessica) Li, PhD ’20, with John Hausknecht and Lisa Dragoni

“ Does Regulatory Jurisdiction Affect the Quality of Investment-Adviser Regulation? ” in American Economic Review (2019) — Alan Kwan, PhD ’17, with Ben Charoenwong and Tarik Umar

Our Faculty: Accomplished Researchers, Dedicated Teachers

When you join the PhD in Management program at the Johnson School, you’ll be part of a learning community comprising more than 100 accomplished academics and thought leaders. 

Not only will you take courses with renowned professors from across the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, but you also will have the opportunity to build your own faculty committee—a group that will become instrumental as you select your dissertation topic and embark on your original research.

Faculty Spotlight: Learn from Leading Thought Leaders

Throughout the PhD program—from foundational coursework to your dissertation—you’ll work closely with dedicated teacher-scholars like these:

Kristina Rennekamp

Dr. Rennekamp’s research focuses on financial accounting from a behavioral perspective. She’s widely published, with work appearing in leading academic journals such as The Accounting Review , Contemporary Accounting Research , and The Journal of Financial Reporting .

Karan Girotra

Dr. Girotra studies the digital transformation of companies, whether it’s looking at emerging tools and practices or exploring new business models. He’s frequently interviewed in an array of mainstream business media outlets, including Bloomberg BusinessWeek , Fortune , and Forbes .

Kaitlin Woolley

Dr. Woolley studies the psychological processes behind consumer motivation. She’s an award-winning educator and researcher with work published in academic journals and national media outlets including the Journal of Consumer Research , Journal of Marketing Research , and The Wall Street Journal .

EXPLORE JOHNSON SCHOOL FACULTY

What You’ll Learn: Curriculum Overview

As you pursue your PhD in business management, you’ll begin with a set of foundation courses and progress into advanced coursework in your area of interest. Through it all, your faculty committee will help make sure you’re on the right track.

Foundational Management Coursework

Early in your doctoral program, you will complete foundational coursework in management and other fields. Many of these will focus on the research process and prepare you for your dissertation.

Advanced Coursework in Your Concentration Area

As you progress in the PhD in Management program, you’ll take electives and advanced courses that align with your research area of interest; these classes can be in the Johnson School and across Cornell.

Your Dissertation: Creating Original Research

During the final part of the program, you begin work on your dissertation—the culmination of your original research. You choose the topic of research in conjunction with your committee.

VIEW PROGRAM SPECIFICS

Beyond Business: Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration and Dialogue

Tap into the experience and expertise of faculty members from across Cornell University.

Management is a broad science. Business leaders serve in a variety of roles in industries of all kinds: healthcare, consumer goods, agriculture, biotechnology, media, and consulting to name just a few. At Cornell, you can enrich your education and expand your research opportunities by taking courses and finding mentors beyond the college of business.

Explore fields like computer science, psychology, sociology, communication, engineering, and data science—and then connect the dots back to your management research.

Interact with peers and professors from other disciplines by participating in student organizations and special interest groups or by attending public lectures, workshops, and networking events.

Admissions Overview: How to Apply to the Management PhD Program

The ideal candidate for the Johnson School’s doctorate degree in management will have a strong record of academic excellence, a solid understanding of the research process, and an entrepreneurial approach to problem-solving. An MBA or master’s degree is not a requirement for admission. 

Our admissions page offers more details about program prerequisites, selection criteria, requirements, deadline information, and a checklist of materials you need to submit with your application.

Connect With Cornell Admissions

The Johnson School admissions team is available to answer your questions about the program and the application process. Stop in or reach out by phone or email today.

253-D Sage Hall Johnson Graduate School of Management Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853-6201

Phone: 607-255-5340 Email: Graduate Research Programs Office

The Cornell Campus: Where You Will Learn, Grow, and Thrive

Learn, grow, and thrive on one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States. As a PhD student, you’ll spend a lot of time in Sage Hall, a Gothic-style building dating back to 1875. You’ll find more high-tech learning spaces just off campus at the Breazzano Family Center for Business Education. You’ll also have access to the innovative campus of Cornell Tech in New York City—particularly relevant to students focused on technology and information management. 

Attending Cornell also means you’ll call Ithaca, NY, home for about five years. Our eclectic downtown is full of eateries, shops, activities, and all of the amenities you’d need for everyday life. When you’re not in class or studying, you can explore all that the Finger Lakes region has to offer.

PhD in Management FAQ: What You Need to Know

Before you apply to a research-focused graduate program, you’re likely to want to do some deep research of your own. For instance, how does a fully funded PhD in Management work? What’s the typical completion time?

We have a robust Frequently Asked Questions section to help you learn more about our program, the admissions process, and dissertation requirements. For our international applicants, you’ll also find specific details about earning your PhD in Management.

May I speak to someone about my interest in the program and visit?

You are welcome to reach out to any professor with whom you see a good research fit. Our website also has a wealth of information about the program.

Is an interview part of the process?

We offer interviews only to a few applicants after their first screening.

May I talk to a professor or advisor?

You are welcome to contact any professor with whom you see a research match. Faculty are more likely to respond to specific research queries.

I have questions; may I write to this program email address?

Yes. Our response time will vary. We are not able to answer detailed questions that are better assessed by faculty during the application process.

May I schedule a campus tour?

Admissions does not offer campus tours for PhD program applicants. However, you may arrange an appointment with a faculty member.

Fraud alert – beware of third-party post-doc scams.

Cornell University recently has been made aware of fraudulent activity targeting overseas students and researchers, including at least one third party website falsely stating that it is offering a postdoctoral or visiting scholar program in association with Cornell. These scams, which may seek to obtain money and/or personal details from interested applicants, are fraudulent. 

Cornell wishes to warn the public about these fraudulent activities being perpetrated purportedly in the name of Cornell, and/or its officials. Please be advised that: 

• Cornell does not, nor has it, worked in collaboration with third-party companies or organizations to offer postdoctoral or research certificate programs.
• Third parties do not collect tuition or fees on behalf of Cornell.
• Cornell does not work with or endorse such organizations including, but not limited to, Shanghai Lufei Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Chinese name: 上海璐斐教育科技有限公司) and Shenzhen Guoyan Era Education Technology Co., Ltd. (Chinese name: 深圳市国研时代教育科技有限公司).

Cornell’s postdoctoral positions are listed on the Academic Career Opportunities website and postdoctoral fellowship programs are available for viewing. If you suspect a third party of falsely advertising a Cornell program, please notify [email protected]. Victims of such scams may also report them to their local law enforcement authorities for appropriate action.

Start the Application Process Today

Ready to apply to our highly selective, fully funded PhD in Management? We look forward to learning more about you and your research goals. Start the application process today at the Cornell Graduate Admissions website. [You’ll first need to register for an account or log in to an existing one.]

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MPhil in Manage…

Prepare for a career in business with no prior business or management studies.

• Curriculum overview
• Core courses
• Management Consulting Project

Career impact

• Class profile

Programme details

October 2025

You must be resident in Cambridge during your programme

Become a leader in your field. Our MPhil in Management programme is both academically rigorous and professionally relevant, delivering the knowledge and skills that will ensure you get the head start you need.

Join driven and highly motivated individuals from around the world in a first-class, inspiring learning experience in which you’ll: 

• cover all the core elements of business and management from accounting to strategy
• apply your skills to a real-world challenge within a leading international company
• tailor your learning with electives to enhance your future career opportunities
• explore collaborative leadership, creativity and innovation
• experience a life-changing year at Cambridge and prepare and equip yourself for an exciting career in management and business

Professor Houyuan Jiang (Director of the MPhil in Management): “The MPhil in Management is a one-year, full-time programme designed for new graduates pursuing a career in management and business. This programme teaches students the principles, frameworks, tools and techniques of thinking and making decisions as managers.”

Lynn Muhairwe: “Before I joined the MPhil in Management, I worked as a doctor in the NHS.”

Lauren Hau: “I was lucky to try a couple different things in different industries before coming to this master’s programme.”

Liam Garrett: “I joined Cambridge Judge Business School in order to get a bit of a different experience.”

Professor Houyuan Jiang: “The programme is structured into 3 key components– foundation, consolidation, and implementation. Each component is designed to provide a robust, practical skill set across all business functional areas.”

Lynn Muhairwe: “I’ve been able to learn about organisational analysis and behaviours. I’ve learned about finance. I’ve learned about accounting and EBITDA and EBIT, all of things which I would have never thought to look at but I know would be useful for me.”

Lauren Hau: “I’ve gained a much better foundation in terms of what these different things are, and I feel so equipped to start bringing those academic concepts I learned and those different topics and seeing how they apply in the working place.”

Professor Houyuan Jiang: “We also strongly emphasise developing a mindset of ethical integrity and social responsibility, training our graduates to be thoughtful and responsible global business leaders. To complement the curriculum, we offer focused workshops to develop professional skills in the job market. Students can interact and discuss current and critical business issues through our distinguished guest speaker series.”

Natasha Huang: “It’s really great because everyone comes from really diverse backgrounds. So in group projects, you might have people bringing in their own expertise or even some of their experience in previous internships or jobs.”

Maria Lucia Perez: “That combination of knowledge really, really create a good learning environment and one that’s really powerful.”

Professor Houyuan Jiang: “We also encourage students to appreciate quantitative models and make great efforts to master quantitative skills that will become invaluable after graduation.”

Lauren Hau: “I found that the MPhil in Management has the best balance of qualitative and quantitative focus. That was something I really wanted to have in terms of my own learning development.”

Liam Garrett: “Being a scientist from background in that sense, I really enjoyed more of the quantitative aspects of the business econ finance, but it was also definitely very nice to see the marketing areas and other modules relating to more of the soft sides of management.”

Professor Houyuan Jiang: “A standout feature of our programme is the capstone management consulting project. This project offers students a unique opportunity to work with real clients, tackling real business challenges.”

Liam Garrett: “Being able to work with 4 students in my cohort and really closely with a client who is really supportive, engaging, and deliver a project that adds real value to that client, that’s actually tangible and makes you feel like you’re a part of that business, was an incredible and invaluable experience.”

Professor Houyuan Jiang: “Our graduates embark on diverse career paths spanning various industry sectors, including digital, finance, governments, investment and banking, and strategy consulting. They thrive as business analysts and managers, demonstrating the versatility and applicability of the skills and knowledge gained from our programme.”

View video with transcript

We want to develop the mindset and emphasise the values of ethics, integrity and social responsibility, so that our graduates become a transformative force for good in society and really thoughtful global business leaders.

Why Cambridge Judge Business School?

Cambridge Judge is uniquely placed to provide a perfect bridge between academia and the dynamic world of business. As the business school of the prestigious University of Cambridge, we leverage the teaching expertise of our faculty and its world leading research and take advantage of our close ties with Silicon Fen, the most successful technology, innovation and entrepreneurship cluster in Europe.  

• Immerse yourself in a comprehensive and stimulating business environment. 
• Develop your global network and socialise with friends and colleagues of amazing diversity and talent. 
• Benefit from studying at one of the world’s foremost academic institutions with an over 800-year history of excellence, producing over 90 Nobel Laureates. 
• Elevate your status and graduate as an alumnus of the University of Cambridge. 
• Enjoy lifetime membership of your Cambridge College. 
• Get the full support of the University Careers Service. 
• Spend an academic year based in the dynamic, historic and beautiful city of Cambridge

Learn, apply, collaborate and prepare for leadership in your chosen business field.

Providing a thorough grounding in all the essential elements of business and management based on world-leading research, our MPhil in Management is your graduate conversion course, key to your future career. You will develop essential skills ranging from the mathematical to the interpersonal and you will be challenged to excel across a wide range of theoretical and practical disciplines.  

The core curriculum will give you a critical understanding of the practice of management through applied techniques, conceptual issues and contemporary debates in the academic literature. You will also choose from a range of electives aligned to careers in management and put your skills to the test in a collaborative, real-issue project with a leading company. Give yourself the career advantage you need to make an impact from the outset. 

Explore the MPhil in Management curriculum

Lynn Muhairwe (MPhil in Management 2023/24)

Before I joined the MPhil in Management, I worked as a doctor in the NHS. I’d done about a year or so of working and then I decided to come and do my masters. The topics I’ve enjoyed have been marketing and the management consulting project because we’ve actually got to use the knowledge that we’ve learned over the past few months and work with clients to solve real-life solutions. So I’ve really enjoyed this.

There is a diverse group of people in the MPhil in Management programme. You’re able to make friends with people from all over the world. You’re able to learn new cultures and share your culture with other people around you. I think the good thing is, it helps you, especially when you’re working on projects. Because everyone has a different way of thinking, a different way of analysing and interpreting the question. And it’s very useful when it comes to working together. Because that’s what you need to have a good project, to do well.

To complement the curriculum, we offer a series of focused workshops with the goal of developing professional skills that are going to be relevant further in the job market. Through our distinguished guest speaker series, students have the chance to interact and discuss with global experts on current business issues.

Who we’re looking for

The MPhil in Management attracts ambitious, driven and intellectually curious individuals, who are preparing to enter the competitive world of management and business. 

This programme is right for you if: 

• you have a UK First Class Honours degree ( or overseas equivalent ) in a subject other than business or management
• you have English language proficiency*, maths and stats proficiency
• you have less than a year of work experience since graduation (excluding vacation employment and internships)
• you have good interpersonal, communication and team-working skills, in addition to numeracy, problem-solving and reasoning skills
• you are ambitious and willing to work hard

*English proficiency: English as the native language or IELTS minimum overall score of 7.5, with not less than 7.0 in each element or TOEFL minimum overall score of 110, with not less than 25 in each element. 

MPhil in Management class profile

Find out more about the MPhil in Management class.

Applying for the MPhil in Management

We are delighted that you are considering applying for the Cambridge MPhil in Management and we are excited to learn about you.

Application deadline and process

Applications for entry in 2024 are now closed. Admissions for 2025 will open in September 2024 with a closing date of 25 February 2025.

Check out our step-by-step guide on how to apply.

Fees and funding options

Tuition fees for the 2024/25 MPhil in Management class are £36,744, whether your status is home or overseas/international.

The MPhil in Management is an investment in your future. Learn more about course fees and the range of scholarships available to MPhil students.

On completion of their MPhil in Management most students will start their careers in management.

Learn more about Cambridge life and explore what makes studying in Cambridge so special.

Student experience

Find out what to expect as an MPhil student at the Business School and what it means to join one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the world.

Learn more about the application process and deadlines

Explore fees and funding options

Contact the admissions team

Do you hold “open days” for MPhil programmes?

The University of Cambridge Postgraduate Open Day is usually in November. Visit the Postgraduate Admissions Events page for more details .

Can I visit Cambridge Judge Business School, talk to faculty or someone from Admissions in person?

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are unable to arrange meetings with individual candidates. There are, however, opportunities to talk to some members of the admissions team during open days. The team will also be able to answer any queries you have via our online contact form .

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PhD in Engineering

Postgraduate Study

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The University of Cambridge Department of Engineering is one of the leading centres of engineering in the world, renowned for both its teaching and its research. Since its foundation in 1875, it has grown to become the largest department in the University, and the largest integrated engineering department in the UK, with approximately 150 faculty, 260 contract research staff and research fellows, 900 postgraduate students, and 1,200 undergraduates.

By the end of the PhD, students are expected to have produced original work making a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of engineering. At the same time, the Department expects that students will leave with the wider skills necessary to be successful in either an academic or a non-academic career.

The Department of Engineering offers PhD studies in a wide variety of subjects.  The Department is broadly divided into six Research Divisions, the strategic aims of which are broadly described below:

Energy, Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery

Building on research in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics to develop a systems view of energy generation and utilisation, particularly in the ground and air transport, to mitigate environmental impact. This Division's research focus includes acoustics, aerodynamics, combustion, energy use and generation, fluid mechanics and turbomachinery.

Electrical Engineering

Pursuing fundamental electrical, electronic and photonic research at the material, device and system levels with a focus on creating integrated solutions in the fields of nanotechnology, sensing, energy generation, energy conversion, displays and communications. The research in this division covers all aspects of electrical engineering from the nano-scale to heavy-duty power applications.

Mechanics, Materials and Design

Extending fundamental and applied research in mechanics, materials, bio-mechanics and design, exploiting cross-disciplinary partnerships across the University; and building on existing strengths to develop excellence in bioengineering and healthcare systems research.

Civil Engineering

Advancing the mechanics of civil and structural engineering systems within the broader context of the design, construction and operation of sustainable infrastructure and the stewardship of Earth's resources and environment.

Manufacturing and Management

Developing a new understanding of manufacturing technology, operations, strategy and policy, in close partnership with industry, in order to improve industrial performance.

Information Engineering

Developing fundamental theory and applications relating to the generation, distribution, analysis and use of information in engineering and biological systems.

It is not necessary to have a Master's degree to gain entry to the PhD; applicants can apply on the basis of their undergraduate degree (subject to international students meeting the minimum criteria for postgraduate entry to the University). Students applying with a taught Master's degree from Cambridge are expected to have achieved a mark of at least 70% overall on their programme.

The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the  Postgraduate Open Day  page for more details.

See further the  Postgraduate Admissions Events  pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.

Key Information

3-4 years full-time, 4-7 years part-time, study mode : research, doctor of philosophy, department of engineering, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, lent 2024 (closed).

Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.

Michaelmas 2024 (Closed)

Funding deadlines.

These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2024, Lent 2025 and Easter 2025.

Similar Courses

• Engineering MPhil
• Construction Engineering MSt
• Nuclear Energy MPhil
• Photonic and Electronic Systems EPSRC CDT PhD
• Connected Electronic and Photonic Systems MRes

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