Welcome to Cranfield’s PhD programme
The Cranfield PhD has an international reputation for quality and academic excellence.
Distinguished by a well-structured and rigorous research training programme that ensures students make rapid progress, our programmes perform consistently highly in the rankings - 6th in the UK, 8th in Europe and 24th in the world (2009 Financial Times MBA survey). They are also accredited by The Economic and Social Research Council for their outstanding content and the level of support our students receive.
Cranfield's approach is unique. We enjoy unparalleled links with business and commerce and a reputation for applying theory to real business issues. Our PhD will enable you to shape the management knowledge of the future as well as make significant strides in your career.
Join Cranfield and you will find a high quality research community of some 60 international PhD students that provides a friendly, supportive environment and many opportunities for personal development. Training will be provided in academic writing and presenting your research; additionally, you will be actively encouraged to attend international conferences and to study overseas, for which appropriate funding will be provided. Opportunities may also arise for occasional teaching within the School.
There is also the possibility of studying part-time. Unlike many other leading international business schools we offer a 6-year part-time programme which has distinct advantages for students who wish to continue working whilst studying for their PhD.
Please visit our pages, read our alumni's and current students' testimonials and contact us if you would like further information.
Dr Colin Pilbeam
Director, PhD Programme
"Cranfield exceeded my expectations by providing world-class research education and a structured programme that offers both challenge and support – a thoroughly professional organisation with the needs of students, educators and businesses clearly in its sights."
Dr Robert Galavan, PhD alumnus
"Working in Cranfield School of Management is an exceptional opportunity for PhD students. I found a professional and excellent team, in such a stimulating environment. My colleagues were really supportive, and sharing ideas with them was really helpful. I will definitely keep in touch with them as it was such an enriching experience. As well, the facilities on campus, the library and other services contributed in allowing me to make the most of this period of research."
Dr Alessandro Creazza, visiting PhD scholar March - August 2008.
News
Our doctorates climb the rankings - again!
In the latest Global MBA Rankings report, the Financial Times has ranked Cranfield School of Management as 4th in the UK, 6th in Europe and 23rd in the world for its doctoral graduates - yet another rise from the previous year's placement. The doctoral rank is calculated according to the number of doctoral graduates, with additional points if doctoral graduates took up faculty positions at one of the top 50 full-time MBA schools of 2009.
2010 Management Doctoral Open Days
Interested in applying for a 2010 start? Find out about our DBA, full-time PhD and part-time PhD programmes as well as discuss your research interests with members of faculty. The next Open Day is on 21 April 2010. More info
The closing date for 2010 PhD applications is Monday 31 May 2010.
EQUIS re-accreditation for Cranfield
We are delighted that we have received full EQUIS re-accreditation for the next five years. The European Quality Improvement System, requires accredited business schools to demonstrate not only high quality in all dimensions of their activities, but also a high degree of internationalisation. More info
RAE highlights world-class doctorates
In the last Research Assessment Exercise the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) rated 25% of Cranfield School of Management's research activity as 'world leading'. World-leading aspects included the scale, resourcing and quality assurance of PhD and DBA activities.
Visiting researchers
The School hosts a number of visiting PhD students from other countries each year. We welcome expressions of interest from students who wish to work with a SoM supervisor at Cranfield for a short period. Contact Wendy Habgood for further information.
PhD Studentships
The School has 3 ESRC PhD studentships available for UK/EU candidates starting September 2010. School bursaries are also available. Studentships information.
Doctoral Programmes 2010
The PhD and Executive Doctorate programmes will start on 27 Sept 2010.