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PhD Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies

PhD Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies

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Entry requirements

Fees and funding.

  • What's next?

PhD Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies gives you the opportunity to interrogate the theories and practice of organisation in relation to work, management and the experience of employment.

We welcome applications from students from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities, with wide ranging social science and interdisciplinary research interests, including recent graduates from a range of disciplines, experienced practitioners, professionals and policy makers.

We welcome theses exploring research that considers the historical, socio-economic, cultural, and political context within which work and its organisation takes place, as well as that which has critical implications for contemporary organisational and management practices.

You can tailor your research to a profession or sector of your choice and may choose to pursue research in one of the following areas:

  • human resource management and approaches to wellbeing
  • environmental sustainability and ethics
  • sociology and social psychology of work
  • employee relations
  • work and organisation studies
  • gender, diversity and intersectionality in the workplace
  • creativity and organisational change
  • information systems in organisations
  • precarious employment and vulnerability
  • public sector change and reorganisation
  • organisational spatiality and design

Essex Business School , where this course is based, provides a highly flexible and supportive PhD experience, where your supervisors develop your professional skills and research expertise in your chosen area.

We are the largest department at the University of Essex, with a large research community , including more than 100 doctoral students from more than 40 different nationalities.

You will join our Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management Group and will participate in the research activities of the group and its primary research centre, the Centre for Work, Organisation and Society This will provide you with access to academic and industry expertise, as well as the opportunity to network with scholars from around the world.

You may be eligible for funding from the South East Network for Social Sciences (SeNSS) .

  • 100% of our business and management research environment is world-leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
  • We champion responsible management and sustainable business practices
  • We have strong relationships with external stakeholders and funders, including UK research councils and EU framework programmes

Our expert staff

You benefit from world-class supervision and research training. Essex Business School is home to several leading journal editors and eight research centres across our two campuses. Our researchers are highly regarded for their work on:

  • gender equality and inclusion in the workplace
  • organisational behaviour
  • the relationship between work, organisation and society
  • employee relations and human resource management

Essex is home to world renowned academics in the field of organisation studies and leadership, like Professor Elisabeth Kelan whose research explores the future of work, digitalisation, and gender. Her research is regularly featured in the media such as the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Telegraph and HR Magazine. The Times featured her as one of the management thinkers to watch.

Dr Louise Nash and Director of Postgraduate Research at Essex Business School oversees and leads the provision of our graduate research programmes and ensures that we create an environment where our doctoral students can flourish as researchers in a thriving and mutually supportive PhD community.

Louise is a lecturer in Management and Marketing and completed her PhD Management at Essex. She has extensive management and marketing experience which has influenced her research interests – these focus on interpretative, qualitative studies of the lived experience of work, including: the spatial and temporal rhythms of everyday life; the culture, aesthetics and symbolism of organisational life; gender in the workplace and exploring and developing sensory and embodied methods for researching organisations.

You are allocated two supervisors during your studies. They provide you with guidance and support to help you achieve your individual research goals and produce a high quality piece of doctoral work.

Your supervisors help you to develop your research topic and create your personalised training plan. You meet with them at least once a month and are usually required to submit work beforehand to gain feedback in these meetings. Twice a year, you have a supervisory board meeting when you discuss your progress and agree your plans for the next six months.

We recommend that you make contact with potential supervisors before making your application. You can find supervisors who are open to supporting supervision in your area of research by searching for your research terms in the Research Finder search function on the University of Essex website.

As well as supporting you to complete your thesis, your supervisors can help you to plan your career development. Our academics often co-author publications with doctoral students and can help you to develop the transferable skills needed for the jobs market.

Specialist facilities

PhD Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies is based at our Colchester Campus , in the UK's first zero carbon business school building This reflects our commitment to sustainability and business ethics and we are proud to be a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) .

You have access to excellent research facilities, such as:

  • a dedicated PhD study area with computer stations
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) pods to meet with students, should you decide to become a GTA
  • a Bloomberg trading floor
  • access to databases such as Bloomberg, Compustat, Passport GMID, Bankscope and Datastream
  • e-book finance and business packages to support part-time and distance learning (including Ebrary, NetLibrary, Oxford Scholarship Online, Palgrave Connect and SpringerLink)
  • final-year students are provided with office space to encourage successful thesis completion
  • group-working space in our stunning winter garden
  • study skills support for postgraduate students
  • Bonds café with adjacent sun terrace

Our PhD community offers opportunities for mutually beneficial collaborations as well as being a strong social group for our students to engage with.

Your future

Essex Business School fosters the business leaders and researchers of the future. Our PhD graduates use their creativity, innovation and ethical awareness to meet the many challenges facing the international business world.

Many of our graduates enjoy careers in academia and organisations in the public and private sectors, including at some of the world's most well-known organisations and exciting SMEs, such as:

  • Right Freight Pvt Ltc
  • Copal Partners
  • Capital Markets Intelligence, a financial publisher
  • Credit Data Research, a business funder
  • Many now also run their own growing businesses, including international business incubator 0100Ventures and entrepreneurship website SlovakSTARTUP.

PhD Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies students can also take advantage of the services offered by the Student Development Team , including: careers advice; work experience; internships; placements; and voluntary opportunities.

UK entry requirements

International & eu entry requirements.

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please select your country page where you'll find this information.

English language requirements

Course structure.

A research degree doesn't have a taught structure, giving you the chance to investigate your chosen topic in real depth and reach a profound understanding. In communicating that understanding, through a thesis or other means, you have a rare opportunity to generate knowledge. A research degree allows you to develop new high-level skills, enhance your professional development and build new networks. It can open doors to many careers.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code . For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Research skills are critical to a postgraduate research degree, regardless of the topic you are exploring. This module will reinforce the research methods and skills developed through your previous study and will address philosophical issues underlying management and business research and explain how to select research strategies and designs. It will offer a comprehensive view of methods of data collection and analysis to support the quality and value of research outcomes.

View Essex Business School - Research on our Module Directory

You begin your studies by meeting with your supervisors and undertaking an intensive induction programme. You attend advanced research methods training and undertake compulsory modules tailored to your individual research needs.

Throughout your PhD, you have regular meetings with your supervisors. You are often asked to write up your ideas or reading notes to help establish good writing practices. By the end of your first year of research, you should have a solid understanding of the key debates in your field and have defined your research questions, outlining your original contribution to knowledge. Those studying via the integrated PhD route (or 1+3) will have completed an additional year to obtain a Masters before beginning their research.

In your second year, you are likely to finalise the design of your own research project and either collect primary data, or access and analyse large scale datasets. You may also make progress on your second research paper. You receive regular feedback on your ideas and findings from your supervisors and are encouraged to develop your own research ideas independently during this year. If you are undertaking fieldwork in another location, your supervisors will still be in touch via email or Skype.

In your final year, you continue to analyse your own research data and further refine your original contribution to knowledge. You will collate your work into an approximately 50-80k words thesis

You may attend a number of conferences in your final year to test out your research findings and thesis on an international stage.. As well as advising on how to prepare your thesis for examination, your supervisors can advise on future career plans in academia or industry.

Dissertation

Creating a 50-80k word thesis is a significant task. To help you finalise your PhD and produce high quality doctoral research, we have a number of support mechanisms.

You undertake a progress board every six months, where you, your supervisors and an independent chair mark your progress and set objectives for the next period. You are also encouraged to take part in peer-group debates and discussions.

Our full-time doctorates are 36-month programmes. At the end of this time, you may be allowed up to 12 months to finish writing up your PhD.

Once you have submitted your thesis, you will be asked to attend a viva voce examination with examiners from within and outside the University. A viva voce examination usually takes place within three months of submission of thesis.

Home/UK fee

£4,786 per year

International fee

£18,750 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

Masters fees and funding information

Research (e.g. PhD) fees and funding information

What's next

We hold Open Days for all our applicants throughout the year. Our Colchester Campus events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex, and give you the chance to:

  • tour our campus and accommodation
  • find out answers to your questions about our courses, graduate employability, student support and more
  • talk to our Fees and Funding team about scholarship opportunities
  • meet our students and staff

If the dates of our organised events aren’t suitable for you, feel free to get in touch by emailing [email protected] and we’ll arrange an individual campus tour for you.

2024 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

  • Wednesday, March 20, 2024

phd in hr uk

You can apply for this postgraduate course online . Before you apply, please check our information about necessary documents that we'll ask you to provide as part of your application.

We encourage you to make a preliminary enquiry directly to a potential supervisor or the Graduate Administrator within your chosen Department or School. We encourage the consideration of a brief research proposal prior to the submission of a full application.

We aim to respond to applications within four weeks. If we are able to offer you a place, you will be contacted via email.

For information on our deadline to apply for this course, please see our ‘ how to apply ' information.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Visit Colchester Campus

Set within 200 acres of  award-winning  parkland - Wivenhoe Park  and located two miles from the  historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

Virtual tours

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360 degree virtual tour allows you to explore the Colchester Campus from the comfort of your home. Check out our accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications . The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

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MRes/PhD in Management - Employment Relations and Human Resources

  • Graduate research
  • Department of Management
  • Application code N2Z1
  • Starting 2024
  • Home full-time: Closed
  • Overseas full-time: Closed
  • Location: Houghton Street, London

This programme offers you the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication and which makes an original contribution to the field of employment relations and human resource management. You will begin on the MRes and will need to meet certain requirements to be upgraded to PhD status.

The MRes/PhD in Management – Employment Relations and Human Resources (ERHR) is part of a rigorous and interdisciplinary graduate training programme. It is designed to stimulate critical thinking and creative ideas and provide you with the analytical skills to design, carry out, report, read and evaluate qualitative and quantitative research.

As a research-led department of management at the heart of LSE’s academic community in central London, we are ranked #5 in the world for social sciences and management

The ERHR group’s investigation and teaching pursue Human Resource Management (HRM) foundational domains (e.g. recruitment and selection, diversity and inclusion, well-being, voice, learning and development, engagement and retention, compensation, performance management), as well as strategic HRM, labour unions and other institutions, corporate social responsibility and value chains, new and emerging employment relationships (e.g. gig economy and zero-hour contracts), digital HRM and people analytics, emerging technology and the future of work.

We aim to produce top-quality social scientists with the ability to engage with the conceptual foundations of employment relations and human resource management – from both an international and comparative perspective – and employ robust methods to produce significant and original research.

You will work closely with international and world-class faculty as part of a vibrant community of doctoral students, all of whom are pursuing varied research in different fields of management. The programme also includes a comprehensive methodological training with the opportunity to specialise in a designated field.

Programme details

For more information about tuition fees and entry requirements, see the fees and funding and assessing your application sections.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements for mres/phd in management - employment relations and human resources.

Upper second class honours (2:1) degree in any discipline, or the equivalent.

Competition for places at the School is high. This means that even if you meet our minimum entry requirement, this does not guarantee you an offer of admission.

If you have studied or are studying outside of the UK then have a look at our  Information for International Students  to find out the entry requirements that apply to you.

GRE/GMAT requirement

The GRE/GMAT is required for all applicants. We do not require a specific GRE/GMAT overall score but the test gives us an indication of your aptitude for our programmes. There is no preference for GMAT or GRE but all applications must submit scores at the time of application. Your score should be less than five years old on 1 October 2024.

Please see LSE information on GRE and GMAT for more detail on our requirements and submission of test scores, including information on LSE’s institution codes.

Find out more about GRE/GMAT

Assessing your application

We welcome applications for research programmes that complement the academic interests of members of staff at the School. We recommend that you investigate staff research interests before applying.

We carefully consider each application on an individual basis, taking into account all the information presented on your application form, including your:

  • Academic achievement (including existing and pending qualifications).
  • Academic statement of purpose ( writing your statement of purpose guidance ).
  • Academic references ( see guidance on references ).
  • GMAT/GRE ( how your scores are reviewed ).
  • Outline research proposal ( writing your research proposal guidance ).
  • Sample of written work.

LSE Graduate Admissions information on supporting documents

You may also have to provide evidence of your English proficiency. You do not need to provide this at the time of your application to LSE, but we recommend that you do. See LSE's English language requirements.

When to apply

The application deadline for this programme is 15 January 2024 . See the fees and funding section for more details.

How to apply

To apply online go to the LSE Application System .

We do not require a specific overall score but the test gives us an indication of aptitude for our programmes. A strong GMAT or GRE score will count in your favour, but other information, such as your research interests, your examination results, previous qualifications and references are central to our overall evaluation of your application. We recognise that if your first language is not English, the verbal test will be more demanding and we view your score on that basis.

Applying to both Employment Relations and Human Resource Management (ERHR) and Organisational Behaviour (OB) programmes

Our application process allows candidates to apply to up to two programmes. You can therefore apply to both the Employment Relations and Human Resources (ERHR) and the Organisational Behaviour (OB) programme if you are unsure where your research interest will find the best match. This means Faculty from both groups will review your application, and you may be invited to interview for either one or both programmes.

Although ERHR and OB faculty members focuses on their respective research areas and interests, both faculty groups generally draw from similar disciplines (e.g., psychology, sociology, or economics), theoretical underpinning, and literatures that guide their multi-level (e.g., individual, groups, organisational, and/or institutional) quantitative and qualitative scholarship.

Applicants are encouraged to investigate  Faculty interests in both ERHR and OB  to discern potential faculty who may have the best fit.

If you would like advice on applying to both programmes or more detailed information on each programme you can talk with a member of our programme team by requesting a consultation .

Fees and funding

Every research student is charged a fee in line with the fee structure for their programme.  The fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It does not cover  living costs  or travel or fieldwork.

Tuition fees 2024/25 for MRes/PhD in Management - Employment Relations and Human Resources

Home students: £4,829 for the first year (provisional) Overseas students: £22,632 for the first year

The fee is likely to rise over subsequent years of the programme. The School charges home research students in line with the level of fee that the Research Councils recommend. The fees for overseas students are likely to rise in line with the assumed percentage increase in pay costs (i.e. 4 per cent per annum).

The Table of Fees shows the latest tuition amounts for all programmes offered by the School.

The amount of tuition fees you will need to pay, and any financial support you are eligible for, will depend on whether you are classified as a home or overseas student, otherwise known as your fee status. LSE assesses your fee status based on guidelines provided by the Department of Education.

Further information about fee status classification

Scholarships, studentships and other funding

The School recognises that the  cost of living in London  may be higher than in your home town or country, and we provide generous scholarships each year to home and overseas students.

This programme is eligible for  LSE PhD Studentships , and  Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funding . Selection for the PhD Studentships and ESRC funding is based on receipt of an application for a place – including all ancillary documents before the funding deadline.  

Financial Aid and Funding sorted by research degree programme for applicants in the Department of Management.

Funding deadline for LSE PhD Studentships and ESRC funding: 15 January 2024

In addition to our needs-based awards, LSE also makes available scholarships for students from specific regions of the world and awards for students studying specific subject areas. 

Find out more about financial support

External funding 

There may be other funding opportunities available through other organisations or governments and we recommend you investigate these options as well.

Information for international students

LSE is an international community, with over 140 nationalities represented amongst its student body. We celebrate this diversity through everything we do.  

If you are applying to LSE from outside of the UK, then take a look at our Information for International students . 

1) Take a note of the UK qualifications we require for your programme of interest (found in the ‘Entry requirements’ section of this page). 

2) Go to the International Students section of our website. 

3) Select your country. 

4) Select ‘Graduate entry requirements’ and scroll until you arrive at the information about your local/national qualification. Compare the stated UK entry requirements listed on this page with the local/national entry requirement listed on your country specific page.

Programme structure and courses

Research practicums.

For the duration of your 2-year MRes programme, you will engage in active research, called Research Practicums, with different members of Faculty. The rotation of practicum assignments will include one-to-one training and collaboration that provides you better understanding of the research process, e.g.:

  • Literature reviews.
  • Applied research method and practices.
  • Determining theory-driven, testable hypotheses.
  • Identifying appropriate methods and samples.
  • Coding and data analysis.
  • Evaluating findings and implications.
  • Writing manuscripts for the academic peer-reviewed process with ultimate goal of publication in top-tier academic journal.

First year (MRes)

Study in the first year includes a doctoral seminar in Employment Relations and Human Resource management and training in quantitative and qualitative methods.

As the Employment Relations and Human Resources domain is multidisciplinary, you will also take an elective course from selected fields including but not limited to:

  • Management.
  • Organisational Behaviour.
  • Employment Relations.
  • Government.
  • Other subject areas in agreement with your Supervisor.

All first year doctoral students in the Department of Management will take the seminar course A Social Sciences Perspective of Academic Research in Management.

Courses include:

Employment Relations and Human Resource Management Seminar I

The seminar covers micro-HRM, macro-HRM, the future of work, labour markets, institutional, and comparative employment relations perspectives, and the full range of research methods from across the ERHR field.

Fundamentals of Social Science Research Design

This core course introduces a broad range of design options across quantitative and qualitative research, covering issues of data quality, analysis, reporting and reproducibility. The course is designed to equip you to implement and make arguments defending the methods you use in your PhD theses.

You may choose an alternative course depending on your previous research design training as more specialised options are available. 

Quantitative Research Methods

You choose a course in quantitative methods or statistics depending on your previous quantitative methods training and research interests.

Qualitative Research Methods

This core course covers conceptual understandings of current academic debates regarding qualitative methods, and with practical skills to put those methods into practice. Where applicable you can replace this course with alternative advanced qualitative training.

Elective Course in the Social Sciences

You will have the opportunity to select an elective course aligned with your research interests in either Management, Organisational Behaviour, Employment Relations, Law, Gender, Government, or other subject areas in agreement with your supervisor.

A Social Sciences Perspective of Academic Research in Management

Along with all MRes/PhD and MPhil/PhD students from across the Department of Management Research programmes you will participate in a seminar on the nature of scientific enquiry in the Social Sciences. The seminar series is led by members of the Faculty across the Department and provides an interdisciplinary collaborative perspective and the opportunity for students to develop academic presentation skills

Second year (MRes)

In the second year, you will continue to participate in Research Practicums and the Employment Relations and Human Resources Seminar. You will take two elective courses in your area of interest or additional methods depending on your training and intellectual requirements and preferences. You will write a research paper in your field of interest which will form an important element in your upgrade to PhD.

Employment Relations and Human Resource Management Seminar II

Two Elective Courses in areas of research interest or additional methods training

Research Paper in Management (MRes PhD Programmes)  

Third, fourth and fifth year (PhD)

Upon successfully completing the MRes and progressing to the PhD, you will work on your research and write your PhD thesis. Throughout the 3-5 year preiod there are regular reviews on your research progress. In the final year you prepare a detailed plan of work for the successful submission of your thesis.  

Throughout your PhD you will show the continued development of research ideas for publication, participation in relevant training courses and career development activities.

For the most up-to-date list of courses please visit the relevant School Calendar page .

You must note, however, that while care has been taken to ensure that this information is up to date and correct, a change of circumstances since publication may cause the School to change, suspend or withdraw a course or programme of study, or change the fees that apply to it. The School will always notify the affected parties as early as practicably possible and propose any viable and relevant alternative options. Note that the School will neither be liable for information that after publication becomes inaccurate or irrelevant, nor for changing, suspending or withdrawing a course or programme of study due to events outside of its control, which includes but is not limited to a lack of demand for a course or programme of study, industrial action, fire, flood or other environmental or physical damage to premises.

You must also note that places are limited on some courses and/or subject to specific entry requirements. The School cannot therefore guarantee you a place. Please note that changes to programmes and courses can sometimes occur after you have accepted your offer of a place. These changes are normally made in light of developments in the discipline or path-breaking research, or on the basis of student feedback. Changes can take the form of altered course content, teaching formats or assessment modes. Any such changes are intended to enhance the student learning experience. You should visit the School’s  Calendar , or contact the relevant academic department, for information on the availability and/or content of courses and programmes of study. Certain substantive changes will be listed on the  updated graduate course and programme information  page.

Supervision, progression and assessment

Supervision.

You do not need to have identified a supervisor prior to application. During your MRes you will be supervised by the PhD Director of the Employment Relations and Human Resources programme.

During the first two years of the programme, you will participate in Research Practicums, working in collaboration with different faculty mentors. Each research practicum will enable you to participate in research activities, understand Faculty research interests, and develop your own research skills. Your PhD supervisors will be appointed when you upgrade to PhD.

Progression and assessment

You will need to meet certain criteria to progress to each subsequent year of the programme, such as achieving certain grades in your coursework and engaging in all aspects of the programme. 

Your final award will be determined by the completion of an original research thesis and a viva oral examination.

Student support and resources

We’re here to help and support you throughout your time at LSE, whether you need help with your academic studies, support with your welfare and wellbeing or simply to develop on a personal and professional level.

Whatever your query, big or small, there are a range of people you can speak to who will be happy to help.  

Department librarians   – they will be able to help you navigate the library and maximise its resources during your studies. 

Accommodation service  – they can offer advice on living in halls and offer guidance on private accommodation related queries.

Class teachers and seminar leaders  – they will be able to assist with queries relating to specific courses. 

Disability and Wellbeing Service  – they are experts in long-term health conditions, sensory impairments, mental health and specific learning difficulties. They offer confidential and free services such as  student counselling,  a  peer support scheme  and arranging  exam adjustments.  They run groups and workshops.  

IT help  – support is available 24 hours a day to assist with all your technology queries.   

LSE Faith Centre  – this is home to LSE's diverse religious activities and transformational interfaith leadership programmes, as well as a space for worship, prayer and quiet reflection. It includes Islamic prayer rooms and a main space for worship. It is also a space for wellbeing classes on campus and is open to all students and staff from all faiths and none.   

Language Centre  – the Centre specialises in offering language courses targeted to the needs of students and practitioners in the social sciences. We offer pre-course English for Academic Purposes programmes; English language support during your studies; modern language courses in nine languages; proofreading, translation and document authentication; and language learning community activities.

LSE Careers  ­ – with the help of LSE Careers, you can make the most of the opportunities that London has to offer. Whatever your career plans, LSE Careers will work with you, connecting you to opportunities and experiences from internships and volunteering to networking events and employer and alumni insights. 

LSE Library   –   founded in 1896, the British Library of Political and Economic Science is the major international library of the social sciences. It stays open late, has lots of excellent resources and is a great place to study. As an LSE student, you’ll have access to a number of other academic libraries in Greater London and nationwide. 

LSE LIFE  – this is where you should go to develop skills you’ll use as a student and beyond. The centre runs talks and workshops on skills you’ll find useful in the classroom; offers one-to-one sessions with study advisers who can help you with reading, making notes, writing, research and exam revision; and provides drop-in sessions for academic and personal support. (See ‘Teaching and assessment’). 

LSE Students’ Union (LSESU)  – they offer academic, personal and financial advice and funding.  

PhD Academy   – this is available for PhD students, wherever they are, to take part in interdisciplinary events and other professional development activities and access all the services related to their registration. 

Sardinia House Dental Practice   – this   offers discounted private dental services to LSE students.  

St Philips Medical Centre  – based in Pethwick-Lawrence House, the Centre provides NHS Primary Care services to registered patients.

Student Services Centre  – our staff here can answer general queries and can point you in the direction of other LSE services.  

Student advisers   – we have a  Deputy Head of Student Services (Advice and Policy)  and an  Adviser to Women Students  who can help with academic and pastoral matters.

Student life

As a student at LSE you’ll be based at our central London campus. Find out what our campus and London have to offer you on academic, social and career perspective. 

Student societies and activities

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Students who successfully complete the programme often embark on an academic career.

  • Information on the placements of previous Department of Management PhD students

The Department aims to give all qualified doctoral students the opportunity to teach. Developing teaching skills and experience is an important component of the students' career development and prepare you for future academic roles. To make this experience as valuable as possible we draw on the support from the LSE's Teaching and Learning Centre.

Support for your career

Throughout the programme, you are expected to participate in Employment Relations and Human Resource Management Faculty Research Group research workshops, enabling you to grow familiar with the process of presenting and discussing academic papers with experienced faculty, and provide opportunities for networking. Funding is also available for you to attend and present papers at academic conferences.

LSE Careers has a team dedicated to PhD students offering a wide range of resources and advice. You will receive regular updates on career events and workshops offered by LSE Careers and the LSE’s PhD Academy. Research based employment opportunities are communicated to students in our newsletters and email updates.

Programme enquiries

Faculty members are unable to comment on your eligibility without viewing your full application file first. If you have any questions regarding the programme, please contact the Department of Management PhD Office at  [email protected]

Admissions enquiries

With questions related to the admissions process, please contact the LSE Graduate Admissions team via their  getting in touch page .

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Mres/phd in management - organisational behaviour.

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MPhil/PhD Human Resource Management

phd in hr uk

Key Information

MPhil: 1.5-3 years. PhD: 2-4 years

MPhil: 2-4 years. PhD: 3-8 years

Entry Requirements

Brayford Pool

Start Dates in October and February

Programme Overview

Doctoral candidates pursue original research with the goal of making a significant contribution to knowledge in, and understanding of, their chosen field. As a postgraduate researcher you can become an integral part of our research community, working with leading academics whose research has gone on to impact business, policy, and society on an international scale.

There is an emphasis on your own independent critical investigation, supervised by an experienced team of academics. You can benefit from an active research community in the School, and research groups with which to align your study.

As a research student, you will have access to a structured programme of training supported by our Doctoral School. This aims to assist you in the development of the practical and critical skills which are necessary for this programme and are transferable to your career. There may be opportunities to participate in undergraduate teaching following relevant training.

Key Features

Conduct independent, original, and academically significant research

Benefit from training courses to develop key research skills

Supervision and support from expert academic staff

Present at talks and seminars to showcase your work

Enrol in February or October each year

A group of students working together on a project

How You Study

Normally, PhD students register for an MPhil, and within 12 months (24 months for part-time study) they are expected to transfer to the PhD programme. This transfer requires the production of a detailed research proposal, which the candidate will be expected to defend at a transfer viva. The formal transfer is subject to approval by the University's Research Committees

Students are assigned a supervision team consisting of a Director of Studies (first supervisor) and usually one second supervisor. Students are expected to work independently on their research projects under the advice and direction of the supervision team.

Due to the nature of postgraduate research programmes, the vast majority of your time will be spent in independent study and research. You will have meetings with your academic supervisors, however the regularity of these will vary depending on your own individual requirements, subject area, staff availability, and the stage of your programme.

Research Groups and Topics

The key to success on a postgraduate research programme is to find a research topic that you are passionate about and identify a supervisory team that has expertise in this area. We strongly recommend that you take a look at the research groups within Lincoln International Business School and individual staff research interests so you can see how your proposed research aligns with our research. Research is organised primarily around six research groups which draw together staff from across disciplinary boundaries within the School.

Community Organisation Research Group

Researching community organisation, self-organisation, and development within Third Sector organisations, multi-agency networks, and community groups.

Lincoln Economics, Accountancy, and Finance Research Group

Facilitating the creation and diffusion of policy-relevant research and the development of research skills in the University, the local community, and wider society.

Marketing Research Group

Bringing together both early-career and well-established researchers who are contributing to a wide range of marketing-related studies.

Regional Innovation and Enterprise Research Group

Delivering locally, nationally, and internationally funded projects aimed at investigating the role of innovation and entrepreneurship in the developments of regions.

Responsible Management Research Group

Developing new knowledge in ways that improve the understanding of responsible management as a concept and as practice in multiple contexts.

Visitor Economy Research Group

The Visitor Economy Research Group brings together research focused on the areas of tourism, mobilities, hospitality, heritage, events, and leisure.

How you are assessed

Students are required to demonstrate adequate and appropriate progress usually on an annual basis. A PhD is awarded based on the quality of your thesis and your ability in an oral examination (viva voce) to present and successfully defend your chosen research topic to a group of academics. You are also expected to demonstrate how your research findings have contributed to knowledge or developed existing theory or understanding.

Writing a Research Proposal

When applying for the MPhil/PhD programme, you will need to write a research proposal as part of your application. This sets out the broad topic you wish to research; the reasons for the research; what you hope to achieve; how you are going to conduct the research; and the expected results in relation to knowledge and understanding in the subject. The research proposal will be used to assess both the academic potential of your proposed research and our ability to supervise and support you in your proposed area of study.

How to Write Your Research Proposal

How to Apply

Postgraduate Research Application Support

Find out more about the application process for research degrees and what you'll need to complete on our How to Apply page, which also features contact details for dedicated support with your application.

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Entry Requirements 2024-25

Normally candidates should hold a 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent in a relevant subject. You should also hold a Master's degree, or international equivalent, at merit or above.

While academic credentials are important for a successful application we also pay great attention to the fit of students to both the programme and the research interests of our academic team. Applicants are assessed based on their previous academic performance, the quality of their research proposal, and the availability of suitable members of staff to supervise the chosen research topic.

If you would like to undertake a PhD, but do not currently have a Master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, you may want to consider studying one of our Master's programmes.

International students will require English Language at IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in each element, or equivalent. For more information, please visit:

http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/englishrequirements

Programme Fees

You will need to have funding in place for your studies before you arrive at the University. Our fees vary depending on the course, mode of study, and whether you are a UK or international student. You can view the breakdown of fees for this programme below. Research students may be required to pay additional fees in addition to cover the cost of specialist resources, equipment and access to any specialist collections that may be required to support their research project. These will be informed by your research proposal and will be calculated on an individual basis.

Funding Your Research

Loans and Studentships

Find out more about the optional available to support your postgraduate research, from Master's and Doctoral Loans, to research studentship opportunities. You can also find out more about how to pay your fees and access support from our helpful advisors.

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Career Development

A doctoral qualification can be the capstone of academic achievement and often marks the beginning of a career in academia or research. A research programme provides the opportunity to become a true expert in your chosen field, while developing a range of valuable transferable skills that can support your career progression. A research-based degree is also the most direct pathway to an academic career. PhDs and research degrees are a great chance to expand your network and meet diverse people with similar interests, knowledge, and passion.

The University’s Doctoral School provides a focal point for Lincoln’s community of researchers, where ideas and experiences can be developed and shared across disciplines. It also offers support and training to help equip you for both academic and non-academic careers.

Doctoral School

Academic Contact

For more information about this course, please contact:

Dr Siobhan Wray [email protected]

Research at Lincoln

Through our research, we are striving to change society for the better. Working with regional, national, and international partners, our academics are engaged in groundbreaking studies that are challenging the status quo. We also understand the importance of providing the best possible environment for pursuing research that can support our communities, improve lives, and make a tangible difference to the world around us.

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Prioritising Face-to-Face Teaching

At the University of Lincoln, we strive to ensure our students’ experience is engaging, supportive, and academically challenging. Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, we have adapted to Government guidance to keep our students, staff, and community safe. All remaining Covid-19 legal restrictions in England were lifted in February 2022 under the Government’s Plan for Living with Covid-19, and we have embraced a safe return to in-person teaching on campus. Where appropriate, face-to-face teaching is enhanced by the use of digital tools and technology and may be complemented by online opportunities where these support learning outcomes.

We are fully prepared to adapt our plans if changes in Government guidance make this necessary, and we will endeavour to keep current and prospective students informed. For more information about how we are working to keep our community safe, please visit our coronavirus web pages .

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Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

Kent Business School has over 100 research-active academic staff. Postgraduate research can take place in any subject area where they have expertise. The Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management PhD programme will equip you with the skills to align people strategy with business strategy and help organisations flourish.

Key information

  • Duration 3 to 4 years full-time
  • Start date September
  • Location Medway, Canterbury

How do we measure the impact of HR practices on organisational culture, employee performance and business success? Learn the tools of the trade for research in Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management on our new postgraduate programme.

Kent Business School performs internationally recognised research. Our specialists in people management and organisation studies draw on techniques from a variety of disciplines such as psychology and sociology in order to develop insight into employee wellbeing, equality and diversity in the workplace, performance management and appraisal.

Kent Business School has over 25 years’ experience delivering business education. Our portfolio of  postgraduate programmes  demonstrates the breadth, and depth of our expertise. Academic research and links with global business inform our teaching, ensuring a curriculum that is relevant and current. We also hold a number of  accreditations  by professional bodies.

Studying at Kent Business School (KBS) gives you the opportunity to increase your employability with real-life case studies, a student council and a business society. We have strong links to local and national organisations providing opportunities for projects, internships and graduate placements. The School attracts many high-profile speakers from industry and last year included visits and lectures from staff of the Bank of England, BAE Systems, Barclays, Lloyds Insurance, Cummins, Delphi and Kent County Council.

The School currently has 60 PhD students, who form a dynamic and close-knit research community.

Everything you need to know.

Entry requirements, study support.

Applicants should hold a 2.1 at the undergraduate level and a Merit at Master’s level in a relevant discipline, from the UK or other approved university and/or equivalent. You must submit a research proposal of approximately 1,500 words on your intended topic.

The deadline for PhD applications is 31 July. 

All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications. 

Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country  and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.

English language entry requirements

The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate degree. Certain subjects require a higher level.

For detailed information see our  English language requirements  web pages. 

Need help with English?

Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways .

Postgraduate research is a fantastic opportunity and significant investment in your future, enabling you to expand your knowledge, skills and career options – all while making a meaningful impact and contribution to an area you are passionate about.

At Kent, we also recognise the significant financial investment that comes with postgraduate study, and we offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate researchers, to help keep your mind on your studies, and off your finances.

Scholarships can be broad, or specific to your situation, background or even country – so please do use our scholarships finder to discover the options available to you.

We also have research partnership funding with research councils and government schemes in specific areas of interest that can help you take your research to the next level with additional financial support.

Find out more on our fees and funding page and discover what option is right for you.

Teaching and assessment

Each research student is supported by a supervisory team (usually two members of academic staff) who give guidance about the nature of the research, the standard of work required, and about the relevant literature and sources that should be consulted.

Students meet with supervisors each month in-person to discuss the PhD project, talk about any aspect of the research, and agree upon a schedule of work. The co-supervisor provides additional input and ensures continuity.

Formal progression reviews are held at key points in your programme and each student participates in a mandatory research training programme.

All Kent Business School PhD students receive: 

  • A laptop and access to the dedicated shared office spaces at both Canterbury and Medway campuses
  • Funds for conference attendance and research expenses
  • Research methods training
  • Access to the library and more specialised resources include the School's Bloomberg Suites, the University High Performance Computing (HPC) services and databases available via the library
  • Full access to the facilities of the  Graduate and Researcher College

All first-year PhD students participate in a mandatory research training programme, including:

  • Relevant research methods
  • Theory of management and in specialist management topics related to your research
  • Skills-based courses in areas such as statistics, computing, electronic literature searching and languages

In addition, students participate in School research seminars and postgraduate training events organised in the School and through the  Graduate and Researcher College . PhD programmes are aligned to the School’s Research Groups and students will become members of these Groups, participating in Group activities.

PhD students with scholarships or part-time teaching within Kent Business School also take modules from the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and receive a teaching qualification.

KBS students benefit from training and development opportunities made available through our membership of NATCOR , the ESRC’s South East Doctoral Training Centre , and the  European Doctoral Programmes Association (EDAMBA).

Researcher Development Programme

Kent's Graduate School co-ordinates the Researcher Development Programme for research students, which includes workshops focused on research, specialist and transferable skills. The programme is mapped to the national Researcher Development Framework and covers a diverse range of topics, including subject-specific research skills, research management, personal effectiveness, communication skills, networking and teamworking, and career management skills.

Research activities at Kent Business School are broadly organised into 4 departments:

  •  Accounting and Finance
  • Analytics, Operations and Systems
  • Leadership and Management
  • Marketing, Entrepreneurship and International Business

Research in our Leadership and Management department examines themes in the areas of employment relations, human resource management, organisational behaviour and leadership.

The department covers a wide range of research, including employment relationships, the role of social partners, the effects of skills, technology and culture on the world of work, employee engagement, and the role of leadership.

Staff research interests

Kent’s world-class academics provide research students with excellent supervision. The academic staff in this school and their research interests are shown below. You are strongly encouraged to contact the school to discuss your proposed research and potential supervision prior to making an application. Please note, it is possible for students to be supervised by a member of academic staff from any of Kent’s schools, providing their expertise matches your research interests. Use our ‘ find a supervisor ’ search to search by staff member or keyword.

Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website .

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The KBS PhD programme is designed to provide thorough training for research careers in academia or industry. Our students generally take up academic appointments in UK or international higher education institutions or work in policy and industry settings.

phd in hr uk

The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are:

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide .

For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact [email protected] .

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from  UKCISA  before applying.

General information

For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* 

Additional costs

General additional costs.

Find out more about  general additional costs  that you may pay when studying at Kent. 

Search our scholarships finder for possible funding opportunities. You may find it helpful to look at both:

  • University and external funds
  • Scholarships specific to the academic school delivering this programme.

phd in hr uk

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

Ready to apply?

Learn more about the  application process  or begin your application by clicking on a link below.

You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.

Need help deciding?

Our friendly team is on hand to help you with any queries you have.

Find the right supervisor for your and your research project.

Experience our stunning campuses.

Everything you need to know about applying to Kent from abroad.

Apply for entry to Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

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Supporting your success

We are here to support your postgraduate journey.

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Kent ranked top 50 in The Complete University Guide 2024 .

Support for funding so you can focus on your studies.

Research excellence.

Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.

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It’s easy to study on or off campus at Kent – discover what is right for you.

School for Business and Society

PhD in Management

Unleash your curiosity and develop key skills to support a career in academia, industry, consultancy or research.

Our PhD programme offers high-quality training and a supportive collegial environment in which to pursue your passion for research.

Study for your doctorate in a professional and challenging school, where academic rigour and excellence is at the heart of everything we do. You will have the opportunity to work with leading academics and be part of a growing and vibrant community of doctoral scholars. 

We welcome applicants who share our vision and want to undertake innovative and exciting research as part of our academic community.

Join researchers from across the globe, who are building new understanding of business and management.

[email protected] +44 (0)1904 321228

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Your research

As a doctoral student, the focus of your work will be an independent research project. We provide training which will equip you with skills in a wide range of research methods to support your growing expertise. Your research will culminate in a thesis which, to successfully pass the programme, will represent an original contribution to knowledge and have the potential to influence practice, policy and understanding in your field of interest.

We welcome applications from students interested in undertaking management research in the following areas:

phd in hr uk

  • Actuarial science
  • Accounting 
  • Finance 
  • Employment relations
  • Human resource management
  • International business and strategy (including business history)
  • Operations management
  • Organisational behaviour

phd in hr uk

Meet our current students

Research excellence

Our management research is a UK top 30 research discipline, and 100% of our research environment - the support we give to researchers - is rated 3* or higher. (REF 2021).

Culture of inclusivity

At the School for Business and Society, we offer dedicated in-house student support for our students and we're proud of our two Bronze Athena Swan Awards, recognising our work to promote gender equality.

Great facilities

Church Lane offers a modern setting with bespoke areas for study, student exhibitions, collaboration, interaction and social engagement as well as a large cafe.

phd in hr uk

Explore Business and Society funding for MPhil/PhD researchers and wider postgraduate support. We also have ESRC White Rose Social Sciences scholarship funding available for research students.

phd in hr uk

Supervision

You will be supported by two academic supervisors. Supervisors will normally share or complement your research interests.

Training and support

You will have at least one meeting with your supervisory team every six to seven weeks. You will also interact with your supervisors and colleagues across the School at research seminars, conference events and informal gatherings.

In your first year you will have a Training Needs Assessment with your Supervisor and Advisory Team, they will recommend additional training areas for you and possible courses to audit.

You'll also take compulsory training modules covering  Methods for Critical Literature Reviewing and Dissemination , and  Philosophy and Process of Management Research . These modules include assignments which you must pass in order to progress.

phd in hr uk

Researcher development

Throughout the course you will have access to training from the University's Building Research and Innovation Capacity Team , who will help you develop your professional skills and career profile. You can also take advantage of the following opportunities for learning:

  • White Rose Doctoral Programme  Advanced methodology training
  • The Northern Advanced Research Training Initiative (NARTI) Doctoral Conference
  • European Doctoral Programmes Association in Management & Business Administration (EDAMBA)  training and conference opportunities
  • University of York Management School seminar series  and various other engagement activities

Teaching opportunities

A PhD helps you to develop the skills you need to work in academia - including teaching. There are opportunities for paid teaching in the Management School and across the University.

Postgraduate tutors receive training and support. There are opportunities for you to gain accredited teaching qualifications.

  • Teach while you study

Course location

This course is run by the School for Business and Society.

You will be based in the  Church Lane Building on Campus West . Most of your training and supervision meetings will take place here, though your research may take you further afield.

You should live in or near York during your PhD programme, whether part-time or full-time. We do not offer distance learning arrangements.

Entry requirements

For entry to the PhD programme, you should have (or expect to obtain) a minimum of a 60% average on a Masters-level programme, with a good mark on your dissertation.

If you haven't completed a Masters degree or appropriate research training, you may wish to consider our  MA Social Research .

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence of your ability.

Apply for the PhD in Management

Take a look at the  supporting documents  you may need for your application.

Find out more about how to apply .

Identify a supervisor

You should identify a potential supervisor in our faculty whose area of research overlaps with yours. We encourage you to contact them to discuss your research proposal before you apply.

Find a supervisor

Submit your application

We require you to submit the following documents:

  • 4,000-word research proposal
  • Academic transcripts
  • Details of two academic referees
  • Your curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Personal statement

You can apply and send all your documentation electronically through our online system. You don’t need to complete your application all at once: you can start, save, and finish it later.

We will respond to your application in four to six weeks. You may track the status of your application and view any official correspondence online. If you have applied for an advertised scholarship or Graduate Teaching Assistant position, decisions on funded places may take a little longer.

If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an online interview. It is important that you demonstrate an understanding of your topic and its supporting theories.

Careers and skills

Your PhD will help to develop your qualifications alongside your research and critical thinking skills. You will further gain transferable skills around communication, project management as well as critical and creative analysis and problem solving, preparing you for the next stage in your career.

Our dedicated careers team offer specific support including a programme of professional researcher development and careers workshops and 1:1 career support sessions. They will help you to build up your employability portfolio and to engage in activities that will build up your skills and experience within and outside of your research work.

Career opportunities

  • Government director
  • Product manager
  • Teaching fellow
  • Assistant professor

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Discover York

phd in hr uk

We offer a range of campus accommodation to suit you and your budget, from economy to deluxe.

phd in hr uk

Discover more about our researchers, facilities and why York is the perfect choice for your research degree.

phd in hr uk

Graduate Research School

Connect with researchers across all disciplines to get the most out of your research project.

Meet us online or on campus

Find out all you need to know about applying to York

Scholarships

Find scholarships to support your studies

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Organisation studies and human resource management postgraduate research degrees

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Postgraduate research in organisation studies and human resource management

Ready to start your research career? Explore our postgraduate research degrees in Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management

If you're interested in taking your existing knowledge and qualifications in Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management into a postgraduate research degree, Portsmouth is the perfect place to do it.

As a postgraduate researcher with us, you could look at the changing nature of the employer/employee relationship, explore the growing responsibility of organisations to act ethically and sustainably, and uncover novel ways for businesses to effectively and fairly manage their workforces.

You could join our research on gender equality in the public sector and creative industries which is helping inform organisations about barriers to entry and enabling female career progression to address gender imbalance.

In an increasingly global and competitive business world, our research is helping shape the practices, processes and structures of organisations. As a postgraduate research degree student, you'll play your part in transforming our expertise into impact.

Types of research degrees

Find out about our PhD, MPhil, and PhD by Publication opportunities in Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management below, including how to apply, entry requirements and funding your degree. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our  How to Apply  pages.

Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management PhDs and MPhils

Explore our pre-approved funded and self-funded PhD projects in Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management, or submit your own research idea. 

PhD and MPhil projects

Funded projects.

There are currently no funded PhD projects available in this area – for more information on funding your own research project, visit our pages on  funding your research degree .

Self-funded projects

Self-funded.

  • CSR-isation in developing countries: Governmentalisation or responsive governance

Submit your own idea

If you already have a research idea, find a supervisor whose research interests match yours by searching our  Find a PhD Supervisor  page. Once you've identified someone suitable, contact them to discuss your idea.

PhD by Publication

A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.

Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6–12 months after registering with us.

For more information, please visit our  PhD by Publication  page.

Duration, fees and funding 

What do my tuition fees cover.

If you're self-funding your PhD, you'll pay tuition fees to the University to cover course and university costs.

Your tuition fees cover:

  • The cost of your postgraduate research programme* at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations
  • Bespoke training, professional development courses, networking, and research support through  The Graduate School
  • Research seminars and workshops (university-wide and faculty-specific)
  • A contribution to funding to attend a conference or development activity in your research field
  • Tailor-made weekly and monthly events, including weekly, themed experienced researcher-led talks and workshops
  • Helping you become part of our thriving research community, including Research and Innovation services where 77% of our research is world leading and internationally excellent in  REF 2021
  • Your graduation ceremony
  • Viva examination and administration costs
  • The  facilities  and equipment you need to complete your studies, such as computer rooms, access to laptops, the  Library , and  laboratories
  • Access to resources including electronic journals, alternative guide to funding, and thousands of hours of educational videos on LinkedIn Learning
  • University support services  including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support and personal tutors
  • Membership of the Students' Union (giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice)
  • Access to software such as Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite (this includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Adobe Premiere Pro)

*Please note that some research programmes may come with additional bench fees.

How long will my research degree take?

  • MPhil:   2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
  • PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
  • PhD by Publication: 1 year part-time

How much will my degree cost?

February 2024 and april 2024 fees.

PhD and MPhil

UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students 

  • Full-time:   £4,712 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,356 per year (may be subject to annual increase)*

EU students

(including Transition Scholarship )

International students  

  • Full-time: £17,900 (may be subject to annual increase)
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £8,950 (may be subject to annual increase)

PhD by Publication 

External candidates: £4,712

Members of staff: £1,850

All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2023/24 please visit this page .

October 2024, February 2025 and April 2025 fees

  • Full-time:   £4,786 per year 
  • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year
  • Full-time:   £4,786 per year

International students

External candidates: £4,786

Members of staff: £1,950

All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2024/25 please visit this page .

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Funding support

MPhil full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the  Government Postgraduate Loan  (UK/EU students only).

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the  Government Doctoral Loan  (UK/EU students only).

For information on other sources of funding, visit our  funding your postgraduate research degree  page.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a PhD, or MPhil include an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.

If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a  pre-sessional English programme  before you start your course.

Support and facilities

When you join us, you'll be supported by our  Graduate School , alongside your assigned supervisory team, who'll help you get the most from our facilities. The Graduate School will help you become part of our thriving, collaborative research community, and help grow your skills as a researcher through the  Graduate School Development Programme , which offers training, workshops and events.

You'll be able to use open access computer suites across campus. These are great working spaces with high-spec PCs, Macs and printing facilities. You can also use more specialised software and equipment, such as large format printing and audio-visual equipment. Specialist technicians are on hand if you need assistance.

What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?

Once you complete your postgraduate research degree, you'll be a highly-skilled researcher with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in many different industries.

Your postgraduate research qualification demonstrates to potential employers that you're an intelligent, capable and motivated person, with provable abilities and experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity.

Apply for a research degree in Operational Research and Logistics by completing our online form.

April (2024 start)

October (2024 start), february (2025 start), current research.

Explore the work we're doing across the 4 areas of expertise within our  Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management  research.

Human resource (HR) management and leadership

We're researching the nature of leadership and management, and the cultures and practices which influence how people are led and work. Explore our human resource management global hr and leadership research.

Meeting between two women and a man

Workplace learning and development

We're developing productive ways of learning-in-action & researching how adults learn best in workplace settings. Explore our workplace learning and development research.

Female and male employee attending an at-work seminar

Employment relations

We're exploring how governments, employers and other agencies influence employment relations. Explore our employment relations research.

Man working with a colleague at a laptop

Business ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

We're conducting research into corporate responsibility, business ethics, and how we can promote a more responsible business culture. Explore our business ethics and corporate social responsibility CSR research.

Female employee wearing rainbow lanyard

UCL School of Management

University college london, phd in management.

Start date:  September 2024 Duration: 5 years (1 year MRes + 4 years PhD) Fees:  We offer fully funded scholarships to all admitted students Application deadline: 01 February 2024 (17:00 UK time). A late submission window closes on 05 April 2024 (17:00 UK time), although we encourage you to apply early as places are limited and applications are subject to close sooner if places are filled. Entry:  Minimum of a first class bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline. International students, please note that UCL’s English language requirement for this programme is a ‘ Level 1 ’ (IELTS and TOEFL are the preferred test, however others on the UCL recognised test list will be accepted if required) - further details regarding this can be found on the  UCL English Language Requirements  page.

PhD students pursue their studies in one of the Operations & Technology, Strategy & Entrepreneurship, Marketing & Analytics, and Organisations & Innovation groups. All four groups offer a unique education and research experience to a small number of highly motivated students, with the intent of preparing them for scholarly careers at the highest level.

UCL Library with Flaxman Gallery reflected in the window

PhD studies in Operations and Technology

Across the different research themes , there is a shared interest in management science, operations management and business technologies. Topics of interest include R&D management, innovation and new product development, service systems, supply chain management and healthcare operations. For candidates in this area, a degree in engineering (e.g. industrial, electrical, computer, mechanical etc), economics, mathematics, statistics or operational research is preferred. 

PhD studies in Strategy and Entrepreneurship

S&E faculty research  focuses on understanding what makes firms successful, how they cope with a complex and dynamic environment, and what leads to new business formation and growth. Doctoral training involves close collaboration between the doctoral student and faculty members on shared research interests, coursework at UCL and other institutions, and independent research. Doctoral students also benefit from the S&E group’s collaborative research community, a lively program of research speakers from other institutions, and links with researchers worldwide. Topics of interest include digitization, big data analytics, machine learning, information environment, platform ecosystems, new organisational forms, learning, innovation, competition, interorganisational relationships, corporate strategy, entrepreneurial strategy, entrepreneurship for development, social innovation. 

PhD studies in Marketing and Analytics

Topics of interest in this group include branding, retailing, advertising, pricing, product development, marketing channels, business marketing, marketing strategy and e-commerce. The researchers in this group use diverse quantitative methodologies that include big data analytics, regression analysis, choice models, field experiments and Bayesian econometrics.

PhD studies in Organisations and Innovation

O&I faculty research focuses on understanding individual and team outcomes within organisations. Group members engage with a variety of perspectives and approaches including network research, experiments and ethnographies. There is a shared interest in the topics of creativity, innovation, social networks and diversity. For applicants to the PhD programme, prior training in social science (e.g. social psychology, sociology or economics) is highly relevant. 

PhD studies in Financial Economics

Our MRes and PhD Programme in Financial Economics with UCL’s Department of Economics now has more information about how to apply and what you can expect from the programme on a brand new programme page, please see the specific entry requirements and programme structure here . 

PhD Structure

  • The programme typically consists of five years of full-time study, starting with one year of modules registered as MRes. These modules are typically advanced postgraduate modules to provide rigorous methodological training to prepare students for their PhD research. Along with the School’s modules, students typically take some of these from other UCL departments (e.g., Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology), the London Business School, Bayes Business School, and Imperial College Business School.
  • In addition to methods modules, students also undertake a first-year research project under the tutoring and supervision of a faculty member later in the MRes year (Term 3 + Summer period).
  • Progression from MRes to PhD is not automatic . Superior performance in taught modules and independent, original research is required for progression from MRes to PhD.
  • Our highly selective and small-sized PhD programme ensures that each student receives personal attention and guidance from our faculty members throughout their doctoral study. The close mentorship process forms the foundations of a successful academic career. 
  • We expect our PhD graduates to have as their goal an academic career as a faculty member in a top business school or engineering department of a world-class university
  • PhD applications are reviewed once a completed application form has been submitted online . 

Students take a total of 180 credits in the MRes year. This is made up of the MRes Research Project:

  • MSIN0135 - MRes Research Project: 8,000-10,000 words . 105 credits.

Students take 75 credits of taught modules, of which the following three are compulsory modules:

  • MSIN0131 - Research Presentation and Critical Writing Skills . 15 credits
  • MSIN0132 - Seminar in Organisation Theory . 15 credits
  • MSIN0240 - Designing Management Research Projects.  15 credits

Finally, students choose elective modules (15 credits each) among those offered by the School of Management, other UCL Departments (e.g., Economics, Psychology), and partner universities in London.

Students can take additional (non-credit) modules at UCL and our partners schools in the remaining years to complement their learning, but there is no requirement to take modules after the MRes year.

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and class discussion based on case studies and other activities. Student performance is assessed through simulations, presentations, coursework, group projects, class participation, and examinations. 

Students typically study 3 compulsory modules over Terms 1 and 2. Students will also typically study 2 optional modules which may take place in Terms 1, 2 or 3. Students will also undertake a substantial research project, which would usually be undertaken over Terms 2 and 3. 

Each taught module is delivered over 10 weeks, with 3 contact hours per week comprising lecture content and interactive components. 

In addition, students typically spend approximately 6-8 hours a week for each module on assessment and independent study to further develop the skills and knowledge covered in lectures and seminars. The total number of weekly hours will vary according to the weekly activities being undertaken.

Why choose us

What our students say:.

‘The UCL School of Management PhD programme is designed to provide students with skills that lead to academic excellence. Candidates are part of a dynamic and vibrant group and benefit from the programme’s flexibility, as they can choose from a wide range of disciplines. The frequent cooperation with world-leading faculty members enhances our knowledge and skills and ultimately leads to high-quality research output, laying the foundations for a subsequent successful academic career.’ 

UCL School of Management has forged a reputation for world-leading research in management studies with 95% of the School’s research deemed to be world-leading or internationally excellent, the second highest percentage of any business school in the UK, according to the 2021 REF. 

VIDEO LIBRARY

Applications

Applying for our mres/phd programme.

Entry requirements and admissions criteria:

We seek to recruit highly motivated, ambitious students with strong educational backgrounds. The ideal candidate will have a first-class Bachelor’s degree from the UK or an overseas qualification of equivalent standard from a leading university. We encourage students from a wide variety of backgrounds (e.g, engineering, economics, business, mathematics/statistics, psychology, sociology, and anthropology, among others) to apply to our programme. Also, notice that a Master’s or graduate level degree is not required for admission, you can apply with only an undergraduate (e.g. bachelors) degree. 

In your personal statement you are expected to suggest one or more faculty members as potential supervisors. On the application form you may see that it states that it is preferred that you contact potential supervisors beforehand – you do not need to do so. In fact, applicants are discouraged from randomly contacting individual faculty members or potential supervisors when applying to our programme. All applications are first evaluated by a joint admissions committee, so contacting potential supervisors separately will not increase your chances.

All MRes/PhD applicants are normally expected to take either a GMAT test or GRE test (UCL’s institution code is 3344, but also make sure you include a scanned copy of your test result on your online application), although the School has no minimum score requirements.  

We also require you to submit IELTS or TOEFL scores if English is not your first language. Our School requires a “Level 1” English qualification which corresponds to:

  • IELTS: Overall grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.
  • TOEFL: Score of 92, plus 24/30 in the reading and writing subtests and 20/30 in the listening and speaking subtests.  

Application Deadline

The application window closes 01 February 2024 (17:00 UK time) and a late submission window closes on 05 April 2024 (17:00 UK time). We advise those interested in the programme to apply before 01 February 2024, as those applying in the late submission window will only be considered if there are still places remaining.

Application Procedure

Apply via UCL Postgraduate Admissions System here . When starting the application, you must select the MRes option. In addition to filling out the online application form, please upload a copy of the following documents:

  • Official Transcripts of Grades / Course marks
  • A 2-3 page personal statement or research proposal* that clearly indicates: (i) which research group you are interested in (i.e., Organisations & Innovation, Strategy & Entrepreneurship, Marketing & Analytics or Operations & Technology, (ii) your research interests and preliminary research ideas, (iii) potential faculty member(s) you may want to work with (this is a suggested list, you don’t need to contact potential supervisors beforehand), and (iv) your motivation to do a PhD.
  • Your  GRE / GMAT  score report**
  • Your IELTS/TOEFL score report, if English is not your first language.

* While submission of a full research proposal is not required, you can send us one if you have already written it up.

** You can submit your application even if you don’t have a GRE/GMAT score —simply indicate when you plan to take the test. Funding/Scholarships

We offer fully funded five year MRes/PhD scholarships in the UCL School of Management to all admitted students. The scholarship is open to all nationalities. It covers all tuition fees, and includes an annual stipend of £25,000, which is tax-free.

Additional costs 

This programme does not have any compulsory additional costs outside of purchasing books or stationery, printing, thesis binding or photocopying.  

Students may have the opportunity to participate in conferences in the UK and internationally. The UCL School of Management provides MRes/PhD students with an annual budget for conferences, which students will use to cover the travel, accommodation, food and other costs whilst at conferences, in line with UCL’s expenses policy. 

Apply today

For queries about the MRes/PhD Programme that are not addressed on our web pages, please contact [email protected] .

Frequently Asked Questions about the UCL School of Management MRes/PhD Programme

Programme Information

Application process, admissions requirements, further information.

If you have any other questions regarding the programme that are not addressed on our web pages please email the programme team ( [email protected] )

phd in hr uk

  • Work For Us

Funded PhD Opportunities in Leadership & Human Resource Management

Northumbria University is a research-rich, business focused, professional university with a global reputation for academic excellence. 

Results from the recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021) see us rise to 23rd place, climbing from our positions of 50th in 2014, and 80th in 2008.  Northumbria University is the sector’s largest riser in research power in the UK. 

Below you can find our available studentships for Leadership and Human Resource Management.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a Masters (preference for Merit or above); or APEL evidence of substantial practitioner achievement.
  • Appropriate IELTS score, if required.
  • Applicants cannot apply for this funding if they are already a PhD holder or if currently engaged in Doctoral study at Northumbria or elsewhere.

Please note: to be classed as a Home student, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • Be a UK National (meeting residency requirements), or
  • have settled status, or
  • have pre-settled status (meeting residency requirements), or
  • have indefinite leave to remain or enter.

If a candidate does not meet the criteria above, they would be classed as an International student. Applicants will need to be in the UK and fully enrolled before stipend payments can commence, and be aware of the following additional costs that may be incurred, as these are not covered by the studentship.

Immigration Health Surcharge https://www.gov.uk/healthcare-immigration-application

If you need to apply for a Student Visa to enter the UK, please refer to the information on https://www.gov.uk/student-visa. It is important that you read this information very carefully as it is your responsibility to ensure that you hold the correct funds required for your visa application otherwise your visa may be refused.

Check what COVID-19 tests you need to take and the quarantine rules for travel to England https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-to-england-from-another-country-during-coronavirus-covid-19

Costs associated with English Language requirements which may be required for students not having completed a first degree in English, will not be borne by the university. Please see individual adverts for further details of the English Language requirements for the university you are applying to.

How to Apply

For further details of how to apply, entry requirements and the application form, see  https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/research/postgraduate-research-degrees/how-to-apply/  

For applications to be considered for interview, please include a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words and the advert reference (e.g. RDF23/…).

Deadline for applications: 27 January 2023

Start date of courses: 1 October 2023 TBC

Reducing inequalities through meaningful work: An intersectional lens (Vu)

Advert Reference: RDF23/LHRM/VU

This PhD project seeks to explore intersectional experiences of meaningful work in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 10 – Reducing Inequality). The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal on Reduced Inequality (SDG10) calls for reducing structural inequalities based on age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, economic or other status within or across countries, and yet, research on progress towards the SDGs at an organizational level has been limited (e.g., Heras‐Saizarbitoria et al., 2022). There is a widespread lack of knowledge about how organizations are contributing to and addressing SDGs and particularly, the role of employees (e.g., Mhlanga et al., 2018).  

Intersectionality theory (Crenshaw, 1989; Collins, 1990) asserts that it is the way in which social categories shift in their meaning, depending on social context, relationships, and interactions of individuals with one another that create privilege or oppression. Therefore, in order to address the dynamic processes of power and privilege as they are played out in intersections of social relations and within organizational practices, processes, actions, and meanings, an intersectional lens offers conceptual possibilities through which to examine the nexus of meaningful work and inequality. Existing research has demonstrated that meaningful work that promotes equality is influenced by societal and cultural contexts (e.g., Lepisto & Pratt, 2017; Michaelson, 2019; Mitra & Buzzanell, 2017, Vu, 2020, 2021) and the way individuals develop virtuous dispositions (e.g., Beadle, 2017; 2019; Beadle & Knight, 2012) over time. Recent studies have integrated intersectionality to explore a wide range of intersecting sources of oppression, including sexuality, class, ethnicity, religion, citizenship status, and age (Collins, 2019) that helps us to understand more about the different ways in which work is experienced as meaningful. For instance, spiritual traditions can influence the interplay of subjective and normative interpretations of meaningful work (Vu & Burton, 2021), and ragpickers in the lowest caste in Indian society can construct a set of positive meanings from their work (Shepherd et al., 2021). However, more work needs to be done to explore how intersections of age, nationality, ethnicity, religion, cultural norms, and expectations of a particular society interface with meaning-making at work (e.g., Bailey et al., 2019b, Lysova et al., 2019; Vu & Burton, 2021) and how these facilitate organizational practices that embrace the dissemination of SDG10.

This project seeks to explore novel and exciting new pathways of research exploring meaningful work that facilitates an intersectional lens. Successful applicants are encouraged to shape this outline to their own interests paying attention to novelty in their choice of intersections, nature of work, organizational and cultural contexts. We welcome applications exploring contexts in both the UK and internationally. We also welcome different methodological approaches for data collection (e.g., qualitative, ethnography approaches, etc.) to capture the exploratory nature of the study and innovative methods which consider the researcher/researched power dynamics. We seek a motivated applicant with evidence of appreciating power and privilege dynamics to join this multi-disciplinary research.

This project is supervised by Dr Mai Chi Vu. for informal queries, please contact [email protected]

References:

Beadle, R. (2017) “Virtue and the Case for Meaningful Work” In Sison, A., Fontrondona, J and G. Beabout. (Eds.) Handbook of Virtue Ethics in Business, New York: Springer. 835-843.

Beadle, R. (2019). “Work, Meaning and Virtue” In Yeoman, R., Bailey, K., Madden, A and Thompson, M. (Eds.) Oxford Handbook of Meaningful Work. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 73-87.

Vu, M. C. (2020). How the contextual constraints and tensions of a transitional context influence individuals’ negotiations of meaningful work–the case of Vietnam. The International Journal of Human Resource Management, 1-27.

Vu, M. C., & Burton, N. (2021). The Influence of Spiritual Traditions on the Interplay of Subjective and Normative Interpretations of Meaningful Work. Journal of Business Ethics, 1-24.

Vu, M. C., & Burton, N. (2021). Bring Your Non-self to Work? The Interaction Between Self-decentralization and Moral Reasoning. Journal of Business Ethics, 1-23.

Re-innovating public service delivery through 'value creation' narratives and strategies for public service organisations (Memon)

Advert Reference: RDF23/LHRM/MEMON

The aim of the project is to examine the potential for re-innovating public service delivery through exploring narratives and strategies of value creation (which impact strategy, commissioning, leadership, and service management). Within the scope of the project, the enquiry will examine how public service delivery can be better understood and improved through value creation in public service organisations. This area of enquiry invites research efforts because ideas surrounding value creation (i.e., its theory as positioned in the Public Management literature) can be quite difficult to translate into practice. For this reason, ‘value creation’ as a concept and its application seldom attract the attention of public service practitioners.

Theoretically, there will be scope within the project to explore concepts such as service dominant logic, value creation, co-production, complexity, public policy and reform, professional sense-making, public private partnerships, devolution, deregulation, managerialism, and new public governance. The project and its research will offer the opportunity to address the arising debate that public services do not necessarily lead to value creation and to the contrary, may contribute to making service user’s lives more complex.

The project will offer the opportunity to undertake a study based in health, social care and/or local authority organisation settings. It will also offer the opportunity to undertake a study involving comparative cases across the public sector (i.e., in health, social care and/or local authority organisations). Furthermore, the project also offers the chance to undertake an enquiry based on novel forms of public service organising such as an integrated health and social care partnerships, public private partnership initiatives, and public-sector devolution projects.  Such research is welcomed given the broad consensus that there remains a lack of empirical evidence and a lack of case examples surrounding such novel forms of public service design.

This project proposal sits with the Public Policy and Management research group at Newcastle Business School. The project supervision team will consist of Dr Ally Memon and Dr Lorraine Johnston who both have experience of supervising doctoral research in the field of public management. 

This project is supervised by Dr Ally Memon. for informal queries, please contact [email protected]

Cui, T., and Osborne, S. P. (2022). New development: Value destruction in public service delivery—a process model and its implications. Public Money & Management, 1-4.

Kinder, T., Six, F., Stenvall, J., Talonen, A. and Memon, A. (2021) Emerging Governances, different Perspectives. International Public Management Review, 21(1), 5-26

Stenvall, J, Kinder, T., Memon, A. and Six, F. (2021) Relational leadership in collaborative governance ecosystems. Public Management Review DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2021.1879913

Fenwick, J. and Johnston, L. (2020) Leading the combined authorities in England: A new future for elected mayors? Public Money & Management, 40(1), 14-20.

Fenwick, J. and Johnston, L. (2019) Public Enterprise and Local Place: New Perspectives on Theory and Practice, Routledge.

Russell, E, Lloyd-Houldey, A., Memon, A. and Yarker, J. (2019) Factors Influencing Uptake and Use of a New Health Information App for Young People, Journal of Technology in Human Services, 36(4), pp. 222-240.

Johnston and Fenwick (2018) Public Entrepreneurship: Is Local Government Necessary to Deliver Economic Development, The Routledge Handbook of International Local Government, Taylor & Francis.

Memon, A. and Kinder, T. (2017) Co-location as a catalyst for service innovation: a study of Scottish health and social care. Public Management Review, 19(4), pp. 381-405

Fostering Healthy Working Lives for Workers and Organisations (Nguyen)

Advert Reference: RDF23/LHRM/NGUYEN

Being healthy and happy is the life goal of individuals; however, many of us are miserable and restless in juggling work, career and family. Work can make us dissatisfied and suffer occupational stress due to high job demands, low resources, unhealthy interpersonal relationships and poor work conditions, stated by the World Health Organization. Since 2012, the United Nations has generated the well-being of individuals as one of the sustainable development goals for all organisations in the world (i.e., Strategic Goal 3). The International Labour Organization (ILO) stresses that 'prevention to promote a safe and healthy working environment, which is a fundamental principle and right at work' (ILO, 2022). Nonetheless, less than 40% of UK organisations take proactive approaches to employee well-being (CIPD, 2022). Globally, more than 60% of workers from 25 countries reported a lack of leadership support regarding their well-being (The Adecco Group, 2021). More than ever, research on healthy workplaces and the well-being of workers after the pandemic has become topical because exhausted and stressed workers are unhappy, disengaged and unproductive, thereby leading to career dissatisfaction and intention to leave (Teo et al., 2020; Nguyen et al., 2019).

Happy and satisfied workers are likely to perform work well with energetic, committed and enthusiastic attitudes and behaviours (Teo et al., 2020; Nguyen et al., 2019). In recent years, positive organisational scholars have extended research on psychological well-being to understand what makes people happy, engaged, and satisfied with their careers and life. For example, Lesener et al. (2020) showed that organisational factors such as organisational climate, job autonomy, job control, development opportunities and positive interpersonal relationships motivate employees to be more engaged and fulfilled. Effective leadership behaviours of direct supervisors also stimulate the positive psychological well-being of subordinates (Plimmers et al., 2022). Although the body of research on psychological well-being is substantial and has identified a range of antecedents and consequences, previous research has rarely looked at a theoretical framework of different factors at the sociocultural, organisational, team, and individual levels that influence the psychological well-being and career fulfilment of employees. This project will provide new insights into this stream of research by examining what and how factors across macro, meso and micro levels can foster or impede psychological well-being and career satisfaction. Accordingly, this project aims to advance the literature by:

Identifying the sociocultural factors and their impacts on how employees experience work and career;

Examining organisation-, team and work-related factors and their influences on the psychological well-being and career satisfaction of employees;

Exploring personality and individual characteristics affecting how employees perceive and experience work and career;  

Investigating the interactions between the sociocultural, organisational, team and individual factors in fostering psychological well-being and career satisfaction; and

Understanding the policies and practices to promote healthy working lives for workers and organisations.

This PhD project will have a mixed-methods, sequential design in three years, comprising a systematic literature review, in-depth interviews and quantitative fieldwork. Domestic or international PhD students are welcome to take this opportunity to start an academic career.

This project is supervised by Dr Diep Nguyen. For informal queries, please contact [email protected]

Lesener, T., Gusy, B., Jochmann, A., & Wolter, C. (2020). The drivers of work engagement: A meta-analytic review of longitudinal evidence. Work & Stress, 34(3), 259-278.

Nguyen, D. T., Teo, S. T., Grover, S. L., & Nguyen, N. P. (2019). Respect, bullying, and public sector work outcomes in Vietnam. Public Management Review, 21(6), 863-889.

Plimmer, G., Nguyen, D., Teo, S., & Tuckey, M. R. (2022). Workplace bullying as an organisational issue: Aligning climate and leadership. Work & Stress, 36(2), 202-227.

Teo, S. T., Bentley, T., & Nguyen, D. (2020). Psychosocial work environment, work engagement, and employee commitment: A moderated, mediation model. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 88, 102415.

Examining how Knowledge Recombination between Native High-Skilled and Immigrant High-Skilled Workers produce Innovative Outcomes for the Organizations: The Moderating Roles of Knowledge Sharing Competencies and Social Processes (Ali)

Advert Reference: RDF23/LHRM/ALI1

Innovation plays a pivotal role for organizations to create and maintain a competitive advantage over rivals (Taghizadeh et al., 2018; and Xiao et al., 2022). Innovations allow organizations introduce new products and services (Edwin et al., 2006; and Shane & Venkatraman, 2000), improve capabilities (Lavie, 2006), and to adapt themselves to the changing market conditions (Anderson & Tushman, 1990). However, fostering innovation is quite challenging for organizations (Katila & Shane, 2005; Gregoire & Shepherd, 2012). Existing literature offers numerous perspectives towards such as resource-based (Arend, et al., 2014; Terziovski, 2010), dynamic capabilities (Eisenhardt & Martin, 2000), and knowledge-based views (Kogut & Zander, 1992).

Drawing from knowledge-based view of innovation, the current research proposes the role of knowledge recombination to promote innovation outcomes for organizations. Knowledge recombination has gained tremendous attention of scholarly and practice community in the last few years (Luo et al., 2021; Xiao et al., 2022). The notion of knowledge recombination originates from Schumpeter’s (1939:88) views that “innovation combines components in a new way, or that it consists in carrying out new combinations”. Research suggests that implicit knowledge is more important than explicit knowledge, and implicit knowledge resides among individuals. Therefore, it is inevitable for organizations to hire employees with superior knowledge profiles who can contribute significantly towards exploring and exploiting their knowledge resources (knowledge recombination). Organizations, therefore, strive their best to develop a diverse workforce including high-skilled immigrant workers who can contribute significantly towards knowledge resources within the organizations. Immigrant workers use their unique and diverse knowledge to foster divergent thinking, and innovation within organizations (Choudhury et al., 2022). The knowledge spill over between high-skilled native and high-skilled immigrant workers can produce critically substantially important and unique knowledge recombination to produce innovative outcomes for the organizations. The inclusion of high-skilled immigrant workers is not only encouraged by the organisations but also by the governments to foster innovation and growth by using their innovative knowledge resources (Florida 2002; Glaeser 2004).

The current research project intends to examine how knowledge spill over between native high-skilled workers and immigrant high-skilled workers results in knowledge recombination to produce innovative outcomes for the host country organizations. The study will also examine the role of knowledge sharing competencies and social processes to augment knowledge recombination. The data will be collected from native high-skilled and immigrant high-skilled employees working in different organizations in the UK. The study will use mix methods technique including quantitative approach (survey based), and qualitative approach (in-depth interviews) to collect data from dyads i.e., host country high-skilled workers and immigrant high-skilled workers. The potential statistical techniques include structural equation model (SEM) through Smart PLS for quantitative analysis, for qualitative analysis Grounded analysis drawn upon the Straussian version of grounded theory (GT) {{Strauss, 1990 #136} Strauss, 1998 #139} is proposed for data analysis in this research.

This study intends to provide significant contributions to body of knowledge on strategy, migration, and organizational behaviour among other, it will also offer evidenced-based policy recommendations to practitioners to improve innovative outcomes of their organizations.

This project is supervised by Imran Ali. For informal queries, please contact [email protected]

Anderson, N., Potočnik, K., & Zhou, J. (2014). Innovation and creativity in organizations: A state-of-the-science review, prospective commentary, and guiding framework. Journal of Management, 40: 1297–1333.

Choudhury, P., Hernandez, E., Khanna, T., Kulchina, E., Shaver, M., Wang, D., & Zellmer-Bruhn, M. (2022). Migration and Organizations, Organization Science Special Issue Call for Papers, retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://pubsonline.informs.org/page/orsc/calls-for-papers

Edwin J. Nijssen, E.J., Hillebrand, B., Vermeulen, P.A.M., Kemp, R.G.M. (2003). Exploring product and service innovation similarities and differences, International Journal of Research in Marketing, 23(3), 241-251.

Eisenhardt, K. M., & Martin, J. A. (2000). Dynamic capabilities: What are they? Strategic Management Journal, 21: 1105–1121.

Florida, R. (2002). The rise of the creative class, Basic Books, New York.

Glaeser, E. (2004): Book Review of Florida’s ‘The rise of the Creative Class’. [post.economics.harvard.edu/faculty/glaeser/papers.html].

Kogut, B., & Zander, U. (1992). Knowledge of the firm, combinative capabilities, and the replication of technology. Organization Science, 3: 383–397.

Lavie, D. (2006). Capability reconfiguration: An analysis of incumbent responses to technological change. Academy of Management Review, 31: 153–174.

Luo, Z., Callaert, J., Zeng, D. and Looy, B.V. (2022). Knowledge recombination, environmental turbulence and firms' innovation quality: the evidence from Chinese pharmaceutical industry, European Journal of Innovation Management, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/EJIM-10-2021-0517

Schumpeter, J. A. 1939. Business cycles. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Shane, S., & Venkatraman, S. (2000). The promise of entrepreneurship and economic growth. Small Business Economics, 13: 27–55.

Strauss, A. and Corbin, J.M. (1990), Basics of Qualitative Research: Grounded Theory Procedures and Techniques, SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks.

Strauss, A. and Corbin, J.M. (1998), Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory, SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks.

Taghizadeh, S.K., Rahman, S.A. and Hossain, M.M. (2018). Knowledge from customer, for customer or about customer: which triggers innovation capability the most? Journal of Knowledge Management, 22, 162-182.

Terziovski, M. (2010). Innovation practice and its performance implications in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector: A resource-based view. Strategic Management Journal, 31: 892–902.

Xiao, T., Makhija, M., & Karim, S. (2022). A Knowledge Recombination Perspective of Innovation: Review and New Research Directions. Journal of Management, 48(6), 1724–1777.

Greening the workplace to achieve high level of corporate sustainability performance (Ali)

Advert Reference: RDF23/LHRM/ALI2

In recent years, integrating environmental, social and governance frameworks in responsible business strategies has helped to enhance corporate sustainability (Jabbour, 2015). One of the most significant developments in sustainability-related issues is increasing understanding of environmental issues among responsible businesses (Paillé, 2020; Renwick et al., 2013).

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) draw the attention of environmental responsiveness towards responsible businesses. Environmental value and its influence on people and organisations have become ever more significant in the scholarly community in recent years (Renwick, 2018). For regulatory requirements, ‘greening’ the workplace through the implementation of sustainable green human resource management (GHRM) practices is important in determining an organisation’s reputation and this has an impact on its competitive advantage (Paillé et al., 2014; 2020).

GHRM activities play a significant role in constituting environmentally robust pursuits (Aragão and Jabbour, 2017; Renwick, 2018). The latest investigations/examinations have discovered positive feedback from GHRM in materialising organisation-level green viable aims (Jabbour, 2015) and this plays a basic role in effectively spreading green culture (Jabbour, 2013; Renwick et al., 2013).

Our understanding on GHRM suggests that these activities enhance positive environmental outcomes (Paillé et al., 2014; Renwick et al., 2018). Thus, the pressure to formulate responsible business strategies and implement environmental management policies to endorse green behaviours in the organisation is rising and HR departments are striving to introduce pro-environmentalism and sustainability in almost all practices (Algarni et al., 2022).

Therefore, the purpose of this Ph.D research is to investigate the direct empirical associations and configurations of GHRM practices leading to high and low levels of corporate sustainability performance. Both qualitative and quantitative data will be collected through structured survey questionnaire and interviews from employees working in different sectors. The data will be analysed using mixed-method techniques including symmetrical analyses, such as Mplus, AMOS or LISREL, and asymmetrical modeling analyses, such as necessary condition analysis or fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis.

The outputs of this research will help practitioners and policy makers to develop their green development strategies to cope with the new challenges in environmental and organisational performance and ultimately contribute to several SDGs. Therefore, it is expected that this Ph.D research will provide useful implications for academics, practitioners and policy makers to follow environmental development strategies. Finally, it is expected that this Ph.D research will develop multiple scholarly studies and will be submitted to top-ranking journals.

This project is supervised by Murad Ali. For informal queries, please contact [email protected]

Algarni, M. A., Ali, M., Albort-Morant, G., Leal-Rodríguez, A. L., Latan, H., Ali, I., & Ullah, S. (2022). Make green, live clean! Linking adaptive capability and environmental behavior with financial performance through corporate sustainability performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 346, 131156.

Aragão, C. G., & Jabbour, C. J. C. (2017). Green training for sustainable procurement? Insights from the Brazilian public sector. Industrial and Commercial Training, 49(1), 48-54.

Jabbour, C. J. C. (2013). Environmental training in organisations: From a literature review to a framework for future research. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 74, 144-155.

Jabbour, C. J. C. (2015). Environmental training and environmental management maturity of Brazilian companies with ISO14001: empirical evidence. Journal of Cleaner Production, 96, 331-338.

Paillé, P. (2020). Greening the Workplace: Theories, Methods, and Research. Springer Nature.

Paillé, P., Chen, Y., Boiral, O., & Jin, J. (2014). The impact of human resource management on environmental performance: An employee-level study. Journal of Business ethics, 121(3), 451-466.

[1]Renwick, D. W. S. (2018). Contemporary developments in green human resource management research: Towards sustainability in action. Routledge Research in Sustainability and Business. Taylor & Francis Group.

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I thought the course was excellent! The speakers were all experts in their field with their own unique perspectives and insights to share both from an academic point-of-view and a practical one. Throughout the four half-day sessions the faculty brought the topic of high-performance teams to life with interesting real-life scenarios in business, sports and other team-based scenarios to illustrate the academic learnings and to challenge the way we think about success in teams. The format was very well-adapted to an online setting, utilising breakout rooms for peer-to-peer activities, interactive digital features to encourage student participation, and plenty of opportunities for discussion and ideas-sharing. I found the content in the curriculum very interesting and came away feeling inspired and motivated to put the learnings into practice.

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How will network transformation change the future of work?

Cambridge Judge Business School’s Centre for International Human Resource Management is a partner in a £5 million research collaboration that is set to radically change the UK’s internet infrastructure to meet the needs of a revolution in technology in society. Breakthrough digital innovations such as the Internet of Things, 5G, and virtual reality require a transformation in how networks are developed and maintained. Jointly funded the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and telecoms company BT, the project brings together multidisciplinary researchers from the University of Cambridge, Lancaster University (project lead), University of Surrey and University of Bristol, with specialist knowledge ranging from networking, communications, statistics and AI to industrial automation and organisational behaviour. Dr Philip Stiles, Senior Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour, will lead the Cambridge Judge Business School contribution, looking at how changes in network design and digital services will influence the nature of work. He said: This project is a tremendous opportunity to see how transformations in technology affect how organisations and the people within them adapt. The impact of major changes in digital infrastructure and the greater reliance on AI will have major implications for organisational design and culture and also on the interactions people will…

phd in hr uk

Following the money

Does performance-related pay work? Dr Jonathan Trevor explores the issues. Pay for performance matters. It's a practice that crosses sectors, affects millions of employees globally and regularly makes the headlines. But there's a problem, says Dr Jonathan Trevor, Lecturer in Human Resources & Organisations and Co-Director of the Centre for International Human Resource Management (CIHRM). It might not work. "Companies don't like to talk about this," he says. "But we need a debate on this issue, because pay for performance is widespread, and has become the dominant logic of employee reward – the notion that we can use pay as a carrot, or a stick, and drive positive employee behaviour. In reality, I believe pay is like plumbing. You only ever notice it when it goes wrong. It can be used in good or bad ways – but often it is the latter. It is often misused, or used inappropriately, as a crutch for poor leadership – especially in the financial sector." For five years, Dr Trevor acted as a retained academic advisor to The Remuneration Group, a consortium of senior remuneration directors working in FTSE 50 companies who met each year for a two-day round table and research exposition…

phd in hr uk

Reward at work strategies for Cambridge summit

A major conference around the future of reward at work is to be held in Cambridge at the end of September, organised by Cambridge Judge Business School and America's leading HR professionals' association, WorldatWork. Titled 'Future Reward: Strategies for a Hyper-competitive World', the summit aims to attract broad interest with a guest-speaker programme that includes policy-makers, practitioners and academics. [vimeo id="67136243"] Dr Jonathan Trevor, Lecturer in Human Resources & Organisations at the School, is delighted that the summit is coming to Cambridge to tackle the 'thorny issues' relating to pay and workplace reward. He says the focus is on change, especially positive change for which there is no option. "It is something we have to confront, embrace and move forward, treating it as an opportunity. We won't do that by having separate, discrete conversations or by trying to grapple with it in our own way, [but] by actually coming together as a community of academics, practitioners and policy-makers and addressing these thorny issues." Dr Trevor is Co-Director of the Centre for International Human Resource Management. He is to chair the summit, and says the programme will extend far beyond the HR sector and is already raising interest across business, charity,…

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MSc Human Resource Management

phd in hr uk

Page contents

  • 1 Introduction
  • 2 Key features
  • 3 Course overview
  • 4 Key dates
  • 5 Admissions
  • 6 Fees, funding and payment
  • 7 Career opportunities

You are reading:

Course information>

January 2024

September 2024

Deepen your understanding of Human Resource Management and its role in the organisational psychology of modern workplaces. Explore areas such as developing strategic aims, maintaining well-being at work and selecting, motivating and developing staff.

Key features

Unlock birkbeck's thought leadership.

Benefit from a world-class programme developed by leading academics at Birkbeck, a major contributor to research in the field of behaviour at work.

Study flexibly at your own pace

Don't put your career and life on hold. Fit your studies around your schedule, wherever you are in the world. You can choose to register for a full MSc, a Postgraduate Diploma or update your knowledge of a single subject by taking on a module for your continuing professional development.

Your launchpad to success

Take your career to the next level with insights from world-leading experts on the latest research and evidence-based HR practices. Stand out from the crowd with a qualification accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), a mark of excellence valued by employers worldwide.

The support you need to thrive

Benefit from a degree that combines the flexibility of online learning with the quality of classroom teaching. You are fully supported online and participate in tutor-supervised virtual conferencing for each module. You are also assigned a personal tutor to provide general guidance throughout your studies.

Join the world-class

Join graduates in over 190 countries, including distinguished academics, writers and industry leaders across all sectors. Cultivate a lifelong connection to the University of London and enjoy wide-ranging benefits including access to events across the world, free online courses and more.

A distance-learning pioneer

The University of London is the world’s oldest provider of degrees through distance and flexible learning. Since Queen Victoria awarded our Royal Charter in 1858, our study programmes have been accessible to students globally, and we continue to be a leading force in higher education.

Study the MSHuman Resource Management at your own pace and around your schedule.

phd in hr uk

Course overview

Programme structure, modules and specification show.

The degree is available to be studied as a full master’s degree or a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip).

For the MSc , you complete eight compulsory modules (15 credits each) plus a compulsory Research Proposal module (15 credits) and a compulsory Dissertation module (45 credits).

For the PGDip , you complete eight compulsory modules (15 credits each).

Modules can be studied individually on a stand-alone basis, subject to availability.

The Programme Specification and Programme Regulations contain information and rules regarding what courses you can choose and the order in which they must be studied.

  • Download the Programme Specification
  • View the Programme Regulations

Compulsory modules Show

Research methods - human resource management (Open modal with additional information) (OPM400)

Professional development and learning (Open modal with additional information) (OPM210)

Leading and developing people (Open modal with additional information) (OPM230)

Employment Law (Open modal with additional information) (OPM240)

Human resources in organisations (Open modal with additional information) (OPM220)

Global Human Resource and Diversity Management (Open modal with additional information) (OPM040​)

Selection and assessment (Open modal with additional information) (OPM100)

Leadership and performance management (Open modal with additional information) (OPM200)

Research Project (MSc only) Show

Research project (Open modal with additional information) (OPM410 and OPM610)

How you study Show

The programme allows you to study anywhere in the world and fit your studies around your other commitments. The degree offers the flexibility to complete in one year, or up to five years depending on your desired study pace.

Study materials

You will be able to access study materials developed by academics at Birkbeck including course handbooks, textbooks and recorded lectures or dedicated audio recordings, and you will have access to an extensive online library.

You will be able to discuss your work with fellow students and tutors using a conferencing system. You will discuss topics in tutor groups of normally around 30 students.

All study materials (articles and/or set texts) are included in the programme fee, with the exception of materials required to carry out the Dissertation.

Online support 

When you register, we will give you access to your Student Portal . You can then access your University of London email account and other key resources: 

  • The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) . Here, you can access electronic copies of all printed study materials, resources including audio-visual and revision guides, and forums to discuss course material and work collaboratively with others. 
  • The Online Library . As a student at the University of London, you will have access to a range of resources, databases, and journals via the  Online Library . You will be able to contact a team of professional and qualified librarians for any help you require.  

Senate House Library  

If you’re based in the United Kingdom, or are visiting London, make sure to visit  Senate House Library . Students studying with the University of London can join the library free of charge. Membership includes a 10-book borrowing allowance, access to all reading rooms and study areas, and on-site access to Senate House Library digital resources. 

Time commitment

Modules are offered across three terms of 11 weeks from October to December (Term 1), January to March (Term 2) and April to July (Term 3). This 11-week period includes nine weeks of guided study followed by a personal study week. The assessment period for each module is in the final week of each term.

You can study at your own pace (provided you complete your qualification within five years). The MSc is made up of 180 credits and you should expect each credit to take up around 10 hours of study.

Each module is summatively assessed by a final assessment (worth 90 per cent of the overall mark), with the exception of the Research Project modules (Research Proposal and Dissertation). The final assessment is typically a two-hour unseen written examination or 3,000-word written report/essay.

For each module (except for the Research Project modules), satisfaction of the minimum tutor supported computer conferencing requirements is worth 10 per cent of the overall mark.

The Research Proposal module is assessed by a 3,000-word research proposal.

The Dissertation module is assessed by an 8,000-10,000-word dissertation.

Assessment is usually held in December, March and July (at the end of each term).

More about assessment

Academic Leadership Show

Birkbeck was founded in 1823 as the London Mechanics' Institute. It is unique in its special mission to enable mature students to gain higher education qualifications via part-time study. Consequently, staff are experienced in ensuring a flexible learning environment.

It makes a major contribution to research in the field of behaviour at work. It is one of the principal providers of academic and professional training in occupational psychology within the UK.

Programme Directors

Dr Keely Jo Frasca joined the OPHRM programme in 2018 as a tutor and took on the role of Programme Director in 2022. She currently convenes the Selection & Assessment, Research Methods, Professional Development & Learning, Research Proposal, and Research Dissertation modules. Keely’s research interests include: organisational recruitment, selection and assessment, discrimination of minority groups, individual differences, and advanced quantitative methods. Keely holds a PhD in Organisational Psychology and is a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society (CPsychol), Member of the British Psychological Society’s Division of Occupational Psychology, Fellow of The Higher Education Academy (FHEA), and Member of The Tutors’ Association (MTA). She is qualified in Occupational Psychometric Testing with the British Psychological Society and is certified by the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations.

Jack Dybczak has been teaching and lecturing at Birkbeck since 2013 on a number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. In 2017, he joined the OPHRM team and took on the role of Programme Director in 2022. He is currently responsible for teaching Organization and Change Perspectives, Human Resource Strategies and the foundational and qualitative parts of Research Methods. His main research interests are the application of Postmodern Organizational Theory, Actor-Network Theory, and various forms of Discourse Analysis to issues of leadership and organizational change.

Programme Team

Dr Adrian Ward is an independent consultant specialising in the field of leadership, organisational development and executive coaching with over 25 years’ experience in these arenas. In a coaching and mentoring capacity, Adrian is experienced in helping leaders equip themselves with the skills, confidence and political acumen necessary to succeed in a complex, matrix structured environment. In addition to his practical experience, Adrian has a Doctorate in Organisational Psychology. His research interests centre on the issue of Organisational Politics and his thesis explored how Senior Executives make sense of this aspect of their leadership role.

Aly Kelleher joined the OPHRM team as a tutor and research project supervisor in 2021. She is also the Programme Director and Admissions tutor for BSc Business Psychology Birkbeck. She lectures on a wide range of modules such as Motivation, Engagement and Job design, and Research Methods for Business Psychology. She also supervises research projects on the BSc in Business Psychology and the MSc OP programmes. Aly’s PhD research focuses on employee motivation, the Future Time Perspective and Job Demands-Resources theories, and the use of advanced quantitative statistics using R. Other research interests include (but are not limited to): employee wellbeing, engagement, diversity, and the work-home interface.

Alice Cadwgan has worked across communications, organisational design and culture change for multinational corporations, brands and NGO's. In addition, she is a graduate with an MSc from Birkbeck in Organisational Psychology, alongside being the Director of Campaigns and Operations at Lynn, a communications consultancy powered by Behavioural Science.

Head of Department of Organizational Psychology

Mr Mark Stringer has spent the last 35 years in a variety of posts within business and academia in the UK. He joined Birkbeck in 2015 teaching and lecturing on postgraduate programmes, before becoming Programme Director of OPHRM in 2018. From 2022, he took on a role heading the department at Birkbeck. Through teaching, supervision and research, his focus is to promote the use of interdisciplinary and critical tools to support those aiming to change organizational issues for the better. Mark’s PhD research looks at interpreting Employee Engagement via a Lacanian psychoanalytic lens. His wider research interests lie in qualitative approaches, influenced by both critical management studies and psychoanalytic, postmodern, structuralist, poststructuralist and intertextual interpretations of organisational life.

January 2024 intake Show

April 2024 intake show, september 2024 intake show, entry requirements show, what qualifications do you need.

You need the equivalent of a UK second-class honours degree (e.g. bachelor). If you don't hold a degree but you have relevant industry experience and have completed the The Manager's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Managing People at Work MOOC, we will consider each case on its merits.

To study modules on an individual basis, you should meet the same criteria. If you do not meet them, we may still consider your application if you can demonstrate your ability to undertake advanced study.

Find equivalent qualifications where you live.

English Language requirements

You need a high standard of English to study this programme. You will meet our language requirements if you have achieved the following within the past three years:

  • (IELTS) International English Language Testing System - 6.5 overall (with 6 in reading and writing).
  • (TOEFL) iBT Test of English as a Foreign Language - 92 overall (with 22 in reading and writing, and 20 in speaking and listening).
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English.
  • Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (at grade C or above).
  • Duolingo: must achieve an overall score of at least 120.

We set minimum basic computer requirements because your study resources are accessed via the Student Portal and it is vital that you can access this regularly. For this degree, you will also need to be able to view video material and a media player (such as VLC) to play video files.

More about computer requirements.

Recognition of prior learning Show

If you have studied material as part of a previous qualification that is comparable in content, level and standard to our Organisational Psychology or Human Resource Management modules, you may be exempted from the equivalent course of our degree. This is known as  Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)  or Exemption. You will not need to study or be assessed in the module(s) to complete your award. 

You may be awarded RPL mapped against a maximum of one module . 

You may not apply for RPL for the Research Project (Research Proposal [OPM410] and Dissertation [OPM610]).

To be considered for RPL you should make a formal request within your application when applying for the programme. Or, you can submit an online enquiry , if you have already applied. 

You will need to have met the entrance requirements for the programme to be considered for RPL.  

You must have completed the qualification/ examination(s), on which the application for RPL is based on, within the five years preceding the application. 

We will not consider RPL if you have already entered for the assessment in the module concerned. 

Discretionary RPL  

Your qualifications will need to be assessed by specialist academics on a case by case basis , before we can approve RPL. This is known as discretionary RPL. A formal application is required and an RPL application fee is payable. The RPL application fee is non-refundable, even if your prior learning is not recognised.  

Your qualification must be at the appropriate level (equivalent to a UK Level 7 or postgraduate qualification and above) to be considered.  

For your discretionary RPL request to be processed, you will need to provide: a completed RPL request form, the supporting documentary evidence (normally a scanned copy of an official transcript and syllabus of your previous studies) and the discretionary RPL fee. 

You should apply as early as possible to ensure we have sufficient time to review your qualifications and so you can register by the registration deadline. 

Note: All discretionary RPL requests must be submitted by the dates specified for the study session, in the year that you apply. We must receive all required supporting evidence by the deadline stated.

If you submit your discretionary RPL application but are too late to be considered for RPL in the current session, we will still process your application to study the programme. If you receive an offer, you can still register. If you wish to be considered for RPL in a subsequent session, then you shouldn’t register on the modules you want to apply for RPL.

How to request RPL  

Additional information about the process of applying for RPL . 

Further information regarding RPL is covered in the Recognition of Prior Learning section of the appropriate  Programme Regulations and Section 3 of the General Regulations  

Fees, funding and payment

The fees below relate to new students registering for the 2023-2024 session. On average, fees are subject to a five per cent year-on-year increase. 

Students who registered earlier can view their fees on the Course Fees page . 

Disclaimer: Currency conversion tool .

More about programme fees.

*The online examination administration fee is charged for each examination paper held online, including resits. This does not apply to any coursework submissions.

Additional Costs

You will also need to budget for exam centre fees, which are paid directly to the venues where you sit your exams.

Please note: all student fees shown are net of any local VAT, Goods and Services Tax (GST) or any other sales tax payable by the student in their country of residence. Where the University is required to add VAT, GST or any other sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the fees shown during the payment process. For students resident in the UK, our fees are exempt from VAT.

Further information on Sales Tax.

Your payment provider may apply additional transaction fees (if in doubt, please check with them before making a payment).

Funding your study Show

Without the cost of moving to London, studying for your University of London degree anywhere in the world represents excellent value for money. However, there are additional sources of support depending on where you live and how you choose to study.

More on funding your study

Paying for your course Show

You can pay your fees in a number of ways, including an online payment facility via the Student Portal and Western Union Quick Pay.

More on how to pay your fees

Career opportunities

Careers opportunity show.

Graduates of this degree go on to become training professionals, motivators, careers advisers, managers and consultants within large multinational companies, government departments, or in any company where advanced knowledge of organisational psychology may be useful.

What do employers think of our graduates?

In some countries, qualifications earned by distance and flexible learning may not be recognised by certain authorities or regulators for the purposes of public sector employment or further study. We advise you to explore the local recognition status before you register, even if you plan to receive support from a local teaching institution.

Accreditation benefits Show

Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

The MSc Human Resource Management is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Students who enrolled on the MSc Human Resource Management in the academic year 2022-23 and onwards will be eligible to join the CIPD as student members, and upon successful completion of the MSc become an Associate Member of the CIPD with the option to upgrade to Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow provided they have relevant work experience.

Careers support Show

You’ll have access to a wide range of careers and employability support through the University of London Careers Service, including live webinars and online drop-in sessions.

More on the University of London Careers Service

Tailored support for careers in the refugee and humanitarian fields is available through regular programme events, webinars and careers resources.

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Start dates.

  • April 2024 - application deadline closes 3 April 2024

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PhD Human Resource Management

PhD Human Resource Management

Lincoln , United Kingdom

THE world university rank:  501

Course qualification

Entry score

Total course fee

USD 36,858 ? GBP  30,000 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

PhD Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

PhD Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

Canterbury , United Kingdom

THE world university rank:  401

USD 66,345 ? GBP  54,000 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

PhD Business - HRM and International HRM

PhD Business - HRM and International HRM

Birmingham , United Kingdom

THE world university rank:  601

USD 47,179 ? GBP  38,400 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

MPhil/PhD Human Resource Management

MPhil/PhD Human Resource Management

London , United Kingdom

THE world university rank:  801

USD 69,343 ? GBP  56,440 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

PhD by Published Work Human Resource Management

PhD by Published Work Human Resource Management

USD 17,336 ? GBP  14,110 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

MPhil/PhD in Human Resource Management

MPhil/PhD in Human Resource Management

USD 53,445 ? GBP  43,500 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

MPhil/PhD in People and Performance

MPhil/PhD in People and Performance

Manchester , United Kingdom

USD 60,816 ? GBP  49,500 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

PhD/MPhil in Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management

PhD/MPhil in Organisation Studies and Human Resource Management

Portsmouth , United Kingdom

USD 65,976 ? GBP  53,700 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies

Colchester , United Kingdom

THE world university rank:  301

USD 92,367 ? GBP  75,180 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

PhD Human Resource Management

Edinburgh , United Kingdom

THE world university rank:  351

USD 63,839 ? GBP  51,960 Program fees are indicative only. Speak to your IDP study counsellor to get up-to-date course prices.

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6 PhD Programmes in Human Resource Management 2024

Doctoral programme in management, toulouse school of management tsm.

Toulouse School of Management TSM

  • Toulouse, France

TSM Doctoral Programme offers five in-depth fields of study, for a curriculum of unusual richness and breadth. Since the programme enrolls only 10 to 20 new Ph.D. students each year, doctoral students thrive in an atmosphere of intellectual rigor and creative collaboration among students and faculty.

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Doctorate in Human Resources Management

Atlantic international university.

Atlantic International University

  • Honolulu, USA

Full time, Part time

Distance learning

The Doctor of Human Resource Management (PhD) objective is to help students lead, consult, or teach in the field of human resources within a complex and global business environment.

PhD in Human Resource Management

University of johannesburg.

University of Johannesburg

  • Johannesburg, South Africa

The purpose of the Ph.D. in Human Resource Management is to develop the intellectual and professional skills of the student. A qualifying student would show evidence of independent and original scientific in the field of Human Resource Management work.

PhD in Strategic Human Resource Management

​Human resource management entails a strategic and integrated approach to the management of an organization’s most valuable assets – the people – as they individually and collectively contribute to the achievement of the core business objectives.

PhD in Human Resources Management

Ous royal academy of economics and technology in switzerland.

OUS Royal Academy of Economics and Technology in Switzerland

  • Zurich, Switzerland

Ph.D. in Human Resources is a qualification, which is appointed for individuals who have acquired a Master’s degree in the relevant field and want to further enhance opportunities related to career and development.

Phd - human resources management and organizational behavior Ph.D.

Telfer school of management.

Telfer School of Management

  • Ottawa, Canada

Human resource management and organizational behavior students (GRHCO) will develop a taste for research and knowledge with respect to matters related to the human aspect of the work, as topics at the individual level (p. ex. recruitment, selection, job analysis, performance), relational subjects (p. ex. link people to work, mentors-protected relationship, leader-follower relationship, diversity and equity) and subjects at the organizational level (p. ex. organizational learning, change management, compensation systems, industrial relations), but also in relation to subjects from other disciplines such as psychology and sociology.

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PhD Programmes in Human Resource Management

As the highest academic degree, a PhD requires many years of study. A master's degree is usually required to start this academic track, though some institutions combine the two degrees into a single program. What is a PhD in Human Resource Management? This field deals with managing people to maximize overall employee performance and satisfaction. An understanding of common human resource activities, such as staffing, labor relations and benefits, is expected. PhD programs are designed to further educate students in detail about one or more aspects of human resource management. Some topics include motivation, recruitment and temporary staffing. Much of human resource management is knowing how to interact with people and handle conflict, both good skills for everyday life. In particular, a PhD has the possible benefit of advancement and salary increase. The cost of a PhD in Human Resource Management depends on the chosen school. Since a PhD typically takes four to six years to earn, this should be factored into your overall budget. Tuition, fees and books are an important part of making your academic budget. A PhD in Human Resource Management typically leads to an elevated position in an HR department. HR management usually falls into two categories: specialist and generalist. A specialist may work in a focused area, like equality in the workplace, while generalists handle big picture HR issues. Unions and other entities that use collective bargaining can also benefit from a graduate with this degree. As a PhD, this degree also opens the door for research and academic career opportunities. With our online tools, it is easy to find the school offering the PhD you want. Human resource management courses are offered at a variety of schools, and there may be one near you. Search for your program below and contact directly the admission office of the school of your choice by filling in the lead form.

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Qualification, university name, phd management business and hr in scotland.

20 degrees at 8 universities in Scotland.

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PhD Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Strategy

University of strathclyde.

  • 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)

Accounting and Finance PhD

University of glasgow.

  • 5 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK)

PhD Accounting

Heriot-watt university.

  • 3 years Full time degree

MPhil/ PhD Management science

Management phd, phd/mphil accounting & finance, phd/ mres work, employment & organisation, financial technology phd, the university of edinburgh.

  • Introduction to Research in Business (CMSE11494) (20 Credits) - Core
  • Financial Technology- Core
  • View all modules

Postgraduate research courses in Economics and Finance PhD

University of st andrews, phd by research (aberdeen business school), robert gordon university.

  • 30 months Full time degree
  • 42 months Part time degree

University of Aberdeen

  • 6 years Part time degree

Abertay University

  • 3 years Full time degree: £4,829 per year (UK)
  • 6 years Part time degree: £2,415 per year (UK)

Postgraduate research in Management PhD

Phd by research (school of creative and cultural business), finance phd, business and management phd, accounting phd with integrated study.

  • 4 years Full time degree
  • 8 years Part time degree

Sustainability Assessment and Decision Making and Environmental Management PhD

Finance phd with integrated study.

  • Applications of Econometrics (CMSE11389) (20 Credits) - Core
  • Supervised reading: Refining the proposal (CMSE11442) (20 Credits) - Core
  • Empirical Asset Pricing (CMSE11509) (20 Credits) - Core
  • Foundations of Econometrics (CMSE11388) (20 Credits) - Core

Course type:

  • Full time PhD
  • Part time PhD

Qualification:

Related subjects:.

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  1. Things to Know About PhD in Human Resource Management

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  2. Benefits and Challenges of Having a PhD in HR

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  5. PhD Overview and Structure

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  6. The Latest Research Topics in HR for PhD

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COMMENTS

  1. Best 16 Human Resource Management PhD Programmes in United Kingdom 2024

    16 Human Resource Management United Kingdom. This page shows a selection of the available PhDs in United Kingdom. If you're interested in studying a Human Resource Management degree in United Kingdom you can view all 16 PhDs. You can also read more about Human Resource Management degrees in general, or about studying in United Kingdom.

  2. PhD Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies

    Specialist facilities. PhD Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies is based at our Colchester Campus, in the UK's first zero carbon business school building This reflects our commitment to sustainability and business ethics and we are proud to be a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).. You have access to excellent research facilities, such as:

  3. MRes/PhD in Management

    The MRes/PhD in Management - Employment Relations and Human Resources (ERHR) is part of a rigorous and interdisciplinary graduate training programme. It is designed to stimulate critical thinking and creative ideas and provide you with the analytical skills to design, carry out, report, read and evaluate qualitative and quantitative research.

  4. Doctorate Degrees in Human Resources Management

    University of Kent. (4.1) 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK) 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK) 5 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK) 5 years Part time degree: £2,356 per year (UK) Apply now Visit website Request info Book event. View 2 additional courses.

  5. Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour, MPhil/PhD

    Our research degree (MPhil/PhD) allows you to undertake rigorous and critical exploration in the area of work, employment, human resource management and organisational behaviour with support from an expert supervisor. Our MPhil/PhD programme involves producing a substantial piece of original work in your chosen field.

  6. PhD Degrees in Human Resources Management

    University of Northampton. (4.1) 2 years Full time degree: £5,500 per year (UK) 3 years Part time degree: £2,775 per year (UK) Request info. View 6 additional courses. Find PhD Degrees in Human Resources Management using the UK's most comprehensive search engine for postgraduates.

  7. Human Resource Management

    How You Study. Normally, PhD students register for an MPhil, and within 12 months (24 months for part-time study) they are expected to transfer to the PhD programme. This transfer requires the production of a detailed research proposal, which the candidate will be expected to defend at a transfer viva. The formal transfer is subject to approval ...

  8. Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management

    Kent Business School has over 100 research-active academic staff. Postgraduate research can take place in any subject area where they have expertise. The Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource Management PhD programme will equip you with the skills to align people strategy with business strategy and help organisations flourish.

  9. PhD in Management

    A PhD helps you to develop the skills you need to work in academia - including teaching. There are opportunities for paid teaching in the Management School and across the University. Postgraduate tutors receive training and support. There are opportunities for you to gain accredited teaching qualifications. Teach while you study.

  10. Human Resource Management (fully funded) PhD Projects ...

    We have 4 Human Resource Management (fully funded) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships in the UK. Mauris scelerisque placerat augue. Proin gravida enim ut laoreet condimentum. Suspendisse ligula mi, placerat vel nisi vel, pretium ultrices felis. Nulla sapien tellus, mattis eget egestas a, vulputate ac sem. In iaculis est eros, vitae viverra ...

  11. Organisation studies and human resource management postgraduate

    PhD and MPhil. UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students . Full-time: £4,712 per year (may be subject to annual increase) ... Explore our human resource management global hr and leadership research. Read more Workplace learning and development We're developing productive ways of learning-in-action & researching how adults learn best in ...

  12. PhD in Management

    Overview Start date: September 2024Duration: 5 years (1 year MRes + 4 years PhD)Fees: We offer fully funded scholarships to all admitted studentsApplication deadline: 01 February 2024 (17:00 UK time). A late submission window closes on 05 April 2024 (17:00 UK time), although we encourage you to apply early as places are limited and applications are subject to close sooner if places are filled.

  13. Funded PhD Opportunities in Leadership & Human Resource Management

    Northumbria University is the sector's largest riser in research power in the UK. Below you can find our available studentships for Leadership and Human Resource Management. Eligibility Requirements: Academic excellence of the proposed student i.e. 2:1 (or equivalent GPA from non-UK universities [preference for 1st class honours]); or a ...

  14. PhD Degrees in Management, Business and HR, London UK

    University of East London. (4.3) 3 years Full time degree: £5,740 per year (UK) 3 years Full time degree: £5,740 per year (UK) 5 years Part time degree: £2,870 per year (UK) 5 years Part time degree: £2,870 per year (UK) Modules. Apply now Visit website Request info. View 36 additional courses.

  15. PhD

    Our doctoral programmes As part of a world-renowned University, triple accredited (AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS) and ranked 5 th in the UK for research power (Times Higher Education, 2022) within Business and Management, our Business School provides a highly dynamic and supportive research environment for our large and diverse graduate community.Our world-class research programmes offer:

  16. PhD programmes in Human Resource Management in United Kingdom

    Environmental Sciences and Policy. Johns Hopkins University. Baltimore, United States. More interesting programmes for you. Find the best PhD programmes in the field of Human Resource Management from top universities in United Kingdom. Check all 0 programmes.

  17. Centre for International Human Resource Management

    Pay for performance matters. It's a practice that crosses sectors, affects millions of employees globally and regularly makes the headlines. But there's a problem, says Dr Jonathan Trevor, Lecturer in Human Resources & Organisations and Co-Director of the Centre for International Human Resource Management (CIHRM). It might not work.

  18. MSc Human Resource Management

    Human Resource Management. 2023-2024. Registration fee. £2596. Module fee. £1314. Research proposal module fee (MSc only) £1314. Dissertation module fee (MSc only)

  19. Postgraduate Human Resources Management Courses in the UK

    Find Human Resources Management Postgraduate Degrees and Courses using the UKs most comprehensive search engine for postgraduate courses ... 5 Reasons to Study a PhD; Staying motivated on a PhD; Law and Legal Studies - Postgraduate Guide ... 12 months Distance without attendance degree: £2,750 per year (UK) 12 months Part time degree: £2,750 ...

  20. Doctorate Human resource Management courses in United Kingdom

    Doctorate of Business Administration in Human Resources. USD 53,150 ? 13 Doctorate Human resource Management courses 📖in United Kingdom. Course price ranging from USD 17,336 - USD 92,367 with a max.

  21. 6 PhD Programmes in Human Resource Management 2024

    A PhD in Human Resource Management typically leads to an elevated position in an HR department. HR management usually falls into two categories: specialist and generalist. A specialist may work in a focused area, like equality in the workplace, while generalists handle big picture HR issues.

  22. 22 PhD Degrees in Management, Business and HR, Scotland UK

    Find PhD Degrees in Management, Business and HR using the UK's most comprehensive search engine for postgrads. Courses Course search ... (UK) Apply now Visit website Request info. View 36 additional courses . Compare. MPhil/ PhD Management science. University of Strathclyde (4.3) 3 years Full time degree: £4,712 per year (UK)

  23. PhD in UK: Deadlines, Colleges, Fees 2023, Jobs and Salaries

    The average annual tuition fee for pursuing PhD in UK at the top universities is 20,000 GBP- 50,000 GBP (20-50 Lakh INR) and the average cost of living in UK is around 14,000 GBP (14 lakh INR) per year. The opportunities after studying in UK universities are vast. Almost 87% of the Ph.D. students start working after graduation and earn an ...