Postgraduate research

As a globally-connected and research-led school, we have a thriving multidisciplinary research community. Our research programmes encourage teamwork across multiple academic subjects and we offer a wide range of PhDs.

Our collaborative research environment means you can learn from peers, experts and business leaders. You can make a difference to our academic excellence, enhancing your research abilities and making a contribution to wider society. In REF 2021, 80% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies was classed as world leading or internationally excellent. Join us to make an impact with your research, helping to solve current issues through innovative solutions that make a lasting difference. Through our network of international partners, you can work with peers globally to enhance the reach of your research.

PhD opportunities

Stirling Management School offers a vibrant, supportive environment for postgraduate researchers. Take a closer look at the subject areas we offer PhD supervision in and find out how to apply. 

Accountancy and Finance PhD

Our Accounting and Finance research is recognised as being academically excellent, policy relevant, and of benefit to society. The Accounting and Finance Division at Stirling offers a stimulating environment in which to study towards a PhD. Students come onto this pathway from a variety of backgrounds, including disciplines allied with accounting and finance such as economics. There is a national shortage of researchers in this area and the need to increase the number of PhD students to address this shortage has been highlighted in independent reports. As such, students who complete the PhD Accounting and Finance programme have excellent career prospects and will be in high demand in both academia and industry. Students graduating from this programme have found faculty positions in top universities across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, as well as in leading financial institutions. The PhD Accounting and Finance programme is accredited by the ESRC and affiliated by the Accounting and Finance pathway of the Scottish Graduate School, which is supported by the British Accounting Association (BAA) and its regional Scottish Accounting Group (SAG) (active for over 20 years) as well as the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS). Whether your career aim involves a research or teaching lead academic career, or working in a leading financial institution, the PhD in Accounting and Finance can help you achieve your goals.

Read more about how to apply and see entry requirements What's the difference between a PhD and an MPhil? Learn more about our Accounting and Finance research

Economics PhD

The aim of the PhD Economics programme is the development of students who (a) develop a very high degree of technical ability in economic theory and methods, to allow advanced career progression in the field, and (b) are supported to make an original research contribution to knowledge through high level peer-reviewed publication.

The PhD programme is affiliated with the prestigious Scottish Graduate Programme in Economics and is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council. In REF 2021, 80% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies was classed as world leading or internationally excellent.

The division is a vibrant and friendly place in which to be based, with a weekly seminar series providing contact with leading external researchers, as well as opportunities to network with academic staff from the division. Whether your career aim involves a research or teaching lead academic career, working in an environmental charity or NGO, or a having a professional economist position in a financial institution, a PhD in Economics can help you achieve your goals.

Read more about how to apply and see entry requirements What's the difference between a PhD and an MPhil? Learn more about our Economics research

 

Management, Work and Organisation PhD

Conducting a PhD in Management, Work and Organisation at the University of Stirling will put you at the heart of a vibrant environment which facilitates the development of world-class research. Research in the Division covers a range of business and management topics and supports knowledge exchange, research impact, as well as the development of young scholars. In REF 2021, 80% of our research impact in Business and Management Studies was classed as world leading or internationally excellent.

The Management, Work and Organisation Division is comprised of two Groups – Business and Strategy, and Working Lives. Staff in these Groups have international reputations for the quality of their research, which is published in leading journals such as the Journal of Management Studies, Human Relations, Journal of Business Ethics and more.

As a PhD researcher, you’ll benefit from all of our expertise and make your own key contributions in a supportive, collaborative environment.  

Read more about how to apply and see entry requirements What's the difference between a PhD and an MPhil? Learn more about our Management, Work and Organisation research

Marketing and Retail PhD

The PhD in Marketing and Retail enables students to undertake research in a broad range of topics. Students often conduct their research in collaboration with industry, charities, and governmental bodies with a view to using the findings of their research to improve some aspect of the organisation’s operation. The PhD programme is accredited by the Economic and Social Research Council and is affiliated with the prestigious Business and Management Pathway of the Scottish Graduate School. The Marketing and Retail division has particular strengths in consumer culture and society and retail studies, as well as brands and branding, corporate social responsibility, and marketing in the small and medium sized enterprise. Whether your career aim involves a research or teaching orientated academic career, working in a charity or NGO, or a career in business, the PhD in Marketing can help you achieve your goals.

Read more about how to apply and see entry requirements What's the difference between a PhD and an MPhil? Learn more about our Marketing and Retail research