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Management MRes + MPhil/PhD

London, Canary Wharf

This is the programme information for 2025 entry

If you require details of the previous year's programme, Management MRes + MPhil/PhD (2024), click here

UK students International students

Study mode

Full-time

UK tuition fees (2025/26)

£6,215

Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)

£33,000

Duration

5 calendar years

Programme starts

September 2025

Applications accepted

All applicants: 14 Oct 2024 – 04 Apr 2025

Applications closed

A late submission window closes on 4th April 2025. We advise those interested in the programme to apply before 1st January 2025, as those applying in the late submission window will only be considered if there are still places remaining.

Entry requirements

We seek to recruit highly motivated, ambitious students with strong educational backgrounds. The ideal candidate will have a first-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard. We encourage students from a wide variety of backgrounds (e.g, engineering, economics, business, mathematics/statistics, psychology, sociology, among others) to apply to our programme. Applicants are also required to have taken the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 1

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

Founded in 2007, 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. The PhD programme is an integral part of our School’s active and ambitious research environment where students receive rigorous academic training and personalised research mentorship.

Our research programme offers a unique education and research experience with the intent of preparing you for scholarly careers at the highest level. We offer fully funded scholarships to all admitted students. Our highly selective and small-sized programme ensures that you receive personal attention and an opportunity for guidance from our world-leading scholars. The close mentorship process forms the foundations of a successful academic career.

As a research student, you will join a highly active research environment which involves frequent research seminars and visits by leading scholars worldwide, reading groups, brown bag seminars and panels in which PhD students and faculty members present and discuss their ongoing work. Such forums provide an excellent opportunity to receive critical constructive feedback on your research and to develop academic, generic and transferable skills.

Who this course is for

We seek to recruit highly motivated, ambitious students with strong educational backgrounds.

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.

We seek graduates who aspire to pursue academic careers in top business schools of world-class universities.

Read about what it takes to become a UCL graduate research student

What this course will give you

Doctoral training involves close collaboration between each doctoral student and academic staff on shared research interests, coursework at UCL and other leading research departments, and independent research activities.

As a doctoral student, you will benefit from our collaborative research community, a lively programme of research speakers from other institutions, and links with researchers worldwide.

The programme is taught at our Canary Wharf campus, on Level 50 and Level 38 of One Canada Square, placing students in the heart of Canary Wharf, London’s global business and financial hub. Students will also have full access to the Bloomsbury campus, a district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.

Find out how your research could have an impact

The foundation of your career

Students acquire rigorous academic and interpersonal skills to perform cutting-edge research in management. This prepares them for academic and research-based careers in leading universities and research institutions.

Pursuing my PhD at University College London from 2018 to 2024 was an enriching experience that fundamentally shaped my academic career. UCL’s world-class facilities, the vibrant London scientific network, and the incredibly supportive and knowledgeable faculty members provided the perfect environment for my growth as a scholar.

Joe Ploog

Research Degree: Management

See more about UCL School of Management PhD and MRes programmes

Employability

Our PhD graduates aspire to pursue academic careers in top business schools of world-class universities. According to UCL graduate destinations data, many of our graduates go on to tenure-track faculty positions at leading business schools around the world, such as Imperial College London, Shanghai Tech University, Erasmus University, and National University of Singapore.

Networking

Throughout the programme, our students have the chance to interact with leading scholars around the world. This is facilitated by our active research seminar series and students' participation in leading academic conferences.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, and class discussion based on case studies and other activities.

The structure of the MRes/PhD Programme includes both a one-year MRes Degree and a four-year PhD Degree. Progression from year one (MRes) to year two (PhD) is subject to exceeding minimum marks for all MRes modules, exams, and final project as specified in the Programme Handbook. Students who fail to meet these criteria will not progress from MRes to PhD.

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

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

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

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.

For a full overview of the programme structure please visit the UCL School of Management website.

Student performance is assessed through simulations, presentations, coursework, group projects, class participation, and examinations.

MRes students typically study 3 compulsory modules over Terms 1 and 2 as well as 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.

Research areas and structure

Organisations and Innovations Research examines the social psychology and behaviour of individuals and teams at work. Topics of interest include creativity, innovation, social networks, diversity, and related topics.
Learn more about the Organisations and Innovations research group
Strategy and Entrepreneurship Research is focused on understanding what makes organisations successful and what leads to new business formation. Topics of interest include digitisation, AI, platforms, new and decentralised organisational forms, learning, innovation, competition, interorganisational relationships, corporate and entrepreneurial strategy, reputation and identity.
Learn more about the Strategy and Entrepreneurship research group
Operations and Technology Research focuses on understanding how companies actually do things for value creation and value capture. Topics of interest include R&D management, new product development, innovation management, service systems, supply chain economics and healthcare operations.
Learn more about the Operations and Technology research group
Marketing and Analytics Research investigates how firms generate value by understanding consumer behaviour. Topics of interest include branding, retailing, advertising, pricing, product development, marketing channels, business marketing, marketing strategy, and e-commerce.
Learn more about the Marketing and Analytics research group

Research environment

This programme offers a world-class, intensive research environment focused on creating and publishing interesting, important, and impactful research. This includes seminars from world-leading scholars, reading groups, and other research-oriented events. The strong focus on producing world-leading research is a core element of the programme.

: Students will typically study one year full time in the MRes year, which is made up of the MRes Research project along with taught and optional modules. Students who are successful in progressing to PhD programme will then continue on the programme for four additional years.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Where you'll study

Two people in open plan office looking out of window of skyscraper

Home to UCL’s business and management research and education programmes, the UCL School of Management focuses on creating disruptive research and preparing the next generation of creative and influential leaders who can apply the latest technological developments as a strategic asset for businesses in the complex, interconnected world of the future. Through outstanding teaching by leading academics in their field and a fantastic, dedicated careers team at the School, we provide you with the knowledge, skills and networks needed to expand professional opportunities and progress in your career.

Find out more

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students

Fee description	Full-time
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£6,215
Tuition fees (2025/26)	£33,000

The department offers fully funded scholarships to all enrolled students.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

Students have an annual Research Budget they can use to cover most additional costs such as; purchasing books or stationery, printing, thesis binding or photocopying. Indicative prices for printing can be found here and UCL poster printing prices can be found here.

Students may have the opportunity to participate in conferences in the UK and overseas. 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.

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

All admitted MRes/PhD students are offered fully funded scholarships which covers all tuition fees, and includes an annual stipend of £26,000 which is tax-free. This scholarship is open to all students (both EU/UK and international), but only a limited number of scholarships are available. Our scholarships are internationally competitive, such that students typically do not pursue outside funding.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

: CSC-UCL Joint Research Scholarship

Value: Fees, maintenance and travel (Duration of programme)

Criteria Based on academic merit

Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Next steps

We only offer a full-time programme with a single intake in September.

The normal application window closes 1 January 2025 and a late submission window closes on 4 April 2025. We advise those interested in the programme to apply before 01 February 2025, as those applying in the late submission window will only be considered if there are still places remaining.

Our programme is highly selective and we only admit a limited number of students, so applying early may increase your chances.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

This programme requires two references. Further information regarding references can be found on this Selecting your references page.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.