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Marketing PhD / MPhil / MSc (Res)
- Start dateSeptemberDurationPhD: 3 years full-time; MPhil: 2 years full-time; MSc (Research) 1 year full-time
- AwardDoctorate / Master of Philosophy / MSc by Research
- Entry requirementsGood honours degree (first or upper second class honours)
- Fees£4,921 (full-time), £2,461 (part-time)
Course overview
Join our PhD in Marketing at the University of Birmingham to develop your expertise through impactful research, world-class resources, and mentorship. Prepare for a successful career in academia or industry with our supportive and dynamic programme.
Our doctoral researchers excel in analysing diverse data sets using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. They are adept at explaining the theories that underpin various approaches to social science research, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the field.
Course structure
Our PhD in Marketing includes a short taught component followed by a longer research phase.
In the first year, you will take 60 credits of core Research Methods modules from the MA Social Research programme. It is recommended you also take Advanced Training Modules from the MA Social Research Programme. Depending on accredited prior learning, you may substitute 20 credits of the introductory MA Social research modules for Advanced Training Modules, subject to supervisory approval.
Course highlights
Our doctoral researchers will have the ability to characterise and solve complex business and marketing problems using advanced research tools. You will be able to derive policy implications from their research and effectively communicate these insights to policymakers, practitioners, and academics. You will also excel in peer reviewing research, offering constructive criticism, and pushing the boundaries of the discipline through their innovative work.
The PhD in Marketing at the University of Birmingham is designed to significantly shape your future by:
- Developing Expertise: You’ll gain deep knowledge in marketing theory and practice, equipping you with advanced research skills.
- Enhancing Employability: Graduates often secure roles in academia, government, financial institutions, and multinational corporations.
- Building a Professional Network: You’ll engage with leading academics and peers, expanding your professional connections.
- Contributing to the Field: Your research will push the boundaries of marketing knowledge, influencing policy and practice.
Course delivery
Each student will have two academic supervisors who will work with the students in their areas of expertise. You are urged to study the up-to-date profiles of individual staff members' research via their personal web pages. It is essential that students applying to the department recognise the expertise of their potential supervisor. It is possible to contact a potential supervisor to discuss the possibility of working with them and this communication would involve identifying the proposed research area and methods and identifying the link with the proposed supervisor’s work.
Research projects
At Birmingham, you can apply for an advertised PhD or propose your own research. An advertised PhD is typically part of an established research project and is usually funded by the University or another funding body.
If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to our research programmes to propose this. This is self-funded although scholarships are available.
Find an Advertised PhD
Find a PhD project that suits your interests by using our FindAPhD tool.
Find a supervisor
If you’d rather propose your own research, the first step is to find your supervisor. We encourage you to browse the biographies of faculty members to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on research interests, current projects and recent publications.
When you apply, you can suggest one or two potential supervisors, who you think might be a good fit for you. However, this is not essential. If you know what you want to work on, but are unsure on supervisors, you can indicate this in your application and the PhD programme co-directors will study your proposal in detail, and judge who is best suited to be your supervisory team.
The marketing department encourages PhD applications that align with one of the three research groups below.
- Culture Research Group
- Marketing innovations and consumer science research group
- Responsible and Critical Marketing Research Group
Applicants are urged to study the profiles of individual staff via their university profile pages and contact appropriate supervisors directly before they apply.
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- Good honours degree (1st or upper 2nd class)
We usually ask students for an average of 65 in the taught component of their Masters. All international students also need to show that they have adequate knowledge of written and spoken English.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 95 overall with no less than 22 in any component
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 76 with no less than 67 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency - minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): C1 'Expert' with no less than 25 in each skill
Research proposal
If you are proposing your own research topic, you will need to submit a research proposal. It’s a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.
Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.
You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.
Fees and scholarships
- £4,921
Full-time. Fee to be confirmed
- £2,461
Part-time. Fee to be confirmed
Funding options
Apply for a PhD that already has funding attached
These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.
Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship once you have an offer
You devise your own PhD topic, find a supervisor, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. If you’re offered a place at Birmingham, you can then apply for studentships or funding from various sources. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.
A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
If you are applying to an ‘advertised PhD’, please check the details of the specific research project for application deadlines.
If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.
If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.
We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
We have put together some helpful information on the taught programme application process and supporting documents. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Career opportunities
Recent PhD graduates from Birmingham Business School are now working in central banks, government departments, financial institutions, accountancy firms, supranational organisations, and multinational corporations. Many also go on to forge successful academic careers at leading universities worldwide.
Careers Network
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.
As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.
We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.