Marketing PhD / MPhil / MSc (Res)

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.

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.

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.

1. Culture Research Group
2. Marketing innovations and consumer science research group
3. 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.