9
9th for Business and Management in the UK
QS World University Rankings (2024)
72
72nd for Business and Management in the world
QS World University Rankings (2024)
Lancaster University is top 10 in The Complete University Guide 2025
The part-time PhD in the Theory and Practice of Management (TPM) combines the academic rigour of a traditional PhD with the accessibility of a structured, part-time research programme. A recent EFMD doctoral conference hosted at Lancaster gave significant emphasis to the changing forms of knowledge production within academia and in society more broadly, and the need for universities to update their provision to reflect the societies they serve. This programme is a response to that need, with its increased focus on research impact and business engagement. It also recognises that doctoral researchers form an integral part of our research community and add value to the research conducted here at Lancaster. Through a combination of online resources and facilitated activities, face-to-face workshops, and collaborative supervision, the programme will be accessible to part-time researchers from the public, private and third sectors. Working closely with academic faculty, they will be supported in developing their research skills at the same time as generating a valuable contribution to knowledge.
There are two routes within the programme, designed to meet the needs of a range of applicants. The main route (PhD in Theory and Practice of Management (TPM)) is open access and is designed to offer a strong methodological understanding/skillset, a ‘light touch’ grounding in the management discipline, and to support participants in producing a quality piece of independent research.
This International Doctorate in the Practice of Management (IDPM) route delivers the same qualification, but is founded upon the existing IMPM programme and is only open to graduates of this programme. Following completion of the IMPM Major Paper, students will undertake tailored research training designed to enable them to produce a quality piece of research. There is significant overlap between the two training programmes, and between our part-time and full-time training programmes, to offer the richest possible experience to participants on all routes.
Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored pre-master’s pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University master’s degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.
UK and International Fee:
For the first 2 years of the programme, please see the fees information detailed on the IMPM programme.
The fees for years 3, 4, 5 and 6 are £6,150 per year.
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small College Membership Fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
For most taught postgraduate applications there is a non-refundable application fee of £40. We cannot consider applications until this fee has been paid, as advised on our online secure payment system. There is no application fee for postgraduate research applications.
For some of our courses you will need to pay a deposit to accept your offer and secure your place. We will let you know in your offer letter if a deposit is required and you will be given a deadline date when this is due to be paid.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
If you are studying on a programme of more than one year’s duration, tuition fees are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.
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