Management Science

PhD (Integrated)

  • Entry year 2025
  • Duration Full time 4 - 5 years
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Overview

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The Management Science Integrated PhD is a doctoral program which includes at least one year of structured research and subject training. Training is concentrated in year one but continues into years two and three. We know that many sponsors prefer students to have a thorough grounding in research methods and to improve their subject knowledge before concentrating on their research thesis - the Integrated PhD offers exactly that.

The Integrated PhD lays more emphasis than is usually the case in the UK on structured research and subject training (which are formally assessed).

Interim qualifications are offered to students who decide to leave before completing the full PhD or are not considered suitable for doctoral study. These interim qualifications are the MRes degree and the MPhil.

Normally we expect students to take at least four to five years to complete all phases of the PhD. This makes it especially suitable for new graduates and for those who are not yet sure of their exact research topic.

Year 1 - The MRes degree

The MRes is a 'Master's in Research' degree, a taught Master's course typically lasting one year. This course is divided into three parts; Part A consists of taught modules taken primarily from the master's programmes within Management Science or other suitable master's degree modules. Your selection of modules will be agreed with the programme director. Part B consists of the development of research methods skills. The addition of assessed modules enhances the subject-based Master's degree:

  • Management research methods and issues
  • Research skills
  • Quantitative or qualitative methods (depending on the student's background)

and unassessed modules in

  • Searching for information
  • Intellectual property and copyright regulations

Followed by Part C, which is the dissertation.

Years 2, 3 and 4

Successful completion of the MRes is required to progress into years two and beyond.

You will receive specialised support from two supervisors as you research and write your thesis. In addition to your thesis, an oral examination will form an integral part of the assessment of your doctoral research.

Part-time PhD study over five years is available through the Theory and Practice of Management PhD.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

2:1 Hons degree (UK or equivalent) in a relevant subject.

We may also consider non-standard applicants; please contact us for information.

If you have studied outside of the UK, we would advise you to check our list of international qualifications before submitting your application.

English language requirements

We may ask you to provide a recognised English language qualification, dependent upon your nationality and where you have studied previously.

We normally require an IELTS (Academic) Test with an overall score of at least 7.0, and a minimum of 6.0 in each element of the test. We also consider other English language qualifications.

If your score is below our requirements, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English language programmes.

Contact: Admissions Team +44 (0) 1524 592032 or email pgadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

Pre-master’s programmes

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.

Fees and funding

The tuition fee for students with home fee status is set in line with the standard fee stipend provided by the UK Research Councils. The fee stipend for 2025/26 has not yet been set. For reference, the fee stipend for 2024/25 was full-time £4,786.

The international fee for new entrants in 2025/26 is full-time £21,620.

General fees and funding information

Additional fees and funding information accordion

Scholarships and bursaries

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status and course. You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

If you're considering postgraduate research you should look at our funded PhD opportunities.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Studentships and funding

Our studentships and funding opportunities for PhD study are available through the UK's research councils, Lancaster University, and various other organisations. For details of some different types of studentships, which include fees and a living allowance, and further links for other funding opportunities, please see our PhD scholarship and funding information.

Funding for PhD programmes

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Important Information

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.

Our Students’ Charter

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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