Theory and Practice of Management

PhD

  • Entry year 2025
  • Duration Part time 5 years

Overview

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  • 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. This 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.

The 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.

This open-access TPM route consists of the modules shown in the course structure, all of which are compulsory.

Participants will also need to undertake 15-30 hours of tailored research training in relation to data collection and data analysis, in alignment with their research.

Participants will be awarded a PhD on successful completion of the listed modules, plus a 45,000-word thesis and an academic paper of publishable quality.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

  • UK Master's level qualification with 65% overall and 65% in the dissertation (or international equivalent) or seven years' relevant experience
  • Bachelor's transcript and certificate
  • Master's transcript and certificate
  • Research proposal
  • CV
  • Two references
  • English test for overseas applicants

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.

Course structure

You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

Core

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Fees and funding

Year of study 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Total
UK & International Fee £8,200 £8,200 £6,150 £6,150 £6,150 £34,850

 

General fees and funding information

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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.

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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.