University of Southampton Business School

University of Southampton

Shape the future of business and take your place among the next generation of leaders driving change in academia, industry and policy. At the University of Southampton Business School, you'll collaborate with world-renowned specialists tackling today’s most pressing challenges, from AI’s transformational potential to innovation and sustainability. Join exceptional scholars at a Russell Group university ranked top 100 worldwide (QS World Rankings 2026), with six of our academics among the top 2% of scientists globally. Our flexible doctoral programmes adapt to your research vision while providing comprehensive support and professional development opportunities, in an inclusive culture where diverse perspectives fuel discovery. Our graduates become the researchers, consultants, professors, and policy makers working on tomorrow’s business and societal challenges. Ready to join the next wave of business leaders?

Why study at the University of Southampton Business School?

Join a diverse research community within a business school ranked 55th globally in economics and business (US News & World Report, 2025).

Take advantage of tailored training and professional development, both within the school and through the University’s Doctoral College.

Choose from PhD and DBA programmes, including full-time and part-time pathways.

Work with internationally recognised supervisors in areas such as accounting, finance, marketing, strategy, human resources, entrepreneurship, logistics and risk.

Showcase your achievements, exchange ideas and make connections at our annual postgraduate research conference.

150

postgraduate students

87th

in the QS World Rankings 2026

Southampton  United Kingdom

main campus

About the University of Southampton Business School

At the University of Southampton Business School, research is the bedrock of everything we do. We are committed to addressing global business and societal challenges through rigorous inquiry, innovative thinking and collaboration with industry. Our postgraduate researchers play an essential role in making this happen.

We welcome curious minds and critical thinkers with the drive and resilience to generate new knowledge, whether in accounting, banking, business analytics, entrepreneurship, international business, innovation, human resources management, leadership, marketing, operations, risk, sustainability or strategy.

Our interdisciplinary research centres and groups create research opportunities in areas such as digital finance, healthcare analytics, project management and advanced business and analytical modelling. These centres have close links with policymakers, NGOs and businesses in the UK and worldwide, enabling you to do work with real-world impact.

An experienced supervisory team will help you navigate the challenges of postgraduate research and spark new avenues of enquiry, with comprehensive training to help you develop your methodological and professional skills.


Find your place in our diverse, collegial community, where you can connect with like minds, find support when you have setbacks and share your successes.

There are lots of opportunities to help you settle in and find your tribe, from weekly virtual coffee sessions to University-wide activities organised by and for postgraduate researchers.

You can also get involved in seminars, focused research groups and interdisciplinary collaborations within the business school and across the faculty. Annual Doctoral College events, such as a poster exhibition and Three Minute Thesis competition, are an additional way to showcase your work and meet academic and industry colleagues.

We also help you prepare for the future. With more than 400 professional development workshops each year, you can build a programme tailored to your ambitions.

We’re committed to removing barriers to postgraduate research with award-winning initiatives like the Race Equality Charter, Athena Swan recognition and Black Futures Scholarships. Dedicated networks, such as a parents’ and carers’ network and LGBTQ+ groups, bring together communities with shared interests and priorities. There are also comprehensive wellbeing, disability and inclusion services for any additional support you might need.

On campus, you’ll have access to computer labs, quiet study areas and the University’s main Hartley Library, which is home to extensive business and economics resources. And when you’re not hard at work, there’s plenty to enjoy in Southampton, a safe, friendly coastal city with a thriving cultural scene, green spaces, a mild climate and easy travel links to London and beyond.


You’ll be assigned a lead and co-supervisor with whom you’ll have regular meetings. You’ll also have access to training, mentoring, and community events through both the business school and the Doctoral College. Explore the full range of services on the Doctoral College support page.

If you need to balance your research with other commitments, most programmes offer part-time options. Remote study may be possible via the University’s PhD by Distance Learning route, depending on your project and supervision needs. Learn more in our distance learning policy.

A small number of University of Southampton Business School scholarships are available, including tuition fees and living expenses. Some of our students are funded through ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership scholarships. We also support employer-sponsored and self-funded pathways. The University offers broader funding schemes such as the Presidential Scholarships, Black Futures Scholarships and Innovation and Social Impact awards. Visit the Doctoral College funding page for more details.

Visit our website to explore funded projects, or propose your own. You will typically need to provide a research proposal, transcripts and academic references. You can find more guidance on the application process on our website.


Register your interest with the University of Southampton Business School


Main campus

University of Southampton

Southampton

South East

United Kingdom

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Supervisors at University of Southampton Business School