Overview
Join our dynamic doctoral programme and become part of a vibrant, diverse, and inclusive research community. You'll draw on the expertise of our management school staff and cutting-edge research centres, empowering you to push the boundaries of knowledge and make meaningful contributions to current practices.
Whether you aspire to excel as an academic or a leading practitioner, our programme is designed to support your journey. You’ll gain the skills, insights, and networks needed to drive positive change across the private, public, and third sectors. By tackling real-world challenges, you’ll advance your career and shape the future of businesses and organisations worldwide.
Supervision and support
We understand how crucial it is for our PhD students to feel confident, supported, and empowered throughout their research journey.
From the moment you enrol, you’ll be assigned a dedicated supervisory team, comprising two experienced supervisors whose expertise aligns closely with your research proposal. You’ll have regular meetings with your supervisors to discuss and refine your research, ensuring steady academic progress. Beyond academic guidance, your supervisors are here to provide friendly, ongoing support – whether you need help with administrative matters, advice on your studies, or simply someone to talk to.
At the faculty level, the FBL Empower PGR Hub plays a central role in fostering a vibrant research community. Through regular training sessions, events, and networking opportunities, the Hub ensures you’re equipped with the skills and connections to thrive. The ARU Doctoral School and faculty PGR team also provide continuous support, guiding you every step of the way. Additionally, the University offers a wide range of professional services, including career guidance, to help you achieve your personal and professional goals.
The 2024 Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) results highlight the Faculty of Business and Law's strong commitment to supporting our PGR community. Across all key elements of the survey, our faculty has consistently ranked within the first or second quartile, reflecting the high quality of support, resources, and guidance we provide to our postgraduate researchers. These results underscore our dedication to fostering an enriching and supportive environment that empowers our doctoral researchers to thrive in their academic and professional journeys.
Find and contact a supervisor: find an expert in the School of Management and FBL research centres.
Whether you’re conducting research, teaching, or writing your thesis, you’ll have access to comprehensive training and development opportunities, including:
- Crafting and refining your research proposal
- Research methods training
- Understanding Intellectual Property (IP) in a research context
- Research ethics and integrity
- Presenting your research and constructing compelling arguments
- Practical training in teaching and learning, including the fundamentals of teaching business (if you take on teaching responsibilities).
Where you'll research
Your faculty
You have a highly active mind and see opportunity everywhere. Now you need theory and life-changing skills to sharpen your approach to management. At the Faculty of Business & Law, you will immerse yourself in a multicultural environment where technology blends with teaching to create a dynamic and innovative learning environment. An environment to help you gain those skills.
Where can I study?
Chelmsford
Our striking, modern campus sits by the riverside in Chelmsford's University and Innovation Quarter.
Cambridge
Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.
Fees & funding
Course fees
UK students, 2025/26 (per year)
£5,005
UK students, 2025/26 (part-time, per year)
£2,502.50
International students, 2025/26 (per year)
£16,700
International students, 2025/26 (part-time, per year)
£8,350
Bench fees
In some cases extra costs known as bench fees will be charged for a postgraduate research degree. These are to cover additional/exceptional costs directly related to a specific research project.
Some examples of these costs are (the list is not exhaustive): equipment hire, access costs to specialist equipment/workshops, volunteer expenses, specialist tissue/cell culture, specialist reagents or materials, specialist software, access to specialist databases, data collection costs, specialist media, recording or digital storage needs.
We charge bench fees in bands. They may apply for every year of your course. These bands are the same for full- and part-time students.
If you have to pay bench fees this will be made clear at your interview, and stated in your offer letter.
For 2025/26 the bench fee bands are:
- £500
- £1,300
- £2,300
- £4,700
- £9,300
PhD by Published Work
Initial registration: £1,600
Full registration: £4,700
Writing up fees 2025/26
£1,300
How do I pay my fees?
You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in instalments – though you won't need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. Find out more about paying your fees.
Funding
For advice on the Doctoral Loan and other sources of funding, including ARU scholarships, visit our finance guide for postgraduate researchers.
You might also find The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding helpful.
ARU research
Our research-active colleagues are committed to delivering impactful and meaningful outcomes that address real-world challenges and drive positive change.
At the core of our business school are our research centres, which serve as hubs for cutting-edge knowledge creation and innovation. They warmly welcome PhD researchers to join their vibrant communities, offering the opportunity to collaborate with leading academics on the latest research developments and contribute to transformative solutions.
At ARU we're committed to transforming lives through innovative, inclusive and entrepreneurial education and research. ARU's academic excellence was recognised in 2021, as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), an exercise which assesses the quality of academic research. Sixteen areas of our work were classed as generating world-leading research. The results showed that we're making a significant impact on the societies we live in.
Careers
A doctorate is more than just an academic achievement – it’s a powerful catalyst for advancing your career, whether you aspire to excel in business, management, or academia.
Tailored to fit your unique goals and lifestyle, our programme offers flexible study options, allowing you to choose between part-time and full-time pathways. You’ll have the freedom to focus your research on a topic that resonates with you, addresses a challenge within your industry, or aligns with your employer’s strategic priorities.
Throughout your journey, you’ll gain access to a wealth of compelling training opportunities designed to equip you with the skills needed to thrive in today’s competitive landscape. By combining rigorous academic training with practical, real-world applications, our doctorate programme empowers you to make a meaningful impact in your field.
Whether you’re aiming to drive innovation in your industry, lead transformative change within organisations, or contribute to the global academic community, a doctorate from our Faculty of Business and Law will set you on the path to success.
Contact details
If you're interested in finding out more about postgraduate research study opportunities, please contact [email protected]
Entry requirements
MPhil or PhD with progression from MPhil: You’ll need a Bachelors degree or equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.
PhD: You’ll need a Masters degree or equivalent in a related subject area.
Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request.
If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry.
Important additional notes
Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the programme as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Contact our postgraduate research degree team for more information about studying a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate at ARU.
You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your research programme.
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