Program Overview

PhD Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies

The PhD Human Resource Management and Organisation Studies is a four-year research degree that combines skills and enhanced subject-specific research proposals to give students the best underpinning for their doctoral studies. This course is designed for students who do not have English as a first language and may have been studying in a different country or out of a traditional academic environment for some time.

Overview

• The course is based at the Essex Business School, which has an international outlook and is committed to the UN Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME).
• Students will study at the Colchester Campus, in the UK's first zero-carbon business school building, reflecting the university's commitment to sustainability and business ethics.
• The course aims to refine English language for scholarly communication, enhance academic skills for postgraduate study, hone higher-level research skills, and master how to study and manage academic work in the UK.

Course Structure

• The course consists of the following elements:
  • English language for postgraduate research studies
  • Academic skills for postgraduate research studies
  • Research skills for human resource and organisation studies
  • Research proposal
  • Studying and researching in the UK
• In the first year, students will take a number of core and compulsory modules, and the next three years will be spent conducting their individual research project.

Expert Staff

• Students will benefit from world-class supervision and research training from expert staff, including leading journal editors and researchers in the field of organisation studies and leadership.
• The university is home to world-renowned academics, such as Professor Elisabeth Kelan, whose research explores the future of work, digitalisation, and gender.

Specialist Facilities

• Students will have access to excellent research facilities, including:
  • A dedicated PhD study area with computer stations
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) pods
  • A Bloomberg trading floor
  • Access to databases such as Bloomberg, Compustat, and Datastream
  • E-book finance and business packages
  • Final-year students are provided with office space to encourage successful thesis completion
  • Group-working space in the stunning winter garden
  • Study skills support for postgraduate students
  • Bonds cafÚ with adjacent sun terrace

Your Future

• Essex Business School fosters the business leaders and researchers of the future, with many graduates enjoying careers in academia and organisations in the public and private sectors.
• Students can also take advantage of the services offered by the Careers Service, including careers advice, work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.

Entry Requirements

UK Entry Requirements

• A good Masters degree, or equivalent, in a related subject is required.
• A well-developed research proposal is also essential.
• Students will normally be required to attend an interview/Skype interview for acceptance, and acceptance is subject to research expertise in the department.

International & EU Entry Requirements

• The university accepts a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries.
• Students should contact the Graduate Admissions team to request the entry requirements for their country.
• If English is not the first language, students will require IELTS 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.

Structure

Course Structure

• Most taught courses combine compulsory and optional modules, giving students freedom to pursue their own interests.
• The research element of the degree does not have a taught structure, allowing students to investigate their chosen topic in real depth.

Components and Modules

• Components are the blocks of study that make up the course, and each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards the qualification.
• Modules are the individual units of study for the course, and each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria.

Year 1

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY - Essex Business School - Research (0 credits)
• COMPONENT 01: CORE - English Language and Communication Skills for Postgraduate Studies (45 credits)
• COMPONENT 02: CORE - Academic Skills for Postgraduate Research (45 credits)
• COMPONENT 03: CORE - Research Methods in Management (20 credits)
• COMPONENT 04: CORE - Research Proposal (15 credits)

Fees and Funding

Home/UK Fee

• ú5,238 per year

International Fee

• ú20,625 per year

Scholarships and Financial Support

• There may be scholarships, bursaries, or discounts available to help with the cost of the course.
• Students should check the university's website for more information on fees and funding.

What's Next

• The university holds Open Days for all applicants throughout the year, which provide an opportunity to tour the campus and accommodation, find out more about the courses, and meet with staff and students.
• Students can apply for the course online and should check the university's website for more information on the application process.