MPhil PhD School of Business and Law

Program Overview

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Studying for a PhD with UEL's School of Business and Law will push you to the limit - and you'll be supported all the way by our world-class academic staff.  The School gives postgraduate research students the chance to learn from the best academic minds and industry experts.

You'll be studying in an environment that positively encourages students to think beyond the boundaries of traditional disciplines.

Our academic staff have the skills and experience to bring out the best in your PhD or MPhil research. Their expertise is based on our strong suite of taught postgraduate qualifications: from our Master of Business Administration (MBA) to Master of Law courses such as International law and financial markets.

Program Outline

Royal Docks School of Business and Law offers two main research degrees: the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

PhD via MPhil

The most popular course is the PhD via MPhil. A PhD is an original and distinct contribution to the knowledge of the field of study. It is often essential for those wishing to follow an academic or research career in industry or commerce. PhD research can be carried out in all subject areas.

All Postgraduate Research students are supervised by at least two research-active staff. Your supervisors will support your programme of research through regular meetings and reviews.

The PhD via MPhil course normally takes a minimum of 36 months (full-time) 60 months (part-time) to complete. Students enrolled in full-time mode of study will transfer from the MPhil to a PhD usually at the two-year stage or equivalent for part-time study.

MPhil

The Masters of Philosophy (MPhil) is a Master's level research degree programme which takes a minimum of 24 months (full-time) 48 months (part-time) to complete.

All Postgraduate Research students are supervised by at least two research-active staff. Your supervisors will support your programme of research through regular meetings and reviews.

PhD Direct

A PhD direct is aimed at postgraduate students who already have an MPhil (Masters of Philosophy) or MRes (Masters by Research) qualification and takes a minimum of 36 months (full-time) 60 months (part-time) to complete.

All Postgraduate Research students are supervised by at least two research-active staff. Your supervisors will support your programme of research through regular meetings and reviews.

PhD via Publication

The publication route to a PhD is mainly intended for UEL postgraduate students or staff, based on their published academic output. Each application is considered separately on its own merits.

Your research proposal

Research proposals give us a better understanding of the area you want to study for an MPhil, PhD via MPhil or PhD Direct course.

You don't have to follow a predetermined structure when writing your proposal, but it's a good idea to include a title that describes the aims and scope of your research, and information on how your ideas fit in with the research interests of UEL.

Other important elements include: relevant academic literature, how your research will advance knowledge in this area, and a possible methodology. You should also include a timescale for your research.

To find out more about how to write your research proposal, see our

research proposal guidance

.

PhD via MPhil

At the end of your PhD, you will be required to submit an 80,000-word thesis, summarising your research. You will then have to undergo an oral examination (a viva) on your thesis.

MPhil

At the end of your MPhil, you will be required to submit a 40,000-word thesis which outlines your research findings. You will then have to undergo an oral examination (a viva) on your thesis.

PhD Direct

At the end of your PhD, you will be required to submit an 80,000-word thesis, summarising your research. You will then have to undergo an oral examination (a viva) on your thesis.