Program Overview

Human Resources and Organisational Behaviour, MPhil/PhD

Our research degree (MPhil/PhD) allows you to undertake rigorous and critical exploration in the area of work, employment, human resource management and organisational behaviour with support from an expert supervisor.

School

Management and Marketing

Location

Greenwich Campus

Duration

• 3 - 4 years full-time
• 4 - 7 years part-time

Start month

• September
• October
• January
• February

Home/international fees 2025/26

• £5,006 / £18,700

What you should know about this course

• You will join the Centre for Research on Employment and Work (CREW) and be supported by excellent researchers in the field.
• Flexible registration. (Full time: MPhil 18-36 months, PhD 24-48 months, MPhil/PhD 36-48 months. Part-time: MPhil 30-48 months, PhD 36-60 months, MPhil/PhD 48-84 months)
• You can begin your studies in September-October/January-February. Scholarship applications must meet specified deadlines. Alternative starting times may be exceptionally considered

What you will study

Your PhD will centre on a specific research area and topic. With guidance from your supervisory team, you will select areas to study that align with your project. You may also attend extra classes or participate in training events to support your research. This can include seminars and workshops provided by the Faculty and your Research Centre. In addition, you will be part of the Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme (PGRDP). The PGRDP offers both mandatory and elective sessions designed to assist research students in enhancing their skills.

Research areas

• Equality, Diversity and inclusion at work - multiple inequalities; in-work poverty, income and pay distribution; gender and ethnic pay gaps.
• Democratic Governance at work - whistle blowing, business ethics and professionalism. Representation, voice and organisation at work, individual and collective conflict.
• The quality of work and labour standards - working time and intensification; technology, digitalisation and robotisation, work-life boundaries and balance, training, coaching, mentoring. Employment rights. Modern slavery.
• Sustainability and climate change : green jobs, the role and structure of public services and public finance internationally. The environmental, social, economic and political aspects of privatisation and liberalisation in water, energy, waste management, health care and social care (PSIRU).
• Health and Safety at work in the context of Covid-19 and future pandemics, stress and mental health.

Entry requirements

Applicants should have:

• A taught Master's degree, with a minimum average of 60% in all areas of assessment (e.g. Merit or above), in a generic subject area relevant to the subject matter of the proposed research project, and/or
• A First Class or Second Class, First Division (Upper Second Class) Honours degree in a subject area relevant to the proposed research project.

How you will learn

• Teaching: At the heart of this MPhil/PhD is the collaboration between you and your supervisors who are experts in your chosen area. Supervisors will guide you through the process of refining your research project and the outcomes, outlining a plan, monitoring it, and keeping to a schedule, guidance on obtaining ethical approval (if applicable), identifying any extra taught courses and training events to attend in support of your research.
• Independent learning: Beyond scheduled supervisory meetings, seminars, and other training sessions, you'll be expected to dedicate significant time to your research project. This will involve extensive reading, data collection, analysis, and ultimately the writing of your thesis.

Assessment

• You will need to successfully complete all mandatory training as part of the Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme (PGRDP).
• The degree is awarded when you submit your thesis and successfully defend it by oral examination (viva-voce).

Fees and funding

• Home/international fees 2025/26: £5,006 / £18,700
• Accommodation costs: Whether you choose to live in halls of residence or rent privately, we can help you find what you're looking for. University accommodation is available from £126.35 per person per week (bills included), depending on your location and preferences.

Careers and placements

• What sort of careers do graduates pursue?: You can have a career in research, whether in academia, think tanks, private research institutions, or the research and development departments of businesses or government bodies.
• Do you provide employability services?: Our Business School Employability team is committed to supporting your journey towards a rewarding graduate destination. We provide a professional service to empower you to achieve your potential and offer support for two years after graduation. Services include CV, cover letter, and application tips, interviews support, careers fairs, mentoring.