Program Overview

Human Resource Management PhD

Key Facts

• Level: Postgraduate PG PhD
• Duration: PhD: Full Time 2 years - 4 years or Part Time 3 years - 6 years
• Starting: October, March
• UK Fees: See Fees and Funding
• International Fees: See Fees and Funding
• Location: Waterside

Overview

The PhD in Human Resource Management allows you to research concepts and practices relating to work, management, and employment experience. A research degree does not have a teaching structure, allowing you to delve deeply into your chosen topic your own research interests.

Highlights

• Conduct independent, original, and academically significant research
• Benefit from training courses to develop key research skills
• Supervision and support from expert academic staff
• Present at talks and seminars to display your work
• Regular research seminars, conferences and research activities led by our Research Institutes and Centres and the Graduate School

Entry Requirements

• Normally candidates should hold a 2:1 or higher honours degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject.
• Where possible you should also hold a good Master’s degree, or international equivalent in a relevant subject area.
• Students with lower-level qualifications, or qualifications in a different subject area but relevant experience, will also be considered on an individual basis.
• English Language Requirements: IELTS 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component specifically in writing (or equivalent).

Course Content

• Doctoral candidates conduct original research with the purpose of contributing significantly to knowledge and understanding in their chosen subject.
• Research topics:
  • Human resource management
  • Employee motivation and wellbeing
  • Performance management
  • Gender and diversity studies
  • Organisational leadership
  • Organisational psychology
  • Talent management
  • Managing workplace disputes
  • Work and organisational studies
  • Employee relations
  • Changing organisation
  • Strategic Human resource management
  • International and Comparative Human resource management
  • Sustainability and ethical people practice

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees:
  • UK – Full Time: £5,700
  • UK – Part Time: £2,845
  • International – Full Time: £16,350
  • International – Part Time: £7,640
• Scholarships and Bursaries: Please visit the funding pages and our scholarship pages for more details on how to fund your study.

Staff

• Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt: Ade Ige-Olaobaju

Careers and Employability

• A doctoral degree can be the pinnacle of academic success and often signifies the start of a career in academia or research.
• The University of Northampton has an excellent Careers and Employability Service who are dedicated to equipping students with the skills to thrive, adapt and innovate in our ever-changing world.

Facilities

• Opportunities for research collaboration with staff and students
• Well-equipped library with access to academic e-books, journal articles and learning resources for on-site and off-site study
• Dedicated PhD study area with computer and printer in the Learning Hub
• Teaching and Research Assistant opportunities should you meet the requirement
• Library and Learning support for PhD students
• Excellent social groups for student meetings and engagement
• Spacious individual and group working space and discussion areas
• Skills support for PhD students

Related Courses

• Human Resource Management MA
• Human Resource Management (Top-Up) MA
• Human Resource Management PGDip
• Doctor of Business Administration DBA