Program Overview

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Marketing postgraduate research degrees

Postgraduate research in marketing

Ready to start your research career? Explore our postgraduate research degrees in marketing.

Business and management studies at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 2nd of the modern universities by research power.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

If you're ready to take your existing expertise in Marketing into a postgraduate research degree qualification, Portsmouth is the perfect place to do it.

Our Marketing research covers advertising, branding, digital marketing, tourism marketing, marketing & society and related disciplines such as computing, economics, psychology and statistics – and when you study with us for a postgraduate research degree, you'll play your part in transforming our expertise into action.

We analyse both existing and emerging business models and consumer segments, help businesses to better understand their markets and consumers, and regularly collaborate with businesses on research projects so they can use our insights to directly improve their marketing. We're also exploring how disruptive technology, the digitalisation of retail process and access to big data is shaping today's markets and businesses.

We apply quantitative research methods such as experiments, regressions and structural equation models to measure causal effects on variables relevant to our research. We also use qualitative research techniques such as ethnography and storytelling to explore consumer decision processes at a detailed level.

Research degrees

Marketing PhDs and MPhils

Explore our pre-approved funded and self-funded PhD projects in Marketing, or submit your own research idea.

PhD and MPhil projects

Funded projects

There are currently no funded PhD projects available in this area – for more information on funding your own research project, visit our pages on funding your research degree.

Self-funded projects

• Responsible luxury: Aligning luxury and sustainability through Practice Theory

Submit your own idea

If you already have a research idea, find a supervisor whose research interests match yours by searching our Find a PhD Supervisor page. Once you've identified someone suitable, contact them to discuss your idea.

PhD by Publication

A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.

Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6–12 months after registering with us.

Duration, fees and funding

What do my tuition fees cover?

If you're self-funding your PhD, you'll pay tuition fees to the University to cover course and university costs.

Your tuition fees cover:

• The cost of your postgraduate research programme at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations
• Bespoke training, professional development courses, networking, and research support through The Doctoral College
• Research seminars and workshops (university-wide and faculty-specific)
• A contribution to funding to attend a conference or development activity in your research field
• Tailor-made weekly and monthly events, including weekly, themed experienced researcher-led talks and workshops
• Helping you become part of our thriving research community, including Research and Innovation services where 77% of our research is world leading and internationally excellent in REF 2021
• Your graduation ceremony
• Viva examination and administration costs
• The facilities and equipment you need to complete your studies, such as computer rooms, access to laptops, the Library, and laboratories
• Access to resources including electronic journals, alternative guide to funding, and thousands of hours of educational videos on LinkedIn Learning
• University support services including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support and personal tutors
• Membership of the Students' Union (giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice)
• Access to software such as Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite (this includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Adobe Premiere Pro)

How long will my research degree take?

• MPhil: 2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
• PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
• PhD by Publication: 1 year part-time

How much will my degree cost?

February 2025 and April 2025 fees

• PhD and MPhil
  • UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
    • Full-time: £4,786 per year
    • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year
  • EU students (including Transition Scholarship)
    • Full-time: £4,786 per year
    • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year
  • International students
    • Full-time: £17,900 (may be subject to annual increase)
    • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £8,950 (may be subject to annual increase)
• PhD by Publication
  • External candidates: £4,786
  • Members of staff: £1,950

October 2025, February 2026 and April 2026

• PhD and MPhil
  • UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students
    • Full-time and full-time distance learning: £5,006 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
    • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,503 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students (including Transition Scholarship)
    • Full-time and full-time distance learning: £5,006 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
    • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,503 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students
    • Full-time and full-time distance learning: £17,900 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
    • Part-time and part-time distance learning: £8,950 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
• PhD by Publication
  • External candidates: £5,006
  • Members of staff: £2,000

Bench fees

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Funding support

MPhil full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Postgraduate Loan (UK/EU students only).

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the Government Doctoral Loan (UK/EU students only).

For information on other sources of funding, visit our funding your postgraduate research degree page.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a PhD, or MPhil include an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.

If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Exemptions apply to those applicants who have studied in the UK, and to applicants with a degree whose medium of instruction is English.

Support and facilities

When you join us, you'll be supported by our Doctoral College, alongside your assigned supervisory team, who'll help you get the most from our facilities. The Doctoral College will help you become part of our thriving, collaborative research community, and help grow your skills as a researcher through the Graduate School Development Programme, which offers training, workshops and events.

You'll be able to use open access computer suites across campus. These are great working spaces with high-spec PCs, Macs and printing facilities. You'll also use specialised software, including SPSS statistical software and NVIVO software for use in qualitative research.

What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?

Once you complete your postgraduate research degree, you'll be a highly-skilled researcher with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in many different industries.

Your postgraduate research qualification demonstrates to potential employers that you're an intelligent, capable and motivated person, with provable abilities and experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity.

You'll also learn subject-specific skills, with practical applications – such as how to investigate relevant marketing ideas and apply rigorous methods.

After researching with us, our successful postgraduate research candidates have gone on to impressive positions in a variety of fields, within both academia and industry.

Current research

Explore the work we're doing in our 4 areas of research expertise in Marketing.

Advertising and Branding

Discover the research we're doing in advertising and branding – across topics such as ethics and sustainability, gender stereotypes, and brand attachment.

Digital Marketing

Learn to use industry tools to make engaging and original digital marketing content you can show future employers. Apply your learning with real clients and an optional paid placement.

Marketing and society

We're looking at macro trends influencing consumer decision-making – from sustainability to health – and the relationship between marketing and society.

Services marketing and tourism

Explore our work in cultural tourism, online reputation, revenue management, frontline service relationships, pricing and tourist behaviour.