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level: PG top_up: false international: true clearing: false full_time: true part_time: true start_month: October, March location: Waterside

​Organisational Behaviour ​MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works​​

Key Facts

  • Level

    PostgraduatePG PhD

  • Duration

    MPhil: Full Time 12 months – 3 Years or Part Time 30 months – 5 Years
    PhD: Full Time 2 years - 4 years or Part Time 3 years - 6 years
    PhD by Published Works: Part Time 1 year - 2 years

  • Starting

    October, March

Updated 16/12/2024

Updated 16/12/2024

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

study@northampton.ac.uk
0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

international@northampton.ac.uk
44 (0)1604 892134

Overview


​If you are a graduate in Organisational Behaviour or similar discipline, this Organisational Behaviour PhD / PhD by Published Works programme offers an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge and research skills. This PhD in Organisational Behaviour offers you the chance to undertake a substantial piece of work that is worthy of publication, and which makes an original contribution to the field of organisational behaviour. It is designed to stimulate critical thinking and creative ideas and provide you with the analytical skills to carry out your research effectively. Successful oral defence of the final thesis (viva voce) will provide the researcher with the highest qualification that any UK university can award. It will also offer researchers an excellent opportunity to develop their career in academia or move into higher management positions in the industry. Faculty members and PhD students in Organisational Behaviour are part of the Faculty of Business and Law at the University of Northampton. The department welcomes doctoral applicants from a wide variety of academic disciplines who are united by a desire to conduct innovative research.

Find out more about the following Research Institutes and Research Centres at Northampton:​

The closing dates for applications for the October intake is the 1 August and for the March intake is the 11 December

Highlights


  • At UON, we understand that business is about people ​
  • Work with renowned faculty and conduct innovative research ​
  • Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to become a successful and productive researcher

Entry Requirements


Applicants should hold :

  • an upper second-class honour (2:1) degree or higher at the undergraduate level in a relevant discipline from a UK university or a recognised international university, or
  • a Masters degree in a relevant discipline, from a UK university or a recognised international university
  • ​Students with lower-level qualifications, or qualifications in a different subject area but relevant experience, will also be considered on an individual basis.

    ​All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be considered when assessing applications.

    ​You must submit with your application a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words on your intended topic – please view the guidance notes on how to write a proposal for a research degree.

    ​All suitable candidates will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.


    All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:

    • ​successful interview by the University
    • suitable Research Supervision Support

    ​​For your application to be successful your academic credentials are most important; we pay close attention to the suitability of our candidates for both the programme and the research interest of our team of academics. PhD applicants are assessed based on their previous academic performance, the quality of their research proposal, and the availability of suitable members of academic staff to supervise their chosen research topic.

    ​For Additional information on how to apply to study with us, how to find a potential Supervisor, and what documents you should provide with your application, please see our How to Apply page.​

  • The University requires all non-native speakers of English to reach a minimum standard of proficiency in written and spoken English before beginning a postgraduate research degree. You will need to demonstrate that you meet the minimum English language requirement of IELTS at 7.0, with no component less than 6.5 including writing (or equivalent). Applications with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components will not be considered.

Course Content


  • This Organisational Behaviour PhD programme is a way for you to develop your specialism and improve your skills in research, academic writing, presentation, and practice. While developing your research projects, you will receive general, as well as project-specific training to enable you to conduct your research effectively and independently. Normally, our PhD students are initially registered for an MPhil and within the first twelve months of their study are expected to transfer from the MPhil to a PhD programme. The transfer process requires students to produce a detailed research proposal and apply for ethics approval. Students will be required to present their written piece of work to an academic audience and then proceed for the internal viva examination with an internal transfer viva examiner. The transfer viva process, appointment of the internal examiner, and approval of ethics documents are all subject to approval by the University’s research committees.

    All PhD students are assigned a supervisory team which will consist of a Director of Study (DOS), and first and second supervisors. Our students are required to work independently on their research, under the advice and direct supervision of their supervisory team.

    Due to the nature of PhD study, our students may expect to spend most of their time, studying and engaging in research independently. Students are required to attend regular supervision meetings to discuss their progress, devise an action plan for the next steps, and to receive suggestions from their supervisory team on how to improve and proceed with their project.

    Research topics

    We can supervise topics including:​

    • Organisational culture, change and dynamics
    • Leadership studies
    • ​Gender studies
    • ​Team and group processes ​
    • Personality and power ​
    • Social network ​
    • Negotiations and Decision-making​
    • Ethics and morality ​
    • Equality, diversity, and inclusion

    We also offer opportunities to develop interdisciplinary study and Practice as Research projects​

  • What is the difference between a full PhD and a PhD by Published works?

    A PhD involves conducting original research and writing a thesis, while a PhD by Published Works is awarded based on a collection of previously published papers demonstrating significant contributions to the field. Additional information about choosing your type of research degree can be found on our How to apply for Research degree study page.

Fees and Funding


2025/26 Tuition Fees

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees

  • UK – Full Time: £5,700
  • UK – Part Time: £2,845
  • International – Full Time: £16,350
  • International – Part Time: £7,640

Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by means of Published Works

Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by means of published works.

  • UK – Part Time: £3,600
  • International – Part Time: £7,840
  • Please visit the funding pages and our scholarship pages for more details on how to fund your study.

  • Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

    Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees

    Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) practice based in the Arts, Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

    • UK – Full Time: £5,500
    • UK – Part Time: £2,775
    • International – Full Time: £15,950
    • International – Part Time: £7,450

    Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by Means of Published Works

    • UK – Part Time: £3,500
    • International – Part Time: £7,650

Staff


Ade Ige-Olaobaju, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt

Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt
Faculty of Business and Law

Ade Ige-Olaobaju

Careers and Employability


Students who successfully complete this programme often embark on an academic career or move into higher management positions in the industry. 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


Our PhD students have access to exceptional research facilities such as:

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

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