Doctoral Programmes

Greenwich School of Management (GSM) offers two doctoral programmes: the PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and the DBA (Doctor of Business Administration). Both degrees are awarded by the University of Wales and are delivered at GSM in Greenwich, London.

Doctoral applicants should have a strong theoretical and experiential background to enable them to engage with the demands of original and detailed research.

Moreover, new doctoral applicants should have a particular interest that they wish to research into; this may change as their research progresses, but an initial interest, commensurable with the supervisory strengths of the school, is paramount. The doctoral programmes at GSM are flexible, dynamic and inspiring and we welcome potential doctoral students for interview.

The PhD/DBA Contrast
Both degrees are widely recognised as being equivalent in level on both the full time and part time modes. The main contrast between the two degrees appears in the research phase of both programmes. The objectives of the PhD and DBA research theses can be summarised as follows:

• PhD: An analysis of one or more prominent management problems in the commercial sector or public sector, based on original research using appropriate methodology
• DBA: An analysis of a practical business or management issue which makes use of appropriate theory to contribute to professional practice

If applicants are unsure which degree is most appropriate for them, the GSM admissions team will be able to offer advice.

The degrees of PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) and DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) from the University of Wales are the culmination of three to five years’ personal research and the production of an assessed thesis: a very challenging, but rewarding enterprise. Successful completion will open the door to that very exclusive league of scholars and provide you with valuable research skills and an in-depth body of knowledge of the area of your research. Indeed, you will be encouraged to seek publication of your ideas, arguments and findings in relevant peer-reviewed journals at the end of your programme.

These University of Wales doctoral programmes in the domain of Business Management and cognate areas are aimed at those students wishing to pursue careers in education, industry and the public sector. They are academically rigorous; indeed you will be continually assessed as your programme proceeds. They are also personally rewarding in terms of the personal fulfilment experienced in achieving your research objectives.

I believe that you will find this University of Wales programme in London inspiring and I look forward to discussing your admission.

Dr Peter Murray
Director of Doctoral Studies

Objectives of the PhD and DBA Degrees

The PhD has long been recognised as the route to the high academic standard expected of an expert in a subject; likewise for the more recently introduced DBA. Such a route involves the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice.

The programme seeks to enhance the ability of course members to develop new and creative approaches that extend or redefine existing knowledge or professional practice. Moreover, course members will develop an in-depth understanding of research methodology within a sound framework of research philosophy; instantiating this with their own research project under the guidance of their supervisors.

Through this educative process at the doctoral level, the programme aims to provide successful course members with the accolade of being a leading expert or practitioner in a particular field of business and management.