Research Scholarships in Birmingham Business School

Birmingham Business School (BBS) is renowned for its research. With over 200 lecturing and research staff, internationally recognized as authorities in their fields, our research contributes to academic debates and has worldwide impact.

Birmingham Business School Doctoral Scholarships are available to candidates of the highest academic calibre who wish to conduct doctoral level study on a topic within the research areas of Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing, and Strategy & International Business at Birmingham Business School. Candidates in Accounting are particularly encouraged to apply.

A successful applicant is expected to have a very good undergraduate degree: a minimum of a 2:1, and preferably a first class honours. They should also hold, or expect to achieve, a very good Master’s degree (at least a merit and preferably at distinction level) in a Business or relevant subject. Their references will attest to qualities of academic achievement and research potential that make the candidate stand out above their peers. They may have already won academic prizes within their home institutions and /or internationally. We strongly encourage applications from UK students.

Applications will be assessed on:

  • The quality of the student’s academic achievements and preparedness for doctoral level study
  • The quality of the research proposal
  • The potential to contribute to cutting edge research
  • The match of the proposal to areas of research strength within Birmingham Business School.

View guidance for preparing a research proposal

Since we are particularly keen to build on existing areas of research strength, all applicants are strongly advised to contact potential supervisors and to discuss their proposal with them prior to online submission.

How to apply

Potential candidates for the Birmingham Business School Doctoral Scholarships must have an offer of a place to study for a PhD. If you do not already have an offer, you must apply for the PhD programme by 8th April 2024 and mark your electronic application Birmingham Business School Scholarships. You should also send a separate  Birmingham Business School Scholarship application form along with your research proposal, to Dr Sheena Leek, Director of the Doctoral Programme (business-pgr-research@contacts.bham.ac.uk) and mark your email ‘Birmingham Business School Scholarships’.

The deadline for submitting the Birmingham Business School application form is midday 29th April, 2024.

If you already have a place to start on the doctoral programme in September 2024 and you wish to be considered for the BBS scholarships, you need to complete the Birmingham Business School Scholarship application form and submit it along with your research proposal as outlined above. If you are currently a Masters student, an offer of a scholarship will be conditional on the successful completion of your studies at the required level. Please note that previous applicants need not apply.

Find out more about our Doctoral Programme. 

To apply to the Doctoral Programme, please go to the subject specific page listed below:

Find out more about the areas of research in the Birmingham Business School.