Strategy and International Business PhD

The PhD programme equips you to analyse and address strategy and international business challenges using advanced research tools, engage in discussions on responsible business and the Sustainable Development Goals, and communicate policy and practice implications to relevant stakeholders.

On our PhD in Strategy and International Business programme, you will attend a 60-credit training programme. You can register for a full-time 3-year PhD or a part-time 6-year PhD.

In the first year, the programme includes seminars and workshops focused on business and management debates, research project design, and empirical research methods. You will enhance your research skills and develop professional capabilities, addressing strategy and international business challenges. By the end of the year, you will complete and present a 10,000-word research document, contributing to your 80,000-word thesis.

The PhD programme provides you with the capabilities to characterise, research and conceptualise strategy and international business problems and challenges using advanced research tools, and to develop solutions. You are encouraged to engage with on-going debates on responsible business and with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). You should be able to derive policy, business and practice implications from your research and communicate these to policy makers, practitioners, and other academics.

Our research investigates the planning and decision-making processes within organisations, spanning small to medium-sized entrepreneurial ventures and multinational corporations. We explore trade, investment, and global networks that facilitate the movement of goods, services, technology, capital, and knowledge across borders, with a particular emphasis on emerging markets, organizational resilience, and responsible business practices. Our research in strategy and international business is organised around four key areas:

• Organisations and Sustainable Development in the World Economy
• Innovation and Collaboration in Global Value Chains and Multinational Strategies
• SMEs and International Entrepreneurship
• Living in a World of Global Organisations

Doctoral researchers are encouraged to immerse themselves fully in the Business School community. This involves attending seminars organised by the Business School, which helps broaden exposure to new ideas beyond your areas of specialisation. Additionally, you are expected to actively participate in PhD workshops and conferences hosted by both the Business School and Graduate School, as well as external institutions.

If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to our research programmes to propose this. This is self-funded, although scholarships are available.

Find an Advertised PhD

Find a PhD project that suits your interests by using our FindAPhD tool.

Find a supervisor

If you’d rather propose your own research, the first step is to find your supervisor. We encourage you to browse the biographies of faculty members to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on research interests, current projects and recent publications.

When you apply, you can suggest one or two potential supervisors, who you think might be a good fit for you. However, this is not essential. If you know what you want to work on, but are unsure on supervisors, you can indicate this in your application and the PhD programme co-directors will study your proposal in detail, and judge who is best suited to be your supervisory team.

Our research explores the intricacies of planning and decision-making within organizations, ranging from small entrepreneurial ventures to multinational corporations. We examine trade, investment, and global networks that facilitate the flow of goods, services, technology, capital, and knowledge across borders, with a keen focus on emerging markets, organizational resilience, and responsible business practices. Our work in strategy and international business encompasses four key areas:

Organizations and Sustainable Development in the Global Economy

We address pressing global challenges in relation to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), particularly the role of multinational corporations (MNCs) in adopting sustainable strategies through capability development and entrepreneurial co-creation. Our research explores strategic transformations essential for aligning with the UN SDGs, including initiatives on zero-waste policies, circular economies, climate action, and green energy. We analyze the influence of organizations, innovation, and technology in addressing societal issues while also scrutinizing corporate social responsibility and organizational integrity.

Topics range from base-of-pyramid business approaches and poverty alleviation to the political, economic, and social dynamics within cities and regions worldwide, reflecting on both natural and built environments.

Innovation and Collaboration in Global Value Chains and Multinational Strategies

In the Strategy and International Business Department, our focus lies on management innovations and collaborative strategies within the global economy. We investigate international strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, global value chains, and production strategies, including outsourcing and reshoring. Our research on global strategy encompasses strategic agility, corporate governance, and global innovation networks, particularly emphasizing emerging economies and multinational corporations. We approach these global business challenges through an interdisciplinary lens, critically examining contemporary issues like the political engagement of multinationals and the implications of digital strategies and AI on industries.

SMEs and International Entrepreneurship

With the increasing internationalization of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), our research is globally recognized for its insights into decision-making and network development during the international expansion of these businesses. We explore how SMEs craft business models and launch international ventures while addressing the unique challenges faced by migrant entrepreneurs and diaspora networks, as well as returnee entrepreneurship—a vital contributor to economic growth in emerging markets.

Living in a World of Global Organizations

Our academics are experts in international negotiations, language, and cultural dynamics within multinational contexts. We investigate the complexities of multilingualism and cross-cultural management, continually refining our research methodologies to navigate the evolving global landscape. This includes cross-country surveys, machine learning, web scraping, and qualitative multilingual research. The insights gained from our research inform our teaching practices and are further enhanced through dedicated educational research that examines the internationalization of higher education, the impact of digital technology on learning experiences, and the significance of executive education

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree with a GPA of 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered (please check specific entry requirements based on your Country in the drop down menu above). 

We usually ask students for an average of 65 in the taught component of their Masters.

Applicants with lower grades may be considered on an individual basis. 

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.

For this course we require IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL iBT taken before January 2026: 95 overall with no less than 22 in any component
• TOEFL iBT taken from January 2026: 5 Overall with no less than 4.5 in each skill
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 76 with no less than 67 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency - minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): C1 'Expert' with no less than 25 in each skill

Research proposal

If you are proposing your own research topic, you will need to submit a research proposal. It’s a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.

Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use. The broader importance of this project for society, policymakers and businesses should also be covered.

You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2027 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Funding options

Apply for a PhD that already has funding attached

These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.

Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship

You devise your own PhD topic, find and consult with a potential supervisor, explore funding opportunities, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.

A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.

If you are applying to an ‘advertised PhD’, please check the details of the specific research project for application deadlines.

If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would strongly encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.

If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.

We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Careers Support

At Birmingham, we prepare our researchers to make an impact across every sector of society. Our PhD graduates are global change-makers: advancing knowledge, shaping policy, leading industries, and educating future generations.

You'll benefit from dedicated careers support tailored to your unique paths. Our expert team of Careers Advisers, including a dedicated postgraduate research adviser, offer one-to-one guidance to help researchers navigate career decisions both within and beyond academia.

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.