Student-led PhD studentship (tuition)

• PhD Programme

  PhD students are situated in a stimulating, developmental and collegial research and learning environment.

  Working closely with supervisors, doctoral candidates undertake a focused piece of original research over the three-year programme. Students showcase their research and progress annually, receiving developmental feedback from leading experts in their field. Candidates will engage with diverse disciplinary and theoretical perspectives and methodologies through research seminars, workshops, reading groups and developmental activities.

  Students are expected to participate in academic conferences, contribute to the School’s teaching provision, and may submit papers for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

• How to apply

  Applicants should have completed or expect to complete their Masters degree with merit or distinction, and are expected to have undertaken a significant component of advanced study in the intended specialist research area.

  Interested candidates should demonstrate their commitment to research, knowledge exchange and teaching activities. Applicants need to secure the support of a potential supervisor before making a formal application. This staff member can then help to identify a second supervisor.

  Your application must include:

  • a covering letter stating research area, motivation for the project and its relevance to a particular research area in the Business School
  • a research proposal, which must be no longer than 1,500 words excluding references
  • an up-to-date CV that includes a history of your education and employment to date
  • details of two academic referees, including email addresses
  • academic transcripts, which must be certified copies
  • a piece of written work by you in the broad area in which you intend to study, which must be different from your research proposal and no longer than 4,000 words
  • confirmation of supervision agreement from two potential supervisors within the School.

  If English is not your first language, you will also need an IELTS or TOEFL certificate. The School requires an IELTS score of 7.0 or above, with a minimum score of 6.5 in every section of the test.

  Applications should be made online by Tuesday 20 January 2026. Incomplete applications will not be processed. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview at which they will give a presentation on their research proposal. Interviews are expected to be held in February or March 2026.

  Additional entry requirements and further details about the PhD proposal, application procedures and supporting documentation is available on our postgraduate research webpage.

• About the Business School

  The University of St Andrews is the top university in Scotland and second to Oxford in the UK, according to The Guardian University Guide 2026, published on Saturday 13 September. The Business School is made up of the Departments of Economics, Finance and Management. Seventeen of the University's subjects ranked in the top ten in the UK in the Guardian Guide, including Business and Management, and Economics.

  St Andrews is also top in Scotland and has retained its spot in second place in the main UK academic rankings in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026, after the London School of Economics.

  The Business School’s PhD graduates are held in high esteem and have pursued careers in academia, research and policy institutions and a range of private, public and third sector professions.

  An Athena SWAN Bronze award holder, the Business School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. PhD students have extensive support mechanisms and, through student representation, multiple opportunities to shape their doctoral studies and School initiatives.

  Affiliation with the St Leonard’s Postgraduate College offers PhD students opportunities to participate in the University’s wider intellectual and social community. Read more about the University and its beautiful surroundings, as well as postgraduate perspectives on doctoral study.