International Business PhD study environment
The International Business (IB) Department is a major training ground for exceptionally qualified and strongly motivated new researchers. We foster collaborative and supportive research culture and offer key resources to ensure you successfully develop projects that are both scholarly and practically valuable. Central to our doctoral training are strong methodological skills and the development of cutting-edge research in collaboration with faculty members. The International Business Department also plays leading role in doctoral training internationally as a partner institution in two prestigious doctoral training programmes in international business: Nordic Research School of International Business (NORD-IB) and AIB-CIBER Doctoral Academy.
The Department is home to the Centre for International Business at the University of Leeds (CIBUL), which is one of the largest international business expert groups in the UK and a pioneer research-led institute globally. Our faculty includes a former president of the Academy of International Business (AIB), AIB Fellow and European International Business Academy (EIBA) Fellow as well as co-Chair of the EIBA/EIASM Danny Van Den Bulcke Doctoral Symposium, who are all actively engaged in doctoral supervision and training.
Our doctoral students are an integral part of our research environment and make significant contributions to published research. Our postgraduate researchers have won (or have been finalists of) a number of major international prizes, including the Gunnar Hedlund Prize, the Michael Z. Brooke Prize, the Academy of Management Outstanding Dissertation Award and the Peter J. Buckley and Mark Casson Outstanding Dissertation Award.
Our alumni have undertaken a variety of international and high profile academic (including HEC Montreal, University of Melbourne, University of Liverpool) and non-academic careers (including McKinsey, Amazon, Santander, Raleigh International, Garmin).
The PhD experience in International Business is in line with the Leeds doctorate framework and goes beyond individual research. It consists of the following elements:
Your academic experience
Our students carry out independent research working closely with their supervisors who are experts in the field whose role is to challenge, inspire and support them.
Your professional development
There are numerous opportunities for professional development including:
- Training programmes to develop skills relevant to your research
- Northern Advanced Research Training Initiative (NARTI)
- Conferences, events and networking to advance your research and career
- University of Leeds Careers Centre
View our department’s news and events here.
A number of our doctoral researchers are also involved in teaching assistance on our taught programmes, after undertaking appropriate teaching training, with a possibility of obtaining a teaching qualification of Associate Fellow of Higher Education Academy.
Your research community
Our doctoral students are a part of a diverse, welcoming and supportive research community with numerous opportunities to connect academically and socially with each other and with the Faculty to share ideas and experiences (eg, monthly PhD International Business Coffees, PhD IB Buddy Programme).
Access our International Business PhD Newsletters below to get the flavour of our vibrant research community:
Your global engagement
Our postgraduate researchers are provided with numerous opportunities to engage with the international business research community globally through:
- Working with our international faculty
- Attending international conferences
- Interacting with invited guest speakers
Our students are encouraged to become members of the Academy of International Business (AIB) and to take part in their initiatives, including the Research Methodology Shared Interest Group and its resources and events. The University of Leeds is also a member of the NORD-IB programme and the Business School has recently launched the Joint Doctoral Seminar Series which aims to bring together postgraduate researchers and academics from the School and the University of Antwerp in Belgium.
Your wellbeing
Practical advice is available to our postgraduate researchers, with access to a wide range of resources and services provided by the University. This includes:
For further information on how to apply please visit our Research Degrees.
You can find our latest funding opportunities on the University of Leeds PhD directory