Aim for a high-level career as a researcher or adviser in business, government or academia. Our integrated business PhD teaches you best-practice research methods before you begin a thesis in your chosen field.

Integrated PhD in Business & Management at VU

If you're a graduate without research experience, our integrated PhD offers a pathway to a doctoral degree in business and management. In your first year, you’ll receive intensive research training. On passing with a 70% average in coursework and a thesis, you’ll begin your own original research, completing your PhD in the standard four years.

You’ll choose your thesis topic from our research focus areas, benefiting from our expertise, support and industry contacts. You’ll learn to present your findings as a thesis, and through international and local presentations and publications.

VU offers world-class business and management research opportunities. Our research partners include:

• World Health Organization
• Department of State Development, Business and Innovation
• Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Research opportunities & development

VU Research gives you opportunities to:

• connect with other researchers
• participate in research festivals and competitions
• develop your research skills
• get funding for your research
• publish and promote your findings.

We offer support for graduate researchers including:

• an orientation program
• a specialised Office for Researcher Training, Quality & Integrity
• study spaces
• units to help you conceptualise and contextualise your research
• research ambassadors and student association.

Careers in business and government

Following your PhD, you’ll be ready for a research career in business or the public sector, or to become an academic. These are usually high-level roles, and paid accordingly.

You’ll understand how to collect, analyse and present data and evidence. You’ll use this knowledge to make a new contribution to your field.

We offer industry connections to begin your career in these areas:

• development
• economics
• education
• environment
• health
• law
• population growth
• sustainability
• tourism.

Course structure

To attain the award of Doctor of Philosophy through undertaking the Doctor of Philosophy (Integrated) students will be required to completed in total 384 credit points consisting of:

• 72 credit points of Core studies in Year 1
• 24 credit points of Elective studies in Year 1
• 288 credit points of Thesis units as per standard PhD

• Business
• Education
• Engineering
Food Science
Information Technology
Law and Justice
Creative Arts
Biological Sciences
Science
Society and Culture
Sport History
Tourism