Adam Smith Business School

The PhD in Management is one of seven PhD programmes at the Adam Smith Business School, sitting alongside PhDs based in Economics and Accounting & Finance.

The PhD in Management is one of the few management programs in the UK that receive recognition by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and are eligible to host ESRC PhD fellowships. You will be joining leading academic experts, an excellent training programme and a community of over 100 PhD students in Management and over 250 PhD students at the Adam Smith Business School.

If you have accepted an unconditional offer you will shortly receive an email from the University asking you to register as a student. Please refer to the support available on the registration webpage 

Adam Smith Business School Induction

As part of the Induction week, the Business School will also hold a welcome event for our new PhD students on Thursday 9th October in the Hothouse (Room 282) at 14.00 in the New Adam Smith Building.

You will be welcomed by our Associate Director of Postgraduate Research who will provide an introduction to the PhD programme. This will be followed by a subject meeting with your PGR subject conveners. There will be a drinks reception afterwards where you can meet the PGR team, as well as chat to staff from throughout the school and existing PhD students from all subject areas. We look forward to meeting you there!

It is vital that you attend, as key information will be communicated and you will also be meeting the rest of your student cohort. If you are unable to attend for whatever reason, please let us know in advance by contacting business-pgr@glasgow.ac.uk

Training provided by School

Compulsory Management PhD training

As part of our commitment to the ESRC, our PhD Management training programme provides a robust introduction to research philosophy and methodology including qualitative and quantitative methods. The PhD training is delivered through intense small-group seminars where students engage with cutting-edge research. These specialized workshops provide an opportunity to discuss your ideas with academic experts and engage with other PhD students.

All first year Management PhD researchers are required to take two training courses, which will commence in October 2025:

• Management Research Methods code MGT5296
• Research Master Class code MGT5297

Both full-time and part-time researchers will need to discuss challenges in attending the training with their supervisors and Management PhD convener to allow us to make arrangements to accommodate this. You will be able to enrol on these courses when registration opens later in August. Please make sure you enroll on these courses.

Other training

PhD training is also provided by the College of Social Sciences via their Research Training Programme.

Find out more about specific support, training, and development activities via the Research and Development programme. 

You should discuss with your supervisor whether or not you should attend any of these courses. 

You can find a copy of the handbooks for the Adam Smith Business School PGR programmes below. These contains detailed information on the programmes and associated processes. 

Economics and Accounting & Finance PGR Handbook 2025-26

Management PGR Handbook 2025-26

Finding accommodation in Glasgow can be challenging. You are encouraged to secure accommodation in advance of travelling to Glasgow. If you are experiencing difficulties please contact your PhD administrator and we will try and offer advice for the commencement of your studies.

There is an online booking system for University Accommodation; however, if you haven't already arranged University accommodation then there is limited availability. Accommodation Services have an Accommodation Enquiry Line on +44 (0) 141 330 7157 Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. 

The Student Representative Council is another source of advice. You may find their fearless-flathunting guide helpful.

There is information for international students on the International student support and visas website.  This also has information about living in the UK, opening a bank account, health services and other topics which will be helpful to those coming here for the first time.