Doctoral Program in Business Administration and Analytics

The Department of Business Administration offers a PhD stream in Business Administration and Analytics that can be taken over 3 years full time (1 year extension available). High-achieving students can undertake research in one or more areas of specialisation. Here, under the supervision of internationally renowned researchers, our PhD students produce cutting-edge research, in preparation for placement in leading academic institutions and organisations worldwide. At the Melbourne Business School, we pride ourselves on fostering close working relationships between graduate researchers and leading scholars. Our small cohorts ensure a stimulating and collaborative learning environment.

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PhD candidates form an integral part of the Faculty of Business and Economics and are strongly encouraged to participate in its research and teaching activities. The working environment for graduate research students is first class, with excellent library and computing facilities.

For more information including a list of academic staff and their research expertise, please visit the Melbourne Business School website.

The Doctoral Program in Business Administration and Analytics is typically undertaken for up to 4 years (full-time equivalent) or up to 8 years (part-time).

The thesis-only Doctoral Program in Business Administration and Analytics provides students with an unparalleled opportunity to work directly with award-winning researchers who specialise in a wide variety of disciplines. Home to Australia's first MBA and executive education programs, the Melbourne Business School has been advancing business knowledge since 1955. Its academic faculty are leading experts in a broad range of business administration and analytics specialisations. Here, under the supervision of world-class researchers, our PhD students produce the highest calibre of research, in preparation for their placements in top institutions and organisations worldwide.

The degree of Doctor of Philosophy signifies that the holder has undertaken a substantial piece of original research, which has been conducted and reported by the holder under proper academic supervision and in a research environment for a prescribed period.

In scope, the PhD thesis differs from a Masters by Research thesis chiefly by its deeper and more comprehensive treatment of the chosen subject. It is written succinctly, in English, unless approval has been given for the thesis to be written in a language other than English. The normal length of a PhD thesis is 80,000 words, exclusive of words in tables, maps, bibliographies and appendices.

About Business Administration

Candidates in the Business Administration PhD will undertake research in a wide range of academic areas including accounting, economics, econometrics, finance, human resource management, international business, management science, marketing, organisational behaviour, statistics, and strategic management. Supervision is available from a diverse group of internationally-renowned researchers from across the Melbourne Business School's departments and disciplines.

About Business Analytics

In today's business environment, companies increasingly compete on their ability to convert large and rich databases into improved insights and decisions. The approaches used to achieve this often involve advanced statistical and econometric modelling, machine learning and AI algorithms, and optimal decision-making systems. A PhD in the business analytics specialisation usually involves methodological research in one or more of these areas, along with application of these analytical approaches in one or more functional area, such as in accounting, marketing, finance or logistics. Candidates for this degree typically have a background in mathematics, statistics, operations research, computer science, economics or engineering, with a desire to undertake research in solving important business problems.

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