Application details

If you apply for a Postgraduate research programme, you will generally need to hold at least a UK honours bachelor degree at the second class upper division (2:1), and a master degree at merit level or above in a relevant subject from a British university. 

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.0 out of 4.0.

For applicants with a degree from China, the minimum weighted average score varies from 78 to 83, depending on the university where they studied. 

Applicants with other international qualifications should meet the equivalent of the above UK minimum entry requirement.

When filing in the application form, please provide the final grade/result in the format used in your pervious university attended, e.g., 4.0/5.0, 7.5/10, 10/12 etc. (there is no need to convert it into its UK equivalent).

Please note that admission to UNNC is very competitive and that meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an offer of a place. 

We normally require you to achieve one of the following combination of test results (taken no earlier than 2 years prior to the date of registration) for entry to the Doctoral Programme (IELTS preferred).

1. An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least 6.5 with a minimum score of at least 6.0 in each of the four individual elements of the test.
2. A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL ibt) score of at least 87 with minimum 20 in Speaking and 19 in all other elements.

Things you need to do before applying (Pre-application)

1. Demonstrate your research capability. Reviewing the relevant literature to identify a research gap and design a study to find out the answer to fill in the gap.

This is necessary because you are expected to have some research experience and capable of designing a study on your own before you apply for the programme.

1. You are encouraged to search the background and research interests of the faculty members and select at least one whose areas of research are close to yours. Then you need to write to them and ask if they would be willing to supervise, if yes, then you can submit your application with the name(s) of the potential supervisor(s). However, you should also be open to discussing with the potential supervisor(s) should they make suggestions or comments on your research proposal.
2. UoN Bachelors degree graduates from all three campuses with 1st class honours are eligible to apply for UNNC FoB PhD Programme. 
3. Materials you need to submit along with the application:

• • Personal statement about your purpose of the study
  • Your undergraduate and postgraduate transcripts
  • If you have MBA degree or your postgraduate degree is of taught modules then you need to provide evidence for your research ability such a published article or similar write-ups etc.
  • Your English test scores (if English is not your first language)
  • Your research proposal
  • The name of a potential supervisor, who has agreed to work with you (For that, you need to look through the relevant faculty members’ research interests and contact one whose research interests overlap with yours, and write to ask him/her if he/she would be willing to work with you BEFORE you fill in his/her name in your application form)

  • You are advised to request the reference letters in the application system as early as possible because you cannot submit the application until your two reference letters have been received.

    Once a request is made, your referees will receive an email with a link sent from the online Application HUB. Your referees are expected to submit their reference letters via the link within 14 days (before the link expires). Once the reference letters are submitted, you will be notified by the application system. 

    In a few circumstances, additional references may be requested to support your application. If this happens in your case, you will be contacted directly.

Nottingham University Business School China accepts applications all year, but new students are enrolled only in September and February. Please find the application deadlines on Graduate School’s official website (scholarship and self-funding). 

Interviews: 

All applicants will be interviewed either in person or online by their proposed supervisors and research & knowledge exchange (RKE) committee members. The final admission decisions will be made based on the interviews in addition to the rest of the materials.

To find out more about: 

How to write a research proposal

Studying at University of Nottingham Ningbo China

Tuition Fee and Scholarship

Scholarship

Note:

1. Please note, because of the additional requirements the Business School has on its students, candidates applying for PhD programmes in NUBS China have to apply within the timeframe in order to be considered for admission.
2. We request all students to start the programme in September to ensure good induction, training and excellent student experiences, more importantly for the taught modules mandatory for NUBS PhD students in the first year.
3. All applications must be complete according to all requirements, including English language requirements at the time of application.

Check List                

1. A postgraduate application form
2. Your research proposal
3. Two academic reference letters
4. Personal statement
5. Academic transcripts
6. English language test results (if English is not your first language).
7. CV and publications (if any)