The goal of the PhD program at the Leeds School of Business is to prepare students for careers in research and teaching at major universities so applicants are evaluated on their prospects of becoming leading scholars. Admission decisions are made based on a variety of factors including previous academic performance, work experience, test scores, letters of recommendation, research interests, and any other activities that present evidence of tenacity and scholarly potential.

Our faculty look for applicants who have a strong command of research skills, as well as excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong applicants are intellectually curious and highly motivated by academic inquiry. We are committed to increasing ethnic, cultural, and gender diversity among our faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal opportunity to all students.

Our application will close without exception on听December 1, 2024.

How to Apply

Plan ahead when submitting your online application and application materials to allow time for all materials to arrive by the deadline. There is no guarantee that incomplete applications will be considered for admissions. For questions about our admission and application process, please check our Frequently Asked Questions.

The average GMAT and GRE scores for admitted students for听fall 2024听are听713听and听321, respectively. We do not have GMAT/GRE score minimums.
The average GMAT and GRE scores for applications received for consideration for听fall 2024听admissions are听690听and听320, respectively.

A complete application consists of the following items. All of these materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

  • Completed and submitted online application
  • Application fee
  • Starting fall 2020, the Leeds PhD Program will allow applicants to take and submit online official GMAT or GRE test scores across all program area. ALL applicants must submit official GMAT or GRE scores that are less than 5 years old. Official scores must be sent directly to us by the testing agencies. GRE scores should be sent to school code 4841. GMAT scores should be sent to code 11S-Z2-41. Please schedule your test early enough to allow time for your official scores to reach us by our application deadline.
  • Personal statement of 1鈥�3 pages that explicitly addresses your research interests as well as your career objectives. If you are aware of specific faculty members with whom you would like to conduct research, please list them and explain why you would like to work with them.
  • One set of听unofficial听transcripts from each institution for all higher education you have completed regardless of whether you received a degree. While credits from one institution may appear on the transcript of a second institution, unofficial transcripts must be submitted from each institution, regardless of the length of attendance, and whether or not courses were completed.听 This includes community colleges, summer sessions, and extension programs. Failure to list and submit transcripts from all institutions previously attended is considered to be a violation of academic ethics and may result in the cancellation of your admission or dismissal from the university.听ONLY听after you are recommended for admission will you need to provide official transcripts. Instructions for Uploading Unofficial Transcripts to Your Application.
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Resume or CV
  • International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting a verifiable score report from TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo that is no more than two (2) year old and sent to us directly by the testing agency. We are unable to accept unverified unofficial scores submitted by the applicant. Alternatively, students can submit verifiable transcripts demonstrating they completed at least听one year of full-time academic听study听at a university in the U.S. or a qualifying country听within two years of the desired admission term.听For more information about English proficiency requirements,听please click here.
    • Minimum TOEFL score required is 80
    • Minimum IELTS score required is 6.5
    • Minimum Duolingo score required is 120