1. Training Objectives

The joint doctoral program between NEU and the University of Lincoln aims to equip PhD candidates with knowledge and skills in scientific research to address issues in economics, business and management using new methods; support PhD candidates in proposing and conducting research through close supervision and research collaboration with their supervisors; and contribute and disseminate new knowledge while enabling breakthroughs in PhD candidates’ research-related career development.

The program aims to train researchers in economics, business and management who can develop and disseminate knowledge for practical socioeconomic activities and policy analysis through relevant, high-quality research that meets the standards for publication in leading domestic and international specialist journals and scientific conferences.

2. Duration, Location, and Language of Instruction

2.1. Duration and Program Pathway

The total duration of the program is 3.5 to 6 years (a minimum of 42 months and a maximum of 72 months), divided into two stages:

Stage 1: Taking supplementary courses and developing a research proposal

After enrollment, PhD candidates work with their supervisors, including a supervisor from the University of Lincoln (the principal supervisor) and a supervisor from NEU, to determine their research direction. Within approximately 24 months of enrollment, PhD candidates must complete and successfully defend their research proposals.

During this stage, PhD candidates may attend courses in research methods and discipline-specific theory organized by NEU or the University of Lincoln. Attendance in these courses depends on the PhD candidates’ preferences and their supervisors’ requirements.

Stage 2: Conducting research and defending the doctoral dissertation

After their research proposals are approved, PhD candidates conduct their doctoral dissertation research, regularly report on progress and engage in academic discussions with their supervisors. In addition to providing academic support, supervisors help PhD candidates connect with leading scholars in their research fields to obtain feedback that can improve the quality of their doctoral dissertations.

PhD candidates must complete and submit their doctoral dissertations no later than 72 months and no earlier than 42 months after enrollment.

2.2. Study Location

The program is delivered at NEU or the University of Lincoln. PhD candidates attend courses and research seminars at NEU or the University of Lincoln through a combination of in-person and online instruction (blended-learning).

Over the course of the program, PhD candidates must spend at least 10 weeks studying and conducting research at the University of Lincoln. These 10 weeks must be spread across at least two visits to the University of Lincoln. PhD candidates defend their doctoral dissertations before a committee at the University of Lincoln.

2.3. Language of Instruction

English is the language used for study, research and the doctoral dissertation defense.

3. Fields of Study, Admissions Quota, and Degrees

The total admissions quota for 2024 is 15 PhD candidates. The doctoral academic program covers eight fields, with doctoral degrees awarded by the University of Lincoln, as follows:

4. Eligibility Requirements and Application Documents

4.1. Eligibility Requirements

Applicants to the program must meet all of the following requirements:

a. Hold a bachelor’s degree with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 6.0 on a 10-point scale or 2.4 on a 4-point scale.

b. Hold a master’s degree in economics, business or management with a grade point average (GPA) of at least 6.0 on a 10-point scale or 2.4 on a 4-point scale.

c. Meet the English proficiency requirement, as demonstrated by one of the following degrees or certificates:

– An IELTS academic certificate with a score of 6.5 (with no component below 6.0), or an equivalent qualification. Applicants who do not yet meet this requirement must have an IELTS academic certificate with a score of 6.0 when submitting their applications and must achieve IELTS academic 6.5 before officially enrolling at the University of Lincoln. The language certificate must be no more than two years old and still valid as of July 2024. Detailed guidance is available here.

– A bachelor’s or master’s degree earned through full-time study in the United Kingdom.

– A bachelor’s or master’s degree earned through full-time study in an English-speaking country outside the United Kingdom. In this case, applicants must obtain a Statement of Comparability from UK ENIC to qualify for exemption from the English language certificate requirement. Detailed guidance is available here.

4.2. Application Documents

Applications to the program must include:

a. Electronic copies

– An application form (using the template), including personal information, educational background, work experience, referees, research interests and reasons for joining the academic program. Applicants should note the instructions for completing the form on the last page.

– A research proposal (using the template) outlining the applicant’s intended research direction, approximately 3,000–5,000 words in length (excluding references and appendices). Note: The research proposal must be approved by the prospective NEU supervisor before submission. The research direction must align with the research interests of scholars at the University of Lincoln. Applicants can consult guidance on writing a research proposal here.

Note: Applicants should consult the Appendix to the Admissions Announcement for the list of research topics of interest to the University of Lincoln and the corresponding supervisors. Applicants should send their research proposals to the scholars on this list before their applications are officially submitted to the University of Lincoln. Applicants whose research proposals are accepted by a supervisor during the application process will have a higher chance of admission. In the email submitting their research proposal, applicants should clearly introduce themselves as “a candidate from Vietnam PhD Partnership”.

– Scanned copies of bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates and transcripts. Note: Degree certificates and transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by notarized English translations.
– A scanned copy of the English language certificate as specified in Section 4.1.c.
– Scanned copies of recommendation letters from two researchers holding doctoral degrees, at least one of whom can comment on the applicant’s most recent academic and research performance.

b. Hard copies

– Notarized copies of bachelor’s and master’s degree certificates and transcripts.

Note: Bachelor’s and master’s degrees awarded by foreign institutions must be accompanied by a notarized copy of the Degree Recognition Document issued by the Vietnam Education Quality Management Agency, Ministry of Education and Training (MOET). Guidance on the procedure is available here.

– A notarized copy of the English language certificate as specified in Section 4.1.c.
– Recommendation letters from two researchers holding doctoral degrees.

4.3. Application Submission Procedure

After preparing their application documents as instructed in Section 4.2, applicants should submit their applications through the following steps:

Step 1. Register online and submit electronic application documents

– Applicants should access the online application portal and enter the required information. Online registration opens on May 1, 2024, and must be completed before submitting hard-copy application documents.

– Applicants should email their electronic application documents to phdlincoln@neu.edu.vn.

Step 2. Transfer the application processing and admission review fee

– Application processing and admission review fee: VND 2,000,000.

– After completing Step 1 and receiving a response from the Joint Program Coordination Board confirming that they meet the eligibility requirements, applicants should check their personal email for a notification containing the link to pay the application fee through the VnPay portal.

Step 3. Submit hard-copy application documents

– Submission period: May 14–17, 2024, from 8:30–11:30 a.m. and 2:00–5:00 p.m.

– Submission location: Institute of Postgraduate Education, Room 412, Building A1, NEU, 207 Giai Phong Road, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi

5. Admission Review and Enrollment Schedule

Note: Although PhD candidates are not required to travel to the United Kingdom in their first year, the University of Lincoln’s enrollment process requires applicants to submit a photograph of a valid passport.

6. Tuition Fees and Scholarships

PhD candidates participating in the Program receive a scholarship from the University of Lincoln (equivalent to a 68% reduction in tuition fees for international PhD candidates). Accordingly, estimated tuition fees are VND 100–110 million per year and may change depending on exchange rates and the University of Lincoln’s tuition fee policy.

Tuition fees do not include travel and living expenses during PhD candidates’ time at the University of Lincoln.

7. Information Resources and Contact Details

7.1. Information Resources

7.1.1. Information from the University of Lincoln: Visit https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/.
+ Overview
+ University of Lincoln rankings and information
+ University of Lincoln campus and facilities

7.1.2. Information from NEU
+ NEU researcher database
+ Program overview
+ Guidance on writing a research proposal

7.2. Contact Details

Institute of Postgraduate Education

Address: Room 412, 4th Floor, Building A1, NEU, 207 Giai Phong Road, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
Telephone: (024) 36 280 280, extension: 5414

Information portal: https://neu.edu.vn/
Institute website: https://sdh.neu.edu.vn/

Email: phdlincoln@neu.edu.vn
Fanpage: Fb.com/phd.lincoln.neu; Fb.com/gsneu.

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Research topics and supervisors

Admissions announcement for the fourth cohort