This article has two main aims: to analyse relevant literature on the doctoral degree, and to assess whether recent funding changes in the UK have changed the nature of the PhD in the social sciences in a research-intensive and prestigious UK university. Data were collected at BlueSkies University where interviews with social sciences PhD supervisors were conducted. The article posits that doctoral programmes have changed in nature and objectives. The doctorate has become a managed exercise which has affected its aims and scope. Findings are likely to apply to other research-intensive universities in the country due to the overwhelming changes that have been applied to doctoral programmes across the board.