PhD, MPhil Accounting & finance
ApplyResearch opportunities
We provide research training in both accounting and finance which will prepare you for a demanding career as:
- an academic
- a professional researcher in the financial services sector
- a manager of a business, government and professional organisations
You can study an MPhil over the course of one year or a PhD over three years.
Under specific circumstances and subject to conditions, part-time study can be arranged.
You can study any option in either of our research areas:
Accounting
Finance
Strathclyde Business School
We offer an excellent academic environment where you can pursue your research degree. As a postgraduate research student, you're required to:
- attend the Strathclyde Business School Faculty Research Methodology Programme, achieving a minimum of Certificate level; it comprises four modules over two to three days each; if you're part-time, you'll spread these over two years
- ensure regular meetings and contact with your supervisors
Full-time students
You'll have access to computing/hot-desking, printing, email and kitchen facilities. You're expected to be in the Department on a regular basis. You'll also attend the Department's research seminar series as well as other occasional workshops.
Part-time students
You'll have hot-desking facilities giving you regular access to the Department and helping you integrate with other students and staff. You're required to attend the Department for at least 10 days per year. This is in addition to the Research Methodology Programme.
Potential applicants should note that there is no dedicated distance-learning programme.
Triple-accredited business school
Fees & funding
All fees quoted are per academic year unless otherwise stated.
Entrants may be subject to a small fee during the writing up period.
| Scotland | £4,500 |
|---|---|
| England, Wales & Northern Ireland | £4,500 |
| International | £16,000 |
| Additional costs | Students are required to cover the cost of binding their thesis. This varies depending on the length of the thesis and chosen binding company. An average cost of £40-50 should be allowed. The cost of fieldwork or research trips would usually be met by the student. Students can apply for funding to cover conference participation. If a student chooses to study overseas, the costs would be met by the student. This is not a requirement for our programme. Graduation gown hire. |
| Funding | Find any available funding opportunities on our scholarship search. |
| Postgraduate research opportunities | Search for all funded and non-funded postgraduate research opportunities. |
Please note: the fees shown are annual and may be subject to an increase each year.
Supervisors
If you're interested in studying for a research degree we recommend that you identify members of staff with relevant expertise before applying. You should email the member of staff to chat about the potential for supervision, explaining how your proposed research topic relates to their research interests.
To get a sense of staff members' research interests, you could take a look at our staff profile pages. Reading the research papers listed on their profile pages is a good way to get a better understanding of their interests.
If your chosen supervisor is available to work with you, they'll confirm this you should then make a full application via Pegasus.
Support & development
Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PgCert RPD) programme
As part of your PhD degree, you'll be enrolled on the Postgraduate Certificate in Researcher Professional Development (PgCert RPD).
The certificate is designed to support you with your research and rewards you for things you'll do as a research student here. It'll help you improve skills which are important to professional development and employability such as:
- knowledge and intellectual abilities to conduct your research
- personal qualities to succeed in your research and chosen career
- standards, requirements and conduct of a professional researcher in your discipline
- working with others and communicating the impact of your research to a wide range of audiences
All you have to do is plan these activities alongside your doctorate, documenting and reflecting your journey to success along the way.
Find out more about the PgCert RPD programme.
Doctoral Training Centre
We have taken a lead (with Edinburgh University) in providing advanced training to Doctoral Training Centre students across Scotland. From 2013, the two institutions have collaborated to offer three intensive doctoral-level courses:
- Corporate Finance
- Empirical Accounting
- Qualitative Accounting
Our aim is to train skilled students who will be able to compete with the best graduates in their future careers.
Careers
The University Careers Service can help you with everything from writing your CV to interview preparation. Take a look at our Careers Service pages to get more information.
Student support
From financial advice to our IT facilities, we have a wide range of support for all students here at Strathclyde. Get all the information you need at Strathlife.
Postgraduate research at the Strathclyde Doctoral School
The Strathclyde Doctoral School provides a vibrant and comprehensive student-centred research and training environment in order to grow and support current and future research talent. The School encompasses our four faculties and is committed to enriching the student experience, intensifying research outputs and opportunities, and ensuring training is at the highest level. As a postgraduate researcher, you'll automatically become a member of the Strathclyde Doctoral School.
Find out more about the Doctoral School
International students
We've a thriving international community with students coming here to study from over 100 countries across the world. Find out all you need to know about studying in Glasgow at Strathclyde and hear from students about their experiences.
Visit our international students' section
Interested in undertaking a postgraduate research degree at Strathclyde?
Read our step-by-step guide on how to submit your application.
How to applyApply
Entry requirements
PhD in Accounting
Honours degree and Masters degree in accounting (or equivalent). Qualified and part-qualified accountants with first degree in social sciences or humanities are also encouraged to apply.
PhD in Finance
Masters degree or equivalent, particularly in finance, economics, accounting or mathematics.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll also need to have a recent UKVI recognised Secure English Language Test (or a SELT) qualification. IELTS – minimum overall score of 6.5 with no individual element below 5.5
Before you apply
Writing your research proposal
Read our guidance on how to write your research proposal.
Getting a reference
Read our help on how to choose references and what the referees need to supply.
The application
During the application you'll be asked for the following:
- your full contact details
- transcripts and certificates of all degrees
- proof of English language proficiency if you're applying as an international student
- two references, one of which must be academic
- funding or scholarship information
- research proposal detailing the subject area and topic to be investigated; please use our Postgraduate Research Proposal Outline and attach this with your application
By filling these details out as fully as possible, you'll avoid any delay to your application being processed by the University.
Supervisors
Research supervisors are assigned to you by the Department of Accounting & Finance. We ask that you highlight a potential supervisor in your application, but the department will team you up with the best supervisor for your project.
Once we've received your application, your research proposal is passed to potential supervisors for consideration. If it's not compatible with the researcher's current projects and they cannot supervise then it's passed along to another for consideration. If they can supervise you then the supervisor will confirm and nominate a potential second supervisor. As soon as a second supervisor is confirmed, an offer of study will be sent to you through Pegasus, our online application system.
When you accept our offer, you'll receive a full offer in writing via the email address you'll have provided.
Accepting an offer
Once you've accepted our offer, we'll need you to fulfil any academic, administrative or financial conditions that we ask.
UK or EU students
If you're applying as a UK or EU student, you'll then be issued with your registration documentation.
Apply now
You can apply for a postgraduate research degree at any point in the year.
All you have to do is complete an online application.
Contact us
Barbara Baillie
Programme Administrator
Telephone: +44 (0)141 548 3709
Email: barbara.baillie@strath.ac.uk