Finance PhD with Integrated Study
Awards: PhD with Integrated Study
Study modes: Full-time, Part-time
Funding opportunities
Programme website: Finance
As part of a world-renowned University, and triple accredited (AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS), our Business School provides a dynamic and supportive research environment for our large and diverse graduate community.
The Business School's research mission is to produce theory-led, practically relevant research that addresses contemporary organisational and management challenges faced by businesses, public organisations, regulatory bodies, and policy-makers.
Our research subject groups
The School has significant research expertise in the following disciplines:
- Accounting and Finance
- Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Management Science and Business Economics
- Marketing
- Organisation Studies
- Strategy
Our research themes
Staff across these six disciplinary subject groups work together to carry out research under the following themes:
- Climate Change and Sustainability
- Corporate Finance
- Entrepreneurship
- Interdisciplinary Accounting
- Leadership, Organisations, and Society
- Management Science
Research centres and networks
Our Centres and Networks bring together established and new researchers to develop and disseminate new knowledge:
Interdisciplinary research
The Business School has capitalised on opportunities afforded by our Edinburgh location and cultivated links with other parts of the University to develop and lead new areas of expertise, in financial services and FinTech, creative industries, and digital tourism.
The School has links with other schools at the University, including Social and Political Studies, Mathematics and Law, allowing students with cross-disciplinary interests to find expertise, support and supervision.
Your research
As a doctoral researcher, you will have the opportunity to pursue original research and make a significant contribution to your chosen field.
The strength of your application for our programme depends on the fit of your proposal with the School’s research mission and themes, and particularly how it fits with the research interests of our academic staff.
We therefore strongly recommend you make contact with a potential supervisor before applying. Check out the links to our research disciplines and themes above to find one of our academic colleagues you would be interested to work with, who would have the expertise to support your studies.
When approaching a potential supervisor please ensure you give them an up-to-date CV and a draft research proposal, and please explain in your email why you think they would be a good supervisor for your research project.
The PhD with Integrated Study in Finance is 4 years full-time with an additional year at the end to allow you to write up your thesis.
During your first year you will take 180 credits of taught courses to build your research skills and the knowledge required for your area of study.
To be awarded a PhD, you will submit a written thesis, which will be examined by at least one internal and one external examiner in the viva voce oral examination.
Find out more about compulsory and optional courses
We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
PhD with Integrated Study | Finance | 4 Years | Full-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
PhD with Integrated Study | Finance | 8 Years | Part-time | Programme structure 2024/25 |
Your supervisory team will be made up of at least two members of academic staff who will meet with you regularly to discuss your research progress and plans.
Our doctoral training programme will allow you to pursue research and professional skill training alongside your subject-specific taught courses.
There will be a variety of seminars and workshops delivered by international experts throughout the year, providing further opportunities for advanced learning and networking.
Another way the Business School supports your individual development is through dedicated funding. Doctoral researchers can apply to use this funding for further opportunities such as attending international conferences or professional body membership fees.
The Business School's location right in the heart of Edinburgh means you will be based close to the city’s cultural attractions, including a wealth of libraries, archives, museums and galleries.
As a doctoral researcher at the Business School, you will have access to our PhD study spaces, as well as the staff lunch room and kitchen.
The Business School has its own postgraduate library and study centre (The Hub), a Finance Computer Lab, and Librarian who can help you find the information you need throughout your studies.
Our world-class research programmes offer:
- Supervision from acclaimed academic faculty within a wider range of subject areas
- Courses designed to expand your knowledge base and develop your research strategies
- Dedicated, modern facilities with state-of-the-art databases and specialist resources
- A peer network of students and inspiring alumni from across the globe
- A vibrant research environment with regular seminars, masterclasses, and events allowing you to connect and learn from experts across the business world
The Business School offers training events and support for all our postgraduate research students in both academic and professional skills – we support a diversity of career pathways.
There are opportunities for doctoral researchers to be employed as Research Assistants and Teaching Assistants during the PhD.
Graduates from our postgraduate research degrees often pursue further careers at internationally renowned universities or become senior consultants for private and public bodies.
These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.
A postgraduate masters degree from an accredited institution in the UK or overseas, showing evidence of above-average academic achievement. This includes:
- a degree classification with a mark of 65% or more overall (University of Edinburgh level, or overseas equivalent)
- normally, a masters dissertation at the distinction level (University of Edinburgh level, or overseas equivalent)
- applicants with a masters degree without a dissertation component worth a third of degree credits will require a distinction or equivalent.
If you do not have a masters degree you may still be considered if you have a UK undergraduate degree at a First, or international equivalent, with a mark of 70 or more in the dissertation module.
International qualifications
Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:
English language requirements
Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.
English language tests
We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:
- IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
- TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
- C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
- Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
- PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
- Oxford ELLT: 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.
Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS, TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE, in which case it must be no more than two years old.
Degrees taught and assessed in English
We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:
We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).
If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.
Find out more about our language requirements:
Award | Title | Duration | Study mode | |
---|---|---|---|---|
PhD with Integrated Study | Finance | 4 Years | Full-time | Tuition fees |
PhD with Integrated Study | Finance | 8 Years | Part-time | Tuition fees |
Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.
Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:
- borrowing money
- taking out a loan
- family support
- personal savings
- income from work
- employer sponsorship
- scholarships
Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study
Information about available funding can be found on the School website:
Other funding opportunities
The University has a detailed search of financial aid available for all prospective students.
Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:
- UEBS Postgraduate Research Support team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5337
- Contact: phd@business-school.ed.ac.uk
- Director of Research Degrees, Dr Ben Marder
- Contact: ben.marder@ed.ac.uk
- University of Edinburgh Business School
- 29 Buccleuch Place
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9JS
- Programme: Finance
- School: Business School
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Applying
Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.
Finance (PhD with Integrated Study) - 4 Years (Full-time)
Finance (PhD with Integrated Study) - 8 years (Part-time)
Programme start date | Application deadline |
---|---|
8 September 2025 | 31 May 2025 |
We strongly recommend you submit your completed application as early as possible, particularly if you are also applying for funding or will require a visa. We may consider late applications if we have places available.
You must submit two references with your application.
Two references are required for this programme.
Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:
Further information
- UEBS Postgraduate Research Support team
- Phone: +44 (0)131 651 5337
- Contact: phd@business-school.ed.ac.uk
- Director of Research Degrees, Dr Ben Marder
- Contact: ben.marder@ed.ac.uk
- University of Edinburgh Business School
- 29 Buccleuch Place
- Central Campus
- Edinburgh
- EH8 9JS
- Programme: Finance
- School: Business School
- College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences