PhD programmes

The Centre for Economic and Financial Studies offers two PhD programmes:

PhD in Quantitative Finance:

• four-year programme for candidates with a minimum upper second class honours degree, or an equivalent non-UK degree, in economics or finance; three-year programme for candidates with qualifications comparable to the MSc in Quantitative Finance;

• includes a strong taught component in addition to the research component;

• graduates acquire a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the general field of finance by completing the MSc in Quantitative Finance and will undertake high-quality research in their area of specialisation.

PhD in Finance:

• three-year programme for candidates with a good MSc degree in economics or finance;

• degree by research;

• graduates acquire a broad and comprehensive knowledge of the general field of finance by undertaking high-quality research in their area of specialisation.

Both programmes result in a PhD thesis that will be of a standard suitable for publication.  Strong emphasis is placed on the development of valuable transferable and personal development skills, such as finance-oriented computer programming, presentation and professional writing skills.

Students participate fully in the research activities of the Centre for Economic and Financial Studies and the Department of Economics.  These include regular seminars, workshops and conferences.  They will also present and discuss work-in-progress with colleagues and staff members as part of the departmental workshop programme for PhD students. Many PhD candidates also become Teaching Fellows, delivering tutorials to first and second year undergraduates.

Students work in their own designated office space and have use of a personal computer and printing facilities.