| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-10-01 | - |
| 2026-03-01 | - |
Program Overview
Accounting and Finance PhD
Key Facts
- Level: PostgraduatePG PhD
- Duration: PhD: Full Time 2 years - 4 years or Part Time 3 years - 6 years
- Starting: October, March
- UK Fees 25/26 >: See Fees section
- International Fees 25/26 >: See Fees section
- Location >: Waterside
Overview
The University of Northampton offers a fascinating student experience paired with thought-provoking advice from our academic staff, and our postgraduate students are an essential element of the Business and Law Faculty’s research environment. Our Accounting and Finance PhD course aims to develop world-class financial and accounting researchers. Whilst completing a PhD in Accounting and Finance, students collaborate with academic staff and their supervisory team to establish and complete projects which influence theory, policy, and practice in accounting and finance studies. Students will perform empirical or theoretical research leading to new knowledge in a selected field under the supervision of research supervisors and are obliged to produce a thesis. The researcher will receive the highest qualification that any UK institution can grant, if the final thesis is successfully defended orally (viva voce). It will also provide researchers with a fantastic opportunity to further their academic careers or advance into higher executive roles in the sector. Our PhD in Accounting and Finance programme is intended to provide you with research expertise in the field.
Highlights
- Achieve academic excellence
- Present and discuss your work in progress with colleagues and staff members
- Conduct advanced and original academic research and join the next generation of accounting researchers
- Present your work at national or international conferences (usually at later stages of the PhD process)
- Aims to develop world-class researchers specialised in finance and accounting
- Regular research seminars, conferences and research activities led by our Research Centres andthe Graduate School
Entry Requirements
- Applications to our highly competitive programme are welcomed and will be considered from qualified graduates, who are typically expected to hold a UK first degree or international equivalent in a relevant subject in the first or 2:1 class , or to hold or currently be completing amaster’s qualification from a UK university or international equivalent in a relevant subject.
- Other Entry Requirements
- Students with lower-level qualifications or qualifications in a different subject area, but relevant experience will also be considered on an individual basis.
- All applicants will also be required to show proof of all their qualifications.
- All suitable candidates will be invited to an interview with a potential supervisor and a panel of academics, in person or virtually.
- All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:
- successful interview by the University
- availability of suitable member of staff to supervise the chosen research topic
English Language Requirements
- If English is not your first language you will be required to prove your competency in English, showing an IELTS score of at least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in writing, and 6.5 in all other sub-skills (or equivalent English proficiency qualification) at postgraduate research level.
- Applications with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components will not be considered.
Course Content
- Course Details
- This Accounting and Finance PhD programme is a way for you to develop your specialism and improve your research, written, presentation and practice skills.
- While developing and setting up your research projects, you will initially receive general, face-to-face project specific training so that you can conduct your research work effectively and independently.
- Normally, our PhD students register for an MPhil and within the first twelve months of study are expected to transfer from the MPhil to the PhD programme.
- The transfer process requires our students to produce a detailed research proposal and apply for ethics approval.
- Students will be required to present their written work to an academic audience and then proceed for the internal viva examination with an internal transfer viva examiner.
- The transfer viva process, appointment of internal examiner and approval of ethics documents are all subject to approval by the University research committees.
- PhD students are assigned to a supervisory team which consists of a Director of Study (DOS), and first and second supervisors.
- Our students are required to work independently on their research, under the advice and supervision of their supervisory team.
- Due to the nature of PhD study, our students spend a vast majority of their time, studying and engaging in independent research.
- Students are required to have supervision meetings regularly to discuss their progress, action plan for the next steps, and suggestions for improvements to their research.
- Research topics
- This course is unique to the University of Northampton.
- We can supervise topics including:
- Corporate Governance
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Enterprise Risk management
- Banks’ Operational Risk
- Tax Avoidance
- Corporate Finance
- ESG and Firm Performance
- ESG and Firm Finance
- Financial Reporting
- Non-financial Reporting
- Banking Risk and Regulations
- Narrative Disclosures
- Financial Innovations
- Business Sustainability
- Monetary Policy and Productivity
Fees and Funding
- 2025/26 Tuition Fees
- Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 25/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
- UK – Full Time: £5,700
- UK – Part Time: £2,845
- International – Full Time: £16,350
- International – Part Time: £7,640
- Scholarships and Bursaries
- Please visit the funding pagesand our scholarship pages for more details on how to fund your study.
- 2024/25 Tuition Fees
- Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.
- Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees
- UK – Full Time: £5,500
- UK – Part Time: £2,775
- International – Full Time: £15,950
- International – Part Time: £7,450
Staff
- Previous Next
- slide 4 to 6 of 2
- Senior Lecturer in Financial Management
Faculty of Business and Law - Siham Elgergeni
- Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt
Faculty of Business and Law - Ade Ige-Olaobaju
- Senior Lecturer in Financial Management
Faculty of Business and Law - Siham Elgergeni
- Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt
Faculty of Business and Law - Ade Ige-Olaobaju
- Senior Lecturer in Financial Management
Faculty of Business and Law - Siham Elgergeni
- Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt
Faculty of Business and Law - Ade Ige-Olaobaju
- Senior Lecturer in Financial Management
Faculty of Business and Law - Siham Elgergeni
- Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Mgmt
Faculty of Business and Law - Ade Ige-Olaobaju
Careers and Employability
- This qualification’s major goal is to prepare you for a career in research.
- After completing their PhD, UON Research students will follow a variety of job routes.
- Many will take on academic positions or complete postdoctoral research of some kind.
- Some may enter government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private corporations.
- The University of Northampton provides a Careers and Employability Service who are committed to providing students with the skills they need to prosper, adapt, and innovate in today’s fast-paced world.
Facilities
- Our PhD students have access to exceptional research facilities such as:
- Well-equipped library with access to academic e-books, journal articles and learning resources for on-site and off-site study
- Opportunities for research collaboration with staff and students
- Teaching and Research Assistant opportunities should you meet the requirements
- Dedicated PhD study area with computer and printer in the Learning Hub
- Spacious individual and group working space and discussion areas
- Library and Learning support for PhD students
- Skills support for PhD students
- Excellent social groups for student meetings and engagement
Related Courses
Accounting and Finance MSc
- This Accounting and Finance Master's programme is ideal if you are working within or are looking...
Accounting and Finance (Top-Up) MSc
- Our MSc Accounting and Finance (Top-up) aims to extend and enhance the understanding and competence gained...
Financial and Investment Analysis MSc
- This course is ideal for you if you want to take up challenging roles in investment...
Master of Business Administration – Finance MBA
- This course is ideal for individuals who are progressing to finance-related positions at management and board...
Doctor of Business Administration DBA
- The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a professional doctorate with the same status as a...
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Accounting & Finance PhD / PhD by Published Works program at the University of Northampton is designed for graduates with a degree in Accounting and Finance or a related field. It aims to develop world-class financial and accounting researchers. The program provides students with the opportunity to broaden their knowledge and research abilities, collaborate with academic staff, and establish and complete projects that influence theory, policy, and practice in accounting and finance studies. Students will conduct empirical or theoretical research leading to new knowledge in a selected field under the supervision of research supervisors and are required to produce a thesis. The program also offers a fantastic opportunity to further academic careers or advance into higher executive roles in the sector.
Outline:
The program is structured to allow students to develop their specialism and improve their research, written, presentation, and practice skills. Students will receive general, face-to-face project-specific training to conduct research effectively and independently.
- Transfer Process: The transfer process requires students to produce a detailed research proposal and apply for ethics approval. The transfer viva process, appointment of internal examiner, and approval of ethics documents are subject to approval by the University research committees.
- Supervisory Team: PhD students are assigned to a supervisory team consisting of a Director of Study (DOS), and first and second supervisors.
- Independent Research: Students are required to work independently on their research, under the advice and supervision of their supervisory team.
- Supervision Meetings: Students are required to have regular supervision meetings to discuss their progress, action plan for the next steps, and suggestions for improvements to their research.
Research Topics:
The program offers supervision for a variety of research topics, including:
- Corporate Governance
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Enterprise Risk management
- Banks’ Operational Risk
- Tax Avoidance
- Corporate Finance
- ESG and Firm Performance
- ESG and Firm Finance
- Financial Reporting
- Non-financial Reporting
- Banking Risk and Regulations
- Narrative Disclosures
- Financial Innovations
- Business Sustainability
Teaching:
- Face-to-Face Training: Students receive general, face-to-face project-specific training to conduct research effectively and independently.
- Supervisory Team: Students are assigned to a supervisory team consisting of a Director of Study (DOS), and first and second supervisors.
- Independent Research: Students are required to work independently on their research, under the advice and supervision of their supervisory team.
- Supervision Meetings: Students are required to have regular supervision meetings to discuss their progress, action plan for the next steps, and suggestions for improvements to their research.
Careers:
The program's major goal is to prepare students for a career in research. Upon completion of their PhD, students may pursue a variety of job routes, including:
- Academic positions
- Postdoctoral research
- Government agencies
- Non-governmental organizations
- Private corporations The University of Northampton provides a Careers and Employability Service to help students develop the skills they need to succeed in today's job market.
Other:
- Research Centres and Institutes: The program is affiliated with the following research centers and institutes:
- Centre for Sustainable Business Practices (CSBP)
- Centre for Global Economic and Social Development (GESD)
- Centre for Sustainable Futures
- Research Activities: The program offers regular research seminars, conferences, and research activities led by the Research Centres and the Graduate School.
2024/25 Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) practice based in the Arts, Master of Philosophy (MPhil) UK – Full Time: £5,500 UK – Part Time: £2,775 International – Full Time: £15,950 International – Part Time: £7,450 Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by Means of Published Works UK – Part Time: £3,500 International – Part Time: £7,650 2023/24 Tuition Fees Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) practice based in the Arts, Master of Philosophy (MPhil) UK – Full Time: £5,340 UK – Part Time: £2,695 International – Full Time: £15,480 International – Part Time: £7,245 Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by Means of Published Works UK – Part Time: £3,400 International – Part Time: £7,460
