Program Overview

Accounting and Finance

Overview

Research is central to the activities of the University of Bristol Business School. The school comprises several groups of academic staff with a variety of interests and a focus on research that has practical relevance. The results of the most recent UK-wide research assessment, the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021, rated 88% of the research activity in business and management as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'.

The Business School encourages interdisciplinary research, drawing on a range of theories and methodologies. We welcome students from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. You will be joining a thriving PhD community. We run a programme of activities to enable PhD students to network with each other.

Candidates entering the PhD programme are required to take taught units in their first year and to participate in PhD workshops and reading groups. Students are also encouraged to undertake further training in agreement with their supervisor for the duration of their studies.

The main research training is taken from among two categories of units, with separate lists for Accounting and for Finance students. The units are chosen in consultation with the supervisors to suit the student's PhD research.

Funding and Scholarships

• ESRC funding: deadline 9 December 2024.
• CSC Scholarship: deadline 2 December 2024.
• University of Bristol Scholarship: 12 noon UK time - 24 January 2025.
• Business School Bursaries: deadline 31 March 2025.

Key Information

• Programme duration: Up to four years full-time; up to eight years part-time.
• Start date: Most students will start in September 2025.
• Application deadline: Applications open on 18 September 2024 and close on 1 June 2025.
• Delivery method: On-Campus.
• Location: Clifton.
• Awards available: PhD.

Programme Structure

Potential supervisors for PhD in Accounting and Finance can be found on the school website.

World-leading Research

• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

• The applicant must have an upper second-class honours degree in a relevant subject or an equivalent qualification, and either have completed or be completing a master's qualification from a UK university (or equivalent).
• The master's requirement does not apply to applications made to SWDTP-funded scholarships although commencement of the PhD remains conditional on the completion of the associated master's.
• Applicants without a master's qualification may be considered on an exceptional basis.
• Aptitude test results such as GMAT and GRE can be submitted as evidence of PhD-level analytical and verbal abilities.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time: £4,850 per year.
• Home: part-time: £2,425 per year.
• Overseas: full-time: £21,300 per year.

Career Prospects

The primary purpose of this qualification is to prepare for a career in research. Another popular route for graduates is consultancy or enter policy-based institutions.

Research Groups

Find out more about the University of Bristol Business School research groups.

How to Apply

Applicants need to make sure that they submit all required documents (see admissions statement), incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Application deadline: Applications open on 18 September 2024 and close on 1 June 2025.