Program Overview

---

Economics, Accounting and Finance

MPhil or PhD

Become an expert in your field

Key facts

Start dates

• June 2025
• September 2025
• January 2026

Application deadline

• Applications by international candidates for on-campus full-time research degrees must be received by:
  • 31 January 2025 (June entry)
  • 31 May 2025 (September entry)
  • 30 September 2025 (January entry)
• Applications by home and international candidates for on-campus distance learning candidates must be received in full by:
  • 31st March 2025 (June entry)
  • 30 June 2025 (September entry) - only entry for Doctor of Coaching and Mentoring
  • 31 September 2025 (January entry)

Location

• Headington
• Distance learning

Course length

• Full time: minimum 3 years
• Part time: minimum 4 years

School(s)

• Oxford Brookes Business School

Funding status

• Self-funded

Overview

Our research in Economics, Accounting and Finance encompasses work on:

• Understanding historical trends by studying the past
• Interpreting today’s major challenges and predicting trends in the future
• The study of scarcity and decision-making that examines how people can use limited resources and respond to incentives
• The study of poverty and wealth and finance (such as inclusive finance or the role of financial markets on economic development) as well as corporate governance and responsible accounting

Our PhD research programme will develop your knowledge of advanced economic theory and econometric methods. Specialist training courses are provided enabling you to produce innovative research and pioneering research papers. We provide expert academic support and supervision alongside a commitment to your economics research.

The distance learning mode involves regular online sessions and intensive 3-5 day blocks of sessions each semester. You can attend the intensive blocks via online synchronous links or by coming to campus (using visitor visas where necessary to visit the UK).

Research expertise

Our team of doctoral supervisors includes experts in the following research areas:

• Behavioural Economics
• Experimental Economics
• Environmental Economics
• Economics of Sustainable Development
• Macroeconomics
• Applied Econometrics
• Financial Economics
• Financial Markets and Institutions
• Corporate Governance
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Responsible Accounting Practices

If you study for a PhD in Economics, Accounting and Finance you will normally be linked to one of the four OBBS research centres depending on your chosen topic within Economics, Accounting or Finance. For example, the Centre of Business Society and Global Challenges (BSGC) or Oxford Regions Innovation, Enterprise Lab (ORIEL).

Institutes and Centres

• Centre for Diversity Policy Research and Practice
• International Centre for Coaching and Mentoring Studies
• Centre for Business, Society and Global Challenges
• Oxford Regions, Innovation & Enterprise Lab

Degree routes

All students enrol as probationer research students. The degree for which you register will depend on your academic qualifications and research experience. During the first year you will formally register your research proposal for one of the below routes.

MPhil

If you undertake an MPhil you will:

• critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic
• demonstrate understanding of research methods appropriate to the chosen field
• present and defend a substantial thesis by oral examination.

Thesis: 50,000 words Length of study: Full-time: 2-3 years. Part-time: 3-4 years.

PhD

The criteria for a PhD are similar to those for an MPhil, with the key difference that:

• the research carried out will result in an independent and original contribution to knowledge.

Thesis: 100,000 words Length of study: Full-time: 3-4 years. Part-time: 4-6 years.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

You will benefit from:

• a supervisory team of two to three supervisors who can provide the best combination of expertise to support your work
• training courses in research methods provided by the Business School and wider University
• regular seminars and learning activities at department, school and university level
• experience of presenting work to different audiences
• opportunities to network and discuss your work with staff and fellow students.
• engage with our entrepreneurs in residence and visiting entrepreneurs
• Work with local businesses
• collaborative opportunities, including receiving industrial funding and sponsorship.

You will be supported in developing and sharing your expertise through:

• opportunities to present at internal seminars and conferences
• support in attending, and ultimately presenting at external conferences (some financial assistance is available)
• training as an Associate Lecturer and the opportunity to engage in teaching activity on appropriate modules offered by the Business School.

Learning and assessment

While every candidate’s exact experience will vary according to their particular discipline, topic and methodology, there are a number of common elements that all students will undertake:

• critically investigating and evaluating an approved topic
• undertaking an analytical review of the existing literature in your topic area to set the theoretical context for your work and help demonstrate the gap in knowledge you will address
• developing and then implementing a rigorous and appropriate methodology for researching your topic
• demonstrating that your research conforms to all relevant ethical codes of practice
• extensive primary field research, analysis and evaluation.

Your progression will be monitored through an annual process undertaken at the end of each academic year, and through two key progression points after approximately six months and eighteen months of study respectively.

Learning and teaching

Students on our Accounting, Finance and Economics courses can gain certification and experience of trading on the financial markets by making mock transactions using real-world financial market data.

Students

Amina Mahmood Yakubu

• Gender and Education: An Economic Analysis of Returns to Education in Nigeria

Reginald Kadzutu

• Impact of Exchange rate regime on the sensitivity of expected return to macro-economic factors in the APT framework

Wachuku Johnson

• The effect of the corporate governance framework on UK banks

Samira Issa

• Stakeholder Engagement and the UK Corporate Governance Code

How to apply

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a good honours degree and a good master's degree at merit level or above that includes a thesis component. Applicants with equivalent experience will be considered.

Application process

1. Complete your research proposal
2. Gather your supporting documents (listed below)
3. Make a direct application.

When applying for this programme of study please upload all of the required supporting documents listed below to the online application portal. If you have any difficulty completing your application, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Supporting documents

We require the following supporting documents for every candidate making an application to study a research degree:

• copies of your previous degree transcripts and certificates (both undergraduate and postgraduate)
• a scan of your passport
• two academic references
• a 2,000-word Research Topic Proposal
• evidence of funding (we require evidence of personal funds or a letter from a funder if you will be sponsored)
• international students must also provide an English Language Certificate with an IELTS score of at least 7.0.

We suggest merging your supporting documents into a single PDF file. Please note there are options for you to submit your two references.

Tuition fees

2025 / 26

• Home (UK) full time: £5,106
• Home (UK) part time: £2,553
• International full time: £19,550
• International part time: £9,775

2026 / 27

• Home (UK) full time: Fees to be confirmed in Spring 2026
• Home (UK) part time: Fees to be confirmed in Spring 2026
• International full time: £20,100
• International part time: £10,050

Compulsory costs

• Continuation fee: £1455

Optional costs

• Print / binding costs: From £30
• Books: £20-60 per book
• Accommodation fees in Brookes Letting: £94-265 per week
• Accommodation fees in university halls: £122-180 per week
• Graduation costs: Typically £0-200
• Travel to and from university: From £10
• Resubmission fees: £1455

Funding your studies

Financial support and scholarships

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

• Postgraduate doctoral loans for home students

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course