Our Integrated PhD Finance provides a route to Doctoral study if you do not have a Master’s degree or have little or no research training. It enables you to spend your first year completing a full-time master’s qualification, which will equip you with the business knowledge and research skills needed to begin PhD study the following year. Your PhD will then be studied full time, over the next three years.
This PhD follows a 'three paper' thesis, where you produce three research articles, framed by an introduction and conclusion. Your supervisors will support you to submit these papers to conferences and for publication in international journals, so you can begin to build your international research portfolio well before graduation. You benefit from strong industry links with organisations such as Invesco Perpetual and HSBC. Many of our students have gained internships with international banking institutions and have collaborated with local organisations as part of their PhD.
Global financial markets are facing an era of unprecedented upheaval. Just 10 years ago the world was beginning to recover from the financial crash of 2008, but now world markets must recover from a health pandemic that has driven national economies to the brink of collapse. Now more than ever, the finance sector needs decisive leadership and fresh thinking to navigate the crisis and the “new normal” that will emerge in the post-pandemic era.
Our PhD Finance gives you the opportunity to specialise in a wide range of areas such as:

financial econometrics
behavioural finance
corporate finance
banking
international finance
portfolio and risk management
commodity markets
asset pricing
financing of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs)

You study at Essex Business School (EBS) at our Colchester Campus. We are the largest department at the University of Essex and one of the most respected finance groups in the UK. We are a business school with an international outlook and our doctoral students join us from all over the world.
Your future
Our PhD programmes are designed to foster the business leaders and researchers of the future who use creativity, innovation, and ethical awareness to meet the many challenges facing the international business world.
Our doctoral graduates have secured roles in academia at some of the best international universities, as well as organisations in the public and private sectors. Recent examples include careers with:

RBS
PwC
Bristol University
University of Southampton
University of St Andrews
Xiamen University
South China University

Our University Student Development Careers Services are on hand to provide careers advice and help you make the most of your Essex experience. You will also have access to CV workshops, one-to-one advice, and career resources.