PhD in Finance or Accounting University of Reading in United Kingdom

[PhD scholarships cover tuition fees for UK and non-UK applicants and provide a three-year stipend of £21,805 per annum (2026/27 figure). Recipients may also receive £3,500 per annum for teaching activities and additional funding for conference attendance over three years.]

Join the University of Reading’s Henley Business School for a PhD in Finance or Accounting, a globally recognised programme designed to equip you with the expertise, skills, and confidence to excel in pioneering research. As a doctoral student, you will collaborate with world-class faculty and benefit from outstanding resources, including bespoke dealing rooms and access to key financial databases such as WRDS, LSEG Workspace, Bloomberg, and Datastream.

The programme is structured over three to four years on a full-time basis. In your first year, you will undertake taught modules covering essential research methods and subject-specific topics. Years two and three focus on developing your PhD thesis, supported by additional training in academic writing and presentation skills. Throughout your studies, dedicated supervisors will provide expert guidance to help you achieve academic and professional success.

Henley Business School boasts a vibrant PhD community and a research environment rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ for vitality and sustainability (REF 2021). The school offers several PhD scholarships that cover tuition fees for both UK and non-UK applicants, with a three-year stipend of £21,805 per annum (2026/27 figure). Recipients may also receive £3,500 per annum for teaching activities and additional funding for conference attendance over three years.

Applicants must have a Masters degree with top marks (Distinction or equivalent), a strong background in either quantitative/computational skills or qualitative methodological approaches, a relevant research proposal in accounting, and a strong passion for conducting independent research. Studentships are awarded based on outstanding academic achievement and research potential. The programme welcomes exceptional UK, EU, and overseas graduates.

Graduates from this PhD programme secure roles in academia, large multinationals, leading consulting firms, and governmental and non-governmental organisations worldwide. Recent alumni have joined universities such as Liverpool, Sussex, KCL, Reading, Edinburgh, Southampton, UCD, and Queen's University Belfast. The award-winning careers team supports students throughout their PhD and for four years post-graduation.

To apply, visit the Henley Business School application portal, prepare your research proposal and supporting documents, and review scholarship details and eligibility. The application deadline is 11 June 2026. Start your research journey today and shape the future of accounting and finance research at the University of Reading.