Accounting PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for UK Students

A PhD in Accounting gives doctoral students the opportunity to undertake a significant research project in Accounting, Finance and other related subject areas. You’ll have the chance to use qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as investigating how your work can be applied in business, policy and commercial sectors.

What’s it like to do a PhD in Accounting?

Doing a PhD in Accounting will let you broaden your academic horizons, as well as hone in on aspects of Accounting that you find especially compelling. These programmes can be particularly useful for practicing accountants who several years of professional experience and wish to take their career to the next level.

Whether you’re examining the impact of government policy and the law on accounting practices or figuring out new ways of improving the cybersecurity of accountancy software, a doctoral degree in Accounting allows you to spend at least three years on your research project, under the supervision of renowned experts in your field.

Some typical Accounting PhD research topics include:

• Taxation
• Corporate social responsibility
• Payroll management
• Corporate and personal finance management
• Financial policy
• Public sector accounting
• Sustainability practices and accounting

The nature of Accounting means that there’s also plenty of scope for interdisciplinary study, with subjects like Economics, Business and Law offering excellent opportunities for cross-departmental research.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a typical PhD in Accounting usually involve a Bachelors and a Masters degree in a related subject. You’ll also need to submit a compelling research proposal detailing your study plans. You may also need some professional experience in Accounting, depending on the programme.

PhD in Accounting funding options

In the UK, PhDs in Accounting are funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), which provides a tuition fee waiver and a living cost stipend. Depending on the programme, you may submit your own research proposal before being considered for funding, or apply for a project that already has funding attached.

It’s also possible to apply for a PhD loan to help with the costs of a doctorate in Accounting (although this can’t be combined with Research Council funding). Other options for financial support include university scholarships, graduate teaching assistantships and charities.

If you’re considering a part-time PhD in Accounting, it may also be worth asking your employer if they’re happy to sponsor you.

PhD in Accounting careers

A PhD in Accounting will equip you with the tools to pursue a career in any number of business sectors that require expertise in accountancy. Whether you’re applying your research in a legal or corporate context, teaching the next generation of accountants or setting up your own firm, the research skills you’ve developed are bound to come in handy.