Programme structure: Accounting and Finance (PhD) - what's running in 2025/26

Please note: Programme and unit information may change as the relevant academic field develops. We may also make changes to the structure of programmes and assessments to improve the student experience.

    What do the Levels represent?

    What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?

    If you are selecting optional units, ensure that you have a balanced workload through the year.

  • Year 1 (2025/26)

Accounting and Finance students must pass 60 credits of research training units to remain on the PhD programme or demonstrate equivalent prior learning.

Unit name Unit code Credit points Status Teaching Block
Students need to complete at least 60 credits unless they are exempted from individual units after applying for Recognised Prior Learning. Note that students need not complete the 60 credits units in their first year (but they can if they wish); they can choose to e.g. complete two units in the first year, and the third in the second year of studies. However, students should have completed the units before month 18 (full-time students) or month 36 (for part-time students).
Accounting students (unless SWDTP ESRC-funded) must take:
Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods in Accounting and Finance ACFIM0017 20 Optional TB-1
Plus two from:
Contemporary Issues in Accounting ACFIM0038 20 Optional TB-1
Introduction to Research Methods in the Social Sciences SSLFM0001 20 Optional TB-1
Accounting and Capital Markets ACFIM0036 20 Optional TB-2
Advanced Corporate Finance ACFIM0021 20 Optional TB-2
Advanced Quantitative Research Methods SSLFM0003 20 Optional TB-2
Advanced Qualitative Research Methods SSLFM0004 20 Optional TB-2
Green and Sustainable Finance ACFIM0018 20 Optional TB-2
Financial Technology ACFIM0030 20 Optional TB-2
Management Accounting ACFIM0033 20 Optional TB-2
Digital Methods and Data Skills SSLFM0002 20 Optional TB-1
Finance students (unless SWDTP ESRC-funded) must take:
Quantitative Methods for Finance ACFIM0032 20 Optional TB-1
Plus two from (Units provided by the School of Economics will require prior approval from the school PGR director to ensure that the student has sufficient prior training in the subject (as per the relevant admission statement for School of Economics MSc degrees)):
Digital Methods and Data Skills SSLFM0002 20 Optional TB-1
Econometrics ECONM0039 20 Optional TB-1
Economic Modelling ECONM0047 20 Optional TB-1
Introduction to Research Methods in the Social Sciences SSLFM0001 20 Optional TB-1
Quantitative Methods, Big Data and Machine Learning ACFIM0005 20 Optional TB-1
Advanced Corporate Finance ACFIM0021 20 Optional TB-2
Advanced Quantitative Research Methods SSLFM0003 20 Optional TB-2
Advanced Qualitative Research Methods SSLFM0004 20 Optional TB-2
Behavioural Finance ACFIM0024 20 Optional TB-2
Business and Economic Forecasting ECONM0030 20 Optional TB-2
Derivatives ACFIM0027 20 Optional TB-2
Green and Sustainable Finance ACFIM0018 20 Optional TB-2
Financial Technology ACFIM0030 20 Optional TB-2
Investment Management ACFIM0023 20 Optional TB-2
Programme Evaluation ECONM0040 20 Optional TB-2
SWDTP ESRC-funded Accounting and Finance students, must take:
Introduction to Research Methods in the Social Sciences SSLFM0001 20 Optional TB-1
Digital Methods and Data Skills SSLFM0002 20 Optional TB-1
Plus one from:
Advanced Quantitative Research Methods SSLFM0003 20 Optional TB-2
Advanced Qualitative Research Methods SSLFM0004 20 Optional TB-2
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Progression/award requirements

The assessment of the taught component of a doctoral degree is governed by the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and is assessed separately from the research project. Progression to the research project may be dependent on the successful completion of the taught component - please refer to the relevant handbook for the structure of the particular programme.

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7(M) unit is 50 out of 100.

Exit awards

It may be possible to exit the programme with a taught award. For detailed rules please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Research Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.