Develop cutting-edge research skills and make significant contributions to the field of accounting and accountability research. You'll benefit from world-class resources, expert supervision, and a vibrant academic community, preparing you for a successful career in academia, industry, or government.
Our PhD in Accounting will ensure you understand the broad range of modern social science research techniques, qualitative and quantitative. Upon completion, you will excel in analysing diverse data sets and be adept at explaining the theories that underpin various approaches to social science research, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the field.
You'll engage deeply with the Department and the Business School, attending seminars and participating in workshops and conferences. This exposure to diverse ideas and rigorous training prepares you to excel in academia, industry, or government, making significant contributions to the field.
The PhD in Accounting is designed to facilitate the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, demonstrated through your thesis.
Doctoral researchers in Accounting are registered for a full time 3-year PhD or a part-time 6-year PhD. The programme includes a short, taught component to broaden and deepen your knowledge of research methods, alongside an extensive research phase where you conduct original research and develop transferable professional skills.
Throughout the programme, you’ll develop the ability to characterise and solve complex business, organisational and financial problems using advanced research tools. You’ll also learn to derive policy implications from your research and communicate these effectively to policymakers, practitioners, and other academics. Additionally, you’ll gain skills in peer reviewing research and offering constructive criticism, further extending the frontiers of the discipline through your innovative work.
In the first year of the programme (first two years for those registered part-time) you are required to take and successfully complete 60 credits of core Research Methods modules.
If you are using qualitative methodologies, you will take modules from the MA Social Research programme, as appropriate to your research and training needs. Depending on your needs and accredited prior learning, and subject to supervisory approval, doctoral researchers can substitute 20 credits of the introductory MA Social research modules for Advanced Training Modules.
Those researchers employing quantitative methodologies are required to take a compulsory module in Econometrics, in addition to optional modules chosen in agreement with your supervisors, as appropriate for your research topic (for example, from the MSc International Accounting and Finance programme).
At Birmingham, you can apply for an advertised PhD or propose your own research. An advertised PhD is typically part of an established research project and is usually funded by the University or another funding body.
If you want to pursue your own research project, you can apply to our research programmes to propose this. This is self-funded, although scholarships are available.
Find a PhD project that suits your interests by using our FindAPhD tool.
If you’d rather propose your own research, the first step is to find your supervisor. We encourage you to browse the biographies of faculty members to familiarise yourself with the research going on in your preferred areas. Each of these contains detailed information on research interests, current projects and recent publications.
When you apply, you can suggest one or two potential supervisors, who you think might be a good fit for you. However, this is not essential. If you know what you want to work on, but are unsure on supervisors, you can indicate this in your application and the PhD programme co-directors will study your proposal in detail, and judge who is best suited to be your supervisory team.
Find out more about our research themes and associated academics in the Department of Accounting.
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
We usually ask students for an average of 65 in the taught component of their Masters. All international students also need to show that they have adequate knowledge of written and spoken English.
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
For this course we require IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:
If you are proposing your own research topic, you will need to submit a research proposal. It’s a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.
Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.
You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department.
Full-time
Part-time
These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.
You devise your own PhD topic, find and consult with a potential supervisor, explore funding opportunities, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.
A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.
To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
If you are applying to an ‘advertised PhD’, please check the details of the specific research project for application deadlines.
If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.
If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.
We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
Find out how to apply to our postgraduate research programmes. Please read this information carefully before completing your application.
If you have a question about our admissions process, including how to apply, your offer and how to track your application, please visit our admissions portal.
Graduates of the PhD in Accounting at the University of Birmingham have diverse career opportunities. They may pursue academic roles, work in government, businesses, supranational organisations, or the research arms of major financial institutions. With a deep understanding of contemporary accounting and business issues, they are well-equipped to lead societal debates. Additionally, they will have a comprehensive awareness of the functions of key institutions at both national and international levels.
Get ready for tomorrow, with advice, guidance and opportunities at every step of your studies. From developing new skills to preparing for a PhD, our Careers Network can help you gain an advantage in the job market or advance in your field.
Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one-to-one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters. We also offer subject-specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.
We are the most targeted UK university by top graduate employers (High Fliers report, The Graduate Market 2025). Our graduate stories highlight the achievements of Birmingham alumni and the way their university experience shaped their journey.
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life.
Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll have a variety of choices of accommodation. Stay with us in our dedicated postgraduate halls or explore a wide range of private accommodation close to campus.
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Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
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