Fully Funded PhD in Finance in UK
Finance, defined as the study of the management of large amounts of money, usually by governments or big institutions, is the driving engine of the world. The world as we know it is driven by commerce, and commerce is powered by finance, making it a major course to study. However, this can also make it an expensive course to take, especially to a doctorate level, given its importance in the world today.
Bachelor’s and Master’s degree holders in Finance who want to further their education to the next level but are often hit with major roadblocks when faced with the total cost of taking such a course are often discouraged. However, there are several institutions and organizations in the UK that offer fully funded PhD programs in Finance for people who are faced with such challenges.
Most of these programs cover full tuition and academic costs, including tuition, research projects, and even living expenses. In this article, we’ll be discussing four fully funded finance PhD programs in the UK and the opportunities they provide for students and professionals alike.
1. University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a prestigious research institute established in the year 1096. It is situated in the cathedral city of Oxford, boasting some of the best landscapes scattered across its campuses, which house its several constituent colleges. Standing as the oldest university in the United Kingdom, the great institution has been training influential and academically excellent individuals for more than 900 years.
The university encourages a technical approach to academics, where students are groomed with the in-depth skills and knowledge required to excel in every aspect of life. This great institution is known for its research excellence, leading in advanced technologies and innovations, and making home to some of the world’s best minds in science, technology, engineering, business, and social sciences.
Through its Saïd Business School, the University of Oxford offers a fully funded PhD program in Finance, covering cost fees and living expenses for the four-year duration of the program, which you can check out here. This gives students the privilege to work closely with supervisors to contribute their theses and make a significant impact in the financial industry.
2. Warwick Business School
Warwick Business School is an academic department in the faculty of Social Science at the prestigious University of Warwick. The University is located in the metropolitan borough of Coventry, just between West Midland and Warwickshire in England. Its Business school was established in 1967. It is known for its innovative teaching methods and strong industry connections.
Warwick Business School (WBS) offers a fully funded five-year PhD program in business, management, and finance, which you can check out here. This program supports passionate students in furthering their academic pursuits, carrying out research, and developing their own financial thesis. The program incorporates pre-structured coursework with close mentorship from some of the industry’s best financial analysts and philosophers to properly prepare students for a successful academic and research career in and outside the field of finance.
At Warwick Business School, students who are awarded fully funded programs get unlimited resources to help them properly get the best out of their time in the school. The program includes a tuition waiver and a stipend to cover all other living expenses, which is usually reviewed annually to align with the standard funding rate.
3. Durham University Business School
The University of Durham is a public research institution located in Durham, England. It was established in 1832 by an Act of Parliament before being incorporated by royal charter in 1837. The school is recognized as the third oldest university in England since it was the first recognized institution after almost 600 years of the founding of Oxbridge.
The school offers a research environment ideal for innovation and advanced business education. The campus setting is often described as being cozy by various students, as it has a very warm and friendly vibe rooted deep in cultural and social exploration. This is one of the key qualities that help the university stand out as one of the UK’s best destinations to study business, finance, and social science-related courses.
The university has a school of business called Durham Business School, which offers a fully funded PhD in finance program, which you can check out here. These scholarships are open to students and researchers from all over the world, giving an equal and fair opportunity to those who don’t have the financial capacity to take on a doctorate program in finance but have the passion and knowledge to take on the theoretical and practical aspect of finance, think analytically and critically to help solve global issues. This program covers tuition fees, a stipend, and training and research opportunities.
4. Imperial College Business School
Imperial College London is a public university in London, England. In the year 1907, with the help of the then queen of England, Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, the Royal College of Science, City and Guilds of London, and Royal School of Mines merged together to form the Imperial College of Science and Technology, which marked the establishment of the Imperial College, London.
The university is made up of several distinct schools and colleges, one of them being Imperial College Business School, which was officially commissioned in 2003 by Queen Elizabeth II. It has since then served as one of the financial academic hubs of London and the greater country of the UK. Known for merging business disciplines with science-based curricula, the school is committed to academic excellence and good business practices. In 2023, QS MBA ranked it as the 3rd most entrepreneurial college in the world, showing its commitment to innovation and leadership excellence.
The Imperial College Business School offers a fully funded Doctoral Programme, which you can check out here. This fellowship helps students with financial aid that covers tuition, a living stipend (which is reviewed annually and can be up to £25,000), and research grants for the five years of study.
Disclaimer:
The term “fully funded” is used to address a financial aid package where a student’s educational expenses are being taken care of. This may include;
- Full tuition payment: The total cost of tuition has been waived.
- Stipend/ Salary: A pre-agreed allowance is given to the student to cover living costs and other expenses during the program.
However, It is important to note that this is totally dependent on several factors such as lifestyle, cost of living, location, and other financial needs. Sometimes, the term “fully funded” is used by some programs even though they don’t provide for all your financial needs, expecting that you see them through part-time work, intensional, or personal savings.
These programs usually expect students with fully funded offers to teach and conduct research while studying as part of the funding arrangement. It is also important to note that all universities offer full funding, and students should, therefore, explore financial aid opportunities from various schools (including less popular and well-known ones) in order to find the one that perfectly meets their financial needs.
