Our DPhil offers students the opportunity to engage with internationally renowned faculty who are here to help you become an academic scholar.
You will initially be admitted to the status of Probationer Research Student (PRS). During your first year, you are required to attend six core modules from the MPhil Economics and Saïd Business School doctoral courses.
MPhil Economics:
- Microeconomics (Core)
- Econometrics (Advanced)
- Financial Economics 1
- Financial Economics 2
Saïd Business School doctoral courses:
- Empirical Finance
- DPhil Finance Professional Development Course
You will also attend two elective courses from the list below. The list includes courses from the second year of the MPhil Economics as well as Saïd Business School doctoral courses.
MPhil Economics:
- Macroeconomics (Advanced)
- Microeconomics (Advanced)
- Behavioural Economics
- Development Economics 1
- Development Economics 2
- Economic History 1
- Economic History 2
- Empirical Microeconomics
- Industrial Organisation 1
- International Macroeconomics and Finance
- International Trade 1
- International Trade 2
- Labour Economics
- Public Economics
- Urban Spatial Economics
Saïd Business School doctoral courses:
- Empirical Corporate Finance
- Empirical Asset Pricing
All students will satisfactorily complete the courses, examinations and coursework as determined by the supervisor and/or DPhil Committee.
After successful completion of all necessary courses and within a maximum of six terms as a PRS student (and normally by the fourth term), you will be expected to apply for transfer of status from Probationer Research Student to DPhil status. A successful transfer of status is required to give a clear indication of whether it would be reasonable to consider submission within the course of a further three terms, if work on the thesis continues to develop satisfactorily. Students who are successful at transfer will also be expected to apply for and gain confirmation of DPhil status within nine terms of admission, to show that your work continues to be on track.
Both milestones normally involve an interview with two assessors (other than your supervisor). This provides important experience for the final oral examination.
You will be expected to submit a thesis, which provides a significant and substantial contribution to the field of learning in finance, which should not exceed 100,000 words after four years from the date of admission. It should be good enough to be published in book form or as a series of academic articles. To be successfully awarded a DPhil in Finance you will need to defend your thesis orally (viva voce) in front of two appointed examiners.
Changes to this course and your supervision
We seek to deliver this course in accordance with this description. However, there may be situations in which it is desirable or necessary for the us to make changes in course provision, either before or after registration. The safety of students, staff and visitors is paramount and major changes to delivery or services may have to be made in circumstances of a pandemic, epidemic or local health emergency. Also in certain circumstances, for example due to visa difficulties or because the health needs of students cannot be met, it may be necessary to make adjustments to course requirements for international study.
Where possible your academic supervisor will not change for the duration of your course. However, it may be necessary to assign a new academic supervisor during the course of study or before registration for reasons which might include illness, sabbatical leave, parental leave or change in employment.
For further information please see our pages on changes to courses and the provisions of the student contract regarding changes to courses.
