PhD through the Department of Finance

The Department of Finance is internationally recognised for its world-class research, research training, and undergraduate and postgraduate education in the various sub-disciplines of finance.

Journals in which staff members have had their research published include: Journal of Finance, Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Journal of Financial Economics and Review of Financial Studies. Staff have been invited to teach at leading overseas institutions, including the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and the Stern School of Business at New York University.

With research strengths in a number of key areas, the Department can offer PhD supervision for topics in a wide range of specialisations, including:

• Asset pricing and portfolio/funds management,
• Corporate finance and corporate governance,
• Derivatives and risk management,
• Financial institutions and regulation,
• Market microstructure,
• Real estate finance.

Knowledge transfer and career development

The Department of Finance engages closely with the finance industry through involvement in continuing education and executive programs. It is a founding member of the Australian Centre for Financial Studies (ACFS), which brings together education and industry bodies to advance industry practice, research and education in the city of Melbourne. PhD candidates are encouraged to participate in ACFS activities and thus build linkages with industry professionals to enhance their finance industry career opportunities.

The Department is also a founding member of the Financial Integrity Research Network (FIRN), a network of 12 Australian universities.

The Department of Finance has an active research seminar series which provides excellent research training opportunities for PhD candidates. An exciting and stimulating research brown bag workshop series actively involves the PhD candidates by inviting them to present their work-in-progress. The Department encourages its PhD candidates to submit their papers to prominent finance conferences and finance journals and provides funding towards journal submissions and local and international conference attendance, when accepted to present a paper.

The career prospects of graduating PhDs increasingly depend not only on their ability to write quality research, but also on their ability to successfully teach large and small classes. Our PhD candidates are therefore actively encouraged to apply for tutoring positions within our Department in the later stages of their candidature. The Department employs about 40 casual tutors each semester, including many of our current PhD candidates.

Minimum entry requirements

Either:

• A four-year honours degree at minimum H2A (75–79%) standard from an Australian university, or
• A qualification or combination of qualifications considered by the Research Higher Degree Committee to be equivalent, in an area that is relevant to the intended PhD.

Applicants are also required to provide results of the GMAT or the GRE General Test. Please see admission requirements - research page for more information.

Course structure

• 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent.
• One year (or part-time equivalent) of Coursework followed by two years (or part-time equivalent) of Research.

Financial support

Local students are entitled to a HECS exemption for the duration of an accredited graduate research degree.

The Department of Finance offers a range of financial support options for suitably qualified PhD candidates.

For more information, including a detailed listing of academic staff within the Department, please visit the Department website.