How to Apply

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Admission for the PhD programme follows a rigorous and competitive process, after which only a small group of applicants are admitted to the programme. Apart from the formal entry requirements, the selection is based on a strong academic and research background evidenced in the form of academic degrees and prior research experience; innovative research proposals that demonstrate theoretical depth, methodological rigour, originality and utility as well as feasibility, amongst other quality indicators

For start dates and deadlines please refer to the relevant department's programme information.

Entry requirements

English language

If English is not your first language you will need IELTS 7.0 (no element below 6.5) or Pearson Test of English Overall Score 70+ (No element below 62). Please note that these can be no more than 2 years old at the month the programme starts, eg. for a programme commencing in October 2022 the IELTS or PTE test must have been taken in or after October 2020). Further information about acceptable tests.

Qualifications

Department	For UK Students	For non-UK students
Accounting	PhD (with Integrated Studies) in Accounting Undergraduate Degree (upper second class (2:1) or above, or equivalent). Or a Master’s degree, with an overall mark of at least 60% and dissertation mark of at least 65%.  Undergraduate or master’s degrees can be in any subject. PhD in Accounting A Master’s degree, with an overall mark of at least 60% and dissertation mark of at least 65%.	PhD (with Integrated Studies) in Accounting A Bachelor’s degree from the UK or an international equivalent from a recognised university. The degree should normally be completed with an upper second class (2:1) or equivalent. Evidence of research skills and at least initial levels of relevant research methods training are normally required. Or a Master’s degree, with an overall mark of at least 60% and dissertation mark of at least 65%.  PhD in Accounting A degree that is equivalent to a UK Masters. You also need to have completed and passed your degree with an overall mark of at least 60%, and dissertation mark of at least 65%. A degree that is equivalent to a UK Masters. You also need to have completed and passed (at a level equivalent to at least 65%) a dissertation module. Check the full list of equivalent qualifications.
Economics and Finance	A Masters degree, normally with a mark of at least 65% in your Masters dissertation.	A degree that is equivalent to a UK Masters. You also need to have completed and passed (at a level equivalent to at least 65%) a dissertation module. .
Management and Marketing	A Masters degree, normally with a mark of at least 65% in your Masters dissertation. A Bachelors degree in a discipline relevant or related to the subject applied for, from a recognised university. The degree should normally be completed with 2:1 and include a dissertation element normally with a mark of at least 65%. Evidence of research skills and at least initial levels of relevant research methods training are normally required	A degree that is equivalent to a UK Masters. You also need to have completed and passed (at a level equivalent to at least 65%) a dissertation module. . A Bachelors degree from the UK or an international equivalent in a discipline relevant or related to the subject applied for, from a recognised university. The degree should normally be completed with 2:1 and include a dissertation element normally with a mark of at least 65%. Evidence of research skills and at least initial levels of relevant research methods training are normally required

Department

For UK Students

For non-UK students

Accounting

PhD (with Integrated Studies) in Accounting

Undergraduate Degree (upper second class (2:1) or above, or equivalent). Or a Master’s degree, with an overall mark of at least 60% and dissertation mark of at least 65%. 

Undergraduate or master’s degrees can be in any subject.

PhD in Accounting

A Master’s degree, with an overall mark of at least 60% and dissertation mark of at least 65%.

PhD (with Integrated Studies) in Accounting

A Bachelor’s degree from the UK or an international equivalent from a recognised university. The degree should normally be completed with an upper second class (2:1) or equivalent. Evidence of research skills and at least initial levels of relevant research methods training are normally required. Or a Master’s degree, with an overall mark of at least 60% and dissertation mark of at least 65%. 

PhD in Accounting

A degree that is equivalent to a UK Masters. You also need to have completed and passed your degree with an overall mark of at least 60%, and dissertation mark of at least 65%.

A degree that is equivalent to a UK Masters. You also need to have completed and passed (at a level equivalent to at least 65%) a dissertation module. Check the full list of equivalent qualifications.

Economics and Finance

A Masters degree, normally with a mark of at least 65% in your Masters dissertation.

A degree that is equivalent to a UK Masters. You also need to have completed and passed (at a level equivalent to at least 65%) a dissertation module. .

Management and Marketing

A Masters degree, normally with a mark of at least 65% in your Masters dissertation.

A Bachelors degree in a discipline relevant or related to the subject applied for, from a recognised university. The degree should normally be completed with 2:1 and include a dissertation element normally with a mark of at least 65%. Evidence of research skills and at least initial levels of relevant research methods training are normally required

A degree that is equivalent to a UK Masters. You also need to have completed and passed (at a level equivalent to at least 65%) a dissertation module. .

A Bachelors degree from the UK or an international equivalent in a discipline relevant or related to the subject applied for, from a recognised university. The degree should normally be completed with 2:1 and include a dissertation element normally with a mark of at least 65%. Evidence of research skills and at least initial levels of relevant research methods training are normally required

Subject support

It is important that your general research interests match those of at least one member of our academic staff. For information on the range of expertise and experience of our academic faculty and details of their research interests, see  Our People.

If you have any questions about finding a potential supervisor, we’re happy to help. Please get in touch with the  relevant department

PhD - Accounting (business.dept.accounting@durham.ac.uk)
PhD - Economics (business.phd.economics@durham.ac.uk)
PhD Finance (business.phd.finance@durham.ac.uk)
PhD - Management / PhD - Marketing (business.phd.mgmt-mktg@durham.ac.uk)

Tuition Fees and Charges

For full information on the tuition fees charged for PhDs please click here

Our Departments

Find out more about the School's three departments including their faculty and research.
How to apply - continued

Find out more about the three stages of the application proces and start you application online.