Doctor of Philosophy - Accounting

To apply for the PhD in Accounting, you must first self-assess your eligibility and then submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the School of Accounting, Auditing & Taxation (UNSW Business). Details of what to include in your EOI can be found on the School's website. You will need to receive an Invitation to Apply from the School before you can proceed with a formal application.

The program is structured across four years. Year One involves completing the Master of Pre-Doctoral Business Studies (MPDBS), which provides a rigorous foundation in research methodologies and communication skills, and includes working as a research assistant. Year Two involves specialised coursework in the Accounting stream, identification of your thesis topic, literature review, research design, and a research proposal presentation. Years Three and Four are focused on conducting full-time original research and completing your doctoral thesis.

Yes, the first year (MPDBS) is a fully funded program, which includes a tuition waiver and stipend for all accepted applicants. Upon completion, you'll be awarded a Master of Pre-Doctoral Business Studies (MPDBS) degree. The vast majority of students have historically then moved on to Year Two of the Doctoral Program with a scholarship covering tuition and a stipend.

The coursework covers research methods and key research topics in auditing, financial accounting, and management accounting during Year One. In Year Two, students undertake advanced coursework in the Accounting stream, choosing up to eight additional research courses in consultation with their supervisors and the postgraduate research coordinator, with an opportunity to take at least one course outside of their specialised discipline.

While the PhD degree is geared toward preparing graduates for a career in academia at a premier research institution anywhere in the world, other career paths are also enabled. There is significant demand in the private and public sectors for people with deep knowledge and sound research and analytical skills, including careers in consulting, government, industry, and non-profit organisations. An increasing number of PhD graduates find employment in business, government, and the non-profit sector, and nineteen of the largest ASX companies have PhD graduates on their senior executive teams.