The PhD in Financial Technology trains students as researchers, allowing them to develop advanced techniques and in-depth knowledge in financial technology.
Students enrolled on the non-industry pathway will work under the guidance of their supervisors, pursuing an original research topic in the area of financial technology. Students enrolled on the industry pathway will work under the guidance of supervisors located both with the University of Edinburgh and an appropriate industrial partner. The prescribed period of study for the full-time PhD is 36 months, with students allowed an additional 12 months to write-up their final thesis. To be awarded a PhD students will need to defend their submitted thesis in an oral examination called a viva (assessed according to the University's regulations).
Students who obtain an unconditional offer on the programme will be required to undertake one 20 credit compulsory course, with the option to select further optional courses. It may exceptionally be possible to be excused from a compulsory course if you have already passed (or taught) a similar course within the last five years but this must be approved by the supervisory team and Programme Director. All course selections must be approved by the students' supervisory team.
The anticipated milestones for doctoral students are as follows:
Stage 1: First year of a PhD is normally spent preparing for your main research work. You will follow a programme of training (i.e. foundation courses), reading and reflecting on relevant literature with the support of your supervisor.
Stage 2: Second year is spent undertaking the main body of the research, usually with empirical data collection and analysis, or selection and analysis of defined primary theoretical sources.
Stage 3: Finally, years three and four are spent completing the analysis, writing and submitting the thesis and then undertaking the oral examination (Viva).
In order to progress to the next year of study, students are required to complete an annual progression review. This is assessed by academic staff members (including their advisory team) to determine the student's suitability for progression.
Students in their first year will have their taught course results taken into consideration as part of the annual progression review. It is expected that in order to progress, first year students should achieve a minimum mark of 50% in each course.
Progression decisions for all doctoral students moving into the next year of study are confirmed by the Research Degrees Committee.
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