Course Overview
The Ph.D. in Corporate Finance is an advanced research programme designed for scholars and professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of financial decision-making within complex organisational and market contexts. It explores the principles that govern how corporations raise, allocate and manage capital to maximise value while maintaining long-term stability and ethical responsibility.
Candidates engage in original research on topics such as corporate valuation, investment analysis, mergers and acquisitions, financial risk management, capital structure, dividend policy and market efficiency. The programme also encourages inquiry into the influence of global financial systems, digital finance, behavioural economics and regulatory environments on corporate financial performance.
By integrating theory with empirical analysis, this Ph.D. enables candidates to generate new knowledge that informs strategic financial leadership, enhances corporate resilience and contributes to scholarly debates in finance and economics.
Award:
Duration:
Delivery:
Start Date:
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
2 – 4 years
Hybrid Online Learning
31 January 2026
Information
Why choose to study a doctorate with us?
At Premier Learning Institute, you're more than just a student number. You are a valued member of our community!
Globally recognised
Premier Learning Institute partners with leading universities and awarding bodies across the UK and Europe, ensuring that our qualifications are internationally respected and recognised. Our programmes are designed to meet global academic and industry standards, empowering you to advance your career anywhere in the world; in academia or industry.
Exceptional support from trained mentor-supervisors
Our doctoral supervisors are not just academics, they are trained mentors and coaches dedicated to your success. With regular, one-on-one guidance, constructive feedback, and tailored research support, you’ll always have an expert by your side to help you navigate your doctoral journey with confidence. In the instance that things don't go to plan, we have policies which allow you to change your supervisor without any consequences. We listen to you and cater to your needs.
Your future in mind
We go beyond just education, we invest in your future success. Our expert doctoral careers service provides guidance, networking, professional development and recruitment services to help you maximise your potential. We have a dedicated team who will upskill you throughout your doctorate, supporting you to reach your career goals and transition to industry jobs.
Academic rigour, without information overload
Our carefully designed modular programme ensures that you gain deep, research-driven knowledge without being overwhelmed. You learn one step at a time! We focus on high-impact learning, allowing you to engage meaningfully with your research while progressing through structured, manageable study blocks. You will experience the same level of academic intensity as any other doctorate, but organised in a clean, productive and efficient way.
Ease of access
Our flexible and innovative hybrid online learning model means you can study anytime, anywhere, fitting your education around your personal and professional commitments. With self-paced learning and no fixed schedules, you remain in control of your progress while maintaining a great work-life balance.
Affordable programme, with flexible payment plans
As a non-profit social enterprise, we prioritise affordable education without compromising on quality. Our one-off fee structure and flexible payment plans ensure that financial constraints are not a barrier to your academic and professional growth. We reinvest in making education accessible, giving you the best value for your investment. We work with you, for you.
Highlights
Prestigious, internationally recognised Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) qualification.
Designed for busy professionals to align with their current roles and industry expertise.
FCDO (United Kingdom) notarised, and United States (ACBSP) accredited degree award.
Study online from anywhere in the world.
Highly qualified, UK-based and experienced Doctoral Supervisors mentoring you through your doctoral research journey.
Exceptional English Language support team.
24/7 student support available for enrolled students, with responses typically within minutes.
Key Features
Graduates earn the title ‘Dr.’ with a prestigious doctorate qualification.
Emphasises contemporary research methods and in-depth exploration of industry challenges.
Suitable for professionals across various sectors.
Change your supervisor without penalty or disadvantage.
Dedicated supervisor provides mentoring and coaching from research inception to final thesis defence.
Encourages academic publication of research.
Encourages students to bring their own challenges as the foundation for research and innovation.
Entry Requirements
Applicants for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme typically hold a master’s degree in a related field. However, we also welcome experienced professionals who may not hold a master’s degree but have a good standing bachelor’s degree and can demonstrate significant professional or industry experience in a related role.
Academic Requirements: Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree and/or a master’s-level professional qualification, or equivalent experience / certifications.
Professional Setting: You should be working in, or have access to a professional setting in an area related to your research topic, in order to conduct research.
Interview/Portfolio: You will be required to attend an interview and/or submit a portfolio of work/CV for consideration.
References: Satisfactory references will be required before enrolment on the course. One reference must be from your current/last employer (or school/university for continuing students), confirming your suitability to study on a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme.
For applicants whose first language is not English, an English language qualification or proficiency test is required. Please refer to our apply webpage for further details.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Ph.D. in Corporate Finance are equipped for senior roles that demand advanced analytical and strategic financial expertise. The qualification signifies mastery in quantitative reasoning, risk assessment and financial governance, preparing graduates for leadership across corporate, academic and policy sectors.
Typical career paths include:
Chief Financial Officer or Finance Director
Investment or Corporate Strategy Analyst
Financial Risk and Compliance Manager
Mergers and Acquisitions Consultant
Economist or Policy Researcher
University Lecturer or Academic Scholar in Finance
This doctorate empowers professionals to influence corporate financial policy, optimise capital strategies and contribute to the development of sound financial practices in an increasingly dynamic global economy.
Fees & Funding
The tuition fee for this course is not charged annually. It is a fixed one-off payment of €16,249 EUR for the full programme, which can be paid in full or via instalments.
For example, a 2-year instalment plan would entail an initial deposit plus €455 EUR per month. Scholarships, grants and tuition fee waivers may be available for this programme. For a tailored quotation, please contact our admissions team.
Other costs:
Enrolment Fee: If you application is accepted, you will be required to pay a €55 EUR enrolment fee.
Extension Fee: If you complete this programme within 2 years (i.e. 24 months from the date of enrolment), no additional supervision fee will be charged. However, exceeding this timeframe will incur an additional supervision fee of €1120 EUR per additional year.
Final Award Fee: A fee of €190 EUR is payable upon the final thesis submission to cover the costs of organising the viva voce panel and the related administrative expenses for the doctoral award.
[Optional] Thesis Review: Your allocated Doctoral Supervisor will proof your thesis prior to submission. However, if you would like an English Language expert to proof your thesis prior to submission, this will incur a fee of €380 EUR. This is highly recommended if you are not a native speaker of the English language.
[Optional] English Language Support: If you are not a native language speaker of English, we can provide an Academic Writing Tutor at a discounted rate of €45 EUR per session. Our academic tutors are Cambridge-certified, hold a doctorate degree, are published academics and have an excellent understanding of this Ph.D. programme.
Please note that you are able to pay fees in various currencies, however all fees are converted to, and charged in Euros. There is no application fee for this programme. There are payment plans available for this programme, so you can pay your course fee in instalments. Scholarships, grants or tuition fee waivers maybe available for this programme, see our FAQ page or contact us.
Teaching & Assessment
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme is delivered through our innovative hybrid teaching model, combining online learning with opportunities for live support with a dedicated Doctoral Supervisor. It is structured across two integrated phases, combining independent research, structured reflection and advanced practitioner development.
This programme is a Level 8 doctoral-level qualification within the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), representing the highest level of academic achievement. The programme carries a total of 360 UK credits (CATS), equivalent to 180 European credits (ECTS), reflecting the depth of independent research, critical enquiry, and original contribution to knowledge required at doctoral level.
Phase 1
During the first phase, candidates focus on developing the foundational components of their doctoral research. They will undertake modules, including:
Research proposal
Academic writing/method skills
Review of professional capability (reflection)
Planning an advanced practitioner research program (exposè)
This stage equips candidates with the methodological, analytical and reflective skills required to design a robust doctoral project. Phase 1 is flexible and allows candidates to complete modules in any order, supported by guided reading, interactive seminars and regular supervisory meetings.
Phase 2
This phase constitutes the execution and dissemination of the doctoral research. Candidates will complete the three parts of this phase sequentially:
Project report / thesis (40,000 to 60,000 words)
Research paper
Oral presentation and viva voce (defense)
Throughout this phase, candidates receive ongoing supervisory support, formative feedback and opportunities to present work in progress through online research colloquia and peer review sessions. The learning approach combines asynchronous study materials, live tutorials and one-to-one supervision meetings, typically held on a fortnightly or monthly basis depending on progress. Candidates are encouraged to maintain reflective journals, contribute to online research communities, and engage in scholarly dissemination activities.
Assessment is continuous and cumulative; formative assessment is embedded within supervisory reviews and draft submissions, while summative assessment is based on the final thesis, research paper, and oral defence. Each module contributes directly to the completion of the final doctoral portfolio, ensuring coherence between learning outcomes, professional reflection, and research outputs. Peer collaboration and academic dialogue form an essential part of the learning experience, enabling candidates to situate their work within broader disciplinary and professional contexts.
Every candidate is assigned a principal supervisor and, where appropriate, a co-supervisor with expertise aligned to their chosen research topic. Supervisors provide critical guidance from proposal development through to final defence, ensuring that each doctoral journey is academically rigorous, professionally relevant, and personally transformative.
Programme Accreditation
This programme is accredited by the Global Humanistic University (GHU), a state-accredited and licensed university based in Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory (read more). It is authorised by the Higher Education Licensing Board, Ministry of Education, Government of Anguilla, to award and confer this programme. GHU holds international accreditations and is recognised by the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings as one of the top 800 global universities. Graduates will also have the opportunity to attend the official GHU graduation ceremony in Anguilla or at one of its international partner venues.