PhD Accounting
    Duration4 year(s)
    Next IntakeSeptember 1, 2026

    PhD Accounting

    About

    Overview

    Staff members have published many scholarly papers in highly esteemed journals and a number of influential books. Our Accounting scholars’ research interests include privatisation and neoliberalism, public sector accounting and accountability, the social and political importance of accounting, accounting for sustainability, accounting history and optimal capital markets.

    Exchange partners

    Kent Business School (KBS) has excellent links with business schools globally, including in China, USA, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Spain, Sweden and Italy. Our wide array of exchange partners gives you the opportunity to gain international experience. Our partners are committed to enhancing their international outlook while providing excellent teaching. You will gain invaluable work experience, develop your understanding of a new culture and improve your language skills.

    Our exchange partners include these top-ranked institutions among others:

    • University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
    • Renmin Business School, Renmin University of China
    • The University of Hong Kong (HKU)
    • ESSEC Business School
    • NEOMA Business School
    • Freie Universitat Berlin
    • University of Florence
    • IE University, Madrid
    • Stockholm Business School.

    About Kent Business School

    Our School is proud to be in the top 1% of business schools globally to hold accreditations from three leading business organisations – The European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and The Association of MBAs (AMBA).

    Our programmes offer world-class business education enabling transformative learning experiences built around the School’s fundamental values of sustainable innovation and responsible management practice. Our students are at the heart of all considerations and through engaging teaching, world-class research, professional partnerships and an international community, we create an exciting atmosphere in which to learn and thrive. All our programmes at Kent Business School address the challenges of modern global business and we aim to meet industry demands of producing quality graduates by ensuring we unlock our students’ potential, expand their thinking and nurture their talent.

    Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    Applicants should hold a 2.1 at undergraduate level and a Merit at Master’s level in a relevant discipline, from a UK or other approved university and/or equivalent. You must submit a research proposal of approximately 1,500 words on your intended topic.

    In Kent Business School, entry to all research programmes is in September only. The deadline for PhD applications is 31 July.

    All applicants are considered on an individual basis and additional qualifications, professional qualifications and relevant experience may also be taken into account when considering applications.

    International students

    Please see our International Student website for entry requirements by country and other relevant information. Due to visa restrictions, students who require a student visa to study cannot study part-time unless undertaking a distance or blended-learning programme with no on-campus provision.

    English language entry requirements

    This course requires a Good level of English language, equivalent to B2 on CEFR.

    Details on how to meet this requirement can be found on our English Language requirements webpage.

    Examples:

    IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component

    PTE Academic 63 with a minimum of 59 in each sub-test

    A degree from a UK university

    A degree from a Majority English Speaking Country

    Need help with English?

    Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.

    English Requirements

    • PTEMin 62
    • IELTSMin 6.5
    • TOEFLMin 90

    Career

    Your future

    The KBS PhD programme is designed to provide a thorough training for research careers in academia or industry. Our students generally take up academic appointments in UK or international higher education institutions or work in policy or industry settings.

    Professional recognition

    KBS is a member of the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) and the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS); and the Kent MBA is an Association of MBAs (AMBA) accredited programme.

    In addition, KBS has accredited programmes with the following professional bodies:

    • The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)
    • The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
    • The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS)
    • The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
    • The Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
    • The Professional Risk Managers’ International Association (PRMIA)
    • The Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP)
    • The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
    • CFA Institute

    KBS is a signatory of the United Nation's Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), which provides a global network for academic institutions to advance corporate sustainability and social responsibility.

    Career support
    Whether you want to get ahead in your current career, change lanes, or kickstart a new one – we are here to help you realise your ambition.

    Fee Information

    PhD Accounting

    University of Kent

    University of Kent

    United Kingdom

    United Kingdom, Canterbury