Key information
- Funding
- Self-funded
- School
- Social Sciences
- Location
- Dubai
- Award
- PhD
- Delivery type
- Full-time, Part-time
- Start date
- September, January, May
- Duration
- Up to 4 years (full time)
The PhD in Accountancy and Finance at Heriot-Watt University Dubai offers students the opportunity to undertake original, independent research addressing contemporary challenges in accounting, finance, corporate governance and financial markets.
Building on the research expertise of Edinburgh Business School, the programme covers a broad range of areas, including financial reporting, accountability, corporate governance, corporate finance, investment management, banking, financial regulation and risk management. It also provides opportunities to explore emerging research topics such as sustainable finance, ESG reporting, financial technology, artificial intelligence and digital transformation in financial services.
With a strong emphasis on academic rigour, critical thinking and advanced research methodologies, the programme aims to develop researchers capable of making an original contribution to knowledge while addressing issues relevant to businesses, financial institutions, regulators and policymakers.
Its location in Dubai offers a distinctive environment for research with regional and international relevance, particularly in the context of the UAE's evolving financial sector and wider economic development.
Research topics for PhD supervision
The listed research topics are intended as suggested areas of study rather than an exhaustive list. Applicants are encouraged to explore and propose their own research topics, provided they align with the scope of the programme.
Management
- International Human Resource Management
- Human Resource Management policies and practices in local and multinational organisations
- Expatriate staff in organisations (experiences, organisational strategies, etc.)
- Diversity/Equality in organisations
- Emiratisation, Qatarisation (and any other nationalisation/localisation) policies
- Critical management, comparative management and Islamic management.
- Cross cultural management
- Electronic HRM (specifically internet recruitment)
- Small and Medium size enterprises (SMEs) and Entrepreneurship development
- Female Entrepreneurs
- Employer branding
- Sustainability
- Non-genuine branded goods (from a marketing perspective)
- Customer relationship management (CRM; Relationship Marketing; Trust, commitment and quality in customer, business and marketing channel relationships [especially in a financial services context]; Marketing Channel Management. Ethical and environmental dimensions of Consumer behaviour and marketing practice.)
- Digital marketing, social media, consumer behaviour online
Accounting, Banking, Finance areas
- Corporate governance and corporate finance
- Corporate governance and regulatory reforms in emerging economies
- Risk management and efficiency in the banking sector
- Islamic banking and finance
- Corporate social and environmental responsibilities
- Carbon disclosures and biodiversity
- Financial Reporting and Corporate Disclosure
- Risk Disclosure
- Investor Relations
- Management Accounting
- International Accounting
- Corporate Governance and Ethics
- Accounting education and ethics
- Socio-economic perspectives on accounting
- Economic development
- Sustainable finance
- Climate risk
- Fintech
- Venture capital & Private Equity
- Entrepreneurial finance
Research proposal
The research proposal (normally 3 to 4 pages or around 1500 words excluding references) should contain as much as possible of the following:
- Introduction or outline of the proposed topic with a clear indication on why the topic is important
- Statement of objective(s) and/or specific research questions with research rationale
- Relevant summary of some of the key literature that supports the research objective(s)
- An indication of the intended research methodology and rationale for method selection. Methods should demonstrate consideration of feasibility, location and ethics
- An indication of the theoretical structure and/or conceptual outline
- A provisional timetable of the major phases of the research process
- Indication of findings expected from the research, e.g., practical value of the research or possible contributions to knowledge, policy or methodology
- Reference list formatted appropriately (typically using APA 7 format)
At this stage we are not looking for a definitive document but merely an indication that you have thought through most of the above issues. Please note that work submitted may be subject to screening using plagiarism software.
Accreditation
Read more about the UAE Federal Accreditation.
Entry requirements
- Interested applicants should complete the online application form, making clear on the form that you are applying to study at the Dubai Campus.
- If you have any questions about the application process, contact Kurian Kuruvilla (Kurian.Kuruvilla@hw.ac.uk)
Supporting documents
Applicants interested in our PhD opportunities need to submit the following:
- Copies of full academic transcripts from all previous academic degree courses and copies of certificates for degrees already awarded.
- Confirmation of funding source and/or confirmation of sponsorship/sufficient funds to pursue studies.
- A detailed research proposal.
Funding information
| Status | Full Time | Part Time |
|---|---|---|
| Local and International | AED 103,480 per year | AED 51,740 per year |
- All tuition fees inclusive of VAT.
Additional information
* All tuition fees inclusive of VAT
PhD, EngD, and DBA programmes are typically self-funded although scholarships and bursaries may be available. Self-funding applicants may be required to submit a recent bank statement as evidence of their financial ability to support their studies.
Eligible applicants may be considered for the Alumni Scholarship or ESAAD Scholarship (20%), subject to meeting the applicable criteria.
Scholarships and bursaries
See our range of degree entry, undergraduate, postgraduate taught and PhD scholarships and discounts.
We offer a number of competitive funded scholarships for research degrees. Full or partial support may be available for well-qualified candidates from UK research councils, research pools, charities or industry.
View our full range of scholarships.
Why Heriot-Watt
As the first British university to set up a campus in Dubai in 2005, we have established ourselves as a pioneer in the higher education market in the UAE. The three consecutive five-star ratings by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) is a testament to our reputation for world-class teaching.
The futuristic Dubai campus is designed to offer interactive and collaborative learning experiences with innovative classroom styles fostering group work and engagement like Collaborative lecture theatres, Digitally Classrooms and Seminar rooms. The campus also has dedicated cutting-edge laboratories and workshops that span various engineering disciplines along with Psychology, IT, Photography, Design and Architecture.
Our practical, leading-edge research combined with strong links to business and industry, have made our graduates highly employable and sought after by the best organisations worldwide, with over 90% in graduate-level jobs or further study within six months of graduation. On top of that, we have beautiful campuses, across the globe, so you'll get a truly international education through our Go Global programme.
