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PhD

Accounting

The Kent Business School Accounting and Finance Department has a strong international reputation for its research on public sector accounting, critical accounting and accounting history.

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Key information

Start
September
Location
Canterbury
Study mode
3 to 4 years full-time, 5 to 6 years part-time
Fees (per year)
UK:
International:
Typical offer
Merit at Master’s level
All entry requirements

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.

The course

How you'll study

Postgraduate taught modules are designed to give you advanced study skills, a deeper knowledge of the subject, and the confidence to achieve your ambitions.

Entry requirements

Merit at Master’s level

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.

Fees and funding

The 2026/27 annual tuition fees for this course are:
  • Full-time (UK)
  • Part-time (UK)
  • Full-time (International)
  • Part-time (International)

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

Tuition fees may be increased in the second and subsequent years of your course. Detailed information on possible future increases in tuition fees is contained in the Tuition Fees Increase Policy.

The 2026/27 annual tuition fees for UK postgraduate research courses have not yet been set by the Research Councils UK. This is ordinarily announced in March. As a guide only, the full-time tuition fee for new and returning UK postgraduate research courses for 2025/26 is £5,006.

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

Funding

You'll need regular access to a desktop computer/laptop with an internet connection to use the University of Kent’s online resources and systems. We've listed some guidelines for the technology and software you'll need for your studies.

General additional costs

Find out more about student accommodation and living costs, as well as general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Take a look at the KBS website for possible funding opportunities or search our scholarships finder.

International scholarships

Unlock your potential with scholarships up to £5,000

Research

Kent is a leading research university, meaning that you will be informed about new discussions and developments by the people making them. This means your work will have real potential to make a difference.

Staff research interests

Our world-class academic staff provide research students with excellent supervision.

Kent Business School has over 30 eligible research degree supervisors. Postgraduate research can take place in any subject area where they have expertise.

Please note, it is possible for students to be supervised by a member of academic staff from any of Kent’s schools, providing their expertise matches your research interests. Use our ‘find a supervisor’ search to search by staff member or keyword.

Full details of staff research interests can be found on the School's website.

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.

Postgraduates earn

£6,000
more per year than graduates (Graduate Labour Market Statistics, 2021).

A degree can boost average lifetime earnings by over

£300,000
Graduate employment outcomes - Universities UK

Ready to apply?

Learn more about the application process or begin your application by clicking on a link below.

You will be able to choose your preferred year of entry once you have started your application. You can also save and return to your application at any time.

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