Central Business School · Doctoral
PhD in Finance
A research doctorate for people who will set the questions — not only answer them — in markets, policy and the academy. Full-time in four years at Christ Temple Campus, with an international mentorship model and a clear publication standard.
Programme
Doctoral research in finance.
Curriculum highlights, entry routes and career outcomes.
Overview
Central’s PhD in Finance is a doctoral research programme for candidates who will work at the frontier of financial economics — in universities, markets, regulation and public policy. It is delivered through the Central Business School and is designed for an economy that needs rigorous, publishable research, not only professional credentials.
The programme balances original and applied work. Candidates are expected to move beyond textbook theory to problems that matter in Ghana and comparable markets: capital allocation, risk, financial development and evidence-based policy. Structured thesis guidelines keep quality consistent while leaving room for strong methods.
A distinctive feature is an international mentorship model. Supervisory and collaborative links draw on academics across Africa, Australia, Europe and North America — for guidance, conference exposure, journal pathways and research training. Before graduation, candidates must publish at least two peer-reviewed journal articles, so the degree is judged by output the field can cite, not only by a bound thesis.
Accreditation: GTEC-accredited doctoral programme (with related DBA routes announced in the University’s February 2026 accreditation release). Confirm current status with the School of Graduate Studies when you apply.
Who it is for
The intake is deliberately broad within a high bar: strong master’s graduates, finance and economics professionals, lecturers building a research career, consultants and policy analysts, and candidates from quantitative fields (statistics, mathematics, engineering) who can re-tool into finance research.
Entry requirements
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Prior degrees | Undergraduate and master’s certificates in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Engineering, or a closely equivalent field from a recognised institution. |
| Academic record | Official transcripts for all tertiary study. A relevant research master’s (MPhil / MSc / MA) is the normal doctoral entry path; shortfalls are assessed case by case at interview. |
| Research proposal | A detailed research proposal setting out the problem, literature position, methods and contribution. |
| Supporting dossier | Curriculum vitae and two academic or professional reference letters. |
| Selection | Selection interview. Holders of a prior PhD/DBA in a relevant field may complete in a shorter minimum period (typically from two years) under School rules. |
Sourced from the University’s published PhD Finance programme page and CBS doctoral entry guidance. Confirm exact wording with Admissions and the Department before you submit. Not sure about the pathway? Check eligibility or see how doctoral applications work.
How you’ll study
Full-time route. Designed for completion in four years (eight semesters), with up to two additional grace years under University regulations. Delivery is blended (online and in person) or fully in person at Christ Temple Campus.
Part-time route. Six years (twelve semesters) to completion, with up to two grace years. Part-time students typically combine work with study at roughly half the weekly research load of full-time candidates, to the same academic standard.
Research, methods and publication. You train in the theoretical and methodological bases of finance and economics — quantitative and qualitative methods used in financial research — and carry out independent empirical work under supervision. Before graduation you must produce and publish at least two peer-reviewed journal articles, alongside a thesis that meets School guidelines.
International mentorship. Mentorship and collaboration draw on experienced academics from Africa, Australia, Europe and North America — supporting conference participation, journal development and research training beyond the campus seminar room.
What the doctorate demands of you
By the end of the programme, graduates are expected to:
- Contribute original research that advances knowledge in finance and stands up in peer review.
- Handle advanced quantitative and qualitative methods — from design through analysis and interpretation.
- Translate theory into work that can inform industry practice, regulation and public policy.
- Communicate complex findings clearly to academic and professional audiences.
- Teach and supervise research, including at doctoral level, with professional integrity.
Careers
Demand is strongest where deep modelling and evidence matter: academic departments, quantitative research desks, asset and portfolio management, corporate finance and consulting, central banks and regulators, international agencies, fintech and data analytics, and senior policy roles. Typical destinations include university professorships, research fellowships, quantitative researcher/analyst posts, C-suite and board-level finance roles, and specialist policy analysis.
Your lecturers
Faculty from Central Business School with public profiles. Head of Department (Finance): Dr Joseph E. Tetteh · bkf.cbs@central.edu.gh
Part of the school page · All programmes · Admissions