SOAS University of London

Centre for Global Finance

The Centre for Global Finance PhD Scholarship - OPEN

UK/EU applicants ONLY

Deadline: 31 January 2019


The Centre for Global Finance (CGF) is pleased to invite applications for one PhD Scholarship, starting from April 2019. This scholarship is designed to support the research of the AXA Chair in Global Finance, held by Professor Victor Murinde, in the School of Finance and Management, at SOAS University of London.

The CGF undertakes rigorous research and provide the first point of call for stakeholders (researchers, policy makers and practitioners), on large datasets and evidence on mega trends in global finance, and how these mega trends are shaping developments in the international financial system and the global economy.

The research programme of the CGF is structured around new research projects, led by distinguished researchers within the CGF and the School of Finance and Management (SFM), including, among others:

As an integral element of this growth, the CGF and the SFM seek to attract additional talent, via a highly promising PhD student.

The scholarship is for a Home/EU applicant and is valued at £20,897 in total. Fees will be deducted from this amount and the remainder will be used toward maintenance. Subject to satisfactory progress, the scholarship may be renewed for the normal duration of a full-time student’s registration. The normal duration of a full-time student’s registration for a research degree is three years. The award is therefore renewable for up to a further two years.

Eligible Programme

  • The full-time MPhil/PHD Finance and Management - April 2019 entry only, whose thesis topic focuses on the research programme of the CGF.
  • Part-time programmes are not eligible.


Candidate Criteria

  • Applicants must possess a first class or a good upper second class undergraduate degree (or its equivalent in the case of non-UK candidates) plus a good merit or distinction (or equivalent) at a Masters level.
  • This scholarship is open to UK/EU applicants only
  • Applicants must submit a research proposal, which must focus on the research programme of the CGF. Applicants (new admissions, i.e. starting in  April 2019) should provide evidence of this in the research proposal of their admission application. 
  • Applicants (new admissions, i.e. starting in April 2019) should include in their personal statement details of their research skills and future academic or career plans.  It is important that the applicants' referees comment on the candidate’s research skill, especially with respect to the theory work or econometric applications.  
  • Applicants (new admissions, i.e. starting in April 2019) must meet the English entry requirements to study at SOAS by 28 February 2019. If you have not met the English entry requirements yet, please arrange your English test and ensure you meet the requirements as soon as possible but no later than 28 February 2019.


Candidate Assessment

  • Candidates will be assessed on academic merit by a Selection Panel consisting of the AXA Chair in Global Finance plus two academic members of the CGF and SFM.
  • Academic references, degree results, personal statement, CV, research proposal and other relevant information in your application will be considered to assess the academic merit of the applicant
  • The decision of the Selection Panel will be final.


Scholarship Application Deadline

  • Scholarship applications must be received no later than 16:00 (UK local time) on 31 January 2019
  • You must submit a complete online application to your programme by 31 January 2019. Applicants applying for scholarships must also submit an application for admission well in advance. Please note that complete applications for admission can take up to 4 weeks to be considered by the Department, although this duration can vary depending on the time of year. You should be prepared to wait up to 6 weeks in busy periods.
  • Late or incomplete applications will not be considered


Notification of Results
Successful candidates will be notified by end of March.  If you have not heard from us by the end of March, you should assume your application was unsuccessful. 

Scholarship Application Procedures
You must follow two steps:   

STEP 1:  Apply for the full-time MPhil/PhD Finance and Management (April Entry) by 31 January 2019.

Applicants must submit a COMPLETE on-line application for admission.

A complete application for admission includes transcripts, an explanation of the grading system for any degrees obtained outside of the UK, two references, CV, research proposal and a personal statement. The panel will be considering your scholarship application TOGETHER with your online application for admission.  Please note that complete application for admission can take up to 4 weeks to be considered by the Department, although this duration can vary depending on the time of year.  You should be prepared to wait up to 6 weeks in busy periods.

For information on what constitutes a complete application for admissions, please go HERE.

STEP 2:  Apply for the scholarship by 16:00 (UK local time) on 31 January 2019.

You must apply for this scholarship via the on-line scholarship application form.

For enquiries, please:
Email: cgf@soas.ac.uk 
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7898 4572