About the Programme:
Applications are invited from suitably qualified applicants for admission to the University’s 4-Year Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Finance Programme for the 2025/2026 Academic Year.
The PhD Finance programme is a rigorous one, designed to train students to produce high-quality research. It is suitable for students who want to become faculty members at research universities, lead research departments at financial institutions or be at the forefront of the application of state-of-the-art models and techniques in the financial industry activities. The programme aims at students who wish to obtain immediate practical qualifications and academic skills that qualify them for specialist academic positions in higher institutions of learning as well as in industry. It is a blend of coursework and research that provides students with comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge in finance and related areas, as well as develops their abilities to conduct independent analytical and empirical research. The programme is guided by academic mentors, and well-designed policies and procedures to monitor candidates’ progress in the programme.
Why UPSA PhD?
- Collaborative blend of local and international instructional faculty.
- Congenial leveraging of UPSA’s uniqueness of well-established scholarship with professionalism.
- Consistent strong practical teaching and research training focus.
- Comprehensive evaluation and student performance monitoring.
- Committed team of qualified research supervisors.
- Compatible skills in the design, execution, and presentation of original research.
Objectives
1. Provide an in-depth understanding of the theories and practices of the finance discipline especially in the area of sustainable and behavioural finance.
2. Equip students with cutting-edge research methodologies, techniques and analytical framework as well as computerized modelling tools needed for the finance discipline especially in the area of sustainable and behavioural finance.
3. Develop students’ problem-solving, critical thinking, scholarly writing and presentation skills as well as their ability to publish in ranked scientific journals.
4. Equip students with ethical values and principles required of a researcher to be able to carry out finance research and practice in an ethical manner.
5. Prepare students for teaching, research and consultancy careers in both the public and private sectors to make contributions to the advancement of the finance discipline.
Target Audience
• Educational Institutions
• Research Institutions
• Ministries, Departments and Agencies related to finance
• Manufacturing Enterprises
• Private organizations in various industries
• Financial Service Sector
• International Governmental Organizations.
• Non-profit Organizations
• Consultancy and Advisory firms
Duration: 4 years
Entry Requirements:
Applicants with any of the following qualifications from a university/institution accredited by Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC):
- A Master’s degree by research in finance/ related discipline with a minimum FCGPA of 3.0.
- A Master’s degree by research in a non-related discipline with a minimum FCGPA of 3.0 in addition to a recognised chartered professional qualification related to the PhD programme may be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
- Must pass a selection interview
NB:
- Applicants with degrees from foreign universities are required to have their academic qualifications evaluated by GTEC prior to their offer of admission
- All prospective applicants are required to visit the University’s website ( upsa.edu.gh) and carefully read the programme specific admission requirements and other relevant information before applying.
NOTE:
- Applicants who do not meet any of the requirements Must Not
- Fees paid to the University are NOT
How to Apply:
(a) Purchase of Online Serial Numbers (OSN):
Online Serial Numbers (OSN) for the Online Application Forms are available for purchase at any Access Bank Branch at the cost of GH¢350.00 for Ghanaian Applicants and US$120.00 for International Applicants
By mobile money (all networks) short code: *887*18#
(b) Completion of Online Application Form
All applications must be completed on-line i.e.
- Log on to https://www.upsasip.com/adm-area to access the online application form
- Use the Online Serial Numbers (OSN) to start the application process
(c) Attachment of Supporting Documents
All applicants are expected to scan and attach the following documents to their online application forms. All such scanned documents should be in PDF format:
- Copies of certified academic certificates and transcripts
- Two recommendation letters (i.e., on the applicant’s ability to undertake doctoral studies)
- Personal Statement (i.e., applicant’s motivation to pursue doctoral studies)
- Research Proposal in any topic related to the applicant’s chosen PhD programme
- Copy of Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Copy of birth certificate or any national ID.
Deadline for Application: Friday, 30th May, 2025
INFORMATION SESSION
There will be an online information session on, Thursday, 17th April, 2025 at 2p.m. GMT. Prospective students may contact the Office of Doctoral Programmes for scheduled information session dates. The following is the link for the information Session: https://wacren.zoom.us/j/65898360593?pwd=52UUsxXv8SdVW9bmrL7bHKLaqzTuZn.1
CONTACT INFORMATION
Office of Doctoral Programmes
University of Professional Studies, Accra
Room 15, 5th Floor, Joshua Alabi Library
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.upsa.edu.gh
Tel: Tel: 0242780929