Admission to our PhD in Financial Technology is highly competitive. While academic credentials are important for a successful application we also pay great attention to the fit of students to both the programme and the research interests of our academic faculty.

Full details of the academic, English language, and application requirements for your application are detailed below.

Applicants for the PhD in Financial Technology should hold a postgraduate master's degree from an accredited institution in the UK or overseas showing evidence of above-average academic achievement. This includes:

  • A degree classification with a mark of 70% or more overall (or UK equivalent).
  • Normally a master's dissertation at the distinction level (or UK equivalent) in finance, economics, informatics, physics, mathematics, engineering, or other relevant programmes with significant quantitative elements.

Applications may be accepted from those currently studying for a master's degree; however, any offer will be conditional on the successful completion of the degree at the required standard.

Students with significant finance and technology industry experience, or with relevant professional qualifications who have a minimum of a bachelor's degree in the relevant programmes listed above will be given due consideration on a case-by-case basis.

Please note: If you are currently studying for or have completed an undergraduate degree and do not yet have a Master's qualification, please consider applying for our MSc by Research programme. You can use this as a stepping stone on to any of our PhD programmes.

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEF iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (formerly CAE) / C2 Proficiency (formerly CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 59 in each component. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
  • Oxford ELLT (Global and Digital): 8 overall with at least 6 in each component.

Unless you are a national of a majority English speaking country, your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start of the month in which the programme you are applying to study begins. If you are using an IELTS Academic, TOEF iBT, Trinity ISE, PTE Academic, or Oxford ELLT test, it must be no more than two years old on the first of the month in which the programme begins, regardless of your nationality.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

For evidence of English competency we accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries.

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the start of the month in which your programme of study begins.

More on English language requirements

English language requirements

In order to apply for our Financial Technology programme you need to consider:

Which pathway do you wish to apply for?

  1. Non-industry pathway: study an independent research topic
  2. Industry pathway: apply for an industry project*

You may submit an application for both pathways, however please note that you will need to submit two separate applications.

*Please note, we currently do not have any industry pathway opportunities open for application.

Non-industry pathway

1. What is your research proposal?

2. Who do you intend to work with while undertaking your research?

We strongly recommend you make contact with a potential supervisor before applying. In your application, you must name your preferred supervisor (or up to three in order of preference) or the academic research area you wish to work in.

Choose a Supervisor

3. Do you have the supporting documents needed for your application?

Please be aware that only complete applications will be considered. Complete applications must contain all necessary documents, including a proposed supervisor or indicating a research group in the Business School.

Required documents guidelines

Industry pathway

1. What project do you want to join?

There are currently no open industry pathway opportunities. We will update this page as new projects become available.

2. Do you have the supporting documents needed for your application?

Please be aware that only complete applications will be considered. Complete applications must contain all necessary documents, including a proposed supervisor or indicating a research group in the Business School.

Required documents guidelines

Joining from overseas

If you are an international student, you may need to apply for permission to study in the UK. Our Edinburgh Global office on provides information on immigration and visa requirements for students.

Immigration information