Research Fellow, Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics, Singapore
YUN SUHEE
Intake Year: 2019
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Finance, University of Seoul, Republic of Korea
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Professor Chen Xia (Singapore Management University, School of Accountancy)
Assistant Professor, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
WANG LUYING
Intake Year: 2019
Research Area: Asset Pricing
Highest Qualification: Master of Arts in Finance, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Sterling Huang (Singapore Management University, School of Accountancy)
Assistant Professor, Nankai University, China
ZHANG HANYU
Intake Year: 2018
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Finance, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Peter Joos (INSEAD)
Assistant Professor, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, China
JIN ZUBEN
Intake Year: 2017
Research Area: Asset Pricing
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Statistics (Financial Statistics), London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Assistant Professor Sungjune Pyun (National University of Singapore)
Assistant Professor, University of Bristol, England
SANG BO
Intake Year: 2017
Research Area: Asset Pricing
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Finance, Washington University in St. Louis, United States of America
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Assistant Professor Lin Tong (Fordham University)
Assistant Professor, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, China
CHEN ZILIN
Intake Year: 2016
Research Area: Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Statistics, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
Assistant Professor, CUNEF Universidad de Estudios Financieros, Spain
ANTONIA KIRILOVA
Intake Year: 2016
Research Area: Finance
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Science in International Economics, Management and Finance (Major in Finance), Bocconi University, Italy
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
Assistant Professor, University of International Business and Economics, China
LI HAOYUAN
Intake Year: 2015
Research Area: Corporate Finance, Behaviour Finance, PE/VC Investment
Highest Qualification: Master of Arts in Economics, Central University of Finance and Economics, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Gennaro Bernile (University of Miami)
Associate Professor, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, China
LI JIANGYUAN
Intake Year: 2015
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Finance, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Professor Junye Li (ESSEC Business School)
Assistant Professor of Finance, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, China
XUE SHUYU
Intake Year: 2015
Research Area: Corporate Finance, Corporate Governance
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Finance, Washington University in St. Louis, United States
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Assistant Professor Zhang Wei (SMU - School of Law)
AVP, GIC Private Limited, Singapore
CHENG HAO
Intake Year: 2014
Research Area: Asset Pricing and Risk Management
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Applied Finance, Singapore Management University, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Chen Ying (National University of Singapore)
Assistant Professor of Finance, Shenzhen Audencia Business School - Shenzhen University, China
DUAN XINRUI
Intake Year: 2014
Research Area: Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Science (Statistics), National University of Singapore, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Huang Sheng (China Europe International Business Schoo
Assistant Professor of Finance, Shenzhen Audencia Business School - Shenzhen University, China
GUO LI
Intake Year: 2014
Research Area: Asset Pricing, Portfolio Management, Risk Analysis
Highest Qualification: Master of Science (Applied Economics), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Visiting Professor Hai Lu (SMU - School of Accountancy)
Assistant Professor, Soongsil University, South Korea
HA JINGI
Intake Year: 2014
Research Area: Market Microstructure, Mutual and Hedge Funds
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Management Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Republic of Korea
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Gennaro Bernile (University of Miami)
Assistant Professor of Finance, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, China
SONG WANSHAN
Intake Year: 2014
Research Area: Finance
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Science in Finance, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Professor Ashish Tiwari (University of Iowa)
Lecturer, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore
GAO FEI
Intake Year: 2013
Research Area: Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Philosophy in Risk Management Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
- Assistant Professor Tong Qing
- Assistant Professor Huang Dashan
External Member:
- Associate Professor Cao Jie (The Chinese University of Hong Kong)
- Associate Professor Gennaro Bernile (University of Miami)
Assistant Professor of Finance, University of International Business and Economics, China
GAO MENG
Intake Year: 2013
Research Area: Empirical Corporate Finance, Corporate Governance, Board of Directors, Insider Trading, Credit Rating
Highest Qualification: Master of Social Sciences, University of Macau, Macau
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Huang Sheng (China Europe International Business School)
Associate of Technology Group Business Partnership and Solutions (Real Estate), GIC Private Limited, Singapore
YAP KIAN LEONG NELSON
Intake Year: 2013
Research Area: Option Pricing, High Frequency Trading
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Science (Applied Mathematics), National University of Singapore, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Chen Ying (National University of Singapore)
Associate Professor of Finance, University of Macau, Macau
ZHOU SILI
Intake Year: 2013
Research Area: Private Equity, Corporate Finance, Entrepreneurship, Political Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Arts in Economics, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
- Assistant Professor Cao Xiaping Jerry
- Assistant Professor Aurobindo Ghosh
External Member:
- Associate Professor Huang Sheng (China Europe International Business School)
Assistant Professor of Finance, University of International Business and Economics, China
ZHUANG YUAN
Intake Year: 2013
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Master's Degree in Finance, Sun Yat-sen University, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
Assistant Professor of Finance, East China University of Science and Technology, China
CHU LIYA
Intake Year: 2012
Research Area: Finance
Highest Qualification: Master in Economics (Finance), Xiamen University, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Professor Su Liangjun (SMU - School of Economics)
Assistant Professor of Finance, Capital University of Economics and Business, China
KANG MENGYAO
Intake Year: 2012
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Management, Beijing Jiaotong University, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Huang Sheng (China Europe International Business School)
Assistant Professor, Nanjing Audit University, China
LIU CHENXI
Intake Year: 2012
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Master's Degree (Accounting), Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
- Assistant Professor Tong Qing
- Associate Professor Fu Fangjian
External Member:
- Associate Professor Wang Jiwei (SMU - School of Accountancy)
Chief Investment Officer, Aijian Group, Shanghai
YU YIWEI
Intake Year: 2012
Research Area: Corporate Finance, PE/VC Investment, Corporate Innovation, IPO
Highest Qualification: Master of Arts (Major in Mathematics of Finance), Columbia University, USA
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
- Assistant Professor Cao Xiaping Jerry
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Professor Deng Yongheng (National University of Singapore)
Co-founder, Research Room Pte Ltd, Singapore
JONATHAN KHOO
Intake Year: 2011
Research Area: Corporate Finance, Real Estate Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Engineering, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor), USA
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
- Assistant Professor Cao Xiaping Jerry
- Assistant Professor Aurobindo Ghosh
External Member:
- Associate Professor Gary Caton (Montana State University)
Assistant Professor of Finance, Lingnan College, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
LENG TIECHENG
Intake Year: 2011
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Operations Management, Singapore Management University, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
- Assistant Professor Cao Xiaping Jerry
Dissertation Committee Members:
- Associate Professor Jeremy Goh
- Assistant Professor Gennaro Bernile
External Member:
- Assistant Professor Qian Meijun (NUS Business School)
Lecturer, Singapore Institute of Technology, Singapore
LI BINGQIAO
Intake Year: 2011
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Beijing International Studies University, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
- Assistant Professor Cao Xiaping Jerry
- Assistant Professor Aurobindo Ghosh
Assistant Professor of Finance, Fudan-Oceanwide International School of Finance, China
SUN LIN
Intake Year: 2011
Research Area: Hedge Funds, Mutual Funds, Private Equity
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Finance (Hons), National University of Singapore, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
- Assistant Professor Tang Yuehua
- Assistant Professor Cao Xiaping Jerry
External Member:
- Associate Professor Anthony Tay (SMU - School of Economics)
Postdoctoral Researcher,
School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China
WANG YUCHEN
Intake Year: 2011
Research Area: Institutional Investment, Asset Pricing
Highest Qualification: Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Wuhan University (Donghu), China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
Co-founder, TrioJent Group, Singapore
JACK HONG JIAJUN
Intake Year: 2010
Research Area: Information Asymmetry, Information Disclosure, Incentive Design, Text Analytics
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Business Management, Singapore Management University, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
- Assistant Professor Cao Xiaping Jerry
- Associate Professor Roger Loh
External Member:
- Professor Paul Malatesta (University of Washington)
Professor of Finance
School of Finance
Central University of Finance and Economics Beijing, China
JIANG FUWEI
Intake Year: 2010
Research Area: Asset Pricing, Return Predictability, Innovation, Behavioural Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Finance, Singapore Management University, Singapore, Master in Economics (Finance), Xiamen University, Wang Yanan Institute for Studies in Economics (WISE), Xiamen, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
- Assistant Professor Cao Xiaping Jerry
- Associate Professor Jeremy Goh
External Member:
- Professor Su Liangjun (SMU - School of Economics)
Co-founder, TrioJent Group, Singapore
KE JINGHAO
Intake Year: 2010
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Business Management, Singapore Management University, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
- Assistant Professor Cao Xiaping Jerry
- Assistant Professor Aurobindo Ghosh
External Member:
- Associate Professor Gary Caton (Montana State University)
Senior Lecturer, National University of Singapore, Singapore
LEE YEN TEIK
Intake Year: 2009
Research Area: Corporate Finance, Corporate Goverance, Social Networks, Credit Rating Agencies
Highest Qualification: PhD in Business (Finance), Singapore Management University, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
- Assistant Professor Aurobindo Ghosh
- Assistant Professor Cao Xiaping Jerry
External Member:
- Associate Professor Quoc-Anh Do (Department of Economics & LIEPP, Sciences Po)
Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, National University of Singapore, Singapore
NG WEE SENG
Intake Year: 2009
Research Area: Mutual Fund Performance Persistence, Mutual Fund Ratings, Corporate Goverance
Highest Qualification: PhD in Business (Finance), Singapore Management University, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
- Assistant Professor Aurobindo Ghosh
- Assistant Professor Cao Xiaping Jerry
External Member:
- Associate Professor Quoc-Anh Do (Department of Economics & LIEPP, Sciences Po)
LO YI-HSIN
Intake Year: 2019
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Finance, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Wei Chishen (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
FAN QI (ALFRED)
Intake Year: 2020
Research Area: Asset Pricing, Financial Modeling
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Quantitative Financial Economics, Duke University, United States of America
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
LO YI-HSIN
Intake Year: 2019
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Finance, The University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
External Member:
- Associate Professor Wei Chishen (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
FAN QI (ALFRED)
Intake Year: 2020
Research Area: Asset Pricing, Financial Modeling
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Quantitative Financial Economics, Duke University, United States of America
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
GONG RUXUE
Intake Year: 2020
Research Area: Asset Pricing
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Finance, Johns Hopkins University, United States of America
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
GENG XUEQING
Intake Year: 2021
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Finance, University of Chinese Academy of Science, China
Dissertation Committee
TBA
ZHAI YONGHAO (ARCHAELAKE)
Intake Year: 2021
Research Area: Asset Pricing
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics & Bachelor of Economics in Finance, Zhejiang University, China
Dissertation Committee
Research Advisor:
Dissertation Committee Members:
BAO YANLIN
Intake Year: 2022
Research Area: Behavioural Finance, Climate Finance, FinTech, Information in Financial Markets
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Financial Technology, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
Dissertation Committee
TBA
QIAN YARU
Intake Year: 2022
Research Area: Asset Pricing
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Financial Mathematics, The London School of Economics and Political Science, United Kingdom
Dissertation Committee
TBA
SOMPASSORN RUKSOMBOONDE
Intake Year: 2022
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Science in Asset and Wealth Management, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Dissertation Committee
TBA
MEI HAONAN
Intake Year: 2023
Research Area: Asset Pricing
Highest Qualification: Bachelor of Economics in Finance, Zhejiang University, China
Dissertation Committee
TBA
SUN YONGHENG
Intake Year: 2023
Research Area: Corporate Finance
Highest Qualification: Master of Finance, Xiamen University, China
Dissertation Committee
TBA
Enquiries may be directed to:-
Graduate Research Programmes Office
Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Singapore Management University
50 Stamford Road, #05-01
Singapore 178899
Tel: 65-6828 9585 / 65-6828 0896
Email : msc_phd_lkcsb@smu.edu.sg
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Programme Structure and Curriculum
The programme may only be taken on a full-time basis.
No, there is only one admission each year. It begins in August.
The first year of the PhD in Business (Finance) programme shares the same courses as the MSc in Finance programme. Students will proceed to Year 2 subject to fulfilling minimum GPA requirement and satisfactory completion of qualifying examination and oral presentation of thesis proposal. Candidates are to form Thesis Committee by the end of Year 1. Works on the thesis start in Year 2. Prior to the submission of the thesis, the student must complete 4 credit units of Advanced Research Topics (ARTs). Each ART can be a 1/2 or 1 credit unit course.
For more details, please refer to Programme Structure and Curriculum.
The duration of the PhD in Business (Finance) programme is usually 4 years.
These programmes are designed to have a predominant research component. Because of the tight academic schedule and work on thesis preparation, it will be extremely useful for students to have a good idea of their specific research topic at the point of admission.
Exemptions and waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis.
The programme is not offered by distance learning. The courses are conducted at SMU campus and candidates are expected to attend all the courses physically.
Admissions and Eligibility
The minimum requirements for admission to the programme are:
- Undergraduate Bachelor's degree
- Satisfactory GRE or GMAT results
Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. Applicants, whose undergraduate medium of instruction was not in English, are to sit for either TOEFL or IELTS.
Work experience is not a compulsory requirement.
More information can be obtained from the GMAT website and GRE website. The websites provide information about preparing and registering for the GMAT and GRE tests.
SMU's GMAT institution code is as follows:
- PhD in Business (Finance): F8D-7V-78
- PhD in Business (OBHR): F8D-7V-29
- PhD in Business (Marketing): F8D-7V-60
- PhD in Business (Strategic Management & Organisation): F8D-7V-28
- PhD in Business (Operations Management): F8D-7V-22
SMU's GRE institution code is 2861.
We do not have a minimum GMAT/GRE score as each applicant is evaluated on all the credentials.
You can send the rest of the application to us, even if you have not taken the GMAT/GRE. However we will not process your application without your GMAT/GRE score. You should fax us your unofficial scores as soon as you receive them and arrange with the test centre for the official score report to be sent to SMU.
No, GMAT/GRE is a compulsory requirement for every applicant regardless of the academic background and qualifications.
Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. Applicants, whose Undergraduate medium of instruction was not in English, are to sit for either TOEFL or IELTS. More information can be obtained from the TOEFL website and IELTS website. SMU's institution code for TOEFL is 9014.
We do not have a minimum TOEFL/IELTS score as each applicant is evaluated on all the credentials.
You can send the rest of the application to us, even if you have not taken the TOEFL/IELTS. However we will not process your application without your TOEFL/IELTS score. You should fax us your unofficial scores as soon as you receive them and arrange with the test centre for the official score report to be sent to SMU.
Applications
To apply for the PhD in Business (Finance), please submit an online application via our website at
/phd-business-finance-research/admissions-fees-scholarships
Yes, there is a non-refundable application fee of S$15.
Scholarships will be available to outstanding candidates for the full-time programme by research.
Scholarship
| Citizenship | PhD | |
| Before Qualifying Exam | After Qualifying Exam | |
| Singapore Citizen | S$2,700 | S$3,200 |
| Singapore PR | S$2,200 | S$2,700 |
| Foreign Students | S$2,000 | S$2,500 |
Scholarship recipients are expected to be teaching/research assistants during the term of the scholarship. There will not be additional pay for the teaching/research assistantships.
The award of scholarship is at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.
Teaching
Insurance
Please refer to Postgraduate Insurance website here.
For enquiries on Insurance Coverage, Claims Status and Procedures, please contact
Ms Loh May Yee of MYCG & Partners Pte Ltd
Representing NTUC Income Insurance Co-operative Limited
Mobile: +65 9762 2062
Office: +65 8118 6924
Email : smu@mycg.com.sg
Please visit this page again for updates on information session dates.
The tenure-track faculty are actively involved in teaching in the PhD programme and mentoring PhD students.
PROGRAMME COORDINATOR
Admission Requirements
- Undergraduate Bachelor's degree
- GRE or GMAT
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Purpose
- 2 referee reports (A link will be sent to your referees' email directly; Please ensure that you have entered the official organisational email address of your referees accurately.)
TOEFL/ IELTS
Applicants must show proficiency in the English language. Applicants, whose medium of instruction at the Bachelor's/Master's level was not in English, are to sit for either TOEFL or IELTS.
PhD Programme Fees and Tuition
Please refer to SMU PhD Programme Fees page for detailed and latest breakdown of fees and tuition. SMU scholarship provides waiver of the registration fee as well as full subsidised tuition for all students admitted into the programme from August 2016 intake.
SMU Scholarship
The scholarships provides waiver of the registration fee and full subsidised tuition for all the full-time PhD students admitted into the programme. Subject to satisfactory progress1, scholars also receive a monthly living stipend. The maximum scholarship duration is 4 years for PhD programmes. Beyond the scholarship duration, students may receive continued support through research assistantship (RA) or teaching assistantship (TA).
1 At the end of each year, the School will assess the student's academic performance and recommend whether to renew the scholarship.
Monthly Living Stipend
| Citizenship | PhD | |
| Before Qualifying Exam *wef 1 Jan 2024 | After Qualifying Exam *wef 1 Jan 2024 | |
| Singapore Citizen | S$3,200 | S$3,700 |
| Singapore Permanent Resident | S$2,800 | S$3,300 |
| Foreign Student | S$2,500 | S$3,000 |
- From August 2015, Singapore Citizens will be provided with 17% CPF contribution
SMU PGR Scholars are not allowed to take up any other gainful employment during the period of their scholarship without prior approval from the University.
As part of their Post-Graduate by Research training, SMU PGR Scholars are expected to work, without extra remuneration, as part-time Research Assistant/Teaching Assistant for up to seven hours per week.
Conference Funding
Students are encouraged to attend academic conferences, and to present research papers at conferences. PhD students with papers accepted for presentation at reputable conferences may apply for funding up to a maximum of S$4,000.
Presidential Doctoral Fellowship
Presidential Doctoral Fellowships are awarded to outstanding PhD students. Students awarded the fellowship received a higher monthly stipend for one year, and additional conference support of up to S$4,000 during the award period.
Postgraduate Insurance
For more information on Postgraduate Insurance, please click here.
Application
Applicants should indicate in their applications which programme they are applying for. Admission will be subject to the consideration by the Admission Committee.
How to Apply
Please click here on General Instructions for completing your Application.
For Applicant's Self Service Guide, click here .
For Applicant's Guide to Admissions, click here .
Online Application:
Online Application opens from 1 Aug 2024 - 31 Dec 2024 for AY2025 Aug Intake.
*If your application is received early, we may be able to interview you earlier and make you an early offer.
For New User | For Existing User | For Existing User (Created before 16 December 2024) |
You need to first register for an account with SMU before you can submit an online application form. Click on "Register New Account" below to proceed. | If you have already created an account with SMU, please go directly to the Login page to proceed with your application. | SMU has launched a new application portal on 16 December 2024. If you have already created an account with SMU, please go directly to the Login page to proceed with your application. |
| Login Now |
Students are encouraged to complete the programme in 4 years.
The minimum duration of the programme is three years. Most students, however, are expected to take about four years to complete the programme. The maximum registration duration of the programme is five years, unless special approval for a longer duration is given by SMU.
The curriculum consists of
- 6 Foundation courses (6 course units)
- 2 Electives (2 course units)
- 4 Advanced Research Topics (ART) courses (4 course units)
The programme also requires the preparation and completion of a PhD Dissertation (28 course units).
Programme Schedule (Sample)
| Year | Term 1 (Aug - Nov) | Term 2 (Jan - Apr) | Term 3 (May - Aug) |
| 1 | Foundation courses Elective courses | Foundation courses Elective courses | Research |
| 2 | ART courses Research Prepare Dissertation Proposal | ART courses Research Pass PhD Qualifying Exam Form Dissertation Committee | Research |
| 3 | Submit Written Dissertation Proposal Oral Defence of Dissertation Proposal Dissertation Research | Dissertation Research | Dissertation Research |
| 4 | Dissertation Research | Dissertation Research (i) Submit written report of completed Dissertation Research (ii) Oral defence of completed Dissertation | (i) Revise and/or re-submit Dissertation Report (ii) Submit Approved Dissertation Report to LKCSB PGR Office (iii) Dissertation Report from LKCSB PGR Office to GSO for approval |
Year 1 & 2 | Years 3-4 |
Six research foundation courses including: Foundations of Business Research Two electives: PhD level seminars in disciplines outside Finance, eg. Microeconomics II Four Advanced Research Topics (ART) courses: Corporate Governance: Financial Perspective Each course meets three hours per week during the Term. | Completion of PhD Dissertation Students are expected to form the PhD Committee in Year 2, including selection of a PhD Supervisor. Then, under the supervision of the PhD Supervisor, students will prepare and defend their dissertation proposal, conduct dissertation research, and conduct a final defence of the dissertation. Graduation Requirements PhD in Business (Finance)
|
*As a matter of practice, however, the Programme would plan 2 electives and 2 ART courses for any incoming new batch of students to complete. Students who have taken the assigned electives and ARTs courses may, at the approval of the programme director, register to take additional elective(s) and/or ART courses. Two ART units are set aside as Independent Study to be completed with the supervisor or potential supervisor. These are also graded. All 6 foundation courses, 2 electives, and 4 ART units are to be completed before the Qualifying Examinations that will take place during the second year of study.Students who fail courses or the Qualifying Examinations may be asked to leave the programme without a chance to retake.
