Doctorate (PhD)
The Doctoral program in Decision, Risk and Financial Sciences at the University of Melbourne in the Department of Finance provides training in the conceptual principles and research techniques across the social, biological and mathematical sciences fields that analyse human decision-making and problem-solving in the context of risk and complexity at individual and market levels. Students will draw on experimental methods and conceptual principles to deliver solutions to key research questions relating to decision-making, risk and financial sciences.
Attend a webinar
The program is made up of a 2-year Master of Commerce coursework program followed by a 3-year PhD.
Generous scholarships (full fee waivers and a stipend of AUD$30,000 per year) are available for high-performing applicants through the University of Melbourne.
Top-up funding of AUD $10,000 available for research, experiments and conferences during the research phase of the program.
Training is provided by leading researchers from the Faculty of Business and Economics, the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and the Melbourne School of Engineering. It includes two lab rotations in labs at the University of Melbourne or elsewhere.
After the coursework phase, students will conduct their research projects in a lab at the University of Melbourne, such as the Brain, Mind and Markets Lab. Research projects can span multiple disciplines and labs.
The program is located in Parkville, one of the largest precincts for biomedical research in the world, which provides access to cutting-edge research facilities, including state-of-the-art biomedical imaging platforms.
The Faculty of Business and Economics also has excellent relationships with industry and government, and the program encourages students to conduct research in collaboration with private and public sector partners.
Successful candidates for the five-year doctoral program are first admitted into the coursework program Master of Commerce (Decision, Risk and Financial Sciences) (CRICOS: 092761G). The coursework component consists of 200 points over two years. Students who complete the coursework at the required level will proceed to the PhD degree where they will complete the thesis, typically in three years.
View subject options
Students who complete the coursework at the required level will proceed to the PhD degree where they will complete the thesis, typically in three years.
The Doctor of Philosophy degree is awarded on the basis of a thesis of approximately 80,000-100,000 words, in which candidates report on an independent, sustained and academically supervised research project investigating a specialised topic.
The Melbourne Business School Doctoral program prepares graduates for research and teaching careers at top-ranked educational institutions and for careers where world-class research and advanced analytical skills are necessary.
Find out more about where our graduates go
Applicants to the University of Melbourne must use the online application form to apply for all graduate research degrees and to make a scholarship application (ensure you apply for course code: DR-PHILBE). International applicants may also apply through a University of Melbourne registered Overseas Representative.
Please be sure to attach in full all relevant supporting documents (previous academic transcripts, evidence of English language requirements, GMAT/GRE score sheets). We will not be able to assess your application without these documents.
To support your application, you will need to nominate two referees who can comment on your academic ability and research potential in the University's referee report forms, which will automatically be sent out to those academics to complete. Applicants who graduated from the University of Melbourne within the last 5 years only need to provide the names and contact details for two academic referees as part of their application.
All referee reports must be submitted using the online tool. On submission of your application, your referees will be emailed a link to access the online referee form and they must provide their references using this online form. You will be notified when they submit the reference. Your application may be deemed as incomplete if the referee reports are not submitted before the application closing dates.