Finance PhD at UIUC
The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) offers a rigorous and highly regarded PhD program in Finance, designed to prepare students for careers in academia. The program is housed within the Gies College of Business, known for its strong research faculty and commitment to innovation.
The curriculum is structured to provide a solid foundation in core areas of finance, economics, and econometrics. Students typically spend the first two years taking coursework covering topics such as asset pricing, corporate finance, financial econometrics, and microeconomic theory. A qualifying exam, usually taken after the second year, assesses the student’s grasp of these fundamental concepts and their readiness for independent research.
Following the qualifying exam, students focus primarily on research, working closely with faculty mentors to develop and refine their dissertation topics. The finance faculty at UIUC cover a wide range of research interests, including asset pricing, behavioral finance, corporate governance, derivatives, market microstructure, and real estate finance. This diverse expertise allows students to explore a variety of research areas and find mentors whose interests align with their own.
A distinctive feature of the UIUC Finance PhD program is its emphasis on quantitative skills. The program integrates advanced statistical and econometric techniques into its curriculum, equipping students with the tools necessary to conduct cutting-edge research. The availability of extensive data resources and computational facilities further supports students in their empirical investigations.
Admission to the UIUC Finance PhD program is highly competitive. Applicants are typically expected to have a strong academic record, including a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field such as finance, economics, mathematics, or statistics. Strong quantitative skills are essential, and prior research experience is highly valued. The admissions committee considers factors such as GPA, standardized test scores (GRE or GMAT), letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose outlining the applicant’s research interests and career goals.
Graduates of the UIUC Finance PhD program have a strong track record of placement at leading universities and business schools around the world. The program’s rigorous training, combined with the supportive research environment, prepares graduates to make significant contributions to the field of finance through their research and teaching.