National Taiwan University

What you'll study

The programme combines advanced coursework, research seminars and a substantial original dissertation. Core topics include microeconomic theory for finance, advanced asset pricing, corporate finance theory, financial econometrics, and market microstructure. Students typically take modules in applied time-series analysis, panel data methods, Bayesian econometrics, and machine learning for finance to support empirical work.

Regular research seminars and workshops expose students to current literature in areas such as asset pricing, corporate governance, banking and financial intermediation, behavioural finance, and fintech. Early-stage work emphasises methodological training — rigorous theory, formal modelling and empirical identification — followed by supervised independent research leading to a doctoral thesis.

• Advanced Microeconomic and Asset Pricing Theory
• Corporate Finance Theory and Empirical Methods
• Financial Econometrics and Time-Series Analysis
• Market Microstructure and Trading Models
• Seminars in Current Finance Research
• Research Methods, Computational Finance and Data Science Applications

Structure

Doctoral students usually complete formal coursework and qualifying examinations in the first one to two years, followed by comprehensive assessments and a dissertation proposal. After approval of the proposal, candidates pursue original research under the guidance of faculty supervisors. Teaching assistantship duties and participation in departmental seminars are common components of the training experience.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. Strong preparation in economics, finance, mathematics and statistics is required; many successful applicants hold a master’s degree in finance, economics, statistics or a related discipline. Evidence of quantitative ability through coursework in real analysis, linear algebra, probability and econometrics is strongly recommended.

• Official academic transcripts and degree certificates
• A concise research statement or proposal outlining intended research interests
• Letters of recommendation (typically two or three) from academic or professional referees
• Proof of English proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English (tests such as TOEFL or IELTS may be requested)
• CV highlighting research experience, publications, programming skills and relevant coursework

Applicants may be invited to a written or oral interview. Specific criteria and any required test scores are detailed on the university’s graduate admissions pages; prospective students should consult those resources for the most current information.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD in Finance go on to careers in academia as faculty members and researchers at universities worldwide. Other common paths include research roles in central banks and government agencies, analyst and research positions in investment banks, asset management firms and hedge funds, and senior quantitative or risk-management roles in financial institutions and fintech companies.

Alumni also work in consultancy, economic policy institutes and data-driven finance roles where high-level empirical and modelling skills are valued. The programme’s focus on original research and advanced quantitative methods prepares graduates for positions that require independent problem-solving and scholarly publication.

Why study at National Taiwan University

National Taiwan University offers a research-intensive environment within one of the region’s leading comprehensive universities. The College of Management and its finance faculty conduct active research across theoretical and empirical areas, providing students with access to expert supervision and a strong seminar culture.

NTU’s location in Taipei gives students proximity to Taiwan’s financial industry, regulators and research institutions, facilitating collaborations, data access and internship opportunities. Students also benefit from university research resources, libraries, computing facilities and international exchange networks that support interdisciplinary and comparative research in finance.

For prospective doctoral researchers seeking a rigorous quantitative finance education with close faculty mentoring and links to the regional finance community, NTU provides a well-established platform for advancing both academic and professional careers.