National Chengchi University

What you'll study

The PhD is a research-focused programme that combines advanced coursework, rigorous empirical and theoretical training, and an original doctoral dissertation. Students study core quantitative foundations alongside specialised insurance and risk topics, and they develop proficiency in research methods and academic communication.

• Core quantitative and mathematical training: advanced probability and stochastic processes, statistical inference, survival analysis, time series and panel data econometrics, and financial mathematics.
• Actuarial and insurance theory: life contingencies, non-life loss models, credibility theory, ruin theory and risk theory, survival models and model selection for insurance data.
• Financial risk and asset-liability management: credit risk modelling, market risk, derivatives and hedging, portfolio theory, and enterprise risk management (ERM) frameworks.
• Applied and computational methods: loss reserving, reinsurance design, catastrophe modelling, simulation techniques, machine learning and big-data analytics applied to pricing, underwriting and claims.
• Regulation, public policy and behavioural aspects: insurance regulation and supervision, solvency regimes, behavioural insurance economics and consumer protection issues.
• Research seminars and teaching practice: participation in departmental workshops, presentation of working papers, and opportunities to assist in undergraduate or masters teaching.

Programme structure typically involves an initial phase of taught modules and research methodology training, followed by comprehensive/qualifying examinations and the development and defence of a doctoral dissertation supervised by faculty. Students are expected to produce publishable research in international peer-reviewed journals.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a relevant master's degree (for example in risk management, actuarial science, statistics, finance, economics, mathematics or a closely related field) with a strong academic record. Exceptional candidates with a relevant bachelor's degree and substantial research or professional experience may also be considered.

• Academic transcripts from previous degree(s) showing strong quantitative coursework.
• A clear research proposal outlining intended research questions, methodology and how the project fits with departmental strengths.
• Letters of recommendation (typically two or three) from academic or professional referees who can assess research potential.
• Evidence of quantitative and programming skills; familiarity with statistical software (R, Python, MATLAB, or equivalent) is expected.
• Language proficiency: applicants should meet the university's requirements for the language of instruction; evidence of English proficiency may be requested for non-native speakers if coursework or supervision is conducted in English.
• Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview with potential supervisors and departmental faculty.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD programme pursue careers in both academia and industry. Many go on to research and teaching positions at universities or research institutes, while others take senior analytic and leadership roles in the public and private sectors.

• Academic and research: university faculty, postdoctoral researcher, policy research roles in think tanks and research centres.
• Insurance and reinsurance industry: actuarial scientist, pricing and reserving analyst, catastrophe modeller, reinsurance structurer, chief risk officer.
• Finance and consulting: risk manager, quantitative analyst, credit risk specialist, consultancies advising on risk transfer, solvency and regulatory compliance.
• Public sector and regulation: roles in financial supervisors, insurance regulators, ministries and international organisations focusing on insurance policy, consumer protection and systemic risk.
• Data science and technology: senior data scientist, machine learning engineer working on insurance analytics, telematics, and insurtech product development.

Why study at National Chengchi University

National Chengchi University (NCCU) is widely recognised for its strengths in business, economics and social sciences, and the Department of Risk Management and Insurance benefits from that interdisciplinary environment. Students gain access to faculty with expertise in actuarial science, insurance economics, financial risk and applied statistics.

• Industry links and location: NCCU's location in Taipei provides proximity to Taiwan's insurance and financial centre, facilitating industry collaborations, internships and guest seminars.
• Research environment: active departmental seminars, opportunities to collaborate across departments (finance, statistics, economics) and access to regional datasets for empirical research.
• Supervision and publication focus: emphasis on producing internationally publishable research with supervision tailored to quantitative and applied projects.
• Career support: networks with alumni in insurance, reinsurance, consulting and regulatory agencies help graduates move into senior analytic and leadership roles after completion.