Welcoming the 2026 PhD in Finance cohort to EDHEC
A new academic year has begun for the EDHEC PhD in Finance, with the 2026 cohort starting the programme on the Nice campus.
This year, 22 experienced finance professionals from 14 different countries have joined the programme, bringing together diverse professional backgrounds, areas of expertise and perspectives.
Starting the year together
The week began with a Welcome Session, giving the new cohort an opportunity to meet, share their professional journeys and aspirations, and discover what lies ahead over the coming three years.
The week also offered plenty of opportunities to connect beyond the classroom. Students came together for lunches and dinners with members of the EDHEC Finance Faculty, creating opportunities for informal discussions and exchanges across different areas of finance.
For professionals who have built established careers in finance, returning to an academic environment represents a new intellectual challenge alongside their professional and personal commitments. From the outset, the cohort has begun building connections and engaging with new perspectives that will shape their experience at EDHEC over the years ahead.
From day one, straight into the programme
The first week also marked the beginning of classes, with students already engaging with three key areas of the programme:
Discrete Time Financial Economics, taught by Abraham Lioui, Professor of Finance, exploring the theoretical foundations of modern financial economics, from investment decisions under uncertainty and asset pricing to the term structure of interest rates.
Doing PhD Research in Finance, taught by Nikolaos Tessaromatis, Professor of Finance and Academic Director of the programme, providing students with the skills to formulate meaningful questions, assess existing knowledge, design rigorous research and develop a credible research proposal.
Foundations of Econometrics, taught by Mirco Rubin, Associate Professor of Econometrics and Director of the PhD in Finance, equipping students with the methodological tools needed to analyse complex financial questions.
The cohort also took part in a Research Workshop led by Teodor Dyakov, who presented his ongoing work on Global Production and Emission Networks. During the one-hour session, students had the opportunity to explore his current work and discuss the ideas and questions emerging from his research.
Together, these first sessions set the tone for a programme that combines advanced finance knowledge, analytical rigour and engagement with leading ideas shaping the field.
Engaging with EDHEC’s Finance Faculty
Beyond the classroom, the first week also introduced students to the breadth of expertise within EDHEC’s Finance Faculty. Through their classes, the research workshop and informal exchanges over lunches and dinners, students had the opportunity to engage with faculty members working across a wide range of areas in finance.
This close interaction is an important part of the PhD in Finance experience, allowing experienced professionals to challenge their thinking, deepen their expertise and explore new perspectives on the complex issues shaping the financial industry.
A new chapter begins
With the first classes now underway, the 2026 cohort has officially embarked on its three-year journey at EDHEC.
As they continue to combine their professional experience with advanced finance knowledge and analytical skills, we look forward to following the ideas, discussions and work that will emerge from this new cohort over the years ahead.
