The Open University Business School

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Research degrees

The Open University Business School (OUBS) provides a lively and stimulating interdisciplinary research environment for PhD students. As a PhD student in OUBS you will be provided with the resources and support you need to enable you to fulfil your intellectual potential and generate research impact in your chosen field.

Doctoral researchers are fully integrated into the School’s academic and research community through regular seminars and social activities. Key to your development are the learning opportunities enabled by The Open University Graduate School and research training provided within the Faculty of Business and Law. We are also members of the ESRC Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership.

Many of our PhD students go on to build successful academic careers internationally. Other OUBS students use the PhD as a platform for continuing professional development in a wide variety of occupations, from policing and international development work to management consultancy and international finance.

See the latest news from our PhD students on our news page.

Doctoral students are affiliated to one of four academic departments in the School:

We currently have over 65 PhD students investigating a wide range of research topics.

Full-time research students are based at our Milton Keynes campus.

Part-time research students are normally resident in the UK and attend regular meetings at The Open University Business School.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to view the School’s research and people pages for further information about specific areas of research expertise. For further information about our PhD Programme please contact us.

Full-time fully-funded studentships

The Open University Business School offers fully-funded full-time PhD studentships, starting on 1 October and 1 February every year. Applicants should have minimum qualifications of an upper second class honours degree 2:1 and usually a specialist masters in a subject relevant to the intended study with a strong research element.