PhD Studentships

Applications for studentships within The Open University's Faculty of Business and Law beginning in February 2025 have now closed. Applications for entry in October 2025 will open in Autumn 2024.  

You will join the Faculty of Business and Law who conduct research of the highest international standard that has economic, public and social value consistent with the mission of the Open University. You will work with subject specialists and have the opportunity to develop your skills in research communication, engagement and impact.

Your application should be based on one of the projects that will be advertised below. We also welcome full-time and part-time applications in other areas of business, management and law, including on a self-funded basis, dependent on supervision availability.

PhD studentships are based on full-time study for three years at the Milton Keynes campus. Full-time students are expected to live within easy commuting distance of Milton Keynes. Fully-funded studentships cover tuition fees, and a stipend (circa £18,622 per annum) for 36 months. A generous research training support grant is allocated to all students accepted into the programme to cover research related costs including fieldwork.

Your application must include:

• a proposal which should be at least 1,000 words and no longer than 2,000 words, which indicates your knowledge of the literature, methods and likely approach to your project of interest (guidance on how to write your research proposal)
• a covering letter indicating your suitability for the project, and a CV
• a fully completed application form
• copies of degree certificates and transcripts relevant to your application
• IELTS Academic (if applicable) - if you are not exempt, as per Tables 1 and 2 of the application form (page 17), the University will require you to complete an English language test (International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Test certificates must be no older than 2 years (from date of submission of application), with scores of at least 6.0 in each of the 4 categories and at least 6.5 overall (or approved equivalent). You should have your level of proficiency certified through a provider approved by UK Visas and Immigration, and provide your certificate and scores with your application.

Interviews will form part of the selection process and will be held either in person or remotely via video-conference. Applicants are expected to give a 10 minute presentation about their proposal, followed by a question and answer session lasting up to 45 minutes.

You are welcome to attend our 'Preparing Your PhD Application Workshop' (time and date to be confirmed). This online 1.5 hour workshop with faculty academics will address questions on whether studying a PhD is right for you, what to consider when applying, what it’s like to do a PhD at the Open University, and how to best craft a research proposal that aligns with advertised project calls.

Please ensure to thoroughly check your application before submission, as incomplete applications will not be considered.