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PhD Studentships

For the academic year 2023-24 (start date 1 October 2023) the deadline for Business School studentship applications has now passed. 

We have a vibrant environment of students and academics in 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.

PhD studentships are based on full-time study for three years at the Milton Keynes campus. Full-time students are normally expected to live within commuting distance (40 miles or 40 minutes) of Milton Keynes. Fully funded studentships cover tuition fees, and a stipend (circa £17668 per annum) for 36 months. Partially funded full or part-time studentships cover tuition fees. A generous research training support grant is allocated to all students accepted into the programme.

Applicants for the PhD programme should have minimum qualifications of an upper second class honours degree 2:1 (or an equivalent) or usually a specialist masters in a subject relevant to the intended study with a strong research element.

Before we consider applications, we need to receive: 

  • 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
  • a fully completed application form
  • copies of degree certificates and transcripts relevant to your application
  • If your first language is not English, you may need to verify your competence in the English Language in all four elements (reading, writing, listening and speaking). The University requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any of the four categories (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 grade with your application. Please refer to the application form for further details. Please note that a current IELTS must be submitted at the time of application and cannot be completed later.
  • Incomplete applications will not be accepted

Please note that PhD by Published works is only available to internal OU staff and staff based at our Affiliated Research Centres

If you are applying to the FBL PhD Programme as a Centre for Policing Research and Learning PhD student please see here for further information about the process and application deadlines.

Further information

We welcome full-time and part-time self-funded applications in topics in Business and Law, dependent on supervision availability and you can apply for a faculty studentship with a research proposal that is not related to one of these advertised projects.  If you have any questions regarding our PhD studentships or about studying with The Open University Law School please contact us.

If you have any questions regarding our PhD studentships or about studying with The Open University Business School please contact us.