PhD Studentships

The Centre for Policing Research and Learning have two opportunities for Masters (full or part-time) or PhD (part-time) study for start of studies in February 2023. Two part-funded fee options are currently available. For further information please visit the Centre for Policing Research and Learning website or Centre for Policing Research PhD website.

The closing date for applications is noon British Time on Thursday 1^st September, 2022.  Your proposal, covering letter, fully completed application form and copies of certificates and transcripts, should be emailed to fbl-phd@open.ac.uk by the closing time and date.

Interviews will form part of the selection process and will be held by the end of September, either in person or remotely via videoconference. Applicants are expected to give a 10 minute presentation about their proposal, followed by a question and answer session.

Please note that applications for the main Open University Business and Law Schools full-time fully, or partially funded, PhD studentships beginning 1 February 2023 have now closed. The only currently open applications are those above.  Applications for 1 October 2023 are likely to be advertised in October 2022.

If you chose to apply for an October 2023 intake and were successfully offered a place, you would join 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.

In order to be considered for a funded studentship your application should preferably be based on an advertised project (other topics may be considered subject to supervision availability). 

PhD studentships are based on full-time study for three years at the Milton Keynes campus. Students are normally expected to live within commuting distance of Milton Keynes. Studentships cover tuition fees, a generous research training support grant and a stipend (circa £16,062 per annum) for 36 months.

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
• 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

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.