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PhD Funded Studentship Opportunities

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The OU offers funded studentships, either wholly or with an element of matched funding from an external partner in industry, government or a public body. Each faculty will have different funds available, and different criteria for eligibility. This varies from year to year. The studentships will have particular terms and conditions relating to Intellectual Property, registration periods, location of study and periods of leave.

You can find out more about our research and a list of topics which tell you more about specific areas of research, current and prospective projects, entry requirements, available supervisors and contact details for advice. By visiting Research Degree Areas | Research Degrees | Open University

How To Apply

More details on how to apply to our Studentship opportunities can be found at MPhil and PhD Application | Research | Open University

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To apply please complete an

You will need to check the advert for what else is required for that opportunity and send your application with any additional requirements to the email address provided within the advert.

Vacancies and opportunities

Below are the current vacancies available:


PhD Studentships in the School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences

Unit :  Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Salary :  stipend of £19,273 per annum
Please quote reference :  PhD Studentships in the School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences
Closing Date :  8 January, 2025 - 17:00

PhD Studentships in The School of Mathematics and Statistics

Unit: Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

Salary: stipend £19,237 per annum

Location: Milton Keynes

Closing Date: 27 January 2025, 12 noon 

Terms: Available from 1 October 2025 

Funded and Self Funded PhD Opportunities in the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS)

Unit: Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies (WELS)

Stipend £18,622 (circa) per annum

Location: Milton Keynes

Closing Date: 31 January 2025

Interviews: March/April 2025

Grand Union ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentships

Grand Union ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership Studentships

The Open University

Stipend: Approximately £19,237 per annum

Closing Date: Midday – Tuesday 7th January 2025

Interview date: Early February 2025

PhD Opportunities in the Faculty of Business and Law

Unit: Faculty of Business and Law (FBL)

Stipend: £18,622 (circa) per annum

Location: Milton Keynes

Closing Date: 7 January 2025 at 23:59 (GMT)

Interviews: February and March 2025

Open Oxford Cambridge AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award Studentship The Open University in partnership with The Vegan Society

Project: The Birth of Veganism: Documenting the emergence and organisation of the vegan movement in Britain in the 20th century

Stipend: Approximately £19,237 per annum for 3 years and 3 months for full time (£9,893 per annum for 6 years 6 months for part-time)

Closing Date: Midday – Tuesday 7 January 2025

Interview date: Early February 2025

Open Oxford Cambridge AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award Studentship The Open University in partnership with the Churchill Archives Centre at Churchill College, University of Cambridge

Project: Losing an Empire and Finding a Role: Britain in the World ca 1940 – 1990

Stipend: Approximately £19,237 per annum for 3 years and 3 months for full time (£9,893 per annum for 6 years 6 months for part-time)

Closing Date: Midday – Tuesday 7 January 2025

Interview date: Early February 2025

Open Oxford Cambridge AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award Studentship The Open University in partnership with Age UK, Salford

Project: Empowering families affected by dementia: building emotional resilience and supporting the health and well-being of family caregivers

Stipend: Approximately £19,217 per annum for 3 years and 3 months for full time (£9,893 per annum for 6 years 6 months for part-time)

Closing Date: Midday – Tuesday 7 January 2025

Interview date: Early February 2025

Open Oxford Cambridge AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award Studentship The Open University in partnership with British Taekwondo

Project: Exploring women’s experiential narratives in martial arts and combat sports

Stipend: Approximately £19,217 per annum for 3 years and 3 months for full time (£9,893 per annum for 6 years 6 months for part-time)

Closing Date: Midday – Tuesday 7 January 2025

Interview date: Early February 2025

Open Oxford Cambridge AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award Studentship The Open University in partnership with Transport for London (TfL)

Project: Art on the Underground, 1986-2020: contemporary legacies of a modernist project

Stipend: Approximately £19,237 per annum for 3 years and 3 months for full time (£9,893 per annum for 6 years 6 months for part-time)

Closing Date: Midday – Tuesday 7 January 2025

Interview date: Early February 2025

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Visit the Open University careers site to see all roles.

Contact us

  • For generic queries about research degree study at The Open University please email the Graduate School or telephone +44 (0)1908 653806.
  • For queries about the research area you wish to study, please use the contact details given in the 'Get in touch' section of each Research topic page.