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:

UKSA funded PHD - To the Lifeboats: Fluid inclusions as the last habitable environments on Mars

Unit:  Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Salary:  £20,780 stipend + allocated research training budget
Location:  Milton Keynes
Please quote reference:  PhD Studentship at The School of Environment, Earth and Ecosystem Sciences.
Closing Date:  10 April, 2025 – 12.00 (noon)


Full Time PhD Studentship at The School of Physical Sciences, STEM Faculty

Unit :  School of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Salary :  £20,780 stipend and an additional allocated research training budget. 
Location :  Milton Keynes
Project Title: Demonstration of Deterministic QC with one clean qubit (DQC1) on a neutral atom array.

Please quote reference :  PhD Studentship at the School of Physical Sciences

This full time, fully-funded studentship is available from 1 October 2025 with duration of 3.5 years.  
Closing Date:  9th April 2025 - 17:00. Interviews will take place remotely, shortly after the closing date. 


Arts and Humanities Research Council funded PhD Studentship

Unit:  Faculty of Arts and Social Science (FASS)
Salary:  Approximately £21,380 per annum and tuition fees covered
Location:  Hybrid
Please quote reference:  Netherlandish networks: Home-making in an age of emerging global capitalism (1565-1799)
4 year - Project title: Netherlandish networks: Home-making in an age of emerging global capitalism (1565-1799)
Closing Date:  07 April, 2025 - 12:00


PhD Studentships in The Faculty of Business and Law

Unit:  The Faculty of Business and Law (FBL)
Salary:  Stipend £19,237 (circa) per annum
Location:  Hybrid
Please quote reference:  PhD Studentships in The Faculty of Business and Law
Closing Date:  9 June 2025 23:59


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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.