PhD Opportunities in the Faculty of Business and Law

Closing Date: Tuesday 21st February 2023 at 12:00 UK time

Interviews to take place: March and April 2023

The Open University Business and Law Schools invite applications to join our PhD programme beginning 1 October 2023. We have a number of fully funded full-time studentships as well as potential fee bursaries. Your application should be based on one of the advertised projects. In addition, we also welcome full- and part-time applications in other areas of business, management and law, including on a self-funded basis, dependent on supervision availability.

You will 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.

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 a specialist masters in a subject relevant to the intended study with a strong research element.

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 will 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.

The closing date for applications is noon UK time on Tuesday 21st February 2023. Your proposal, covering letter, fully completed application form and copies of certificates and transcripts including IELTS certificate, 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 in March or April, 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.

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.