How do I apply for a PhD in Art History?

The deadline for submitting your application always falls in early January; you then begin your studies first thing in October. If you are unsure about how you will meet this deadline, please contact us in good time, and at the latest in early December.

Before the deadline, your chance of success will increase the earlier that you start writing your research proposal. You need to do some preparatory work with the aid of these webpages and links, to check that your ‘big idea’ has the potential to be supervised by current members of the department, and that you can begin to answer the basic questions we use to assess the potential of your project.

Look at the staff pages to find out more about the research we do and to identify potential supervisors. Then you are ready to make contact with us, either directly to a potential supervisor, or to the academic who directs postgraduate research within the department via the email [email protected]. We will respond quickly, and if we are able to identify a good fit and a good idea, we will help you develop your application further. For more useful advise, visit the How to apply page on the OU reseasrch degree website.

When you are fully ready, check with us the relevant deadline, complete the appropriate application form on the OU research degree website, finalise your proposal document, and submit it. We will then formally assess your application and may invite you to an interview. This will be the deciding point in whether to accept your application to register as a doctoral student. If we accept you, this is a decision independent of any funding needs you may have.

Please read the following for further advice on writing your proposal and for answers about registering at the OU for a PhD.

Find out more about 'How to prepare a research project in Art History?'.