Postgraduate Research

As a postgraduate research student in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences you will be part of a thriving interdisciplinary research environment. You will join about 200 other postgraduate research students working in campus, full-time or part-time, as well as at a distance. The Open University’s expertise in distance learning means that you can benefit from a tailored and expertly designed online postgraduate training programme, and work with supervisory teams skilled at mentoring students virtually and at a distance.

As a research student, you will conduct your research with the support of a team of supervisors and participate in a full range of activities, including academic skills and career development workshops, research seminars and conferences, both online and in campus. You will be a member of one or more FASS research groups and centres and have the opportunity to gain teaching experience. You will also have access to an extensive collection of digital journals, books and archives available through the Open University’s library, as well access to research libraries close to where you are based through the SCONUL scheme.

In FASS, you may apply for an MPhil only or an MPhil/PhD programme.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

An MPhil is an advanced postgraduate qualification in which the student develops a deeper understanding of the core principles of research as well as the ability to conduct independent research. Students studying for an MPhil are supported by a team of supervisors, an independent advisor, and, along with other research students, take part in a training programme that ensures proficiency in relevant research methods and techniques. The research conducted as part of the MPhil is expected to make a distinct contribution to scholarship in a chosen field. 

Depending on mode of study (FT or PT) an MPhil takes a minimum of 15 months, for a full-time student, and a maximum of 72 months, for a part-time student.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

A PhD is a higher postgraduate qualification awarded to candidates who demonstrate the creation and interpretation of new knowledge, through original research which extends the forefront of the discipline and merits publication.

Students studying for a PhD initially register for an MPhil, with the possibility of progressing to PhD upon successful completion of an upgrade assessment at the end of their first year, if full-time, or 2nd year, if part-time. Students are supported by a team of supervisors, an independent advisor and, along with other research students, take part in a training programme that develops their academic, research and professional skills. 

Depending on mode of study an PhD takes a minimum of 24 months, for a full-time student, and a maximum of 96 months, for a part-time student.

Criteria for entry

Applicants seeking admission to the degree of MPhil or MPhil with the possibility of transfer to PhD should hold the minimum of an upper second-class honours degree, or a Master’s degree in an appropriate cognate area from a UK university or other recognised degree-awarding body. The comparability of qualifications from outside the UK with The Open University requirements are determined through reference to UK ENIC. Where English is not the applicant’s first language, they must demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English for successful study at research degree standard. 

Individual disciplines in FASS may have additional entry requirements. Visit the postgraduate pages of the relevant School or Discipline for more information about entry requirements, research areas, potential supervisors, and contact details of Post-Graduate Convenors who can support you in the application process.

Doctoral Studentships

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is partner in ESRC and AHRC funded consortia which offer doctoral studentships on a competitive basis.

The Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) is ESRC-funded and it is a partnership between The Open University, the University of Oxford and Brunel University London. Further information is available at the OU postgraduate research prospectus and FASS Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership page.

FASS is also part of two AHRC Focal Awards Consortia:

Lles: A Welsh Hub for Doctoral Focal Awards in the Arts and Humanities. Lles is a consortium of all Wales’ universities, working in partnership with Welsh public and third-sector bodies. It funds and trains PhD students to investigate issues relating to wellbeing through the arts and humanities. Lles is a Welsh word that means ‘benefit’ or ‘wellbeing’. Its use is intended to capture both how students will benefit from training and career development and how their research on wellbeing will be for the benefit of wider society in Wales and beyond. For more information about Lles, see here [link to follow].

A Golden Thread: Crafting the Creative Economy from Scotland’s Highlands, Lowlands and Islands. 'A Golden Thread' is a Scotland-wide programme of doctoral research training and enterprise development support, led by the Glasgow School of Arts Rural Lab in partnership with The Open University and Scotland's Rural College. Craft is a key theme for the programme ‘A Golden Thread’, and all proposals should demonstrate a strong Craft foundation or focus.

FASS also offers annually three AHRC-funded Doctoral Landscape Awards. The studentships are open to all PhD applicants who meet the entry criteria at the OU. Any PhD project under the AHRC subject areas – including those based outside of Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences - are eligible.