FAQs

We’ve gathered the most frequently asked questions about applying and studying for a PhD in English and Creative Writing on a single page. If your question isn’t answered here, feel free to contact us at FASS-EnglishCreativeWriting-Enquiries@open.ac.uk.

Who can apply for a PhD in English and Creative Writing?
What are the entry requirements for studying for a PhD in English and Creative Writing?
Is there a residency requirement?
How much does it cost?
What funding options do you have?
How long does it take to do a PhD? And can I study part-time?
What are the deadlines for applying for and beginning the PhD?
What areas of English and Creative Writing does the OU supervise?
Can I be co-supervised by members of two different Disciplines?
Are there different application deadlines for funded and self-funded students?
Do you offer an MPhil in English and Creative Writing?
Who should I ask to be my referees for my PhD application?
Do I need to submit a research proposal as part of my application?
What is the first year of the PhD like?
Would I be able to join a research group as a PhD student?
Can I get teaching experience at the OU as a PhD student?
What careers do graduates go on to pursue?

Who can apply for a PhD in English and Creative Writing?

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, regardless of race, sex, gender, sexual orientation, religion, or ability. We have a strong record of supporting students with a range of disabilities to successful completion of PhDs. If you have any questions about how we can provide support while you study, please get in touch.

What are the entry requirements for studying for a PhD in English and Creative Writing?

Most successful applicants to the PhD programme have a Masters degree in English or Creative Writing (depending on relevant subject) or a related discipline, and/or a first class English or Creative Writing degree with a substantial dissertation. However, applicants can still be considered provided they demonstrate evidence of the ability to pursue research and write at a high level in the discipline.

Is there a residency requirement?

We welcome applications from students all over the world. Students are, however, required to attend regular, face-to-face supervision meetings and to take advantage of our year-round programme of workshops, seminars, and training at the OU’s main campus in Milton Keynes, as well as training provided by the universities of Oxford, Cambridge and Brunel as part of our doctoral training partnership. As such, students are encouraged to reside in or near Milton Keynes. On a case-by-case basis, we are generally able to accommodate students living in other parts of the UK, provided they can travel to Milton Keynes as required.

It is also important to check the residency requirements of any PhD funding. Some funding bodies, such as the AHRC/ESRC, may require students to reside in the UK, for example.

Find out more information on support for overseas students.

How much does it cost?

Current tuition fees for the PhD programme can be found from OU Research Degrees website.

Full-time PhD students are entitled to an annual research budget of £1000 (£500 for part-time students), which can be used to travel to conferences or to archives, for example.

What funding options do you have?

The Open University (OU), in collaboration with the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, is part of the Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). Each year, this group awards a number of AHRC-funded doctoral studentships to incoming PhD students at the OU, covering fees and maintenance. Find out more information on the OOC DTP studentships.

The Open University (OU), in collaboration with the universities of Oxford and Brunel, is part of the Grand Union ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). Each year, this group awards a number of ESRC-funded doctoral studentships to incoming PhD students at the OU, covering fees and maintenance. Find out more information on the Grand Union DTP studentships.

If you are interested in applying for a DTP studentship, simply indicate on your PhD application form that you would like to be considered for funding. If your application to the PhD programme is successful, you will have the opportunity to complete a short additional application for the studentship. Studentships are open to applicants of all nationalities.

Students are also welcome to apply for external funding. General information about funding opportunities for postgraduate research can be found from OU Research Degrees website.

How long does it take to do a PhD? And can I study part-time?

You have the option of studying full time or part time. Full-time students generally complete their PhD in three to four years, while part-time students typically complete within six years.

What are the deadlines for applying for and beginning the PhD?

The deadline for all PhD applications, including funded and self-funded students, is January. All PhD students begin their studies on 1 October of that same calendar year. We do not have a February intake for the PhD programme in English and Creative Writing.

What areas of English and Creative Writing does the OU supervise?

Our department has a broad range of expertise, and we are able to support many diverse research projects. We do have specific expertise in a number of areas, however, as reflected on our Research page.

We have finite capacity for taking on new PhD students, which means that even if a member of the department has suitable expertise in a given area, they may not necessarily be able to take on a new PhD student in a given year.

Can I be co-supervised by members of two different Disciplines?

Yes. The OU fosters interdisciplinary research, and we often organise a supervisory team with academics from two different disciplines.

Are there different application deadlines for funded and self-funded students?

All applications to do a PhD in English and Creative Writing are due the same date in January. All applicants, regardless of whether they are self-funded or are applying for funding, must submit their applications by the January deadline. All incoming postgraduate research students in English and Creative Writing begin their PhD studies on 1 October each year.

Do you offer an MPhil in English and Creative Writing?

Yes. Students do have the option of pursuing an MPhil rather than a PhD. An MPhil requires research students to produce a thesis of 60,000 words (rather than 100,000 for the PhD) and it is typically completed in 15 months (full-time). The application procedure is the same for the MPhil and for the PhD.

Unfortunately, there is no funding available to study for an MPhil.

Who should I ask to be my referees for my PhD application?

You are required to provide the names and contact details of two referees in support of your application. Both referees should be individuals who can confirm that you have the skills required to successfully complete a PhD. At least one of the referees should be an academic - for example, the person who supervised your Masters dissertation. The other referee can also be an academic, or an employer who can confirm that you possess the necessary skills to undertake postgraduate research.

Do I need to submit a research proposal as part of my application?

Yes, a research proposal is a vital part of any application. Any application submitted without a research proposal will be rejected. Please use the English and Creative Writing proposal form. You might find the following useful:

Preparing a Proposal for a PhD Thesis in English

What is the first year of the PhD like?

When you first enrol for your PhD, you will technically be an MPhil student. During your first year, you will have the opportunity to attend induction and training sessions organised by the Graduate School Network and by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

During your first year, much of your research will focus on producing a literature review, which will allow you to master the secondary literature related to your chosen topic. If you study Creative Writing, you may begin a first draft of the creative element, or undertake preparatory reading and research.

At the end of your first year of full-time study, or your second year of part-time study, you will submit a portfolio of work for your upgrade to the full PhD programme. For your upgrade, a panel of two OU academics will look at the work you’ve completed so far and your plans for the years ahead.

In the first year of the PhD programme, you can also be assigned a mentor, namely a more advanced PhD student in a different discipline within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Your mentor is there to help you with the transition to life as a PhD student.

Would I be able to join a research group as a PhD student?

Yes. Members of the department currently operate several research groups, in collaboration with members of other disciplines. PhD students are encouraged to participate in the activities of the research groups, where they can present their research, listen to invited speakers, and meet other leading historians in their field.

We currently cooperate closely with the following research centres:

Contemporary Cultures of Writing (Contemporary cultures of writing | Open University
Digital Humanities (Digital Humanities | Open University)
Gender and Otherness in the Humanities (GOTH) (Gender and Otherness in the Humanities | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (open.ac.uk))
History of Books and Reading (HOBAR) Research Collaboration (History of Books and Reading (HOBAR) Research Collaboration | The Open University)
Literature and Music (Literature and Music Research Group | Open University)
Medieval and Early Modern Research (Medieval and Early Modern Research Group | (open.ac.uk))
Postcolonial and Global Literatures (Postcolonial and Global Literatures Research Group | The Open University)

Can I get teaching experience at the OU as a PhD student?

We currently run a Teaching Scheme that invites PhD students to join an undergraduate module team and take part in discussions around creating and marking exams and essays, while benefitting from the mentorship of an experienced tutor. PhD students can also receive training on writing and delivering lectures and have the opportunity to lecture to undergraduate students. The OU also collaborates with the Brilliant Club, where PhD students gain experience teaching in secondary schools.

What careers do graduates go on to pursue?

Graduates of our PhD programme thrive in a wide range of different sectors. Many of our graduates teach in universities across the UK and overseas, while others have pursued careers in the media, the heritage sector, the civil service, or in private and voluntary organisations.