MPhil/PhD in FASS

How to apply for an MPhil/PhD in FASS 

To apply for an MPhil/PhD in the Faculty of Arts of Social Sciences, you will need to complete an online application form, including a cv, a research proposal (up to 1,500 words, excluding references), a completed application form and the details of two referees.

Before you apply, check discipline-specific advice on applying (including writing a proposal) on the links below. If you have any questions, or would like to discuss your application prior to submission, contact the Postgraduate Convenor in the School or Discipline that is most relevant to your project.

Prospective students are encouraged to relate their project ideas to one or more of the Faculty’s areas of research expertise. Students are also strongly encouraged to contact potential supervisors in the Faculty prior to submitting an application. Supervisory teams at the Open University consist of a minimum of two supervisors. You can find more about the research and the interests of academics from the research area of each school following the links below.

• Research at the School of Arts & Humanities
• Research at the School of Psychology & Counselling
• Research at the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies
• Research at the School of Creative Industries

To apply for an MPhil PhD, submit your online application and supporting documents here.

Application deadlines

The application deadline for 1st October start is 28 February 2027, for students who are self-funded, for students applying for a Doctoral Focal Award and for students applying for a Doctoral Landscape Award. For students applying for an ESRC Grand Union studentship, the deadline is 6 January 2027. Please visit the Doctoral Landscape Award page if you are considering applying for an AHRC Landscape Award; visit the Doctoral Focal Award- A Golden Thread page if you are considering applying for an AHRC Focal Award - A Golden Thread; visit FASS Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership page if you are considering applying for a Grand Union DTP studentship. 

In some circumstances, where an October start is not possible, students may begin their doctoral studies on 1st February. For a February start, applications should be submitted by 31 July. February applications are for self-funded studiesonly, unless otherwise advised by the studentship Academic Lead.

Mode of study

Doctoral studies can be undertaken on a full or part-time basis, on campus or through distance learning.   Full-time campus-based students are expected to be available on campus to undertake their research, attend training and research events, and meet supervisors. They are expected to live within easy daily commutable distance of the campus. Milton Keynes is a vibrant city with very good facilities for learning, work and recreation. The city has a wide variety of residential accommodation, and plenty within easy reach of the campus. The Open University does not provide student accommodation, but prospective students can contact an accommodation advisor who can offer support in finding accommodation particularly for overseas students.

Studying part-time may be more convenient if you need to balance your studies with work and family commitments. Part-time MPhil and PhD students do not need to reside within close proximity to campus. Part-time students are fully supported by their supervisors and can access a wide range of virtual services and facilities, including online publications and resources, training materials, library facilities.

The Open University also offers the possibility of undertaking a research degree by distance-learning. Distance learning doctoral students may be based in the UK or overseas (with some exemptions of some countries from where it is not possible for students to access the OU’s distance learning doctoral programme). Students funded through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and those studying in the UK on a Student Route visa, are not eligible for a distance learning programme. If you are considering applying for a distance learning research degree, it is important that you contact the relevant Post-Graduate Convenor for your discipline and your potential supervisor(s) in advance so that they can advise whether distance learning is possible and suited for your project.

What happens after I apply?

Completed MPhil/PhD applications will be reviewed by a panel of assessors in the relevant School or Discipline. Each application will be assessed against the entry requirements and any additional criteria set by specific discipline areas in the Faculty.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview. The interview panel will normally comprise three people, one of whom will be the chair and another a member of the supervisory team, or a member of staff with subject expertise. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will receive feedback on their application or interview.

MPhil/PhD programme structure

A PhD is expected to take 3 years full-time and 6 years part-time, with maximum registration periods of 4 years and 8 years respectively.

Doctoral students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences initially register for an MPhil and go through an upgrade process to the PhD at the end of their first year (second year, if part-time). To upgrade, students submit a report on their progress and undergo a ‘mini-viva’ where their doctoral project is assessed by a panel of Faculty academics. Following a successful upgrade, students are registered onto the PhD programme.

You can find more about the structure of the MPhil/PhD programme in the Graduate School Network pages.

Postgraduate training and activities

The postgraduate training programme is organised by the OU’s Graduate School training team, and it is facilitated by OU staff and academics from across the University. Postgraduate training includes core training, which focuses on research skills, covering topics such as academic writing, research design, approaches to data collection and analysis, research communication, and career development. The Graduate School also offers Professional Academic Communication in English (PACE) sessions, including academic writing consultations.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences also holds its own postgraduate training and activities. These may vary year-on-year according to needs and availability. Discipline-specific activities are also run by Faculty research centres and schools. The Faculty also runs a PhD teaching scheme whereby students gain teaching experience, and a public lecture scheme where students are trained in and deliver an online public lecture on their research.

Doctoral students in FASS are active members of the faculty’s research community, and they are affiliated with one (or more) of the Faculty’s research centres:

• Open Arts Research Centre (OpenARC) in the School of Arts & Humanities and the School of Creative Industries
• Open Psychology Research Centre (OPRC), in the School of Psychology & Counselling
• Centre for Global Challenges and Social Justice (GCSJ), in the School of Social Sciences & Global Studies.