Postgraduate Research

The School of Psychology & Counselling at The Open University has a vibrant research culture, noted for its transdisciplinary ethos, its real-world relevance and its commitment to social justice. We welcome PhD candidates who aspire to contribute to this ethos through their research.

In keeping with the School’s ethos, the psychology pathway foregrounds applied, critical and transdisciplinary approaches to psychology. It draws attention to, and challenges, social injustices in a variety of settings with wider societal impact. Doctoral studies in the psychology pathway equip students to examine complex psychological phenomena as they unfold in social practices and in real settings. Students are encouraged to use established, innovative and creative social science research methodologies to address wider societal challenges.

The School is home to three research streams; 
Culture and Social Psychology (CuSP); 
Psychology of Health and Wellbeing Research (PHeW);
Forensic Cognition Research Group (FCRG)

PhD students may be based in one research group or have a supervisory team that spans more than one.

First steps towards making a PhD application

If you’re interested in undertaking a PhD, first read through the information below, check your eligibility and then start developing your research ideas. 

You can find out more about becoming a PhD student in the links below:

• Read some general information about research degrees at The Open University.
• Read about the PhD experience in our PhD Case Studies.
• Discover what our current students are researching.
• Answer common queries about doing a PhD with us via our FAQs.
• For information regarding our PhD programme, look at the Psychology & Counselling Research Degree Prospectus.
• To understand what a PhD entails and for some guidance on preparing a proposal, take the free OpenLearn e-course Applying to study for a PhD in psychology. 

For any enquiries about postgraduate research in the School of Psychology & Counselling, please contact the Postgraduate Research Co-Convenors Dr Zoë Boden-Stuart and Dr Ailsa Strathie via the mailbox: [email protected]

Entry requirements

Entry requirements vary according to the research topic and specific studentship schemes. 

Applicants for the PhD in Psychology are normally expected to possess the equivalent or better of an Upper Second Class Honours degree with Psychology; and, in addition, to hold an MSc in Psychology or related discipline. The comparability of qualifications from outside the UK with The Open University requirements will be determined with reference to UK ENIC. 

Please note that these are minimum application criteria and are not sufficient. Applicants who do not meet these criteria may, in exceptional circumstances, be considered, but they will need to give evidence through written work that they are sufficiently prepared for research-level study. If you are applying for an ESRC Grand Union doctoral funding, a Masters degree is not necessary as this can be part of the training.

Fees and funding

The School of Psychology & Counselling offers doctoral studentships covering fees and a stipend through the Psychology Pathway of the ESRC Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership (GUDTP), which is a collaborative programme with the University of Oxford and Brunel University. This year, The Open University deadline is noon, 7th January 2026.

You can watch a video about applying for DTP doctoral funding and explore further information on research degrees fees and other sources of funding.

How to apply

Finding a supervisor

To undertake a PhD in the School of Psychology and Counselling, you will need to have a supervisory team made up of two supervisors. Prospective students who are interested in pursuing doctoral studies in the School should check the School’s research areas and get in touch directly with potential supervisors prior to submitting their application.

Learn more about our staff in the School of Psychology and Counselling here.

Application process

Prospective doctoral students will need a draft proposal of around 1,500 words and provide an up-to-date academic CV. Potential supervisors will support you to develop your research ideas and to refine the proposal.

The proposal should briefly review the background research and provide a rationale for the project, outline key research questions, describe the proposed methodology and give projected timescales. 

Prospective students are expected to have identified at least one willing supervisor from the School before submitting their PhD application.

If you are struggling to identify appropriate supervisors, please contact the Post Graduate Research Co-convenors who can help you.

The final research proposal, along with a CV and application form, should be submitted to [email protected]. Applications will be reviewed by a panel and shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview. The interview panel will normally comprise three people, including the chair and another, a potential member of the supervisory team, or a member of staff with subject expertise.

Applications will be assessed on the basis of research, academic and/or professional competence and experience, and the degree that the application: a) demonstrates a candidate’s readiness for PhD study (usually by having a MSc or equivalent research experience); b) fits at least one of our School’s research streams or supervisor research areas; c) has experience and familiarity with psychology, or a related discipline.

Find more information about the PhD application process and access the application form.

Closing dates

The School’s deadlines for PhD applications are usually early January and late March. Specific funding calls have their own deadlines (e.g. the GUDTP) so check deadline dates carefully. The start date for all Doctoral studies is 1st October, unless there are exceptional circumstances (e.g. external funding deadlines that require a start date outside these times). Please contact the Postgraduate Degrees Co-convenors via [email protected] with any queries regarding the closing dates and the application process.

PhD programme structure

Doctoral studies can be undertaken on a full or part-time basis. A PhD usually takes 3 years full-time and 6 years part-time, and represents a significant investment of time, resources and energy.

Doctoral students in the School of Psychology & Counselling 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). The upgrade process involves students submitting a progress report and discussing their research with a small panel of staff members in a ‘mini-viva’. The panel then advise the student on their next steps.