About this role
The Open University Business and Law Schools are inviting applications to join our campus-based PhD Programme and our new PhD by Distance Learning Programme. The starting date for both programmes is 1st October 2026.
If your application is successful, you will join the Faculty of Business and Law, where we conduct research of the highest international standard and embrace economic, public and social value consistent with the mission of The Open University. You will work with subject specialists to develop an original contribution to knowledge as well as your skills in research, communication, engagement and impact.
Studentships are available for 10 advertised projects below. Alternatively, we also welcome full- and part-time applications in other areas of business, management and law, including on a self-funded basis and externally-funded basis; please note that such projects are dependent on supervision expertise, availability and capacity.
The following advertised projects are available for either campus-based or distance learning:
DAF01 – Accounting, Accountability and Governance DAF03 – Private Consultants and Notions of Accountabilities DAF04 – The Semantics of Capitalism DSM01 – Aligning Financial Ecosystems with Sustainable Innovation in Emerging Industries: Pathways, Barriers, and Institutional Dynamics DSM03 – Taking the Energy Transition Forward in Emerging and New Frontier Countries: Complementary Innovations in Off-Grid Systems, Multi-Purpose Energy Hubs, Battery Repurposing and the Enabling Institutional Reforms
The following advertised projects are available for campus-based study only:
DAF02 – Debt, Growth, and Inequality in Financialised Capitalism DPO01 – The Role of Digital Twin and Thread to Facilitate Whole Lifecycle Information Flow in a Circular Economy DSM02 – Artificial Intelligence vs. Human-Composed Music in Advertising: Exploring Consumer Responses, Brand Perceptions, and the Future of Creative Authenticity Law01 – Policing Technology-Facilitated Violence Against Women and Girls
The following advertised project is available for distance learning only:
Law02 – Project in Human Rights Law and/or Migration Law
Studentships details and training grant
Fully-funded studentships for full-time campus-based students and full-time UK-domiciled UK citizen distance learning students cover tuition fees, and a stipend of circa £20,780 per annum for 36 months. Studentships for full-time distance learning students living overseas cover tuition fees only (please tick the 'fee bursary' option on the application form if you wish to be considered for such a studentship). Studentships are not available for part-time study. Please note that UK-domiciled non-UK citizen distance learning students are not eligible to study full-time and are therefore not eligible for a studentship. Please note that UK-domiciled non-UK citizen distance learning students are not eligible to study full-time and are therefore not eligible for a studentship. Please also note that studentships do not cover visa-related expenses, the NHS surcharge or relocation-related expenses, and that visa-related expenses and the NHS surcharge need to be paid in advance of registration.
In addition, a generous research training support grant is allocated to all students accepted into the programme to cover research-related costs including fieldwork and conferences.
Entry requirements
Applicants should hold the minimum of an upper second-class honours degree, or a specialist Master’s degree in a subject relevant to the intended study with a strong research element. Applicants holding other qualifications must demonstrate suitability for postgraduate level research based on professional experience, publications, written reports or other appropriate evidence of previous research related to the proposed PhD application. In addition, applicants must provide the names of qualified persons from whom the University may seek references as to the applicants’ academic attainment and potential for undertaking research at this level. Applicants who do not hold any degree level qualifications will not be admitted and will not be eligible for consideration.
Application deadline and how to apply
To apply for entry in October 2026, you must send all the required documents to [email protected] by 12:00 (midday) (GMT) on 7th January 2026. For full details of the application process and the documents required, please see our Business School website or our Law School website .
Pre-application workshop
You are welcome to attend our webinar, 'Preparing Your PhD Application', on Thursday 11th December at 14:00-15:30 (GMT). This online 1.5-hour workshop with faculty academics will address questions on whether studying a PhD is right for you, what to consider when applying, what it’s like to do a PhD at The Open University, and how to best craft a research proposal that aligns with advertised project calls. If you are interested in attending this workshop, please register via Eventbrite .
Useful contacts
If you have any queries regarding proof of English language proficiency, immigration or the Research Degrees Regulations, please email [email protected] or phone +44 (0)1908 653806. If you have any queries regarding the FBL research degrees programme, our advertised projects or the application process, please email [email protected].
We look forward to receiving your application.
£20,780 per annum for 36 months