Research degrees

The Open University Law School (OULS) provides a lively and stimulating interdisciplinary research environment for PhD students. As a PhD student in OULS you will be provided with the resources and support you need to enable you to fulfil your intellectual potential and generate research impact in your chosen field.

Doctoral researchers are fully integrated into the School’s academic and research community through regular seminars and social activities. Key to your development are the learning opportunities enabled by The Open University Graduate School and research training provided within the Business and Law Schools. We are also members of the ESRC Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership.

See the latest news from our PhD students on our news page.

Our growing community of PhD students investigate a wide range of research topics, and can study with us full-time or part-time.

• Full-time research students are based at our Milton Keynes campus.
• Part-time research students are normally resident in the UK and attend regular meetings at the Law School.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to view the School’s research and people pages for further information about specific areas of research expertise. For further information about our PhD Programme please contact us.

• General information on research degrees, including fees and funding and how to apply, at The Open University.
• General information on postgraduate study at The Open University.

Full-time fully-funded studentships

The Open University Law School offers fully-funded full-time PhD studentships, starting on 1 October and 1 February every year. Applicants should have minimum qualifications of an upper second class honours degree 2:1 and usually a specialist masters in a subject relevant to the intended study with a strong research element.