178 PhD programmes offered by the university

The research of economists at the OU draw on ‘mainstream’ economic theories and research methods along with a variety of alternatives. The department hosts expertise in pluralist and interdisciplinary mixed and multi-method approaches to advancing economic ideas and policies.

The Pedagogy of Classics Teaching is an exciting and emerging field of research at The Open University UK that covers teaching and learning across the full range of classical studies sub-disciplines.

Our Cold Atoms for Quantum Technology research at The Open University UK focuses on the study of interactions between cold Rydberg atoms. The main motivation is the understanding of interacting many-body dynamics and multi-particle entanglement.

The Open University UK academics investigate a range of topics related to Music and Gender, embracing classical music, popular music and music technology.

Politics and International Studies (POLIS) at The Open University UK has an international reputation for research in the areas of British, Comparative and EU Politics.

Now more than ever, economics is grappling with the meanings of progress and what the economy and policy are aiming for. This Economics of Health, Social Policy and Wellbeing research group offers a PhD programme at The Open University UK.

The Open University UK welcomes applications for PhD study in screen music and sound within the Film Music research cluster.

The Social Policy and Criminology discipline at The Open University UK undertakes active and extensive research in Regulation, Governance, Policy Process.

The Psychology of Health and Wellbeing (PHeW) research strand at The Open University UK is a theoretically and methodologically diverse group with a focus on practices of health and wellbeing.

The Open University UK invites applications for PhD study in Music Technology. Applicants are welcome to propose research on any aspect of music technology, contemporary or historical.

This cross-university Carers and Caring research group at The Open University UK was established in light of the growth in recognition of carers, their needs and the importance of supporting them.

Complexity and Design as a research theme at The Open University UK Design Group encompasses a broad spectrum of investigations and interpretations.

Religious lives are lived out in specific localities, from busy urban neighbourhoods to rural and coastal communities. This Place, Pilgrimage, Culture and Performance programme is offered at The Open University UK.

Our area of research in this Computational Molecular Physics research programme at The Open University UK is the study of molecular physics.

The Philosophy discipline welcomes applications for graduate research work on Aesthetics at The Open University UK.

The Health and Social Care DHSC programme from The Open University UK is an innovative programme of part-time study designed predominantly for health and social care professionals, including registered nurses and social workers, but also other professionals working across health and social care including the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Scientists at The Open University UK have been involved in the development of instruments for space applications for many decades. The university offers this Imaging in Space programme.

The Applied and Forensic Cognition Research Group at The Open University UK is a vibrant team of psychological researchers interested in all aspects of forensic and cognitive psychology addressing applied issues in collaboration with practitioners from a range of backgrounds.

Members of the Classical Studies discipline at The Open University UK have distinctive expertise in the study of The Ancient Body and the Senses.

The Global and Cross Cultural Art degree at The Open University UK has a tradition of teaching and research that explores how art, people and ideas become distinctive through their movement across the globe.