178 PhD programmes offered by the university

The History Department, in cooperation with the cross-faculty Ferguson Centre for African and Asian Studies, covers a wide range of history. This Empire and Postcolonial Studies programme is offered at The Open University UK.

The Inclusive Innovation and Development degree at The Open University UK carries out interdisciplinary research in science, technology and innovation systems, social inclusion and global justice, politics and policy of development and development management.

Research in planetary and space science (PSS) covers a wide variety of Solar System science and exploration. We investigate the origin and evolution of the Solar System through the physical, geological, chemical and biological processes that drive it. 

Politics and International Studies (POLIS) researchers have expertise in theories of international relations as well as their applications to both Western and non-Western contexts. This International Relations and Global Politics programme is offered at The Open University UK.

Much of our Cities, Politics, Infrastructures research at The Open University UK works closely with local government, NHS, third sector organisations and activists, often adopting creative and participatory approaches to open up geographical research to wider publics and constituencies.

The Philosophy discipline at The Open University UK welcomes applications for graduate work in History of Philosophy of Science.

Our unique approach to the scientific aspects of Astrobiology - Science research at The Open University UK combines fieldwork, laboratory simulations, thermochemical modelling and in situ observations.

The ancient world has never gone away. Research into Ancient and Modern Receptions of Antiquity at The Open University UK focuses on how the texts, images and ideas of Greek and/or Roman culture have been transmitted, adapted, rewritten and appropriated in a range of ancient and modern cultures across the globe.

Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Ecology research at The Open University UK focuses on Earth’s terrestrial ecosystems and biosphere-atmosphere exchange of greenhouse gases. Studies undertaken range from investigations of the smallest microbial unit to whole catchment ecosystems and across a wide range of latitudes, with a developing focus on tropical ecosystems.

There are complex connections between conflict, security, and development. The securitisation and militarisation of various global regions, and aspects of everyday life, intersect with and impact many development issues. This Conflict, Security and Development phd programme is offered at The Open University UK.

The Materials Engineering Group at The Open University UK has an international reputation for its research activity in the fields of residual stress measurement and analysis, high-temperature materials behaviour and materials characterisation through the High Temperature Testing research group. 

The question of whether life exists beyond Earth is eons old, yet it is only relatively recently that space missions have been launched to help answer this. This Governance and Ethics programme is offered at The Open University UK.

This Creative Geographies - Engaging, Knowing, Experimenting research area at The Open University UK addresses these kinds of questions through our work on creative and experimental geographies to push geographical research in exciting, new directions.

The Nanotechnology research theme at The Open University UK focuses on the revolutionary opportunities associated with nanomaterials and nanoscale engineering.

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

The Advanced Materials Processing and Joining group at The Open University UK hosts several full- and part-time research students, many of whom have a focus on fabrication techniques for materials and structures.

POLIS staff at The Open University UK have an international reputation for producing world-leading research on key contemporary challenges in Foreign Policy, Defence and Security Studies.

Emerging life science technologies can transform healthcare and improve well-being in developing countries. This Health Systems and Development programme is offered at The Open University UK.