Explore study opportunities from STEM Mathematics and Statistics.
If you want to apply for the ILESLA programme you should follow the procedure outlined here.
The School offers a small number of fully-funded studentships annually. If you are interested in a studentship, then please mark this clearly on your application form. We also welcome applications from self-funded students and those who have external studentships. The closing date for the next round of applications is Thursday 8 January 2026 at 12:00 midday UK time.
Opportunities available from the Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science Landscape Award (ILESLA):
The Open University has partnered with University of Oxford (lead university), Oxford Brookes University, The Pirbright Institute, Diamond Light Source, and ISIS Neutron and Muon Source to launch the BBSRC–NERC funded Interdisciplinary Life and Environmental Science Landscape Award (ILESLA). This ambitious doctoral training programme will prepare a new generation of creative, collaborative, and entrepreneurial researchers who are equipped to meet the complex, cross-disciplinary challenges the world faces.
The primary aim of ILESLA is to cultivate researchers capable of developing innovative solutions to challenges in and at the intersection of biological and environmental sciences, focusing on five interconnected themes:
You can view a full list of research topics within each theme here.
This exciting award is expected to fund at least ten new PhD students at The Open University, across five intakes (2025 – 2029) and to fund students registered at the University of Oxford or Oxford Brookes University who will be co-supervised by researchers at The Open University. Recruitment will be annual.
If you wish to conduct your PhD work primarily at The Open University, you should apply following the procedure outlined here.
Application deadline for ILESLA study beginning October 2026: Wednesday 8 January 2026 at 12:00 midday UK time.
As a full-time (FT) student you will be based full-time at the University’s Walton Hall Campus in Milton Keynes, where you will have a dedicated work-space and computer. You will be required to attend the campus for a minimum of 12 face-to-face events each academic year, at least 10 of which must be supervision meetings. However, it is strongly recommended that you attend campus at least twice a week. If you have been awarded a studentship, then this will pay your fees and a stipend (£19,237 per annum for 2024-2025, full-time study) for 3 to 4 years. You will also have £1,100 per annum for training and conference attendance. You will work closely with your supervisors and take a full part in the research life of the School, completing your PhD within 3–4 years.
As a part-time (PT) student, you will work at least half-time on your PhD studies and complete your PhD within 6-8 years. Part-time students who are funded by a studentship are expected to be present at the University’s Walton Hall campus for a minimum of 6 face-to-face events, at least 5 of which are supervision meetings. For self-funded part-time students, unless your employer can help or you have received a stipend, you will typically be responsible for your own fees (see Fees – what you need to pay). You will communicate regularly with your supervisors via email, telephone, post and/or via online communication tools such as Skype, MS Teams or Zoom. You will typically attend the Walton Hall campus at least two or three times per year, and more often if you live nearer to Milton Keynes or if you have received a stipend. You are expected to attend appropriate training events and conferences, supported by the School, where funding is available (which has generally been the case up to now).
PhD study is a major undertaking and it is important for you to be properly prepared. Although we consider each applicant individually, the following are our guidelines for UK students. They are in addition to the University’s formal entrance requirements.
together with evidence of recent engagement with your selected field of study, either in an academic or professional way.
On account of the lack of a project element, we do not generally view the OU’s undergraduate mathematics and statistics degree offerings as sufficient preparation for PhD research, but each case is considered on its own merits.
To study for a PhD in Mathematics, the OU’s postgraduate masters in mathematics, normally with distinction in at least three modules, is considered sufficient preparation.
In addition to satisfying the entrance requirements, the supervisory team and School Research Committee will assess whether there is a sufficiently strong match between student and supervisors for you to study a PhD in the project specified in your application. If there is not a strong match, then you may be invited to consider a different PhD project.
You do not require an English language certificate if you either come from or have a degree from one of the UK Visa and Immigration’s list of approved English-speaking countries.
Otherwise, you DO need an English language certificate, even if your native language or mother tongue is English.
More precisely, at the time of application you will need to hold a Secure English Language Test (SELT) dated within two years of the course start. Our preferred providers are IELTS and LanguageCert; if you hold a test from any other provider then please discuss this with us prior to application. We are only able to accept UKVI approved tests.
If you do not currently hold such a certificate then you are strongly advised to arrange to sit a test as soon as possible.
More information can be found in Section F of the international/distance learning application form.
