MPhil, PhD, DHSC and EdD degrees are all available for part-time study. MPhil and PhD students are normally required to be resident in the UK, whereas the DHSC and EdD programme is available to students living anywhere in the world.
Studying part-time may be more convenient if you need to balance your studies with work and family commitments. Part-time students are supported by their supervisors and can access a wide range of virtual services and facilities, including the rich online resources of the world-class OU Library, Research Skills training modules, and live training and meetings via Microsoft Teams.
Access to tailored online spaces and communities provides a rich source of links to streamed events and training resources.
If you study for a PhD, you will be encouraged to come to campus for meetings, seminars and events in your research area, to make sure you can get the full benefit of integrating into the research environment. If you study for a Professional Doctorate, you will need to come to campus for residential weekends.
Can I work while I study?
There is no limit to the number of hours part-time students can work. Part-time students are expected to commit to spending a minimum of 18.5 hours a week on study.
How long does a part-time research degree take?
The time to complete your degree may vary. However, the minimum registration period for a part-time PhD is 48 months (4 years) while the maximum is 96 months (8 years). For part-time MPhil students, the minimum registration period is 30 months while the maximum is 72 months. If you are applying for a funded studentship, you should check the funding duration as this may be shorter than the maximum registration period.