Recruitment timetable

Please note that the timetable below is for internally funded or self-funded PhD studentships and Professional Doctorates. Externally funded studentships, such as Doctoral Training Partnerships and Oxford, Open Cambridge would follow the timelines mentioned in the advertisements.

• Studentship projects are posted on the OU jobs page in November/December
• Deadline for applications for an October 2026 start is 16th January 2026  (or as advertised)
• Shortlist applicants February
• Interview days March
• Informal offers made in April/May
• Formal offers issued by Research Degrees in July-September
• Official start date of new cohort 1st October
• Residential Weekend for Year 1 Professional Doctorates – first weekend in October
• PhD Induction – early October