The Open University’s mission is to be open to people, places, methods, and ideas. The university promotes educational opportunity and social justice by providing high-quality university education to all who wish to realize their ambitions and fulfil their potential. Through academic research, pedagogic innovation and collaborative partnership we seek to be a world leader in the design, content, and delivery of supported open learning.
The Open University is offering four PhD studentships for projects in the field of Space Science, Space Instrumentation and Data Intensive Physics and Astronomy starting in February 2018. International applicants are eligible to apply for this studentship.
The aim of the studentship is to provide financial help to overseas students.
Degree Level: Studentships are available to pursue PhD programme.
Available Subject: Studentships are awarded for projects in the field of Space Science, Space Instrumentation and Data Intensive Physics and Astronomy.
Scholarship Benefits: Studentship funding from UK research councils is available for projects marked ‘STFC’ (Science and Technology Facilities Council) or ‘EPSRC’ (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council). The funding includes all tuition fees and a stipend (£13,590 pa in 2012/13). STFC CASE studentships are supported by industrial sponsors and offer a higher stipend (minimum of £14,590). Candidates for these research council studentships are required to have a ‘relevant connection’ with the United Kingdom. A relevant connection may be established if, at the date of application/nomination:
a) the candidate has been ordinarily resident in the UK throughout the 3-year period immediately preceding the date of an award, and
b) has not been resident in the UK, during any part of that 3-year period, wholly or mainly for the purposes of full-time education, and
c) has settled status in the UK within the meaning of the Immigration Act 1971 (i.e. is not subject to any restriction on the period for which he/she may stay)
EU nationals who are resident in the UK only need to follow criterion (a) from the above list. If they do not satisfy this criterion, then they are eligible for funding for fees only and will have to make separate arrangements to fund living costs.
Number of Scholarships: Up to four studentships are available.
Eligibility Criteria:
The following criteria must be met in order for applicants to be eligible for the scholarship:
- PhD places in the school are awarded competitively and have high entry requirements. Applications will be considered from students with or expect to gain, the first degree in any of a wide range of disciplines including physics, mathematics, engineering, geology, chemistry, geochemistry, biochemistry or similar disciplines at first or upper second class level.
- We attempt to recruit the best candidates for any of our advertised projects (see the project list) based on qualifications, skills, and aptitude for research, although we also have to take account of subject balance, supervisor workload, timeliness and fit to strategic objectives. It is possible for students to propose their own projects, but this must be in consultation with staff in the school and the project must be linked to the school’s overall research strategy.
Eligible Nationalities: International applicants are eligible to apply for this studentship.
Method of Application:
If you would like to apply then please send a completed application form, an up to date CV, list of individual courses taken and grades obtained, plus any other relevant information that you think may support your case for consideration, together with an indication of project(s) of interest to STEM-SPS-PhD-Admin by the application deadline. You are encouraged to contact the lead supervisor of the project(s) for any informal inquiries
Scholarship Application Deadline:
The timetable for the recruitment process is outlined below:
- Application deadline – October 20, 2017 (12.00pm midday)
- Interview (at the Open University, Milton Keynes or Skype) – November 15, 2017.
