The Open University’s reputation was built on helping students reach their potential from a distance. Where possible, as indicated in individual research areas, we can support you to achieve a postgraduate research degrees using this experience.
Supervision
You will meet your supervisor online at least ten times a year (full time) or five times a year (part time). Online supervisions will take place using Microsoft Teams so you can see your supervisory team and share documents with ease. You will record and keep track of supervisions using the PGR Manager system.
Milestones
Induction
You will benefit from the same core talks as an on-campus student, which you can watch at a good time for you. These recordings are created specifically for distance learning students, so pick up information that is particularly relevant to you.
There will also be an Induction Team space to ask questions that arise during induction, with friendly Graduate School staff and student volunteers providing answers.
We will facilitate introductions to students who are starting at the same time as you, so you can form support networks. We will hold a live (synchronous) online session in order to do this.
Mini viva and viva
At the end of your first year of research (full time) or second year (part time) you will undertake a mini-viva to pass the Upgrade stage of your research degree (read more about Upgrade in your student handbook).
Once you have submitted your thesis, you will be questioned by a panel of academics in an oral examination called the viva.
Both the mini-viva and viva can be held in a Microsoft Teams setting and arrangements put in place to make this as comfortable an experience as possible for all participants.
Facilities
- The Open University boasts a world-class online library, available with support 24/7
- You will also be able to access materials through document delivery, and other university libraries through Sconul.
Find out more about these Research facilities.
Research students can also benefit from our Careers Advisory Service, which can help with career planning, CVs, applications and interviews, as well as offering careers webinars and forums.
Training
The University has a focus on supporting you in your research journey, especially in the early days, and one of your regular sources of support and community will come through training and development.
- Most sessions are held online or streamed and recorded.
- Professional Academic Communication in English consultations are held online.
- For companionship and support while you write, an online writing group happens Monday and Friday. You don’t need to be ‘writing up’ to join!
- We also give you access to a range of asynchronous online training resources:
- Mini modules in Getting started on your PhD, Becoming a professional researcher, Designing your research and Approaches to data collection.
- A site collating resources to support Research Skills.
Community
There is strong evidence that research students are more likely to succeed in their doctorates if they are part of a supportive community. This may take some effort to engage with as a distance student but the opportunities are there and we are always looking to grow them.
- Faculty events, e.g., seminars and research groups, may be online; we suggest you discuss with colleagues at interview what groups exist in your area.
- There are many online conferences where you can network from a distance.
- We often provide an online element to many events and socials, e.g. online galleries for posters and other research artefacts.
- You will automatically become a member of Open SU (student union) and can get involved in their clubs and societies.