Carers and caring

Qualifications Duration Start dates Application period
PhD or Professional doctorate PhD:
Full time: 3–4 years
Part time: 6–8 years
Professional doctorate:
Part time: 4–8 years
October November to January
Qualifications
PhD or Professional doctorate
Duration
PhD:
Full time: 3–4 years
Part time: 6–8 years
Professional doctorate:
Part time: 4–8 years
Start dates
October
Application period
November to January

This cross-university research group was established in light of the growth in recognition of carers, their needs and the importance of supporting them. Our interdisciplinary members collaborate on a wide range of carer-related scholarship and research projects, publications and resources. In addition, we have strong links with government departments and a number of local, national and international bodies.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and an MA or research methods training at MA level (or equivalent). If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English.

Potential research projects

  • Student carer policy and support
  • Carer-friendly institutions
  • Carers and widening access
  • Ethic of care
  • Care and surveillance
  • Post-caring
  • Carer empowerment
  • The politics of care
  • Young carers
  • Young adult carers
  • Gender and caring
  • Intersectionality and caring
  • The social reproduction of caring

Current/recent research projects

  • Hosting students in social care and social work
  • Social workers' lived experiences of learning in the workplace
  • Social work students' readiness for practice in the placement or work setting

Potential supervisors

Fees and funding

PhD fees

UK fee International fee
Full time: £4,712 per year Full time: £11,958 per year
Part time: £2,356 per year Part time: £5,979 per year

Professional doctorate fees

UK fee International fee
Part time: £3,587 per year Part time: £9,107 per year

Some of our research students are funded via The Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership; others are self-funded.

For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships.

To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships.

Links

Women teaching a child
 

How to apply

Get in touch

If you have an enquiry specific to this research topic, please contact:

Professor Sarah Vicary, PGR Convenor in Social Work and Social Care
Email: WELS-student-enquiries@open.ac.uk
Phone: +44 (0)1908 868216

Apply now

If you’re interested in applying for this research topic, please take a look at the application process.