All results A to Z : Forms and Guidance

ARC Applicant Recommendation Form 24-25.docx (148.64 KB)
Use this form to request admission for an ARC-based applicant

Claim Form - External Staff Expenses Form (DS Only)_1.docx (46.09 KB)
External staff should use this form to claim expenses associated with examining or supervising a research degree student

Managing-Unsatisfactory-Progress_V1.2.2024.docx (45.87 KB)
Guidance for managing unsatisfactory progress

Examination Guidelines 2024.docx (91.75 KB)
Examination guidelines for MPhil, PhD and Professional Doctorates (EdD/DHSC)

Recruitment Guidelines ARC_0.pdf (272.5 KB)
Guidelines for recruiting research students based at an Affiliated Research Centre (ARC)

Return to Study Form_V1.3 2024.docx (50.19 KB)
This form should be completed as part of the return to study meeting following a period of suspended registration

Supervisor-Guidelines_V1.1_2020 (DS and ARC)_0.docx (71.79 KB)
This document contains guidance and policy for research degree supervisors

External-appointment-RTW-eligibility_2024_0.docx (42.33 KB)
Right to work guidance for external examiners and supervisors working in the UK

Dependants Fund Application Form_V1.1_2020_0.docx (60.88 KB)
Use this form to apply for the dependants fund

research_degrees_handbook_arc_phd_24_25.docx (931.56 KB)
Research Degrees in Affiliated Research Centres Handbook (should be read prior to registration and referred to throughout registration)

Creative-Writing-Thesis-Guidance_V1.1_2020_0.docx (53.58 KB)
Guidance for students registered for a research degree that includes creative writing

Third-Party-Monitoring-Guidelines_V1.1_2020 (DS and ARC)-.docx (49.81 KB)
Guidelines for third party monitoring of a research student

Staff Fee Waiver Form_V1.2_2025.docx (50.85 KB)
Complete this form if all or part of your fees will be covered by a staff fee waiver and you are employed by the University (excluding Associate Lecturers)

Application Recommendation Form UK_1 (10)-.docx (74.04 KB)
Use this form to recommend admission for an MPhil/PhD applicant from the UK

Applicant Recommendation Form Non UK_0 (13)_1.docx (78.48 KB)
Use this form to recommend admission for an MPhil/PhD applicant from overseas

Applicant Recommendation Form Transfer (DS Only) (10)-.docx (96.82 KB)
Use this form to apply to transfer your MPhil/PhD registration to The Open University

application-form-registration-transfer-.docx (88.78 KB)
Use this form to apply for a research degree if you are applying transfer your registration to The Open University

Advocacy Appointment Form_V1.1_2020-.docx (56.7 KB)
Research students who are experiencing difficulties communicating with The Open University and require a third party to communicate on their behalf can use this form to appoint an advocate

Visiting Students Nomination Form V1.5.docx (94.99 KB)
Use this form to nominate a visiting student

EPC Aide Memoire_V1.1_2023-.docx (42.62 KB)
Exam Panel Chairs may use this checklist to help manage the viva process

Thesis-Submission-Guidelines_V1.4 (2).docx (118.33 KB)
Guidelines for thesis submission for examination and the final electronic copy

Recommending-a-student-be-registered-for-an-alternative-research-degree_V1.2 2024.docx (46.07 KB)
Guidance to supervisors, faculties and students where it is recommended that a student’s work is not of the required academic standard for the research degree they are registered for and they should be registered for an alternative research degree

Sponsorship Agreement_2024_0.docx (49.26 KB)
Complete this form if all or part of your research degree fees will be covered by a sponsor

Staff Fee Waiver form-AL_V1.2_2025_0.docx (79.83 KB)
Complete this form if all or part of your fees will be covered by a staff fee waiver and you are employed as an Associate Lecturer (AL)

Exam Panel Chair Training Guidelines_0.docx (41.32 KB)
A list of expectations and useful documents for Exam Panel Chairs.

Professional-Doctorates-Framework_V1.2_2024.docx (52.02 KB)
Guidance for academic staff who want to create a new professional doctorate qualification

UKVI Student Route Visa Holder Roles and Responsibilities Form.docx (49.04 KB)
The purpose of this agreement is to ensure that the student is aware of their responsibilities to The Open University as the sponsor for their Student Route visa

Research-Guidance_V1.2 2024 (2).docx (65.46 KB)
Guidance on applying GDPR principles to research. Includes Data protection principles, Specific processing situations, Individuals’ rights, Exemptions and Checklist

research-proposal-prof-docs-.docx (34.05 KB)
Research proposal form to be submitted with 'Application form - Professional doctorates (EdD/DHSC)'

Supervisor-Training-Guidelines_V1.3 2024.docx (32.78 KB)
Sets out supervisor training obligations and links to relevant resources

Professional-Doctorate-Supervisor-Guidelines_V1.2 2024.docx (47.75 KB)
Guidance for supervisors of Professional Doctorate students

Applicant Recommendation Form Prof Docs_0 (1)_0.docx (55.01 KB)
Use this form to recommend admission for an EdD/DHSC Professional Doctorate applicant

Postgraduate-Research-Student-Wellbeing-and-Mental-Health-Policy_V1.3 2024.docx (62.58 KB)
Formalises existing good practice around PG research student mental health, including information on different roles, study breaks and support mechanisms

PGR Manager Faculty ARC Admin Guide-.pdf (353.22 KB)
User guide for the PGR Manager system, written for Faculty Administrators

PGR Manager Students User Guide V2-.pdf (2.83 MB)
User guide for the PGR Manager system, written for Directly Supported Students and Affiliated Research Centres (ARC)

PGR Manager Supervisor and Approver Guide-.pdf (4.83 MB)
User guide for the PGR Manager system, written for Supervisors and Approvers for both Directly Supported and Affiliated Research Centres (ARC)

Writing COVID-19 into your thesis_with license-.pdf (348.04 KB)
Suggestions of how the influence of the pandemic might be referenced in the usual chapters in a thesis

Team guidelines-.docx (25.06 KB)
Lays out standards for how we will use our Team spaces and how moderation will work

PGR Manager - Student Guide to Completing your Progress Report-.pdf (79.74 KB)
PGRs completing their progress report using PGR Manager

PGR Manager - Exam panel nomination-.pdf (203.29 KB)
The process for nominating an exam panel via PGR Manager

Application Form - ARCs-.docx (70.62 KB)
Use this form for applications to an ARC.

PGR Manager Examiner and EPC guide - ARC-.pdf (94.2 KB)
Pre- and post-viva PGR Manager step-by-step guide for examiners and exam panel chairs at Affiliated Research Centres

PGR Manager Examiner and EPC guide-.pdf (97.38 KB)
Pre- and post-viva PGR Manager step-by-step guide for examiners and exam panel chairs for directly registered PGRs

PGR Manager Upgrade extension guidance +4 students only-.pdf (218.7 KB)

PGR Manager Upgrade guidance for supervisors and assessors-.pdf (149.43 KB)
The process for Upgrade using PGR Manager, for supervisors and assessors

Supervision meeting notes guidance-.pdf (364.54 KB)
Guidance to upload your supervision meeting notes to PGR Manager

IT support for PGRs-.pptx (415.77 KB)
Presentation on IT support for new PGRs

professional_doctorate_25_26_0.docx (13.6 MB)
Handbook explaining Professional Doctorates at the Open University: support available, milestones and facilities

professional_doctorate_25_26_0.pdf (834.6 KB)
Handbook explaining Professional Doctorates at the Open University: support available, milestones and facilities

PGR Manager Dashboards-.pdf (199.21 KB)
Guidance to access dashboards: information tables available to administrative and management staff to support the management of PGR students

Supervision-Policy-.pdf (175.65 KB)
This policy sets out the University’s expectations and requirements for PGRS supervision

recruitment-guidelines.pdf (841.3 KB)
To provide guidance to faculties in the recruitment and selection of research students, and to aid the completion of the relevant Applicant Recommendation Form

maternity-paternity-adoption-and-shared-leave-policy 24 25.docx (74.96 KB)
This document relates to PG research students who might need support because their study is affected by pregnancy, maternity, paternity, adoption, and shared leave.

Carers Fund December 25.docx (98.17 KB)
The PGR Carers Support Fund issues funding to support PGRs who are carers; this document contains guidance notes and application form

research_degrees_handbook_dr_phd_25_26_0.docx (10.11 MB)
Word and pdf versions of the Research Degrees Handbook: Directly registered PhDs

research_degrees_handbook_dr_phd_25_26_0.pdf (1.04 MB)
Word and pdf versions of the Research Degrees Handbook: Directly registered PhDs

Student Assistance Fund PGR application form_final-.pdf (92.27 KB)

IT Guide for PGR Students - Post-October 2022 starters-.docx (1.75 MB)
Helps explain why you have two log-ins and which systems you should use them for; it also has some useful trouble-shooting information.

Prof_Doc_At_A_Glance.docx (133.43 KB)
For Professional Doctorate students to see what they can access via the Open University Graduate School

research_degrees_handbook_arc_phd_24_25.pdf (1.08 MB)
PDF of Research Degrees in Affiliated Research Centres Handbook (should be read prior to registration and referred to throughout registration)

Student_Assistance_Fund_guidance_notes.docx (104.64 KB)
Guidance notes to help complete the Student Assistance Fund application form

EPC Training Module PDF.pdf (209.52 KB)
Exam panel chair (EPC) training for examiners without access to My Learning Centre

Academic Engagement and Attendance Policy 2024_1.pdf (140.63 KB)
A framework for ensuring that academic engagement and attendance (AE&A) of every PGR is sufficient in order to ensure success in their studies

IT for PGR Students.docx (1.75 MB)

Supervision meeting form for student route visa holders.docx (26.33 KB)
Student route visa holders should complete this form and upload it to their formal supervision meeting notes on PGR Manager.

PGR Manager Planning and booking your training_0.pdf (694.59 KB)
Use with the Training and Development area of PGR Manager to produce a skills audit and use PGRM to plan your development.

Research Degree by Distance Recruitment Guidelines 2024.pdf (330.29 KB)
Guidelines for recruiting research students studying a distance-learning PhD.

Research Degree by Distance Learning Application Recommendation Form 2024.docx (76.54 KB)
Use this form to request admission for an Distance Learning PhD applicant

PGR Fieldwork and travel checklist and timeline_0_0.docx (29.48 KB)
A task checklist and timeline to help PGRs prepare for their fieldwork

OU research degrees HESA form.pdf (255.26 KB)
This form must be submitted alongside all applications for a research degree at The Open University

OU PhD and MPhil Application Form - International.pdf (435.77 KB)
This form is for PhD and MPhil applications who do not hold British or Irish citizenship. It must be submitted alongside a completed HESA and Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form.

Please note that a separate form should be used by applicants for distance learning.

OU PhD and MPhil Application Form - British and Irish Citizens.pdf (461.1 KB)
This form is for applicants who wish to apply for a PhD or MPhil and who hold British or Irish citizenship. All applications much be accompanied by a completed HESA form.
Please note that there is a separate application form for applicants who wish to study by distance learning.

OU EdD and DHSC Application Form.pdf (400.52 KB)
This form is for any individual (regardless of nationality) who wishes to apply for an EdD or DHSC at the OU. All application forms must be accompanied by a completed HESA form.

OU Distance Learning PhD and MPhil Application Form.pdf (608.92 KB)
This form is for all applicants (regardless of nationality) who wish to study a PhD or MPhil by distance learning. All applications must be accompanied by a completed HESA form

Reasonable Adjustments guidance October 2025.docx (84 KB)
This document offers guidance to postgraduate research (PGR) students on the reasonable adjustment support available to you if you have a disability or if you are a registered carer.

Visiting Students Report Form.docx (67.4 KB)
Report format to capture visiting student activities in Faculty and University.

policy-and-guidance-for-aegrotat-and-posthumous-research-degrees-awards.pdf (198.78 KB)
This policy comes into effect in the event of the diagnosis of a terminal or debilitating illness, severely deteriorating disability, or death of a postgraduate research student prior to the completion of their research degree.

Proof of English - detailed guidance for applicants.docx (96.59 KB)
This document provides detailed guidance for research degree applicants on proving their English language comptency