Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership (OOC DTP)

What the OOC DTP offered

While it ran, the Open-Oxford-Cambridge AHRC Doctoral Training Partnership funded PhD research in the arts and humanities at three universities: The Open University, the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), a UK public research funder, paid for it. Between 2019 and 2025 it funded over 450 PhD students. Funding covered your PhD fees plus a living allowance at national AHRC rates, over 3 to 4 years full time (longer part time). You also received a research support fund of up to about EUR 2,300 (GBP 2,000) across the whole studentship for research and training costs, funded placements of up to three months with organisations such as the National Trust or BBC World Service, travel cost reimbursement and a structured training programme. Note: this programme has closed. No new funded PhD places are offered from 2026 onwards, because the AHRC grant behind it is ending.

Who it was for

• Degree level: You were starting a PhD (doctoral research).
• Field of study: Any arts or humanities subject, including practice-based ones such as creative writing, music, art and design. Interdisciplinary projects were welcome.
• Where you studied: The Open University, the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge in the UK.

How to apply

Applications are no longer possible. OOC-funded studentships are not available from 2026 onwards. If you want a PhD in the arts and humanities, check the funding pages of the three universities directly. Students who already hold funding keep it until their studentships end.