Duration:  6 academic semesters at a minimum; 16 academic semesters at a maximum
Workload: 180 European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) credits
Mode of Study: Distance learning (e-learning)

More information about Doctoral Studies in the Open University of Cyprus: Internal Regulations for Doctoral Studies.

Information about Comprehensive Examination for Doctoral Studies, here.

Applicants to the Doctoral Programme must hold a Master’s degree in disciplines relevant to the above-mentioned fields of study with good knowledge of English language.  

Furthermore, applicants must submit the following documents together with their application:

1.      Detailed Curriculum Vitae (up to 5 pages)

2.      Research Proposal of 300 words, which must include the following:

-Title of the proposed doctoral research (beyond the 300 word limit): The title should provide a concise, clear, and representative indication of the focus subject of the proposed research.
-Abstract (approximately 100 words/ beyond the 300 word limit): The abstract should succinctly present the problem or central research question to be addressed in the dissertation, as well as the anticipated research outcomes.
-Overview of the current state of research: This section should provide concise information regarding the “state of the art”, i.e., the progress achieved to date in international research related to the dissertation topic, as well as the existing research desiderata, namely the questions that have not yet been satisfactorily addressed.
-Description of the scientific objectives of the proposed doctoral research and explanation of its significance for the advancement of scientific knowledge: This section should describe the questions that the proposed dissertation is expected to answer, the problems it is expected to resolve (or contribute to their solution), and more generally the ways in which the dissertation is expected to advance scholarly or scientific research in the specific field and contribute to the production of new knowledge.
-Literature review: This section should provide a thorough discussion of the principal (preferably 3 ) studies published in reputable academic journals, monographs, books, or edited volumes relevant to the dissertation topic. The literature review should summarize the main findings of existing research and identify unresolved issues that the proposed doctoral dissertation seeks to address.
-Proposed research methodology: This section should describe the methodology to be employed in the doctoral dissertation (e.g. methods for data collection and analysis, fieldwork, ethnographic research, etc.).
-Indicative bibliography (beyond the 300 word limit): This section should include the most important references (scholarly articles, books, conference proceedings, etc.) relevant to the research proposal. 

Applications for admission are submitted exclusively through the website of the Open University of Cyprus:

 Application dates for the fall semester of the academic year 2026-2027: March 10 - June 8, 2026.

Tuition fees for doctoral programmes amount to €675 per semester for the first six (6) semesters. The total tuition fees for the three-year period of study in a Doctoral Programme amount to €4,050. In cases where studies extend beyond this period, the fee remains €675 per semester for the first five (5) semesters and the final semester, while for the intervening semesters the fee is reduced to €100 per semester.

No tuition fees are charged for the compulsory first-year introductory course modules Academic Writing (DKXXX796) and Research Methodology (DKXXX795).

The University’s relevant policy applies with regard to tuition fee discounts and scholarships.

OUC's Institutional/Digital Repository "Kypseli" is a WEB designed portal which hosts the Intellectual and Research creations of the Open University of Cyprus.  Additionally, it includes all created digital Collections of multiple projects implemented by the University. You can find the Doctoral Dissertations of OUC PhD Alumni HERE.  

The Open University of Cyprus (OUC), through its participation in the European project "Liaison Offices with the Labour Market", offers to students of all its programmes of study, the optional and free of charge Thematic Unit (i.e. Module) entitled "Industry Placement". This module provides students opportunities for a placement to gain professional experience in their particular field of study, and the hosting institution can be any public or private organisation operating in the Republic of Cyprus.

Each student has the right to participate in this offering once or twice during his / her studies, provided that s/he meets the required conditions.

Request more information by contacting the OUC Liaison Office here.