Operational Research PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for UK Students

Operational Research involves the application of mathematical methods to solve a problem at hand. If you’re thinking of doing a PhD in Operational Research, you’ll be working on solving numerical versions of problems in sectors like healthcare, public health, finance and transportation among many others.

What’s it like to do a PhD in Operational Research?

A PhD in Operational Research will require you to put to use scientific methods and study complex organisational problems and use your existing knowledge of mathematical models to help in decision-making.

Most Operational Research PhD topics have a large mathematical component. Some of the most popular topics in Operational Research are:

• Mathematical optimisation
• Queuing systems
• Healthcare modelling
• Environmental modelling
• Data analytics
• Finance and risk

By the end of your PhD, you’ll have produced an in-depth thesis that makes a unique and significant contribution to your field of study. You will have to submit a final thesis of about 80,000 words to be defended in a oral viva examination to complete your PhD.

Operational Research doctoral programmes are sometimes offered with a research objective attached. However, some universities might also ask you to propose your own research idea as part of your application.

In the UK, most Operational Research PhD students first register to an MPhil. You can upgrade to a PhD, after a review at the end of your first year, if your supervisor feels your work meets certain standards.

Entry requirements

Most Operational Research PhDs require you to have a strong mathematical background so a honours degree and a Masters degree in a relevant subject is often necessary.

Depending on where you apply, you might also have to give a language test showing you are fluent in the language of instruction at your university.

PhD in Operational Research funding options

In the UK, a PhD in Operational Research is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). They offer fully funded studentships along with a monthly stipend. If you are applying for an advertised PhD with the funding attached, you’ll get the funding if you’re successful in your application. However, if you are proposing your own research project, you’ll have to first be accepted by a university and then apply for funding separately.

PhD in Operational Research careers

A PhD will equip you with the skills required to excel in academia. Most Operational Research students work as postdoctoral research fellows, research impact officers or lecturers. You could also work for governments or financial firms.