How to apply for a research degree (PhD, Professional Doctorate, MPhil, MA/MSc by Research)

Before you apply

Documents to submit with your research application

You will be asked to include the following documents with your application:

  • A draft research proposal or project outline
  • Your academic transcripts and or certificates
  • English language qualifications, if required
  • A photograph or scan of your passport
  • You may also wish to attach a CV or other relevant documents, for example a portfolio of art work

Our faculties have produced guidance for applicants on how to put together a research proposal. Please see the application support section under each faculty area on this page for more information.

Make your application

We encourage you to start your research degree in March or October to receive maximum benefit from our induction and development programmes and you should select the nearest date listed below when you apply. In exceptional circumstances it may be possible to start your research degree outside October or March.

Which faculty are you applying to?

To apply for a research degree at Kingston, you'll need to choose one of our four faculties (listed below). The faculty you choose will depend on the subject(s) you are interested in.

Please make sure you choose the correct faculty to avoid a delay in considering your application.

Click on the links below for specific information for each faculty. Research degree options and contact details are listed for each faculty. If you are uncertain, please contact the Faculty Research Student Coordinator to check.

Research at Kingston School of Art

Includes Architecture and Landscape, Fine Art, Filmmaking and Photography, Performing Arts, Critical and Historical Studies, Creative and Cultural Industries, Humanities, Journalism, Publishing and Media, Graphics, Illustration and Animation, 3D Design and Fashion

Research in the Faculty of Business and Social Sciences

Includes Business, Management (including Healthcare Management, Leadership, and Decision Making) Finance, Accounting, Marketing, Criminology and Sociology, Economics, Law, Politics and International Relations, and Psychology.

Research in the Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education

Includes Nursing, Midwifery, Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Social Work and Social Care, and Education

Research in the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment

Includes Civil Engineering and Construction; Earth, Environmental and Social Sciences; Energy; Fire and Fluid Dynamics; Ground and Aerospace Transportation Engineering; Medical Engineering; Nano-materials and Composites; Communications; Vision; Security

Business and Social Sciences 

To apply, please ensure you select the exact qualification, start date and mode of attendance:

MSc by Research (not available for business research subjects)

MPhil (not available for business research subjects)

Faculty: Business and Social Sciences

Start date: March 2024

Start date: October 2024

Distance Learning MPhil/PhD Business and Social Sciences

MPhil/PhD Law and Social and Behavioural Sciences

Business PhD

Faculty: Business and Social Sciences

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Faculty: Business and Social Sciences

The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme is not currently available.

PhD by prior publication/portfolio

Faculty: Business and Social Sciences

Start date: March 2024

Start date: October 2024

Please refer to the guidelines and application process and contact the faculty using the contact details above to discuss your proposal.

Application support and Faculty contact

Faculty: Business and Social Sciences

Visit the Faculty's research webpage for more information.

For enquiries, please contact the research student coordinator:

Engineering, Computing and the Environment

To apply, please ensure you select the exact qualification, start date and mode of attendance:

MSc by Research

MPhil

MPhil/PhD

PhD by prior publication/portfolio

Faculty: Engineering, Computing and the Environment

Special arrangements are in place for applications for this route. Please refer to the guidelines and application process and contact the faculty using the contact details above to discuss your proposal.

Application support and Faculty contact

Faculty: Engineering, Computing and the Environment

Please see the Faculty's research degree webpage for more information.

For enquiries, please contact the research student coordinator:

Health, Science, Social Care and Education

To apply, please ensure you select the exact qualification, start date and mode of attendance from the drop-downs below.

Please click here to see the research expertise and areas of interest of members of staff within the School of Nursing.

MSc by Research

MPhil

MPhil/PhD

PhD by prior publication / portfolio

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Faculty: Health, Science, Social Care and Education

Start date: January

Application support and Faculty contact

Faculty: Health, Science, Social Care and Education

Please visit the Faculty's research degree webpage for more information.

For enquiries, please contact the research student coordinator:

Kingston School of Art 

To apply, please ensure you select the exact qualification, start date and mode of attendance:

MA by Research

MPhil

MPhil/PhD

PhD by prior publication/portfolio

Faculty: Kingston School of Art

Start date: January 2024

Start date: March 2024

Start date: October 2024

Please note: Special arrangements are in place for applications for this route. Please refer to the guidelines and application process and contact the faculty using the contact details above to discuss your proposal.

Application support and Faculty contact

Faculty: Kingston School of Art

Visit Kingston School of Art's research webpage for more information.

For enquiries, please contact the research student coordinator:

After you have applied

Your application, qualifications and proposed project will be assessed by the Faculty. If suitable, you will be invited to an interview to discuss your application and project. Interviews may take place over the telephone or by Skype, if appropriate.

We will assign a first supervisor to help you develop your proposed research into a practical project and to agree a programme of research training.

For more information you can download Information for research degree applicants and offer holders (PDF).