PhD Studentships for October 2025 start

To apply you must:

• have (or expect to have by 30 September 2025) a postgraduate masters degree or a first/upper second class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed research project. Equivalent professional experience may also be accepted.
• be intending to research in an area that is covered by Kingston University research expertise.
• if you are not from an English-speaking country or have not studied at a UK university before, you must provide proof of Internet-based IELTS at a minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7 (or equivalent qualification). The requirement varies by subject, so please see our English Language Requirements for further details. Note that the qualification is valid for two years only and so must be dated no earlier than 30 September 2023.

Please note that:

• Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
  All documents must be uploaded to the application, including evidence of English language qualifications, if applicable.
• Current doctoral students are not eligible to apply.
• Tuition fees will be paid at Home level only for 3 years. Overseas fee-paying students may apply but, if short-listed, will be required to provide evidence of how the remaining part of their fees will be paid.
• You should allow plenty of time to apply. Academic and administrative staff will be happy to help but are not able to answer queries outside the working week; some staff also work part time.

You will need to write a research proposal to support your Studentship application. For guidance on how to put together a research proposal, please visit the faculty pages:

• Kingston School of Art
• Business and Social Sciences
• Health, Science, Social Care and Education (note this faculty accepts applications for projects devised by applicants themselves and specific pre-approved projects).
• Engineering, Computing and the Environment (note this faculty only accepts applications for specific pre-approved projects).

You may want to discuss your research proposal with potential supervisors before you submit your application.

Please explore our staff profiles to find information on University staff and their research interests.

Advertised projects

If you are applying to an advertised project in the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment or the Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, when you submit your online application please include a separate document stating the advertised project title and name of supervisor. You do not need to include the full project proposal.

You must write a Studentship Application Statement and submit it with your online application. The statement should cover the points listed below. Maximum 500 words. Note that you do not also need to include a personal statement, unless you wish to.

Please save your statement as 'KU Studentship Application Statement YOUR NAME' and attach it to your online application at the point where you are asked to include a personal statement. You do not need to include an additional personal statement.

If you would like to apply for a Race Equality Studentship, or a KU Alumni Studentship, please note this clearly at the top of your statement.

In your Studentship Application Statement, please cover these points:

1. Why do you want to do a PhD?

Signing up for a PhD is a big undertaking. We need to know that you understand the commitment required for research and have a passion for your subject.

2. Why Kingston University?

What makes you keen to study with us at Kingston?

3. Why this subject area?

What is it about the area you have chosen that inspires you?

4. What will be the impact of your research and who will be reading it?

The impact of your research is how it will bring change to the wider society beyond academia (e.g. economy, society, culture, public policy, health, the environment and quality of life – both within the UK and overseas).

Who are the wider audiences for your research, perhaps in professional practice, policy-making, popular culture?

Who do you want to reach with your research?

How might you do so?

5. Your academic and/or professional background

How will your skills and expertise help you successfully complete your research project?

6. What personal qualities do you have that make you suited to PhD research?

For example: resilience and tenacity.

7. Assessment of personal development needs

A PhD is all about training to be a researcher. What knowledge and skills will you need to develop to conduct the proposed research?

How can we support your personal development?

You should submit your application, research proposal and Studentship Application Statement online.

Please note, there are different application links for each faculty, so please make sure you use the correct apply link.

Make your application using our online portal

Include with your application:

• Your research proposal. If you are applying for an advertised project (see Step 1), please paste the title and link to the advertisement into a document and upload it under the Research Proposal document type.
• A KU Studentship Application Statement. Please follow our template and guidance outlined in Step 2. If you do not include this statement your application will not be considered for a studentship. Upload this at the end of the online application under the Personal Statement document type. You do not need to provide an additional personal statement, but may do so if you wish.
• Copies of your transcripts and/or degree certificates, or partial transcripts if you have not yet completed the degree (you will be required to provide the originals for verification at a later date).
• English language qualification, if applicable (see above).
• CV, including publications (if relevant).
• As part of the online application, under the Finance heading you will be asked to indicate how you will be paying your fees. Please select 'Sponsor' and write 'KU Studentship' in all relevant fields. Use the email address for your Faculty Research Student Coordinator as the contact address (see end of this web page for details).

If you have already applied to Kingston University for October 2025 and wish to be considered for a studentship, please email the appropriate faculty listed below with your application reference number and attach your Studentship Application Statement. Please also complete the Equal Opportunities Form.

Kingston University is committed to ensuring that students are selected on the basis of merit. Completion of the equal opportunities form will help us to ensure that our policies and procedures are effective in avoiding discrimination and promoting equal opportunities in awarding studentships.

Your answers will not affect your application in any way. The information will not be seen by your potential supervisors, your referees, or the reviewers assessing your application.

Complete the equal opportunities form. 

References are not required with the application but will be required for shortlisted applicants and must be provided by the applicant before their interview.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified and must ensure references are submitted to the relevant Faculty by 16 April 2025. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that references are submitted to the relevant Faculty.

Referees should be asked to complete the Reference Form.

Who can provide a reference?

References should be from professional or academic contacts and cannot be from family members or friends. At least one reference should be from someone who knows you from your most recent academic qualification.

You may be invited to attend an interview as part of your Studentship application.

Applicants invited for interview will be informed as soon as possible after the closing date. If you have not heard from us by 7 April, your application has been unsuccessful.