How to apply
The Application Process
The application process to study for a PhD here at the Institute of Psychiatry involves two stages; completion of the online application form, and completion of the Project Approval Form.
The online application form provides us with the information we need to access an applicant’s eligibility against King’s entry criteria (i.e. qualifications, references etc). The Project Approval Form allows us to assess the project itself, to make sure it is suitable for a PhD. It is also a helpful way of assessing an applicant’s current knowledge in the selected area, as well as their English Language.
Follow these steps to make your application:
1. Online application form
Select the appropriate research programme by searching the subject area (e.g. Psychology MPhil/PhD (part time) / Psychosis MPhil/PhD (full time)):
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/prospectus/research/search/browse/bysubject
Or search by programme
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/prospectus/school/institute-of-psychiatry/programmes
Then complete the form at: https://myapplication.kcl.ac.uk.
It is essential that the following information is provided before a decision can be made in regards to your general eligibility:
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Two academic references
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Degree transcripts
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English Language test certificates (if appropriate)
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Personal statement and supporting information. You can also attach your project approval form here if you have completed it.
Once your application has been received, an acknowledgement email will be sent to you.
If you do not meet the basic King's eligibility criteria, you will be contacted by the central Health Schools admissions team. If you are not contacted, you can assume that you are eligible.
2. Project Approval Form
Please find the project form template here
To be accurately reviewed, we need as much information as possible so please fully complete the form. We also need the form to be fully signed by the applicant and both the supervisors. Signatures from the sub-Committee Chair and the Head of Department will be collected once the project has been approved.
Once complete, please send the form, either by email or by post, to the Postgraduate Research Administrator:
Postgraduate Research Administrator, Institute of Psychiatry, PO90, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF
The Postgraduate Research Administrator will look through your form and contact you if any information is missing or if clarification is needed. The form will then be sent to either the admissions tutor or the Chair of the relevant sub-committee to be reviewed, alongside your online application.
The Postgraduate Research Administrator will at this stage be in contact with you and will let you know of any feedback or changes needed to your project form, before a formal offer can be made.
We aim to make a decision in approx 6-8 weeks, although the review process can sometimes take longer if the project is complex or if we have to seek an external reviewer.
Once you have submitted both King’s application form and project approval form you can contact the Postgraduate Research Administrator at any time if would like to know at what stage your application is at.
Off-Campus study
If you intend on carrying out some of your research (e.g. data collection), overseas, you will also need to complete the Off-Campus Study form. This form outlines when you will be overseas, what you will be doing, and how you will be supervised during this time.
College regulations state that full time students must be present at the Institute of Psychiatry for atleast 6 months at the start and 6 months at the end of studies (and part time equivalent). Permission will need to be granted from the Head of Graduate Studies before commencement of studies, if the student wishes to study abroad during these times.
Download the form here and please contact Sarah Wheeler if you have any further questions.
Start dates
We have four intakes a year; October, January, April and July.
You can start on any of these dates, although if you are being sponsored, the funder may specify when you need to start.
Application Deadlines – 2012/2013
Completed online applications should be made once supervisors are found, by the following deadlines. Completed Project Approval Forms must be submitted to the Postgraduate Research Administrator by the following deadlines:
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Registration Date
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Deadline for PAF/App
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1st July 2013
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10th May 2013
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1st October 2013
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24th May 2013
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1st January 2014
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1st October 2013
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1st April 2014
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3rd January 2014
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1st July 2014
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1st April 2014
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Please note that project approval forms will not be considered until your online application has been submitted, eligibility checks carried out and supervisors confirmed. It is therefore advisable for you to find supervisors as soon as possible and complete your online application after this point.
Studentships
Throughout the academic year, studentships become available, from external funders (such as the Medical Research Council), departments or individual researchers. The application process for some studentships can differ from the general application process outlined above, so please read through all information you are given fully so you send the correct information to the correct person.
Please be aware that successful studentship applicants will still have to complete a Project Approval Form and King’s online application form, prior to commencing their studies. Adverts for funding for studentships can be found on our dedicated studentship page or departmental webpages.
Questions?
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For any pre-application queries, please contact the Health Schools admissions team (email pg-healthadmissions@kcl.ac.uk).
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For any queries relating to the online application form, please contact the Health Schools admissions team through the message facility on the admissions portal (https://myselection.kcl.ac.uk).
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For any queries relating to the Project Approval Form, or anything else, please contact the Postgraduate Research Administrator, either via email or phone on 020 7848 0828.
Good luck with your application and we look forward to hearing from you soon!