European Studies Research

Ann
Swedish
European Studies Research MPhil/PhD

I had a great deal of faith in King's as an institution, having done my MA here and it being my first choice when applying for a PhD. I recall finding the academic staff of the European studies department accomplished and inspirational, and I still do. I am also greatly enjoying the exchange with more experience PhD students in the department. Moreover, in the short time since I embarked on my PhD I've been introduced to people and work of other more or less related departments, and to more of what King's has got to offer research students - organised social events, interdisciplinary research training and various seminars - and I feel increasingly happy about being here.

As a King's alumnus I managed to attract a small grant from the Graduate School, helping me with my tuition fees which, apart from a welcome reduction in costs, serves as a symbolical boost. I think that my PhD experience will be good for me, academically, professionally and personally, and I think the only advice I would have at this point is to treat your degree as yours and no one else's.

Wei
Chinese
European Studies Research MPhil/PhD
My PhD project is on China's perception of the Japan-U.S alliance since the end of the Cold War. My supervisors are Dr Ramon Pacheco Pardo from the Department of European and International Studies and Dr Alessio Patalano from the Department of War Studies. Not only are they experts on East Asia issues, but they are also very informative on research project management skills and funding opportunities. They led an East Asia Study Group which also includes dozens of PhD students at various stages of their projects. I participated and got much useful information and advice from both my supervisors and peers.

The most impressive thing about King's academic atmosphere is the inter-disciplinary way in which research activities are conducted. I also joined King's China Study Group, participated in DTC Theme 15 activities and Department of European and International Studies and Department of Political Economy joint PhD workshop.

And there're always chances to take courses jointly run by different universities. All of them gather like-minded people across the university/London. It feels very exciting and inspiring to engage with academic discussions with people with various background. King's library technology experts are nice and helpful all the time. Courses they provide on searching skills are very organized and gave me practice information. There's also free inter-library loan service, which give me access to almost whatever resources I need for the research.

Studying at King's is exciting because it's not confined to your department. KISS-DTC provides us the opportunity to study with great teachers from various disciplines and build academic networks with peers with different research focus and inspiring ideas. What's more, professional staff members are very nice and helpful, making it easier to settle into King's environment.

And the Modern Language Centre has loads of modules targeted at all levels of learners which are open to King's students free of charge. I took advanced Japanese myself, and it's very useful. King's is very generous with providing funding, which can be searched for in the King's funding database online. London is one of the world's academic centres, so you get lectured by and have discussion with famous scholars.

Try to get in touch with CSSA-King's if you're Chinese, for there's useful information and interesting events waiting for you. King's location is great, with excellent view over the Thames and all interesting events taking place around it. London is beautiful, and the weather is acceptable (if you always take an umbrella). Life here is busy yet promising. My tip is to install King's mobile app when you come so you get informed about all the news and events and are equipped with King's maps. Feel free to ask for directions whenever you get lost on campus, for people are keen to help.