The Department of Informatics invites applications for a number of 3.5-year funded studentships starting in October each year. There are normally three application deadlines in each year. The next application deadline for studies commencing in October 2024 is on 20 January 2024.
Eligibility
- Applicants should have an undergraduate degree or MSc in Computer Science or another discipline relevant for their PhD project (eg Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics or Physics). Due to high competition for funded studentships we particularly look for applicants with a first-class degree or distinction at masters.
- In exceptional cases other qualifications and experience may be considered and all applications will be assessed on their merit as appropriate to the individual case.
- The available studentships include studentships for applicants who are UK residents as well as studentships for international applicants from outside the UK.
We offer PhD projects under a range of different research themes in computer science. Applicants can explore the various projects available and apply to the one that suits their interests.
This list is not exclusive and the potential applicants can alternatively identify and contact appropriate potential supervisors to outline their academic background and research interests or to propose their own PhD project ideas.
There are a number of funding schemes available. Some cover both stipend (to cover living costs) and tuition fees, while others may cover fees only. The main funding opportunities for the Department are listed below. More options are listed on the King's postgraduate research funding pages or FindAPhD.com.
All scholarships, bursaries or other awards are offered on a competitive basis. Some King's funding opportunities may have earlier deadlines, so please check carefully.
The Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences offers studentships in the Chemistry, funded for 3.5 - 4 years, with a bursary starting at the standard research council rate, and which will cover the full cost of tuition fees for home and international students.
- Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Twins for Healthcare
DT4Health is an innovative PhD programme that cuts across the Health Faculties and the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences. The programme offers postgraduate researchers fully funded positions with the aim of training the next generation of leaders in healthcare technology to improve healthcare systems using the cutting-edge framework of Digital Twins. Applicants can find out more on the website.
- Centre for Doctoral Training on Multiscale Models for Life
This cross disciplinary CDT based in the Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Science offers support for 3.5 years including a stipend at the current UKRI rate, home rate tuition fees, research expenses and support for training and career enhancement.
It is open to those with an interest and aptitude for interdisciplinary research with a background in life sciences and physics, chemistry, maths, computation or engineering.
- King's-China Scholarship Council
King's-China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship programme (K-CSC) is open to students from China. Details of this programme can be found on our website.
PhD students can contribute to the department's teaching, for which payment will be made separately. Training and mentoring in teaching and learning in higher education is provided by the Faculty.
For further information on postgraduate research funding and scholarships please visit the Centre for Doctoral Studies pages.
The next application deadline for studies commencing in October 2024 is on 20 January 2024. The application process has two stages as outlined below.
King's online application portal
- Prior to application, the applicant should contact the potential supervisor to discuss the applicant's suitability for the proposed project.
- Then you need to complete an application for PhD via the University Admissions Portal.
Informatics application process
- To apply for a studentship, you need to submit a 'Studentship Application Statement' sent to the Department PGR Administrators.
- As part of this application, include your name, King's admissions entry number and potential supervisor.
- You also need to include information on your skills, past achievements, qualifications, experience and personal qualities that make you suited for the studentship.
- Include a 3-4 page research statement outlining the proposed research project - whether one chosen from the lists of PhD projects or the candidate's own project, incorporating:
- Initial ideas on the particular challenges the applicant would be interested in addressing;
- a brief review of the relevant state of the art, identifying limitations or open questions;
- initial ideas on what research the applicant might carry out towards addressing the challenges of the project, referring to existing research literature where appropriate.
In all cases the applicants are strongly advised to discuss their research statement with a potential supervisor.
Applicants do not need to repeat in their Studentship Application Statements the details of their background as these will be included in their PhD entry applications. Likewise, the applicants should not attach to their Studentship Application Statements any certificates or transcripts, as these should be attached to their PhD entry applications.
Following the review of the submitted Studentship Application Statements and the full PhD entry applications, shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview for assessment of their research potential and the contributions they can make to the research activities of the departmental hubs and to teaching activities within the department.