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Doctoral Training Programme

Enrolment for 2026-27 is now open.

To apply, complete our application form >here< 

For more information about our 2026-27 courses, please view our flyer here. 

Further details on available languages, class timetables, and course durations can be found further down this page.

Join our virtual Open Day

Our next virtual open day is on Wednesday 8th July at 11am until 12:00.  To reserve your place, please click >here< to complete the booking form. 

The session will include a brief FAQ presentation outlining the course, followed by the opportunity to:
 - Take part in a beginner-level taster session in any of our offered languages
 - Attend a level assessment (for non-beginners) to ensure accurate class placement

This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the enrolment process, course structure, and ask questions you may have.

King's Language Centre (LC) at King’s College London is the largest language centre in the UK, teaching 9,000 students a year.  The LC, as part of its collaboration with LAHP, CHASE, SWW, M4C, and SGSAH has developed language modules specifically tailored to cater for research students. Courses are designed to meet the needs of students based on their PhD studies, and students are invited to bring in class materials linked to their research or special interests.

The majority of the course will be conducted in the language of study. Our teachers use a communicative approach in class and will address the four communicative skills (speaking, reading, writing and listening). Courses will be delivered online and our virtual classroom will allow for real time online interaction through audio/video, and text chat between teachers and fellow students. Our experienced and qualified native speaker teachers will use group work, online exercises, and will integrate a variety of activities to deliver their classes. 

There are no final examinations but continuous formative assessment and an optional online formative assessment is also available at the end of Term 2.

Doctoral candidates who are part of other DTPs and would like to know more about these courses should contact languagecentrepartners@kcl.ac.uk

For information about other training oportunities at King's, please click here.

Contact Us

020 7848 2890

Course structure

Reading, writing, listening & speaking

Discipline specific vocabulary & academic texts

Improve academic presentation skills

Cultural workshops

Languages available in 2026-27:

Please note that classes are subject to demand and are not all guaranteed to run.

  • Arabic (Beginners, Beginners Plus)
  • British Sign Language (Beginners, Beginners Plus)
  • French (Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced)
  • German (Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced)
  • Italian (Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced)
  • Japanese (Beginners, Beginners Plus and Advanced)
  • Spanish (Beginners, Intermediate)

2026-27 Timetable

The classes on offer for 2026-27 and their schedule can be viewed here (opens in a new window).

 

Module descriptions

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User/ Breakthrough) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 1 x 4-hour language class per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

This module is equivalent to A2 (Basic User) /B1 (Independent User/ Threshold) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User/ Breakthough)/ A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is between A2 (Basic User) and B1 (Independent User/ Threshold) level of the Common European Framework for languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This course is B2+ (Independent User/ Vantage) level of the Common European Framework for languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership. Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 1 x 4-hour language class per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User/ Breakthrough)/ A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is between A2 (Basic User/ Waystage)/ B1 (Independent User/ Threshold) level of the Common European Framework for languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This course is equivalent to B2+ (Independent User/ Vantage) level of the Common European Framework for Languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User/ Breakthrough)/ A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is equivalent to A2 (Basic User/ Waystage)/ B1 (Independent User/ Threshold) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This course is equivalent to B2+ (Independent User/ Vantage) level of the Common European Framework for Languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User, Breakthrough) level of the Common European Framework for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is equivalent to A2 (Basic User/ Waystage)/ B1 (Independent User/ Threshold) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions. Assessment: None

CEFR level: This course is equivalent to B2+ (Independent User/ Vantage) level of the Common European Framework for Languages.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User/ Breakthrough)/ A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is equivalent to A2 (Basic User/ Waystage)/ B1 (Independent User/ Threshold) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User, Breakthrough) level of the Common European Framework for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is broadly equivalent to A1 (Basic User/ Breakthrough)/ A2 (Basic User/ Waystage) level of the Common European Framework.

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This module is equivalent to A2 (Basic User/ Waystage)/ B1 (Independent User/ Threshold) level of the Common European Framework of Reference for languages (CEFR).

Open to: LAHP and LAHP affiliated Postgraduate Research Students, CHASE Postgraduate Research Students and SWW Postgraduate Research Students, subject to approval by relevant Doctoral Training Partnership.

Credit value: 0 credits

Duration: 3 Terms (full year)

Teaching pattern: 2 x 2-hour language classes per week for 3 Terms (20 weeks)

Attendance policy: a 75% attendance requirement is in place in order to successfully complete the module. Taught classes are not available via lecture capture.

Self-study: Students should expect to study for 4-8 hours per week in addition to the taught sessions.

Assessment: None

CEFR level: This course is between B2+ (Independent User/ Vantage) level of the Common European Framework for languages.

 

Course duration and dates

The course has 80 hours total teaching time, 4 hours per week for 20 weeks (Autumn, Spring and Summer term).

Autumn Term Spring Term Summer Term*

Start: 19 October 2026

Start: 25 January 2027

Start: 19 April 2027

End: 11 December 2026

End: 25 March 2027

End: 28 May 2027

1 Reading Week 02 - 06 November

1 Reading Week 01 - 05 March

No Reading Week

*No Classes on Early May Bank Holiday (Monday 03 May 2027)

A Reading Week is a designated period, typically in the middle of each semester, where students are given a break from scheduled classes.

 **British Sign Language Beginners Plus will be online on Thursdays from 19:00 to 20:30 for 20 weeks (3 Terms). Class is subject to demand.

Resources available for you

The Language Resource Centre (LRC) offers free speaking practice for students with a native speaker to improve conversational skills. Our speakers are volunteers and come from the richly diverse King's community.

The LRC also offers a wide variety of resources, workshops and events as well as multilingual learning advisors who are always on hand to help you make the most of the facilities.

Language Resources Centre