KCL MBBS PhD Studentship Scheme

The KCL MBBS PhD Scheme provides fully funded PhD studentships for students currently enrolled on the King’s College London MBBS programme. Up to two studentships are available for an October 2026 start.

The scheme is designed to strengthen the clinical academic pipeline by enabling talented, research-oriented medical students to integrate doctoral research into their training. Students will interrupt their MBBS studies for three years to complete a full-time PhD before returning to finish their medical degree.

Funding

Each studentship covers full PhD tuition fees at the home rate, an annual stipend at the UKRI rate with London weighting (£23,805 for 2026/27), and bench fees of up to £1,000 per year. The scheme is open to both home and overseas fee status students, though only the home rate will be covered.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be currently registered on the KCL MBBS programme in good academic standing and must hold home (UK) fee status. In addition, applicants must either have completed a previous undergraduate degree with a minimum classification of 2:1 (or equivalent), or be enrolled in an intercalated BSc at KCL with a supervisor letter confirming they are on track for a 2:1 or above. The BSc must be awarded before the PhD commences.

Projects and Supervisors

The scheme is open to all areas of medical and biomedical research. Students must identify a named primary supervisor and second supervisor and develop a one-page project proposal before applying. Supervisors must meet the University’s criteria for PhD supervision. A list of eligible supervisors will be made available to prospective applicants. Projects requiring bench fees above £1,000 per year must include evidence of matched funding.

How to Apply

Submit an online application to the “Immunology and Microbial Science Research MPhil/PhD” programme via King’s Apply

Applicants must submit a completed application form, CV, one-page project proposal, supervisor support statement, and evidence of prior degree classification (or BSc supervisor letter).

Award Scheme Code: MBBS26

• Under Funding, choose Option 5 “I am applying for a funding award or scholarship administered by King’s College London” and under “Award Scheme Code or Name” enter MBBS26

The application window will close in June 2026 for an October 2026 start.

Selection

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a panel interview. The panel will assess the quality and feasibility of the proposed project, the applicant’s research potential, and their commitment to a clinical academic career.

Programme Structure

Successful applicants will interrupt their MBBS studies and register for a three-year full-time PhD. Students will initially register as MPhil and undergo the standard upgrade to PhD. On completion of the PhD, students will return to the MBBS programme to complete their medical degree. Mentorship and pastoral support are provided throughout.

Contact

For enquiries, please contact Professor James Galloway at james.galloway@kcl.ac.uk.