1) Choose a topic: begin with an idea of the area you wish to do research in.
2) Define your proposal. In addition to the information required by the Faculty’s online Admissions application, candidates are required to submit a research proposal. This should include the following:
a) the central research question(s) you intend to address;
b) a critical assessment of the relevant published scholarship on the research topic and its related field, indicating how you expect your own project to expand, complement or challenge that existing body of scholarship by the discovery of new materials and data or new analytical insights;
c) The material scope of the project, i.e. the materials and resources that will be your object of study;
d) Methodological tools and approaches to be employed (including any training you may require; you should already have the language proficiency appropriate to your research programme);
e) A proposed plan and schedule of work, to show that your project can be completed within three years (four years including writing up) if you are a full-time student, or seven years (eight including writing up) if you are a part-time student. These are now the maximum allowed registration times for MPhil/PhD students.
3) Find a supervisor: Search for academics working in the field you wish to study. There need not be an exact correlation between your proposal and their research interests, after all it should be a 'unique' project, but they should be equipped to advise you on secondary reading and where to find sources if relevant.
Contact your supervisor: It is best to contact your proposed supervisor before you apply. You can then discuss your proposal with them, ensuring that they are happy with the topic. They will also at this time be able to give you advice on your Research Proposal - particularly important if you are hoping to apply for funding.
4) Apply: Once you have been in touch with the supervisor and they have, provisionally agreed to your proposal, apply to the college for a place.
Candidates seriously being considered for entry onto the MPhil/PhD programme are normally invited for interview by two or members of the Department’s academic staff, normally including the prospective supervisor and the Research Admissions Tutor.
We recommend that you submit your application as soon as possible as we may need to request further information from you to assess your application. This is also important if your application is successful and you are required to meet any offer condition, and/or you need a Student Visa to study here at King’s.
The final application deadlines are detailed below; on these dates, the programme will close at 23:59 (UK time) and we will open for the corresponding intake in 2023 soon after the same intake has passed in 2022.
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February 2022 entry – 12 November 2021 for Overseas fee status and 6 December 2021 for Home fee status
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June 2022 entry – 1 April 2022 for Overseas fee status and 11 April 2022 for Home fee status
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October 2022 entry – 29 July 2022 for Overseas fee status and 26 August 2022 for Home fee status
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February 2023 entry – 21 October 2022 for Overseas fee status and 22 November 2022 for Home fee status
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June 2023 entry – 3 April 2023 for Overseas fee status and 17 April 2023 for Home fee status
Please note that funding deadlines may be earlier than the application deadlines listed above.