PhD Studentships

About the project

Kingston University's PhD Studentships competition offers research studentships to students whose expertise matches the University's areas of research.

PhD Studentships for October 2026 start

Please note: the 2026 competition is now closed for applications. Details of the 2027 competition will be confirmed in the Autumn.

Kingston University has established an international reputation for high quality, innovative research. Our research degree students are a core part of this.

We are again seeking to make a substantial investment in up to 15 new PhD studentships enrolling in late September. These include targeted awards for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students and for Kingston alumni.

We are looking for students with expertise that matches our areas of research excellence. Application for these highly competitive research studentships is now open.

Deadline: complete applications must be received by the end of day (GMT midnight), 4 March 2026.

More information on the research areas can be found by following the faculty links below:

Learn more about:

• Kingston School of Art
• Business and Social Sciences
• Engineering, Computing and the Environment
• Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education
• the University's research
• support available for students with disabilities .

Funding available

There are three different levels of funding available for new students: fully funded (at the home fee rate), partially funded, and fees only (at the home fee rate).

• Full-time and part-time applications are welcome : Funding for part-time study will be pro rata at 50% of the full-time rate.
• Overseas fee-paying candidates: Applicants must be intending to study in the UK at Kingston, not based in their home country. These awards will cover Home fees only. If you are selected for interview you will need to demonstrate that you can fund the difference in fees for each year of your registration. For the academic year 2026/27, international fees are £18,000. Home fees have not yet been confirmed but are likely to be around £5,300. The difference between home fees and international fees is £12,294 for the academic year 2025/26 and it should be noted that tuition fees increase slightly each year. You would therefore need to find at least £36,882 over the 3 years, plus the yearly increase. Note that the Immigration Health (NHS) Surcharge must be paid before arrival in the UK and has recently increased.

Fully-funded studentships (at the home fee rate)

Up to 15 awards are available.

The full-time doctoral stipend for 2025/26 is £22,780 per year; levels are likely to rise slightly for the following years but have not yet been confirmed.

Applications for part-time study are welcomed and will receive pro-rata funding for both tuition fees and stipend.

• Fees: Home tuition fees only for 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time. For 2025/26 this is £5,006 full-time or £2,503 part-time.
• Stipend: 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time.

Race equality studentships (open to home students only)

Fully-funded Studentships for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants (Home students only)

We encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students and have set aside a number of the studentships listed above for applicants who identify as having these ethnic backgrounds. In addition to the funding, there will be a programme of support and mentoring available to you.

Successful applicants will be offered a place on our RISE Research Leadership Academy , which is designed to develop candidates' leadership skills within academia.

Note that these awards are open to Home fee-paying students only. Read more about who is eligible for home fee status.

To apply, please follow the process listed below and state ‘Race Equality Studentship' at the top of your Studentship Application Statement.

Once we have confirmed the availability of a potential supervisory team, we will offer application and interview support through a faculty mentor who will be a member of academic staff. To access support in advance of submitting your application please email the relevant Research Student Coordinator (listed below) and ask to be put in touch with a mentor in your subject area.

We are also hoping to have current research students with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds available to discuss their experiences with you. If you would like to take up this opportunity, please email Rachel Graham to arrange an informal online meeting or phone call.

Note that a representative from the Kingston University People of Colour Staff Network will be part of the awarding panel.

Unsuccessful applicants who reach the interview stage will be offered a feedback meeting to assist with future applications.

Read more about Kingston's approach to equality, diversity and inclusion and reducing the degree awarding gap .

Kingston Alumni studentships

At least one of the fully-funded PhD studentships listed above will be awarded to a Kingston Alumni who has completed an undergraduate and/or masters level degree course at Kingston University or its predecessor institutions. Please note 'KU Alumni application' on your Studentship Application Statement.

Partial studentships

Up to 5 awards are available.

Total contribution to fees and stipend: £11,000 per year for three years full-time or £5,500 per year for six years part-time. Payments will be made towards tuition fees and any remaining funds will be paid as a stipend.

Tuition-fees-only studentships

Up to 5 awards are available.

Fees: UK Home tuition fees only for 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time.

Awards will cover UK Home tuition fees for three years of full-time study or the part-time equivalent. For 2025/26 this is £5,006 full-time or £2,503 part-time.

Bench fees

Some research projects in the faculties of ECE and HSSCE require payment of additional bench fees. These are not included in the studentship and could cost up to £10,000 per year. For further details, students should consult the relevant supervisor.

How to apply

If you would like to apply for a studentship at Kingston University, please check your eligibility and follow the steps below.

Academic and administrative staff will be happy to help with queries but please note: staff are only available during working hours and some staff work part time. Please give yourself plenty of time to complete the application.

Ensure you have included all the relevant documents, including English language certificates if applicable. A document list is under Step 3 below. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Apply by 4 March 2026 (midnight, UK time).

Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. If you have not heard from us by 1 April 2026, your application has been unsuccessful.

Eligibility

To apply you must:

Please note that:

• have (or expect to have) a postgraduate masters degree or a first/upper second class honours degree (2:1) or equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed research project. Equivalent professional experience may also be accepted.
• be intending to research an area that is covered by Kingston University research expertise.
• if you are not from an English-speaking country or have not studied at a UK university before, you must provide proof of Academic IELTS at a minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7 (or equivalent qualification). The requirement varies by subject, so please see our English Language Requirements for further details. Note that an English Language qualification is valid for two years only and so must be dated no earlier than 30 September 2024.
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted. All documents must be uploaded to the application, including evidence of English language qualifications, if applicable.
• Current doctoral students are not eligible to apply.
• Tuition fees will be paid at Home level only for 3 years. Overseas fee-paying students may apply but, if short-listed, will be required to provide evidence of how the remaining part of their fees will be paid.
• You should allow plenty of time to apply. Academic and administrative staff will be happy to help but are not able to answer queries outside the working week; some staff also work part time.

Step 1: Write a research proposal

You will need to write a research proposal to support your Studentship application. For guidance on how to put together a research proposal, please visit the faculty pages.

You may want to discuss your research proposal with potential supervisors before you submit your application.

We have a Padlet of Research Degree application resources from outside Kingston University that may be useful.

Please explore our staff profiles to find information on University staff and their research interests.

• Kingston School of Art
• Business and Social Sciences
• Health, Science, Social Care and Education (Note that this faculty accepts applications for both specific pre-approved projects and projects devised by applicants themselves. See the Advertised Projects section below and the Faculty webpage for further details).
• Engineering, Computing and the Environment (Note that this faculty only accepts applications for specific pre-approved projects. (See the list of projects on the findaphd.com website . See the Advertised Projects section below and the Faculty webpage for further details).

Advertised projects

If you are applying to an advertised project in the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment (see the list of projects on the findaphd.com website ) or the Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education (see the list of projects on the findaphd.com website ), when you submit your online application please include a separate document stating the advertised project title and name of supervisor. You do not need to include the full project proposal.

Step 2: Write a Student Application Statement

You must write a Studentship Application Statement and submit it with your online application. The statement should cover the points listed below. Maximum 500 words. Note that you do not also need to include a personal statement, unless you wish to.

Please save your statement as ' KU Studentship Application Statement YOUR NAME ' and attach it to your online application.

If you would like to apply for a Race Equality Studentship, or a KU Alumni Studentship, please note this clearly at the top of your statement.

In your Studentship Application Statement, please cover these points:

• Why do you want to do a PhD? Signing up for a PhD is a big undertaking. We need to know that you understand the commitment required for research and have a passion for your subject.
• Why Kingston University? What makes you keen to study with us at Kingston?
• Why this subject area? What is it about the area you have chosen that inspires you?
• What will be the impact of your research and who will be reading it? The impact of your research is how it will bring change to the wider society beyond academia (e.g. economy, society, culture, public policy, health, the environment and quality of life – both within the UK and overseas). Who are the wider audiences for your research, perhaps in professional practice, policy-making, popular culture? Who do you want to reach with your research? How might you do so?
• Your academic and/or professional background How will your skills and expertise help you successfully complete your research project?
• What personal qualities do you have that make you suited to PhD research? For example: resilience and tenacity.
• Assessment of personal development needs A PhD is all about training to be a researcher. What knowledge and skills will you need to develop to conduct the proposed research? How can we support your personal development?

Step 3: Apply online

You should submit your application, research proposal and Studentship Application Statement online.

Please note: there are different application links for each faculty, so please make sure you use the correct apply link for October 2026 entry.

Make your application using our online portal.

Include with your application the following

If you have already applied to Kingston University for October and wish to be considered for a studentship, please email the appropriate faculty listed below. Include your application reference number and attach your Studentship Application Statement. Please also complete the Equal Opportunities Form .

• Your research proposal. If you are applying for an advertised project (see Step 1), please paste the title and link to the advertisement into a document and upload it under the Research Proposal document type.
• A KU Studentship Application Statement. Please follow our template and guidance outlined in Step 2. If you do not include this statement your application will not be considered for a studentship. Upload this at the end of the online application under the Personal Statement document type. You do not need to provide an additional personal statement but may do so if you wish.
• Copies of your transcripts and/or degree certificates, or partial transcripts if you have not yet completed the degree (you will be required to provide the originals for verification at a later date).
• English language qualification, if applicable (see above).
• CV, including publications (if relevant)
• As part of the online application, under the Finance heading, you will be asked to indicate how you will be paying your fees. Please select 'Sponsor' and write 'KU Studentship' in all relevant fields. Use the email address for your Faculty Research Student Coordinator as the contact address. Kingston School of Art Faculty of Business and Social Sciences Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education
• Kingston School of Art
• Faculty of Business and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment
• Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education

Step 4: Complete the Equal Opportunities Form

Kingston University is committed to ensuring that students are selected on the basis of merit. Completion of the Equal Opportunities Form will help us ensure our policies and procedures are effective in avoiding discrimination and promoting equal opportunities in awarding studentships.

Your answers will not affect your application in any way. The information will not be seen by your potential supervisors, your referees, or the reviewers assessing your application.

Complete the Equal Opportunities Form

Step 5: Provide references

References are not required with the application but will be required for shortlisted applicants and must be provided by the applicant before their interview . We cannot accept references or letters of recommendation with an application, they must be sent directly to us by the referee.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified and are responsible for ensuring references are submitted to the relevant faculty by 15 April 2025.

Referees should be asked to complete the Reference Form .

Who can provide a reference?

References should be from professional or academic contacts and cannot be from family members or friends. At least one reference should be from someone who knows you from your most recent academic qualification.

Step 6: Attend an interview

You may be invited to attend an interview as part of your Studentship application.

Applicants invited for interview will be informed as soon as possible after the closing date. If you have not heard from us by the end of April, your application has been unsuccessful.

Read our research degree interview guidance , which includes possible adjustments for candidates with disabilities.

Need more information?

Look through research student profiles .

Look at frequently-asked questions .

Read more about research degree programmes at Kingston University .

For faculty-specific enquiries, please contact the relevant research student coordinator:

• Kingston School of Art
• Faculty of Business and Social Sciences
• Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment
• Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education

1. What funding is available?

We are offering 3 levels of funding. All awards are for 3 years full-time study or 6 years of part-time study.

Fully funded at the home fee rate

These cover tuition fees at home level only plus a maintenance stipend (subject to satisfactory progression). International fees paying candidates selected for interview would need to demonstrate that they can fund the difference in fees for each year of registration. It should be noted that tuition fees increase by a small amount for each year of study.

Partial studentships

These offer a £11,000 contribution towards tuition fees and/or stipends for 3 years for full-time students or a £5,500 contribution for 6 years for part-time students.

Tuition Fees only studentships

These awards will cover tuition fees at Home level for 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time.

2. How many studentships are available?

We estimate that we will be able to support up to 15 studentships across the University.

3. What is the application process?

Applicants must submit an online application (which may be accessed from our 'how to apply for a research degree' webpage ) with the following documentation by GMT midnight Wednesday 4 March 2026

Note that references must be supplied if you are invited to interview.

• A research project proposal (applicants for the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment (ECE) and the School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry in the Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education, see Q.4.)
• IELTS or equivalent English language qualification (if applicable - see Q.6)
• Academic transcripts and/or certificates (degree level onwards)
• Academic or relevant professional CV
• List of publications if relevant
• A Studentship Application Statement. This should be a brief statement in a document titled ‘KU Studentship application YOUR NAME’. The statement must follow the template on the website. If you do not include this statement we will not be aware that you are applying for a studentship and your application will not be considered. You do not need to include a personal statement as well, unless you wish to.

Application email addresses for faculties

Kingston School of Art

Faculty of Business and Social Sciences

Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education

Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment

4. I am applying to the Faculty of Engineering, Computing and the Environment (ECE). What should I do about the project proposal?

The Faculty of ECE only accepts applications for pre-written projects. These are listed on FindAPhD.com . You must include the project title and lead supervisor’s name with your application. Please see the Faculty webpage Research webpages for information about how to apply.

5. I am applying to the Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education. What should I do about the project proposal?

This faculty accepts applications for projects devised by the applicant and also applications for pre-approved projects. A list of pre-approved projects will be on their webpage by late January.

6. What qualifications do I need to apply?

You must have a postgraduate masters degree or a first/upper second-class (2:1) honours degree or equivalent in a subject relevant to your proposed research programme. Find out more information on Kingston’s research degrees .

7. Do I need to provide English language qualification?

If you are not from an English-speaking country or have not studied at a UK university before you will need to provide proof of Internet-based IELTS at a minimum overall score of 6.5 or 7 (or equivalent qualification) with your application. It cannot be provided later. The qualification must be dated no earlier than December 2024. There are some variances in faculties – see our English Language Requirements .

8. Do I need to include a personal statement as well as my Studentship Application Statement?

No, but you can if you wish to.

9. How do I prepare a project proposal?

There is subject-specific guidance on the faculty webpages:

• Kingston School of Art
• Business and Social Sciences
• Health, Science, Social Care and Education Note that this faculty accepts applications for both specific pre-approved projects and projects devised by applicants themselves. See the list of projects on the findaphd.com website .
• Engineering, Computing and the Environment Note that this faculty only accepts applications for specific pre-approved projects. See the list of projects on the findaphd.com website . See the Advertised Projects section and the faculty webpage for further details. As this faculty only accepts applications for pre-approved projects, applicants do not need to prepare their own proposals.

10. How do I apply for a Race Equality Studentship?

Please follow the application process listed in Question 3, above. When you upload your Kingston University Studentship Application Statement please write at the top ‘Race Equality Studentship application’. Note that these studentships are only open to Home fee paying students.

11. How do I apply for a Kingston Alumni Scholarship?

Please follow the application process listed in Question 3, above. When you upload your Kingston University Studentship Application Statement please write at the top ‘KU Alumni Studentship application’.

12. I have already applied to do a PhD at Kingston University. Do I have to apply again?

No, please email the relevant Faculty Research Student Coordinator with your KU Studentship Application Statement and request to be considered. Please include your application reference number.

13. I applied last year. Can I apply again?

Yes, you can apply again but you must submit a new application form.

14. I have publications. Where should I list them?

You may include a separate list (maximum two sides of A4 paper)

15. Can I submit more than one application or project proposal?

No, you can only submit one application and one project proposal.

16. When do the studentships start?

PhD candidates offered studentships must enrol in late September unless they are completing a taught Masters course in October/November. These students must enrol as soon as their result has been confirmed.

17. I am already studying for a PhD at a different university. Can I apply for one of these studentships and transfer to Kingston?

Yes, we can accept applications from students transferring from another university if you meet the Kingston entry criteria.

18. I am currently studying for a masters or undergraduate degree and have not yet received my final marks. Can I still apply?

Yes, but any offer will be conditional upon you achieving the required grades in your current degree.

19. Can I study part-time with one of these studentships

Yes, part-time applicants are welcome to apply.

20. I am an international fee-paying student. Can I apply?

You may apply but, if invited for interview, you will be required to provide evidence to prove that you have funding for the portion of the fee that is not covered by the studentship.

21. Should I discuss my application with my proposed supervisor?

Yes, you are encouraged to discuss your application with your supervisor. Visit our staff profiles to find information on the University’s staff and their research interests.

22. Will unsuccessful applicants be notified?

We anticipate receiving a large number of applications and will not be able to respond to all unsuccessful applicants. Applicants invited for interview will be informed as soon as possible after the closing date. You should assume that your application has been unsuccessful if you have not heard from the University by 4 weeks after the closing date.

23. The application form asks how I will be paying my fees, which should I select?

Please select institutional funding or self-funding. This is not binding and is not reviewed as part of your application.

Research areas