smartblogger094Have you ever dreamed of pursuing a PhD but worried about how to afford it? A PhD scholarship can help make advanced graduate study a reality by covering your tuition fees and providing a living stipend.
King’s College London: A Premier Research Institution
Before diving into specifics about King’s PhD scholarships, it’s helpful to understand why King’s is such a prestigious place for graduate study. Founded in 1829, King’s is one of the largest and most internationally diverse universities in the UK. It is consistently ranked within the top 30 universities worldwide. Across its six campuses in strategic zones of London, King’s has a total enrollment of over 31,000 students representing over 150 nationalities.
With an annual research income of over £130 million, King’s is a leading research-intensive institution. It offers over 350 different subject areas across nine academic faculties, including the renowned Schools of Medicine, Law, Natural & Mathematical Sciences, and Social Science & Public Policy. King’s has an outstanding reputation for interdisciplinary collaboration that bridges the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and health care disciplines. This diverse, dynamic environment is perfect for nurturing innovative PhD research.
A Powerful Network and World-Changing Impact
A PhD from King’s opens doors to a vast global network of over 180,000 alumni and an illustrious roster of notable figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, JK Rowling, and David Beckham. Many King’s graduates go on to highly successful careers in academia while others use their advanced training to make impacts across various sectors including government, health, business, the arts and more. Pursuing a PhD at King’s provides incomparable resources and opportunities to conduct research that can truly change the world.
Funding Your PhD Studies Through Scholarships
Now that we’ve established King’s excellence as a research institution, let’s dig into the funding support available specifically for PhD students. King’s offers multiple internal and external scholarship schemes that provide full or partial support. Funding options vary based on your subject area, nationality, and other eligibility criteria. The most prestigious and competitive scholarship programs include:
King’s College London Graduate Research Scholarships
These prestigious scholarships cover tuition fees and provide a tax-free maintenance stipend for three years. Open to highly qualified students of any nationality, the scholarship is awarded based on academic merit and research potential. The graduate research scholarship is the most lucrative PhD funding opportunity available through King’s.
School/Faculty PhD Scholarships
Individual schools and faculties at King’s also offer their own competitive scholarships. For example, the Department of Health Policy in the School of Population Health Sciences awards several scholarships annually for students pursuing health-related PhD topics. Eligibility and value vary by department – always check your intended subject area for additional internal funding prospects.
external Awards and Grants
In some fields, external funding bodies like national research councils and charities provide PhD studentships that can be taken up at King’s. For example, King’s is an eligible UK institution for Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) studentships in environmental fields. Pursuing external awards expands your funding options and makes your application more competitive for King’s internal selection processes.
Strengthening Your Scholarship Application
Now that the basics of King’s PhD funding are covered, it’s important to understand how you can optimize your application. Strong candidates will have:
- Excellent Academic Credentials: A minimum upper second-class UK bachelor’s degree or international equivalent. A master’s degree is becoming increasingly expected as well.
- Cutting-Edge Research Proposal: Craft a detailed 3-5 page proposal clearly explaining your innovative research questions, methodology, expected contribution to the field, and alignment with existing expertise at King’s.
- Relevant Experience: Consider relevant employment, research internships, publications, conferences, or projects that demonstrate your suitability for PhD level work.
- Letters of Recommendation: Secure 2-3 glowing references from former professors or employers addressing your scholarly potential and passion for your proposed research topic.
- Personal Statement: Clearly articulate your research interests and academic fit for King’s in a concise personal statement. Emphasize your motivation, character, and passion.
- English Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers must meet stringent language requirements, so factor test preparation time into your planning.
- Funding Contingencies: For most scholarships, funding is contingent on securing additional external funding if available. Identify relevant external studentships you would be eligible for.
- Budgeting Basics: Have a basic understanding of living costs in London and financial planning so your application reflects feasibility of studying there.
With thorough preparation in these key areas, your application will stand out favorably among competitive candidates vying for limited scholarship spots each year. Maintaining an ongoing dialogue with potential supervisors at King’s is also recommended as they provide crucial input during nomination and selection processes.
The Application and Selection Process
Now knowing how to optimize your materials, let’s outline the standard PhD application procedure at King’s:
January – March: Identify research interests and potential supervisors
Research project profiles online and identify 2-3 supervisors whose work aligns deeply with your interests. Contact them to discuss fit, opportunities, and timelines.
March – April: Start crafting application materials
Draft your research proposal, statement of purpose, CV, and arrange letters of recommendation. Proofread vigorously and solicit feedback.
May 1: Priority scholarship deadline
Deadline to apply for Graduate Research, major scholarship schemes, and some departmental funding. All materials due.
June – August: Selection process
Shortlisted candidates interviewed. Final selections notified by August for October start. Scholarship offers contingent on obtaining additional external awards if required.
October: PhD programme begins!
Orientation, then dive into your research training and coursework under supervision of your advisor.
Take time navigating King’s online resources, speaking to current students, and contacting your potential supervisors. Strong planning allows submission of a polished, compelling application positioning you as the ideal candidate for available scholarships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that we’ve covered the key details about PhD funding through King’s College London and optimizing your application, let’s address some common questions students have:
Are King’s PhD scholarships open to international students?
Yes, King’s PhD scholarships are generally open to both domestic (UK/EU) and international students. However, some departmental/faculty awards may have citizenship restrictions. The prestigious Graduate Research Scholarships do not impose any nationality barriers.
How difficult is it to secure a King’s PhD scholarship?
King’s receives thousands of PhD applications each year for a limited number of funded places. Acceptance rates are typically in the 10-15% range. Competition is intense, so applicants need excellent academic backgrounds, meticulously prepared applications highlighting their ‘edge’, and backups plans in case not funded.
What are the living costs in London for a PhD student?
Rent for a one bedroom flat near King’s ranges from £800-1200 per month on average. Other estimated costs are £80-120/week on food and bills, £100-200/month on transportation, and other miscellaneous costs. Total estimated living expenses are £1200-1500/month or £14,400-18,000 annually to live comfortably as a single student. Funded scholarships cover this, while additional savings are advised.
What subject areas have the most PhD scholarship opportunities?
Historically, fields like medicine, dentistry, natural sciences, and engineering tend to offer the most King’s-funded PhD places annually. However, funding varies year-to-year and many humanities, social science, and arts projects also secure support. Always thoroughly research your intended department’s track record when strategizing funding plans.
Can I pursue a part-time or flexible PhD schedule?
King’s does offer part-time PhD study options in some cases, but full-time study is typically expected and required to be eligible for most competitive internal and external scholarships. Part-time options are best discussed directly with departments as timelines and funding availability may differ.
What are my chances of securing an academic job after a King’s PhD?
King’s PhD graduates have excellent track records of obtaining prestigious postdoctoral research positions, as well as faculty and research roles at top universities worldwide. However, academic careers remain very competitive. Most grad students also explore non-academic sector options like policy, healthcare, tech and more where their transferrable skills are in high demand. Advanced research training opens many doors regardless of initial career path chosen.
smartblogger094