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Department of Global Health & Social Medicine
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PhD research

We offer a wide range of opportunities for exciting and collaborative PhD research. We have a thriving, mutually supportive community of research students and run a vibrant seminar series that brings in guest speakers from universities across the world.

MPhil/PhD awards

Qualification(s): MPhil  PhD 
Duration: Expected to be three years FT, six years PT. Most candidates begin the programme in October; February entry may be considered.

MPhil/PhD Gerontology Research at King's College London.

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Qualification(s): MPhil  PhD 
Duration: Duration MPhil: two years FT, four years PT. PhD: three years FT, four-six years PT. Most candidates begin the programme in October; February entry may be considered.

MPhil/PhD Social Science, Health & Medicine Research in the Department for Social Science, Health and Medicine at King's College London.

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As a research student with us, you'll undertake PhD research in any appropriate discipline, such as anthropology, sociology, philosophy, bioethics, political science, science and technology studies, social epidemiology, and social policy. 

You'll also receive a full range of training and support, including opportunities to present research at national and international conferences. All our research students join one of our four research groups, which offer a full programme of workshops, reading groups and other events. 

 

Training opportunities

Our doctoral school offers high-quality training to our research students. This includes:

  • seminars and workshops
  • an annual writing retreat, specifically designed for research students in global health and social medicine
  • a three-day master class with a leading international scholar
  • an annual series of workshops on teaching (strategies for becoming an inspiring teacher); writing (strategies for becoming a better writer); publishing (strategies for surviving peer review); grant applications (strategies for crafting excellent grant proposals); and job applications (strategies for successful job applications and interviews). 

We also provide venues for you to discuss and share your work and facilitate collaboration across research fields. Plus we offer bespoke methods training and opportunities to contribute to our community.

Apply to study PhD research

Email your research proposal (between a minimum 1,000 to maximum 1,500 words) and a 2-3 page CV (including academic grades obtained) to our Admissions Tutor for consideration. In your email, identify potential supervisors in our department with expertise in the area you wish to focus on in your doctoral studies.

If our Admissions Tutor encourages you to apply, you will need to submit an online application via the application portal 'King's Apply'.

Applying online makes the process easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely.

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Why study with us?

Recently released data from the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) shows that King’s is equal top in England (with Queen Mary, University of London) for its PhD completion rates. This means 86.8 percent of our full-time PhD starters qualify with a research degree within seven years, against a national average in England of 72.9 percent.

For best results, we suggest you explore our research expertise to ensure your intended project finds an appropriate supervisor.

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