King's Doctoral College
King's Doctoral College
Key information
Award:
MPhil
PhD
Study mode:
Blended learning
Full time
Part time
Campus:
Waterloo Campus
Duration:
Three years full time, six years part time
The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care at King's is a world-leading centre for applied and allied healthcare, clinical research and education. Our focus is on training the healthcare leaders and researchers of the future, with a strong commitment to providing postgraduate programmes of the highest quality. The faculty offers research programmes at MPhil and PhD level. In preparing students to become knowledgeable and competent researchers, supervision is provided by academic staff with expertise in a wide range of research and clinical areas.
The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care is regarded as a centre of excellence for nursing and midwifery, achieving high scores in research and teaching quality assessments. The first MPhil/PhD students enrolled in the late 1970s and since then the faculty has expanded steadily its range of high quality graduate education programmes to meet the needs of increasingly well-educated healthcare professionals who wish to continue their education to support and develop their careers.
The purpose of our research is to improve the quality of services and outcomes for patients through studies concerned with individual clinical needs, service delivery and organisation and the wider social and policy context of care, nationally and internationally. Our research work is underpinned by cross cutting principles: engagement with patient and user perspectives, commitment to conceptual and methodological innovation, attention to the policy relevance and practical application of our findings through interventions.
The faculty is an integral partner within King’s Health Partners (KHP) and contributes to the interdisciplinary research centres in supporting and delivering high quality research.
Our results in the latest REF (Research Excellence Framework, the UK’s system for assessing research quality in universities) highlighted the combined strength and impact of applied health research at King’s. Of the 89 submissions made by UK universities to the REF’s Unit of Assessment 3 (UoA3), King’s was 1st for overall research rated 4* (the highest possible mark), 1st for number of research outputs being rated 3* or 4* with 206.87 papers awarded these ratings, 1st for impact rated 4* with 86.4% of impact case studies rated 4*, and 1st for Grade Point Average and Power.
Our research activity is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Research Councils and a range of charities. We host a range of nationally competitive fellowships from PhD studentship to post-doctoral level.
PhD Research Projects
PhD projects in the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care become available all year round. Please visit our postgraduate research page, where you can browse through the current opportunities. The faculty is especially interested in receiving applications from students across the globe, who are planning their doctoral research projects in fields that will contribute to the faculty’s research groups, enhance the research culture and align with the faculty’s research strategy.
Joint PhDs - Benefits of collaboration
The Joint PhD is an innovative integrated programme that offers unique opportunities for the very best PhD supervision in an international context. The programme offered provides candidates with the opportunity to divide their PhD study between three prestigious universities (King’s, the University of Hong Kong and the National University of Singapore), enjoying full supervision at both. While supervisions and regular graduate seminars enable students to construct a theoretical, historical and systematic framework for their research, the Joint PhD also organizes international colloquia and workshops at which students can present and discuss their work with peers and academic staff across the institutions involved. The programme builds on an extensive network of existing institutional links, joint teaching experience and collaborative graduate programmes between King’s and our partner universities.
Find out more about our faculty supervisors and research projects.
1. Application Procedure
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete the graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely. King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
Your application should include an outline research proposal and curriculum vitae. Your application will be considered by at least two members of academic staff. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by two members of academic staff, one of whom may be a potential supervisor, either in person or, if this is not possible, via telephone. We aim to process all completed applications within six weeks of receipt. You are advised to apply well in advance of the entry month that you are interested in; commencing a MPhil/PhD involves considerable organisation including arranging financial support, study leave, accommodation etc. Once you have applied using the online application form you can check the status of your application by logging into myApplication
You may be required to take and pass particular taught modules as a requirement for continued registration; any such conditions will be discussed with you fully.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). |
|---|---|---|
| Research Proposal | Yes |
Applicants are required to write an outline research proposal of up to 1,000 words that includes the research area, an overview of relevant literature, the research question, the methodology, and timescale of the project. The proposal should explain in some detail precisely the field of study that you want to contribute to and current research gaps, what you want to do and how you propose to do it. For advice on how to write a winning application, please visit the following page. |
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| References | Yes | One reference is required, professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. |
| Other | Yes | Please submit a CV (Resume) as part of your application. |
Course intake
No set number.
Joint PhDs - Application advice
Applicants to Joint PhD programmes are encouraged to contact the department before submitting an application, to discuss the suitability of their topic for the joint programme and the availability of suitable supervisors at both institutions. Applications should initially be submitted to the proposed home institution only, i.e. the institution where student will start and finish their programme. Applications will then be assessed by both partners.
Applicants who choose King’s as their home institution should apply through the online application form, selecting the appropriate Joint PhD option from the drop-down list. In addition to the standard supporting documentation, applicants should submit a travel plan indicating how they intend to split their time between the two partner institutions. Applicants to Joint PhD programmes are normally expected to start the programme in September.
Application closing date
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed. We may need to request further information from you during the application process.
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 2026 soon after the same intake has passed in 2025.
- February 2025 entry – 20 October 2024 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2024 for Home fee status
- June 2025 entry – 20 March 2025 for Overseas fee status and 11 April 2025 for Home fee status
- October 2025 entry – 25 July 2025 for Overseas fee status and 25 August 2025 for Home fee status
- February 2026 entry – 20 October 2025 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2025 for Home fee status
- June 2026 entry – 20 March 2026 for Overseas fee status and 11 April 2026 for Home fee status
Please note that funding deadlines may be earlier than the application deadlines listed above.
UK Tuition Fees 2024/25
Full time tuition fees:
£7,950 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
£7,950 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong)
£7,950 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore)
Part time tuition fees: £3,975 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
International Tuition Fees 2024/25
Full time tuition fees:
£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong)
£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore)
Part time tuition fees: £15,120 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
UK Tuition Fees 2025/26
Full time tuition fees:
£8,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
£8,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong)
£8,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore)
Part time tuition fees: £4,250 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
International Tuition Fees 2025/26
Full time tuition fees:
£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong)
£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore)
Part time tuition fees: £15,120 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
Base campus
Waterloo Campus
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
The Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care offers a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. In the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) 2015, results for the Faculty indicated that student experience was positive about all aspects of supervision, skills and development, infrastructure, intellectual climate, and knowledge of roles and responsibilities within the Faculty. Research students are allocated a supervisory team led by an experienced principal supervisor. The team meet regularly with the student for supervision and review of progress. Progress is also reviewed formally by the Faculty Postgraduate Research Students Committee at set points in the academic year. Supervisors provide advice on training needs and career development. Student representatives for full-time and part-time students play an important role in communicating student feedback about learning experiences and the support infrastructure to inform ongoing programme development. Research students have a study suite in the James Clerk Maxwell Building and access to Graduate Lounges on the different campuses.
Students on the MPhil/PhD programme are immersed in the academic culture and are encouraged to engage in a wide range of learning opportunities. Students will normally undertake two core research methods modules: Advanced quantitative research methods offers an in-depth study of quantitative research methods including epidemiological studies and randomised controlled trials, and Advanced qualitative research methods offers an in-depth study of different qualitative methods and their relationship to epistemological theory. Students can also access doctoral training courses organised by King's Graduate School and the ESRC training centre where places permit, and all students are encouraged to become actively involved in research seminars and fora. Research students are encouraged to present their doctoral research at conferences and a School competition fund exists to support this.
Support for Postgraduate Research Students within the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care
- A model of three-supervisors has been introduced to improve students’ support and access to clinical and methodological expertise. Where appropriate and required, MPhil/PhD students within the Faculty will be provided with a team of three supervisors.
- Research methods training modules offered by the Faculty itself include Advanced Quantitative Research Methods; Advanced Qualitative Research Methods; Evidence Based Decision Making in Healthcare; Research Methods and Statistics; and Epidemiology.
- Our own Nightingale-Saunders Clinical Trials & Epidemiology Unit offers an advanced level of expertise on quantitative topics of which students can avail.
- In addition, our MPhil/PhD students have access to a wide range of supplementary courses and activities, including workshops, symposia and funding offered by Centre of Doctoral Studies, the Health Sciences Doctoral Training Centre (HSDTC) and the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS DTP).
- The Faculty also runs three Journal Clubs (for Nursing & Midwifery, Mental Health and the Cecily Saunders Institute of Palliative Care respectively) and students have an opportunity to participate in fortnightly research seminar programmes delivered by one of the research divisions. Students’ active involvement in developing the range of activities and their delivery is strongly encouraged.
Meet our students and learn more about the great work they are doing.
UK requirements
Applicants should normally hold an upper second class undergraduate degree and a masters degree obtained from a UK university or an overseas qualification of equivalent standard.
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
D
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
1. Application Procedure
To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete the graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely. King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.
Your application should include an outline research proposal and curriculum vitae. Your application will be considered by at least two members of academic staff. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by two members of academic staff, one of whom may be a potential supervisor, either in person or, if this is not possible, via telephone. We aim to process all completed applications within six weeks of receipt. You are advised to apply well in advance of the entry month that you are interested in; commencing a MPhil/PhD involves considerable organisation including arranging financial support, study leave, accommodation etc. Once you have applied using the online application form you can check the status of your application by logging into myApplication
You may be required to take and pass particular taught modules as a requirement for continued registration; any such conditions will be discussed with you fully.
Personal statement and supporting information
You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:
| Personal Statement | Yes |
A personal statement is required. This can be entered directly into the online application form (maximum 4,000 characters) or uploaded as an attachment to the online application form (maximum 2 pages). |
|---|---|---|
| Research Proposal | Yes |
Applicants are required to write an outline research proposal of up to 1,000 words that includes the research area, an overview of relevant literature, the research question, the methodology, and timescale of the project. The proposal should explain in some detail precisely the field of study that you want to contribute to and current research gaps, what you want to do and how you propose to do it. For advice on how to write a winning application, please visit the following page. |
| Previous Academic Study | Yes | A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained. If you have already completed your degree, copies of your official degree certificate will also be required. Applicants with academic documents issued in a language other than English, will need to submit both the original and official translation of their documents. |
| References | Yes | One reference is required, professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago. |
| Other | Yes | Please submit a CV (Resume) as part of your application. |
Course intake
No set number.
Joint PhDs - Application advice
Applicants to Joint PhD programmes are encouraged to contact the department before submitting an application, to discuss the suitability of their topic for the joint programme and the availability of suitable supervisors at both institutions. Applications should initially be submitted to the proposed home institution only, i.e. the institution where student will start and finish their programme. Applications will then be assessed by both partners.
Applicants who choose King’s as their home institution should apply through the online application form, selecting the appropriate Joint PhD option from the drop-down list. In addition to the standard supporting documentation, applicants should submit a travel plan indicating how they intend to split their time between the two partner institutions. Applicants to Joint PhD programmes are normally expected to start the programme in September.
Application closing date
We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed. We may need to request further information from you during the application process.
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 2026 soon after the same intake has passed in 2025.
- February 2025 entry – 20 October 2024 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2024 for Home fee status
- June 2025 entry – 20 March 2025 for Overseas fee status and 11 April 2025 for Home fee status
- October 2025 entry – 25 July 2025 for Overseas fee status and 25 August 2025 for Home fee status
- February 2026 entry – 20 October 2025 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2025 for Home fee status
- June 2026 entry – 20 March 2026 for Overseas fee status and 11 April 2026 for Home fee status
Please note that funding deadlines may be earlier than the application deadlines listed above.
UK Tuition Fees 2024/25
Full time tuition fees:
£7,950 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
£7,950 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong)
£7,950 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore)
Part time tuition fees: £3,975 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
International Tuition Fees 2024/25
Full time tuition fees:
£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong)
£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore)
Part time tuition fees: £15,120 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
UK Tuition Fees 2025/26
Full time tuition fees:
£8,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
£8,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong)
£8,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore)
Part time tuition fees: £4,250 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
International Tuition Fees 2025/26
Full time tuition fees:
£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong)
£30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore)
Part time tuition fees: £15,120 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing Research)
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.
Base campus
Waterloo Campus
Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties
The Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care offers a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. In the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) 2015, results for the Faculty indicated that student experience was positive about all aspects of supervision, skills and development, infrastructure, intellectual climate, and knowledge of roles and responsibilities within the Faculty. Research students are allocated a supervisory team led by an experienced principal supervisor. The team meet regularly with the student for supervision and review of progress. Progress is also reviewed formally by the Faculty Postgraduate Research Students Committee at set points in the academic year. Supervisors provide advice on training needs and career development. Student representatives for full-time and part-time students play an important role in communicating student feedback about learning experiences and the support infrastructure to inform ongoing programme development. Research students have a study suite in the James Clerk Maxwell Building and access to Graduate Lounges on the different campuses.
Students on the MPhil/PhD programme are immersed in the academic culture and are encouraged to engage in a wide range of learning opportunities. Students will normally undertake two core research methods modules: Advanced quantitative research methods offers an in-depth study of quantitative research methods including epidemiological studies and randomised controlled trials, and Advanced qualitative research methods offers an in-depth study of different qualitative methods and their relationship to epistemological theory. Students can also access doctoral training courses organised by King's Graduate School and the ESRC training centre where places permit, and all students are encouraged to become actively involved in research seminars and fora. Research students are encouraged to present their doctoral research at conferences and a School competition fund exists to support this.
Support for Postgraduate Research Students within the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care
- A model of three-supervisors has been introduced to improve students’ support and access to clinical and methodological expertise. Where appropriate and required, MPhil/PhD students within the Faculty will be provided with a team of three supervisors.
- Research methods training modules offered by the Faculty itself include Advanced Quantitative Research Methods; Advanced Qualitative Research Methods; Evidence Based Decision Making in Healthcare; Research Methods and Statistics; and Epidemiology.
- Our own Nightingale-Saunders Clinical Trials & Epidemiology Unit offers an advanced level of expertise on quantitative topics of which students can avail.
- In addition, our MPhil/PhD students have access to a wide range of supplementary courses and activities, including workshops, symposia and funding offered by Centre of Doctoral Studies, the Health Sciences Doctoral Training Centre (HSDTC) and the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS DTP).
- The Faculty also runs three Journal Clubs (for Nursing & Midwifery, Mental Health and the Cecily Saunders Institute of Palliative Care respectively) and students have an opportunity to participate in fortnightly research seminar programmes delivered by one of the research divisions. Students’ active involvement in developing the range of activities and their delivery is strongly encouraged.
Meet our students and learn more about the great work they are doing.
UK requirements
Applicants should normally hold an upper second class undergraduate degree and a masters degree obtained from a UK university or an overseas qualification of equivalent standard.
Equivalent International qualifications
English language requirements
English language band:
D
To study at King's, it is essential that you can communicate in English effectively in an academic environment. You are usually required to provide certification of your competence in English before starting your studies.
Nationals of majority English speaking countries (as defined by the UKVI) who have permanently resided in this country are not usually required to complete an additional English language test. This is also the case for applicants who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree (of at least three years duration), a postgraduate taught degree (of at least one year), or a PhD in a majority English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI) within five years of the course start date.
For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.
Key information
Award:
MPhil
PhD
Study mode:
Blended learning
Full time
Part time
Campus:
Waterloo Campus
Duration:
Three years full time, six years part time
Contact us
For more information regarding our courses please contact us using the details below
Funding & Scholarships for PhD students
The Centre for Doctoral Studies helps secure funding for students...
Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care
Improving the care of patients and those important to them.