Kingston University PhD Studentships

Kingston University – Graduate Research School

PhD Studentships for October 2026 start

Kingston University is pleased to invite applications for our competitive PhD Studentships. We have established an international reputation for high quality, innovative research and our research students are a key part of this.

We are seeking to make a substantial investment in up to 15 new PhD studentships enrolling in late September 2026. These include targeted awards for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students and for Kingston University alumni.

We are looking for students with expertise that matches our areas of research excellence.

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

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

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

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.

Fully-funded studentships (at the home fee rate)

Fees and stipend: 3 years full-time or 6 years part-time. Home tuition fees only.

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.

International students are welcome to apply but must be able to cover the difference between home and international fees themselves (an additional £12,294 for the academic year 2025/26).

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 fully-funded studentships listed above for applicants with 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.

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

Read more about Kingston’s approach to inclusion, diversity and equality.

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

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

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

How to apply

For full details on how to apply, please click the 'Apply' button, above.

Deadline

Apply by: Wednesday 4 March 2026 (GMT midnight).

Applications received after this time will not be considered.