Key information
Duration
- Full-time
- 36 months
- 3 to 4 years
- Part-time
- 72 months
- 5 to 6 years
Start dates & application deadlines
- Starting October 2026
Application deadline not specified.
No fixed deadline for applications for research students, but we recommend to apply as soon as possible; no later than three months before your start date.
Language
English
- Duolingo English Test: 110
- TOEFL iBT: 80 (or New TOEFL iBT 1-6 score of 4, CEFR-aligned, equivalent to the 0-120 score)
- PTE Academic: 63
- OTE (Oxford Test of English): 118
- IELTS: 6
Delivered
On Campus
Campus Location
- Canterbury, United Kingdom
Disciplines
- Psychology
Overview
A Master's by research degree focuses on research expertise and prepares you for professional work or PhD study. A PhD is a doctorate of philosophy based on mostly independent study.
Both research degrees are assessed formally on the basis of one piece of work, a dissertation (or thesis), that reports your original thought and research. You must also successfully complete all required training.
Choosing a topic
Although sometimes we have specific PhD research projects related to funding awards, most of our research students choose their own research topics. Once you have decided on the nature of your project, it is important to contact a staff member whose expertise matches your area of interest with a CV and research proposal to discuss your proposed project and potential supervisory arrangements. Master's by Research applicants should also follow this procedure.
You then work with your proposed supervisor on refining your research proposal which provides the starting point for your subsequent research.
Supervision
During your research, you are supported by your supervisory team, normally comprising one main supervisor and a secondary supervisor. Your will have agreed your main supervisor, based on their compatibility with your research interests, prior to registration. Typically, you have one formal meeting per month with your main supervisor to discuss your work and progress (bi-monthly for part-time students).
Training
Through the Graduate School, you have access to training in research-specific and broader transferable skills, including academic writing, career management and presentation skills.
PhD students in receipt of a teaching studentship (GTA), must also complete the Associate Fellowship Scheme (AFS). The AFS registration period is one year.
The Statistics and Methodology module from our taught MSc programme is available for doctoral students who have not already completed an advanced statistics and methods course. Master's by Research students are usually required to undertake this module.
The School of Psychology
Kent's School of Psychology conducts both basic and applied research in several areas, and we are highly regarded as a leading European centre for postgraduate research. We have a strong international reputation in cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, forensic psychology and social psychology. This is complemented by our strengths in organisational psychology and political psychology.
PhD funding
The School attracts excellent visiting scholars and postgraduate students from both within the UK and overseas. Some of our PhD students are self-funded, and others are funded by grants or awards either from the School, the University, UK research councils or their countries of origin.
The School has a strong track record of attracting ESRC research studentship funding, which involves partnerships with external organisations such as the Anne Frank Trust.
Programme Structure
Research areas include:
- Social Psychology
- Cognition and Neuroscience
- Visual Cognition, Attention and Memory
- Language and Communication
- Forensic Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
Admission requirements
Academic requirements
GPA: Upper Second Class
English requirements
- Duolingo English Test: 110
- TOEFL iBT: 80 (or New TOEFL iBT 1-6 score of 4, CEFR-aligned, equivalent to the 0-120 score)
- PTE Academic: 63
- OTE (Oxford Test of English): 118
- IELTS: 6
Other requirements
General requirements
Before making your application, you are required to contact and confirm supervision with a staff member within the School of Psychology. Please note, if this is not completed and noted on your application, our admissions team will not be able to process your application until supervision is confirmed.
See course webpage for further details on entry requirements.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fees
fees tbc
Living costs
Canterbury, United Kingdom
1,246-2,152 AUD / month
The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.
Funding
Scholarships
Scholarships Information
Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Psychology.
- Sports Scholarships Scheme — University of Kent — Grant 1000 GBP — Deadline 30 Apr 2027 — Canterbury, United Kingdom
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program — U.S. government — Grant Various benefits — Deadline 07 Oct 2026
- ServiceScape Scholarship — ServiceScape — Grant 1000 USD — Deadline 30 Nov 2026
- ACES Scholarships — ACES Education Fund — Grant 3500 USD — Deadline 15 Nov 2026
- Erasmus+ - Grants for study mobility — OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation — Grant Various benefits — Deadline Not specified (Merit-based)
- Scholarships for PhD Students — Junhua Li — Grant 19000 GBP — Deadline Not specified (Merit-based)
- Boustany Astronomy PhD Scholarship — Boustany Foundation — Grant Various benefits — Deadline 28 Feb 2027 (Merit-based)
- Amberscholar Scholarship — Amber Scholar — Grant 6000 USD — Deadline 31 Jan 2027 (Merit-based)
- $1,500 Annual Video Contest Scholarship — IvyPanda — Grant 1000 USD — Deadline 31 Oct 2026 (Merit-based)
- Voice Talent Online Scholarship — Voice Talent Online — Grant 1000 USD — Deadline 01 Mar 2027
- Dream Chaser Scholarship — Salvado Law — Grant 1000 USD — Deadline 13 Jan 2027 (Merit-based)
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship – University Bids — UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) — Grant 22500 GBP — Deadline Not specified
- Scholarship for students with disabilities — Anonymous Hope Fund — Grant 3000 USD — Deadline 31 Dec 2026 (Need-based)
- Grants of the Leopold Figl Foundation for students with residence in Lower Austria — Leopold Figl Foundation — Grant Various benefits — Deadline 31 Dec 2026 (Need-based)
- The Annual IELTS from 6 to 9 Scholarship — IELTS from 6 to 9 — Grant 1500 USD — Deadline Not specified
- Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme — The Tobacco Harm Reduction Scholarship Programme — Grant 12000 USD — Deadline 11 Jan 2027
- “The Hope For Healing” Scholarship — FHE Health — Grant 5000 USD — Deadline Not specified