| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
| 2026-01-01 | - |
| 2026-04-01 | - |
Program Overview
Overview of the University of Kent
The University of Kent is a leading research university with an international reputation for excellence in social psychology, cognition and neuroscience, developmental psychology, and forensic psychology. The university offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs, including PhD research opportunities.
Postgraduate Research Opportunities
The University of Kent offers postgraduate research opportunities in various fields, including psychology, social sciences, and humanities. The university's research environment is designed to sustain a strong, vibrant research culture, encourage collaboration, and unite staff and students with shared research interests.
PhD in Forensic Psychology
The PhD in Forensic Psychology is a research-based program that focuses on offending behavior and court process issues. The program is designed to provide students with advanced research training and expertise in forensic psychology. The university's Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychology (CORE-FP) is a leading research center in the field, with a strong reputation for excellence in research and teaching.
Research Areas
The University of Kent has a strong research profile, with various research areas, including:
- Social Psychology: The university has a strong international reputation in social psychology, with research focusing on social exclusion and prejudice, intergroup contact, collective action protest, and deviance.
- Cognition and Neuroscience: The university's research in cognition and neuroscience focuses on visual cognition, attention, and memory, as well as language and communication.
- Developmental Psychology: The university's research in developmental psychology focuses on how children learn to communicate, social cognition, and developmental psychopathology.
- Forensic Psychology: The university's research in forensic psychology focuses on offending behavior, court process issues, and the reduction and supervision of offending behavior.
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for the PhD in Forensic Psychology, applicants must have:
- A Bachelor's or Master's degree with a minimum classification of 2.1 or Merit in the UK system
- Adequate level of academic achievement, with a final degree classification of at least a 2.1 or Merit in the UK system
- Statistics and research methods training in the social sciences, with a minimum of one term each in statistics and social science research methods courses
Fees and Funding
The tuition fees for the PhD in Forensic Psychology are:
- Full-time: £5,006 (UK), £19,300 (EU), £19,300 (International)
- Part-time: £2,503 (UK), £9,650 (EU), £9,650 (International) The university offers various scholarships and funding opportunities for postgraduate research students.
Career Opportunities
The PhD in Forensic Psychology can lead to various career opportunities, including:
- Assistant psychologist in the NHS
- Professional clinical or forensic psychologist
- Academic career in higher education institutions
- Research positions in universities, research institutes, or private organizations
Facilities and Resources
The University of Kent has excellent facilities and resources, including:
- Advanced laboratory and teaching facilities
- Networked computers and software
- Library and IT services
- Research centers and institutes, such as the Centre of Research and Education in Forensic Psychology (CORE-FP) and the Centre for the Study of Group Processes
Supervision and Support
The university provides excellent supervision and support for postgraduate research students, including:
- A supervisory team, normally comprising one main supervisor and a secondary supervisor
- Regular meetings with supervisors to discuss research progress
- Access to training and development opportunities, such as the Researcher Development Programme
- Support from the university's research community, including research centers and institutes
Conclusion
The University of Kent offers a range of postgraduate research opportunities, including the PhD in Forensic Psychology. The university has a strong research profile, with various research areas and excellent facilities and resources. The PhD in Forensic Psychology can lead to various career opportunities, and the university provides excellent supervision and support for postgraduate research students.
