Program Overview

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Addictions Research MPhil/PhD, MD(Res)

Key information

Award:

PhD

MPhil

MDRes

Study mode:

Full time

Part time

Campus:

Denmark Hill Campus

Duration:

Three years FT; six years PT. Registration is carried out at three points in the year: October, February and June

Overview

We are one of the most productive addictions research groups in Europe. In the 2013 Rand Europe analysis of influential research from UK universities, Substance Abuse Research at the National Addiction Centre was identified as leading the field, contributing 13% of all Highly-Cited Publications over a 10-year period ). We represent one of the chosen areas of important health-related study as the newly created Addictions Clinical Academic Group (CAG) within King’s Health Partners, and form one of the core areas of the Academic Health Science Centre that brings together university partners King’s College London with the NHS from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital, and Guy’s and St Thomas’. Substance Use Disorders is one of the main themes of the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental Health which is based at the Institute of Psychiatry, , Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN).

Research Excellence

The emphasis of our research is on ‘what works’ in the prevention and treatment of substance-related problems: the NAC represents a network of clinicians, researchers and clinical teachers who have a shared commitment to excellence in prevention and treatment work, and to supporting and strengthening national and international endeavours in this field. Over the last 40 years, the NAC has developed a body of research evidence that has informed the evidence base for the UK treatment system and development of new treatment services for alcohol, smoking and drug problems. This work ranges from trials of new therapies and preventative treatments to studies seeking to understand the genetic and biological basis of addictive behaviour.

Partners

We work closely with the Addictions Directorate of South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) to improve understanding of addiction to drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and to develop effective preventative and treatment interventions. Much of this research is carried out with the help of people with addictions who have been referred for treatment to services run by SLaM’s Addictions Directorate and is partly supported by the charity Action on Addiction, the only independent UK research charity dedicated to seeking new ways to prevent and treat nicotine, alcohol and drug abuse.

Annual Research Income

Approximately 1.7 million.

Number of Staff and Students

75 academic and research staff.

Recent Publications and Projects

A list of recent publications and projects can be viewed on the Department of Addictions webpage.

Partner Organisations

• South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
• King’s College Hospital
• Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital

Key Benefits

• Access to excellence in both applied research and development
• Interaction with internationally recognised researchers in a wide range of addiction related topics
• Demonstrated excellence in qualitative, quantitative, mixed methods and trial research methods
• Strong partnerships with South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
• Access to rich and varied clinical populations
• Access to a wide range of educational resources and training within the department and at the King's level through the Researcher Development Programme

How to Apply

1. Finding Supervisors

Firstly, you will need to find supervisors to work with you in this capacity. You can search through our research portal to find supervisors who work in your chosen research area. Applicants are expected to contact academics directly.

2. Arranging Funding

Unless you are applying for a studentship or can self-fund your studies, you will need to arrange for funding before you make the application. The following pages are useful:

• Funding Database
• Funded Research Opportunities

3. Make an Online Application

Next you need to make your online application. This application will be assessed by the Admissions team to assess your references, fee status as well as your eligibility in terms of education and experience. Guidance on how to apply can be found here.

4. Submit a Project Approval Form

The project approval form (PAF) is used to assess your project in terms of planning, feasibility and appropriateness for a PhD. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the form is completed but it is recommended that applicants work closely with the supervisors.

Make sure you complete all sections, answering all questions fully, and signatures from all supervisors and student are included. There is no need to collect the signatures from the Head of Department/Business Manager and Sub- Committee Chair at this point.

We strongly advise the submission of your application as early as possible to ensure that you can begin with your desired intake. If your application is not processed in time you run the risk of a deferral to the subsequent intake.

We advise students to aim to submit their online application and PAF at least four months before their desired registration date, although the earlier the application submission the better.

It is typical that the process from the receipt of your online application and PAF through to offer letter stage (which includes the arrangement of the PhD interview) takes approximately six weeks.

Please note that the deadlines listed below are for both the online application and Project Approval Form (PAF) which is to be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

Copies of the PAF can be downloaded here.

5. IoPPN Step 5 - Required Documentation

You will be asked to submit the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Personal Statement: 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). It should include an explanation of your interest and existing knowledge of the addictions field.
• Research Proposal: 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. A letter of support from your proposed King's supervisor is also required.
• Previous Academic Study: 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: One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
• Other: A full CV (Resume) is needed as part of the application.

6. 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.

• 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.

Fees or Funding

UK Tuition Fees 2024/25

• Full time tuition fees: £7,950 per year
• Part time tuition fees: £3,975 per year

International Tuition Fees 2024/25

• Full time tuition fees: £30,240 per year
• Part time tuition fees: £15,120 per year

UK Tuition Fees 2025/26

• Full time tuition fees: £8,500 per year
• Part time tuition fees: £4,250 per year

International Tuition Fees 2025/26

• Full time tuition fees: £32,400 per year
• Part time tuition fees: £16,200 per year

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.

Study Environment

Base Campus

• Denmark Hill Campus

Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience.

The emphasis of our research is on ‘what works’ in the prevention and treatment of substance-related problems: the NAC represents a network of clinicians, researchers and clinical teachers who have a shared commitment to excellence in prevention and treatment work, and to supporting and strengthening national and international endeavours in this field.

Over the last 40 years, the NAC has developed a body of research evidence that has informed the evidence base for the UK treatment system and development of new treatment services for alcohol, smoking and drug problems. This work ranges from trials of new therapies and preventative treatments to studies seeking to understand the genetic and biological basis of addictive behaviour.

PhD projects are available in areas related to the development and evaluation of new treatments for alcohol, smoking and drug problems and includes studies seeking to understand the underlying psychological and biological bases and change processes of addictive behaviours, as well as policy-driven and workforce development projects and treatment trials.

Professor John Strang who heads the Department is one of the UK’s leading experts in addiction and one of only six Addiction Research scientists outside North America who is listed on Highly Cited Researchers webpage.

Course Study Environment

Graduate research students work closely with their supervisors and enjoy regular meetings to discuss their progress. They also liaise with other members of staff with relevant research interests and are encouraged to attend and participate in departmental research presentations and other Institute seminars. There is a full induction for new graduate students on commencing their studies. Each full-time graduate research student is allocated their own workspace at the National Addiction Centre; facilities for part-time students can be arranged according to their needs.

Postgraduate Training

Training courses run by the department, the Institute or through the Graduate School can be utilised as required to provide training in a wide variety of topics, from transferable skills to academic areas directly relevant to the student's thesis. King's runs an outstanding Researcher Development Programme which is designed to meet the individual training needs of research students. The programme has been developed to ensure we produce the most qualified, experienced and employable researchers.

Head of Group/Division

• Professor John Marsden

Contact for Information

• Education Support Team:
• Admissions Tutor: Professor Gail Gilchrist-

Entry Requirements

UK Requirements

• A minimum 2:1 undergraduate Bachelor’s (honours) degree

If you have a lower degree classification, or a degree in an unrelated subject, your application may be considered if you can demonstrate significant relevant work experience, or offer a related graduate qualification (such as a Masters or PGDip).

Equivalent International Qualifications

Select a country to view the equivalent 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.