Program Overview

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Key information

Award: MPhil, MD(Res), PhD Study mode: Full time, Part time Campus: Denmark Hill Campus

Study

The Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has a diverse research program studying both common and rare, severe disorders that start in childhood and often persist into adulthood. The disorders studied in the Department include autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), conduct disorder, affective disorders, substance misuse, obsessive compulsive disorder, intellectual disability, as well as childhood neglect and maltreatment and deliberate self-harm.

We aim to improve our understanding of how mental disorders develop, including understanding their environmental causes, genetics, neurobiology, neuropharmacology, and behavioral and cognitive deficits, and establish methods of treatment and prevention. Our research extends into risk factors (both biological and environmental) for the development of disorders and treatment strategies. Members of the Department use a range of scientific methods, including epidemiology, behavior and molecular genetics, neuroimaging, neuropsychopharmacology, and clinical trials.

Research receives substantive funding from external bodies such as the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust, National Institute of Health Research, as well as industry, smaller charities, and other arms of the government.

We have an integrated scheme of research, teaching, and clinical work. The aim is to understand how disorders develop and to apply the results to make new treatments and assessments, evaluate them, and provide need and cost information for health services planners. The links between basic science and translation into improved clinical services are strengthened by the structures of the academic health sciences centre, King’s Health Partners.

Many senior academic staff members have particularly strong links with the National Specialist teams based at the Maudsley Hospital. These teams focus on the development of methods and services in specific clinical areas that are integrated with the Department’s research interests.

Key benefits

• Interaction with internationally recognised researchers in a wide range of child psychiatry-related topics
• Access to state-of-the-art imaging, physiology, neurocognitive, and brain therapy equipment
• Excellence in both basic, applied, and clinical research and development
• Strong partnerships with hospitals (South London & Maudsley Trust and others), industry, and other research centres
• Access to rich and varied pediatric clinical populations
• PhD students have access to a wide range of educational resources, ranging from (child) psychiatry, neuroscience, and psychology-specific lectures from the Department and the IOPPN to transferable skills and career development resources at the KCL level
• Opportunities to assist with graduate and postgraduate teaching

Other related courses

• An MSc in Child & Adolescent Mental Health for psychiatrists, paediatricians, and psychologists with an emphasis on knowledge and skills relevant to countries with developing services
• A bi-annual refresher course for consultants

In collaboration with the Children’s Directorate of the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, the Department provides postgraduate clinical training for CT1-3 ‘core trainees’ and ST4-6 ‘specialty registrars’.

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.

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.

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.

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.

5. Application Procedure

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).
• 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.
• Previous Academic Study: A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing the subjects studied and marks obtained.
• References: One academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.

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.

• 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

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.

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 and computer; 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.

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 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.