Contemporary India Research/ option of joint PhD with NUS MPhil/PhD

Program Overview

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Postgraduate Research

Study

• Research areas
• Course types
• Find a supervisor
• Fees & funding
• How to apply
• King's Doctoral College

Contemporary India Research/ option of joint PhD with NUS MPhil/PhD

Key information

• Award: MPhil, PhD
• Study mode: Full time, Part time
• Campus: Strand Campus
• Duration: Expected to be MPhil two years FT, three years PT. PhD three years FT, four-six years PT. Normal start date September but students may commence at other times by arrangement.

Overview

• Current number of academic staff: 9 (with 20 affiliates in other departments)
• Current number of research students: 16
• Partner organisations: As well as the PhD Contemporary India Research, the Institute has a joint PhD programme with the National University of Singapore. It also hosts visiting PhD fellows from India for short term research visits under a partnership with the Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation, and hosts two PhD fellows as part of the Global India Horizon 2020 funded European Training Network. Staff at the institute have a range of research partnerships with institutions in India, Europe and beyond.

Course Detail

The King’s India Institute offers a unique and exciting environment for the in-depth study of India. Promoting an inter-disciplinary understanding of India in a comparative global context, the Institute coordinates and develops India-related research capabilities. Students can draw on academic expertise in a range of disciplines, and supervision may be provided from within the Institute or jointly with other faculty within the College.

View the faculty members

• PhD Convenor: Aleksandra Kubat
• Global Institutes Research Lead: Xin Sun

How to apply

1. Application Procedure

Before applying, please read carefully the information about our research interests, and make sure that your research topic falls within one of these areas. You are welcome to contact a potential supervisor directly to discuss your research topic, and we also encourage you to contact the India Institute PhD admissions tutor with a draft research proposal before submitting a complete application through the online system. The admissions tutor will advise whether your research can, in principle, be carried out with us.

Admission will initially be for the MPhil but students are expected to transfer to the PhD proper by the end of the first year, and no later than after 18 months of study, on the recommendation of the Institute’s graduate upgrading panel.

October, February and June start dates available. Applicants are strongly encouraged to start their degree at beginning of the academic year in October, when the College offers a full induction programme.

Find a supervisor

2. Personal statement and supporting information

Applicants are encouraged to approach potential supervisors prior to application. To identify a supervisor please see our Research Portal.

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). Please outline your reasons for pursuing further research.
• Research Proposal: The proposal (3-5 pages) 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 research courses page.
• 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.
• Travel Plan: If applying for the joint programme, please include the names of your supervisors from both institutions and include a completed travel plan form.
• Other: You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application.

3. Course Intake

No set number.

4. Joint PhDs - Application advice

Applicants for the Joint PhD programme must contact the relevant departments at both universities before submitting an application in order to discuss the suitability of their topic for the joint programme and to locate potential supervisors. Applications should initially be submitted to the proposed home institution only, ie where the student will start and finish their programme. Students should note that acceptance onto the programme may take slightly longer than for single-institution PhDs because of the additional steps involved. Further details, including FAQs, can be found on the King’s Worldwide web pages.

Applicants who choose King’s as their home institution should apply through the online system, selecting the appropriate Joint PhD option from the drop-down list. In addition to the standard supporting documentation, applicants should submit a Travel Plan form indicating how they intend to divide their time between the two partner institutions. Students must spend a specified amount of time in each institution, details of which can be found in the ‘Notes’ section of the Travel plan form.

5. 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 2025 soon after the same intake has passed in 2024.

• February 2024 entry – 20 October 2023 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2023 for Home fee status
• October 2024 entry – 26 July 2024 for Overseas fee status and 26 August 2024 for Home fee status
• February 2025 entry – 20 October 2024 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2024 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: £6,936 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research), £6,936 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research with National University of Singapore)
• Part time tuition fees: £3,468 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research)

International Tuition Fees 2024/25

• Full time tuition fees: £26,070 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research), £26,070 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research with National University of Singapore)
• Part time tuition fees: £13,035 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research)

UK Tuition Fees 2025/26

• Full time tuition fees: £7,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research), £7,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research with National University of Singapore)
• Part time tuition fees: £3,750 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research)

International Tuition Fees 2025/26

• Full time tuition fees: £28,000 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research), £28,000 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research with National University of Singapore)
• Part time tuition fees: £14,000 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research)

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

• Strand Campus: Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Study Environment

The India Institute offers a lively and thought-provoking programme of seminars, workshops and colloquia, all of which encourage interaction between graduate students, research staff and a wider audience. Together with the Institute's core staff and associate faculty across various departments at King's, PhD students add to the multi-disciplinary and vibrant intellectual atmosphere of the Institute. The Institute also regularly hosts internationally renowned visiting fellows who add an important dimension to our stimulating academic environment.

Postgraduate training

PhD students benefit from a wide-range of postgraduate and PhD-specific modules. Besides the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Programme at King's, most of our students tailor a training programme specific to their needs in consultation with their supervisors and benefit from postgraduate modules including methods training from departments across the School of Social Sciences and Public Policy. We also organise a periodic Writing-Up seminar where doctoral students present their work to peers and faculty, besides our seminar series India@King's.

Entry requirements

UK requirements

• A Master's degree is usually required.
• In exceptional circumstances only, a Bachelor's degree with first class or high 2:1 honours will be considered.

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a country to view the equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

• English language band: B
• 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.

Research groups

• Urbanisation, Rural Development and Social Transformations research group: A research group examining urban-rural development and its effect on the developing world.
• Knowledge Production in Lusophone and Francophone Countries: exploring the epistemic terrain of peace and Security in Burundi, Cameroon, Mozambique and Senegal: A research group examining knowledge production in Lusophone and Francophone countries.
• Global (Anti)corruption Studies research group: A research group examining corruption and anticorruption in the Global South.
• Cities, Climate and Capital in the Greater Indian Ocean World: A research group examining cities, climate, and capital in the Greater Indian Ocean world.
• Authoritarianism and populism research group: Examining the rise and effects of authoritarianism and populism.
• Indo-Pacific research group: Examining the geo-political strategy of the Indo-Pacific and its relationship with other states.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Overview:

The India Institute offers a unique and exciting environment for the in-depth study of India. Promoting an inter-disciplinary understanding of India in a comparative global context, the Institute coordinates and develops India-related research capabilities. Students can draw on academic expertise in a range of disciplines, and supervision may be provided from within the Institute or jointly with other faculty within the College.

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Objectives:

The PhD program aims to equip students with the knowledge, research skills, and critical thinking abilities necessary to conduct independent research on contemporary India. The program fosters a deep understanding of India's socio-political, economic, and cultural contexts, enabling students to contribute to scholarly research and engage in critical analysis of current issues.

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Program Description:

The PhD in Contemporary India Research is a rigorous and intellectually stimulating program that offers students the opportunity to:

• Specialize in a specific area of research related to contemporary India.

• Work closely with leading scholars in the field.

• Develop their research skills through a range of methods and techniques.

• Engage in critical analysis and debate on contemporary issues concerning India.

• Gain valuable experience in presenting their research at conferences and publishing their work in academic journals.

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Key Points:

• Duration: Expected to be MPhil two years FT, three years PT.
PhD three years FT, four-six years PT.
• Start Date: Normal start date September, but students may commence at other times by arrangement.
• Mode of Study: Full-time or part-time.
• Campus: Strand Campus, King's College London.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

The PhD program covers a wide range of topics related to contemporary India, including:

• Politics and governance
• Economy and development
• Social change and transformation
• Culture and media
• Environment and sustainability
• International relations

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Program Structure:

The program typically consists of:

• Coursework: Students are required to complete a number of taught modules related to their chosen area of specialization.
• Research Proposal: Students develop a detailed research proposal that outlines their research project and methodology.
• Dissertation: Students conduct independent research and write a dissertation of 80,000-100,000 words.

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Course Schedule:

The specific course schedule will vary depending on the student's chosen area of specialization. However, the program typically includes a mix of core and elective modules.

• Globalisation and Development in India
• Politics and Society in India
• Culture and Identity in India
• Environment and Development in India
• India's Foreign Policy

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

The PhD program uses a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including:

• Essays and assignments
• Presentations
• Examinations
• Dissertation

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Assessment Criteria:

Student work is assessed based on its originality, clarity, depth of analysis, and relevance to the program's learning objectives.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• A strong emphasis on inter-disciplinary learning.

• Opportunities for students to engage in collaborative research projects.

• Regular visiting scholars and guest lectures from leading experts in the field.

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Careers:

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Career Paths:

The PhD program prepares graduates for a variety of career paths, including:

• Academia
• Research
• Government
• Non-governmental organizations
• International organizations
• Journalism
• Business

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Career Opportunities:

Graduates of the program have gone on to work in a variety of settings, including:

• Universities
• Research institutes
• Government agencies
• International organizations
• Consulting firms
• Media organizations

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Career Outcomes:

The program has a strong track record of producing graduates who are successful in their chosen careers. Many graduates have gone on to publish their work in leading academic journals and secure prestigious research positions.

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Other:

• The program offers a number of scholarships and funding opportunities to support students.
• The Institute has a strong network of alumni who provide mentorship and support to current students.
• The program regularly organizes seminars, workshops, and conferences on various topics related to contemporary India.

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UK Tuition Fees 2023/24 Full time tuition fees: £6,540 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research) £6,540 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research with National University of Singapore) Part time tuition fees: £3,270 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research) International Tuition Fees 2023/24 Full time tuition fees: £24,360 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research) £24,360 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research with National University of Singapore) Part time tuition fees: £12,180 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research) UK Tuition Fees 2024/25 Full time tuition fees: £6,936 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research) £6,936 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research with National University of Singapore) Part time tuition fees: £3,468 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research) International Tuition Fees 2024/25 Full time tuition fees: £26,070 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research) £26,070 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research with National University of Singapore) Part time tuition fees: £13,035 per year (MPhil/PhD, Contemporary India Research)