Health Studies Research, option of joint PhD with HKU or NUS

Program Overview

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Postgraduate Research

Study

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Health Studies Research/ option of joint PhD with HKU or NUS MPhil/PhD

Key information

Award:

MPhil

PhD

Study mode:

Blended learning

Full time

Part time

Campus:

Waterloo Campus

Duration:

Three years full time, six years part time

About the Program

The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care at King's is a world-leading centre for applied and allied healthcare, clinical research and education. Our focus is on training the healthcare leaders and researchers of the future, with a strong commitment to providing postgraduate programmes of the highest quality. The faculty offers research programmes at MPhil and PhD level. In preparing students to become knowledgeable and competent researchers, supervision is provided by academic staff with expertise in a wide range of research and clinical areas.

The Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care is regarded as a centre of excellence for nursing and midwifery, achieving high scores in research and teaching quality assessments. The first MPhil/PhD students enrolled in the late 1970s and since then the faculty has expanded steadily its range of high quality graduate education programmes to meet the needs of increasingly well-educated healthcare professionals who wish to continue their education to support and develop their careers.

The purpose of our research is to improve the quality of services and outcomes for patients through studies concerned with individual clinical needs, service delivery and organisation and the wider social and policy context of care, nationally and internationally. Our research work is underpinned by cross cutting principles: engagement with patient and user perspectives, commitment to conceptual and methodological innovation, attention to the policy relevance and practical application of our findings through interventions.

The faculty is an integral partner within King’s Health Partners (KHP) and contributes to the interdisciplinary research centres in supporting and delivering high quality research.

Our results in the latest REF (Research Excellence Framework, the UK’s system for assessing research quality in universities) highlighted the combined strength and impact of applied health research at King’s. Of the 89 submissions made by UK universities to the REF’s Unit of Assessment 3 (UoA3), King’s was 1st for overall research rated 4* (the highest possible mark), 1st for number of research outputs being rated 3* or 4* with 206.87 papers awarded these ratings, 1st for impact rated 4* with 86.4% of impact case studies rated 4*, and 1st for Grade Point Average and Power.

Our research activity is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Research Councils and a range of charities. We host a range of nationally competitive fellowships from PhD studentship to post-doctoral level.

PhD Research Projects

PhD projects in the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care become available all year round. Please visit our postgraduate research page, where you can browse through the current opportunities. The faculty is especially interested in receiving applications from students across the globe, who are planning their doctoral research projects in fields that will contribute to the faculty’s research groups, enhance the research culture and align with the faculty’s research strategy.

Joint PhDs - Benefits of collaboration

The Joint PhD is an innovative integrated programme that offers unique opportunities for the very best PhD supervision in an international context. The programme offered provides candidates with the opportunity to divide their PhD study between three prestigious universities (King’s, the University of Hong Kong and the National University of Singapore), enjoying full supervision at both. While supervisions and regular graduate seminars enable students to construct a theoretical, historical and systematic framework for their research, the Joint PhD also organizes international colloquia and workshops at which students can present and discuss their work with peers and academic staff across the institutions involved. The programme builds on an extensive network of existing institutional links, joint teaching experience and collaborative graduate programmes between King’s and our partner universities.

How to apply

1. Application Procedure

To apply for graduate study at King's you will need to complete the graduate online application form. Applying online makes applying easier and quicker for you, and means we can receive your application faster and more securely. King's does not normally accept paper copies of the graduate application form. However, if you are unable to access the online graduate application form, please contact the relevant admissions/School Office at King's for advice.

Your application should include an outline research proposal and curriculum vitae. Your application will be considered by at least two members of academic staff. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by two members of academic staff, one of whom may be a potential supervisor, either in person or, if this is not possible, via telephone. We aim to process all completed applications within six weeks of receipt. You are advised to apply well in advance of the entry month that you are interested in; commencing a MPhil/PhD involves considerable organisation including arranging financial support, study leave, accommodation etc. Once you have applied using the online application form you can check the status of your application by logging into myApplication

You may be required to take and pass particular taught modules as a requirement for continued registration; any such conditions will be discussed with you fully.

Personal statement and supporting information

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: Applicants are required to write an outline research proposal of up to 1,000 words that includes the research area, an overview of relevant literature, the research question, the methodology, and timescale of the project. 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.
• 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 reference is required, professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
• Other: Please submit a CV (Resume) as part of your application.

Course intake

No set number.

Joint PhDs - Application advice

Applicants to Joint PhD programmes are encouraged to contact the department before submitting an application, to discuss the suitability of their topic for the joint programme and the availability of suitable supervisors at both institutions. Applications should initially be submitted to the proposed home institution only, i.e. the institution where student will start and finish their programme. Applications will then be assessed by both partners.

Applicants who choose King’s as their home institution should apply through the online application form, selecting the appropriate Joint PhD option from the drop-down list. In addition to the standard supporting documentation, applicants should submit a travel plan indicating how they intend to split their time between the two partner institutions. Applicants to Joint PhD programmes are normally expected to start the programme in September.

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.

• February 2025 entry – 20 October 2024 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2024 for Home fee status
• 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 (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research)
  • £7,950 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong)
  • £7,950 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore)
• Part time tuition fees: £3,975 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research)

International Tuition Fees 2024/25

• Full time tuition fees:
  • £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research)
  • £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong)
  • £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore)
• Part time tuition fees: £15,120 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research)

UK Tuition Fees 2025/26

• Full time tuition fees:
  • £8,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research)
  • £8,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong)
  • £8,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore)
• Part time tuition fees: £4,250 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research)

International Tuition Fees 2025/26

• Full time tuition fees:
  • £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research)
  • £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong)
  • £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore)
• Part time tuition fees: £15,120 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies 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

Waterloo Campus

Waterloo campus is home of the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery and facilities for other faculties

The Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care offers a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. In the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey (PRES) 2015, results for the Faculty indicated that student experience was positive about all aspects of supervision, skills and development, infrastructure, intellectual climate, and knowledge of roles and responsibilities within the Faculty. Research students are allocated a supervisory team led by an experienced principal supervisor. The team meet regularly with the student for supervision and review of progress. Progress is also reviewed formally by the Faculty Postgraduate Research Students Committee at set points in the academic year. Supervisors provide advice on training needs and career development. Student representatives for full-time and part-time students play an important role in communicating student feedback about learning experiences and the support infrastructure to inform ongoing programme development. Research students have a study suite in the James Clerk Maxwell Building and access to Graduate Lounges on the different campuses.

Students on the MPhil/PhD programme are immersed in the academic culture and are encouraged to engage in a wide range of learning opportunities. Students will normally undertake two core research methods modules: Advanced quantitative research methods offers an in-depth study of quantitative research methods including epidemiological studies and randomised controlled trials, and Advanced qualitative research methods offers an in-depth study of different qualitative methods and their relationship to epistemological theory. Students can also access doctoral training courses organised by King's Graduate School and the ESRC training centre where places permit, and all students are encouraged to become actively involved in research seminars and fora. Research students are encouraged to present their doctoral research at conferences and a School competition fund exists to support this.

Support for Postgraduate Research Students within the Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care

• A model of three-supervisors has been introduced to improve students’ support and access to clinical and methodological expertise. Where appropriate and required, MPhil/PhD students within the Faculty will be provided with a team of three supervisors.
• Research methods training modules offered by the Faculty itself include Advanced Quantitative Research Methods; Advanced Qualitative Research Methods; Evidence Based Decision Making in Healthcare; Research Methods and Statistics; and Epidemiology.
• Our own Nightingale-Saunders Clinical Trials & Epidemiology Unit offers an advanced level of expertise on quantitative topics of which students can avail.
• In addition, our MPhil/PhD students have access to a wide range of supplementary courses and activities, including workshops, symposia and funding offered by Centre of Doctoral Studies, the Health Sciences Doctoral Training Centre (HSDTC) and the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS DTP).
• The Faculty also runs three Journal Clubs (for Nursing & Midwifery, Mental Health and the Cecily Saunders Institute of Palliative Care respectively) and students have an opportunity to participate in fortnightly research seminar programmes delivered by one of the research divisions. Students’ active involvement in developing the range of activities and their delivery is strongly encouraged.

Meet our students and learn more about the great work they are doing.

Entry requirements

UK requirements

Applicants should normally hold an upper second class undergraduate degree and a masters degree obtained from a UK university or an overseas qualification of equivalent standard.

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.

Program Outline

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Health Studies Research/ option of joint PhD with HKU or NUS

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Degree Overview:

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Program Overview:

The Health Studies Research/ joint PhD with HKU or NUS program is a three-year full-time or six-year part-time postgraduate research program offered by the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care at King's College London. The program aims to train healthcare leaders and researchers of the future, specializing in applied and allied healthcare, clinical research, and education.

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Objectives:

• Prepare students to become knowledgeable and competent researchers in the field of health studies.
• Provide a strong foundation in research methodology and analysis.
• Develop students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Enhance students' communication and presentation skills.
• Facilitate the development of independent research projects.
Students can choose to complete their studies at King's College London, the University of Hong Kong, or the National University of Singapore. This option allows students to benefit from the expertise of faculty at all three institutions and gain a global perspective on their research. The program curriculum includes a combination of taught modules and independent research. Taught modules cover topics such as research methods, statistics, and ethics. Students are also required to complete a research proposal and defend their thesis.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

The Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program covers a wide range of topics in the field of health studies, including:

• Health policy and management
• Public health
• Health economics
• Health care quality and safety
• Global health
• Mental health
• Reproductive health
• Social determinants of health
• Health inequalities
• Health research methods
• Health data analysis
• Ethics in health research

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Program Structure:

The Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program is divided into two stages:

• Stage 1: This stage involves the completion of taught modules and the development of a research proposal.
Students are required to take a minimum of two core research methods modules and may choose from a range of optional modules.
• Stage 2: This stage involves the independent research project.
Students will be assigned a supervisory team to guide them through the research process. Students are expected to present their research findings at conferences and publish their work in peer-reviewed journals.

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Course Schedule:

The course schedule for the Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program is flexible and can be tailored to the individual needs of each student. Students can choose to study full-time or part-time and can start their studies in September, January, or May.

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Modules:

The specific modules offered in the Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program may vary depending on the year of study and the student's chosen specialization. However, some examples of modules that may be offered include:

• Advanced Quantitative Research Methods
• Advanced Qualitative Research Methods
• Epidemiology
• Health Policy and Management
• Public Health
• Health Economics
• Health Care Quality and Safety
• Global Health
• Mental Health
• Reproductive Health
• Social Determinants of Health
• Health Inequalities

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

The assessment methods used in the Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program vary depending on the module. However, some common assessment methods include:

• Essays
• Presentations
• Examinations
• Research projects
• Theses

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Assessment Criteria:

The assessment criteria used in the Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program are based on the learning outcomes of each module. The criteria are designed to assess students' knowledge, understanding, and skills in relation to the subject matter.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

The teaching methods used in the Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program vary depending on the module. However, some common teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Tutorials
• Independent study

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Faculty:

The faculty teaching on the Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program are experts in their field with a wealth of experience in research and teaching. The faculty are committed to providing students with a high-quality learning experience and are available to provide support and guidance throughout their studies.

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Unique Approaches:

The Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program offers a number of unique approaches to teaching and learning. These include:

• The use of e-learning technologies: The program uses a variety of e-learning technologies to support student learning.
These technologies include online learning platforms, video lectures, and online discussion forums.
• The opportunity to study abroad: Students have the opportunity to study abroad at one of the program's partner institutions, the University of Hong Kong or the National University of Singapore.
This allows students to gain a global perspective on their research and to network with other researchers from around the world.
• The development of research skills: The program places a strong emphasis on the development of research skills.
Students are given the opportunity to work on real-world research projects and to present their findings at conferences and in peer-reviewed journals.

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Careers:

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Career Paths:

The Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program prepares students for a wide range of career paths in the field of health research. Some potential career paths include:

• Academic researcher
• Government policy analyst
• Health care consultant
• Non-profit organization director
• Public health researcher
• Social scientist
• Teacher/lecturer

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Career Opportunities:

The Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program provides students with the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in their chosen career path. The program also provides students with access to a network of contacts in the field of health research.

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Career Outcomes:

Graduates of the Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program have gone on to work in a variety of settings, including universities, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and private companies. They have made significant contributions to the field of health research and have helped to improve the health of people around the world. This allows students to gain a global perspective on their research and to network with other researchers from around the world.

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International colloquia and workshops:

The joint PhD program organizes international colloquia and workshops where students can present and discuss their work with peers and academic staff across the institutions involved.

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Joint PhDs - Application advice:

Applicants to joint PhD programs are encouraged to contact the department before submitting an application to discuss the suitability of their topic for the joint program and the availability of suitable supervisors at both institutions. Applications should initially be submitted to the proposed home institution only, i.e., the institution where the student will start and finish their program.

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Application closing dates:

The application deadlines for the Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program are as follows:

• February 2024 entry – 20 October 2023 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2023 for Home fee status
• February 2025 entry – 20 October 2024 for Overseas fee status and 20 November 2024 for Home fee status

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Funding deadlines:

Please note that funding deadlines may be earlier than the application deadlines listed above.

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Tuition fees:

The tuition fees for the Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program are as follows:

• UK Tuition Fees 2023/24: £7,500 per year
• UK Tuition Fees 2024/25: £7,950 per year
• International Tuition Fees 2023/24: £28,260 per year
• International Tuition Fees 2024/25: £30,240 per year
These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study.

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Study environment:

The Health Studies Research/ joint PhD program is offered at King's College London's Waterloo campus. The faculty offers a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. Students have access to a study suite, graduate lounges, and a variety of other resources.

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Supervisory team:

Research students are allocated a supervisory team led by an experienced principal supervisor.

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UK Tuition Fees 2023/24 Full time tuition fees: £7,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research) £7,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong) £7,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore) Part time tuition fees: £3,750 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research) International Tuition Fees 2023/24 Full time tuition fees: £28,260 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research) £28,260 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong) £28,260 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore) Part time tuition fees: £14,130 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research) UK Tuition Fees 2024/25 Full time tuition fees: £7,950 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research) £7,950 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong) £7,950 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore) Part time tuition fees: £3,975 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research) International Tuition Fees 2024/25 Full time tuition fees: £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research) £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with University of Hong Kong) £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care Research with the National University of Singapore) Part time tuition fees: £15,120 per year (MPhil/PhD, Health Studies Research) These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.