Nursing Research with option of joint PhD with HKU or NUS

Program Overview

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Nursing Research with 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

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: Yes. 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: Yes. 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.
• Previous Academic Study: Yes. 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: Yes. One reference is required, professional references will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
• Other: Yes. 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, Nursing 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, Nursing Research)

International Tuition Fees 2024/25

• Full time tuition fees:
  • £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing 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, Nursing Research)

UK Tuition Fees 2025/26

• Full time tuition fees:
  • £8,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing 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, Nursing Research)

International Tuition Fees 2025/26

• Full time tuition fees:
  • £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing 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, Nursing 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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Nursing Research with option of joint PhD with HKU or NUS - King's College London

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Degree Overview:

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Overview:

The Nursing Research program at King's College London focuses on preparing future healthcare leaders and researchers. The program provides a strong focus on applied and allied healthcare, clinical research, and education. Students will receive the highest quality postgraduate education, equipping them to contribute to the field of nursing research and improve the quality of care for patients.

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Objectives:

• Train knowledgeable and competent researchers in the field of nursing.
• Provide students with the skills and knowledge to conduct independent research.
• Prepare students for leadership roles in healthcare and research.
• Foster a commitment to excellence in research and innovation.
• Contribute to the improvement of patient care through research.

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Program Description:

The MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research is offered at King's College London's Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care. The program is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the needs of individual students. Students can choose to study full-time or part-time, and they can also choose to pursue a joint PhD with the University of Hong Kong or the National University of Singapore. The program curriculum covers a wide range of topics related to nursing research, including:

• Research methods
• Statistics
• Epidemiology
• Ethics
• Health policy
• Qualitative research
• Quantitative research
• Mixed methods research
Students will also have the opportunity to conduct their own research projects under the supervision of experienced faculty members.

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Outline:

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Program Content:

The MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research at King's College London covers a wide range of topics related to nursing research. The program curriculum is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in research methods, statistics, and epidemiology. Students will also have the opportunity to explore specific areas of interest in more depth.

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Program Structure:

The MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research is a three-year full-time program or a six-year part-time program. The program is divided into three stages:

• Stage 1: Research methods training (6 months)
• Stage 2: Literature review and proposal development (6 months)
• Stage 3: Data collection and analysis (18 months)

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Course Schedule:

The MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research is offered on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time students are expected to attend classes three days per week. Part-time students are expected to attend classes one day per week.

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Individual Modules:

The MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research consists of a number of individual modules. Some of the core modules include:

• Research methods
• Statistics
• Epidemiology
• Ethics
• Health policy
• Qualitative research
• Quantitative research
• Mixed methods research
Students will also have the opportunity to choose from a range of optional modules, depending on their interests.

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Assessment:

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Assessment Methods:

The MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research is assessed through a variety of methods, including:

• Written assignments
• Presentations
• Research projects
• Oral examinations

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Assessment Criteria:

The MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research is assessed on the following criteria:

• Originality
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Research skills
• Communication skills

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

The MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research is taught using a variety of methods, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Individual supervision

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Faculty:

The MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research is taught by a team of experienced faculty members who are experts in their field.

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Unique Approaches:

The MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research offers a number of unique approaches to teaching and learning, including:

• A strong focus on research
• A supportive and intellectually stimulating environment
• A commitment to providing students with the highest quality education
• A focus on preparing students for leadership roles in healthcare and research

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Careers:

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Career Paths:

Graduates of the MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research can pursue a variety of career paths, including:

• Academic research
• Clinical research
• Health policy
• Education
• Leadership roles in healthcare

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Career Opportunities:

Graduates of the MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research will be well-positioned to pursue challenging and rewarding careers in the field of nursing research. They will have the skills and knowledge to make a significant contribution to the improvement of patient care.

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Other:

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Joint PhDs:

The MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research offers students the opportunity to pursue a joint PhD with the University of Hong Kong or the National University of Singapore. This program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to gain experience in different research cultures and to build relationships with researchers from around the world.

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Study Environment:

The Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care offers a supportive and intellectually stimulating environment. Students will have access to a range of resources and facilities, including a dedicated study suite, research labs, and a library.

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Research Support:

The faculty provides a number of support services for research students, including:

• Supervision
• Training
• Funding
• Networking opportunities

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Entry Requirements:

To be eligible for admission to the MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research, applicants must have an upper second class undergraduate degree and a master's degree obtained from a UK university or an overseas qualification of equivalent standard.

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Application Process:

To apply for the MPhil/PhD program in Nursing Research, applicants must complete an online application form. The application deadline is 20 November 2023 for Home fee status and 20 October 2023 for Overseas fee status.

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UK Tuition Fees 2023/24 Full time tuition fees: £7,500 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing 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, Nursing Research) International Tuition Fees 2023/24 Full time tuition fees: £28,260 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing 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, Nursing Research) UK Tuition Fees 2024/25 Full time tuition fees: £7,950 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing 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, Nursing Research) International Tuition Fees 2024/25 Full time tuition fees: £30,240 per year (MPhil/PhD, Nursing 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, Nursing Research) These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.