Program Overview

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Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry MPhil/PhD, MD(Res)

Key information

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

Study

The SGDP Centre welcomes applications from both home and overseas students. The Centre’s students are diverse in their backgrounds, with about half coming from social science and the other half from biological and related sciences. Our students are supported by a range of funding schemes including the MRC, ESRC, BBSRC DRIVE-health, King’s China Scholarship Council scheme and many others.

Students entering directly onto a 3- or 4-year PhD programme may already have research experience and/or be familiar with the interdisciplinary nature of our research areas and have ideas about an appropriate SGDP project and/or research method. They will also often already hold an MSc (or equivalent qualification) relevant to their PhD topic.

Our 1+3 students often undertake the MSc in Developmental Psychology & Psychopathology (DEV-PP) for 1 year before commencing their PhD project. The MSc DEV-PP programme takes a highly interdisciplinary approach to explore how biological, behavioural and cognitive processes, along with family and wider social forces, can affect typical and atypical development.

The SGDP Centre is an interdisciplinary department that focuses on how genetics (‘nature’) and the environment (‘nurture’) interact to affect psychiatric disorders, neurodevelopmental conditions, and individual differences across development. PhD students are integrated with our collaborative, interdisciplinary teams that span research in the Social, Genetic and Developmental areas across Psychology and Psychiatry.

Research areas

• Mental health disorders of anorexia and eating disorders
• Anxiety
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Autism
• Depression
• Psychosis

We investigate the social, genetic and developmental contributions to psychiatric disorders and typical behaviour, using tools such as twin studies, molecular (epi)genetics, neuroimaging, EEG, virtual reality and activity tracking through wearable devices.

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.

5. Application Procedure

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

• Personal Statement
• Research Proposal
• Previous Academic Study
• References
• Other (optional)

Application Closing Date

We encourage you to apply as early as possible so that there is sufficient time for your application to be assessed.

• 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

Study environment

Base campus

Denmark Hill Campus

Home to the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience.

Postgraduate 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.

Head of Department

Head of Department Professor Cathryn Lewis

Deputy Head of Department: Professor Thalia Elay

Entry requirements

UK requirements

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

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a country to view 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.