Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences MPhil/PhD, MD(Res)

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

Forensic & Neurodevelopmental Sciences MPhil/PhD, MD(Res)

Key information

Award:

• MPhil
• PhD
• MDRes

Study mode:

• Full time
• Part time

Campus:

• Denmark Hill Campus

The Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences (FANS) in the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) is one of the few leading teams in the world bringing together experts in brain development and antisocial behaviour. We offer prospective students supervision from internationally recognised academics with expertise in many areas of forensic and neurodevelopmental research. As one of Europe’s largest research groups focusing on the neuroscientific understanding of the development of prosocial and antisocial behaviours across the lifespan, we believe it is essential to investigate the determinants of normal development to understand abnormal behaviour (or illness).

With staff globally-recognised as innovators of high-quality translational research, we maintain strong links with our clinical and forensic partners ensuring our fundamental research and teaching efforts can be transferred for clinical improvements with ease and speed. The quality of our research is reflected by our academic contributions to the 2014 UK Research Excellence Framework. Ranked 2nd in the country for power, the IoPPN achieved a 100% 4* ranking for our research environment, indicating our impact was judged to be ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. We currently hold approximately £20 million in research income from national (e.g. the Medical Research Council, Wellcome Trust and National Institute of Health Research), international (e.g. European Commission) and charitable grant giving bodies (Autistica, Forces in Mind and The Simons Foundation).

Research methodologies employed within FANS included neuroimaging (in vivo brain imaging -MRI, fMRI, MRS, and PET), genomics, animal models, epidemiology, psychopathology, psychopharmacology, and measures of cognitive ability and behaviour in healthy individuals and those with psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders.

Key benefits

• World leading experts: Our academic team members sit on National and International steering and advisory groups (including UK government task forces on ADHD, autism and offenders). With expertise from basic animal models through to the latest neuroimaging techniques, we are world leaders in brain imaging of infants, and in relating differences in brain structure and function to social and cognitive development. We also study the genetics, epidemiology, psychopathology, neurobiology and psychopharmacology of autistic spectrum disorders and ADHD across the lifespan, conduct disorder and callous unemotional behaviour in children, and offending and antisocial personality disorder in adulthood.
• National and International Partnerships: Our work is funded by large scale grants from leading agencies including the Medical Research Council (UK), National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), The Wellcome Trust, Autism Speaks, Autistica, The European Commission (the Innovative Medicines Initiative for EU AIMS, together with other funding for EU BRAINVIEW, EU TACTICS, and EU MATRICS), the Simons Foundation (USA) and Industry (GW Pharma).
• Translational Research: Our unique collaboration between academics, researchers and clinicians provides you with an outstanding learning environment to become part of the next generation of world leaders in translational research.

Set within the world renowned Maudsley and Bethlem Royal hospitals, we join forces with leading experts in their field to provide high quality forensic and neurodevelopmental services via the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLAM) – provider of the widest range of mental health services in the UK.

As part of the Behavioural and Developmental Psychiatry Clinical Academic Group (CAG), we rapidly translate cutting-edge research into clinical practice, improving patient outcomes, training and clinical practice to create world-leading improvements in healthcare. Launched in 2013 under the chairmanship of Professor Declan Murphy, carries out multidisciplinary ‘translational’ studies of normal development, and how abnormalities in that process lead to high cost neurodevelopmental disorders. Our studies link the ‘basic’ sciences (e.g. in cellular mechanisms and circuits studied using stem cell and animal models) to clinical sciences.

Current Research Interests

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
  • European Autism Intervention A Multicentre Study (EU-AIMS)
  • Experimental Medicine studies in adult ASD: GABA, Glutamate, Endocannabinoid and Serotonin systems
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Research in the Forensic Environment
  • Fitness to Plead
  • Trauma in prison
• Conduct Disorder
  • Brain Associates of Parent Training on Antisocial Behaviour in Children (MRC-ABC)
• Infant Brain Development
  • Brain Imaging in Babies Study (BIBS)

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. Applicants are expected to contact academics directly.

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. The following pages are useful:

• Funding Database
• Funded Research Opportunities

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. Guidance on how to apply can be found here.

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.

Make sure you complete all sections, answering all questions fully, and signatures from all supervisors and student are included. There is no need to collect the signatures from the Head of Department/Business Manager and Sub-Committee Chair at this point.

We strongly advise the submission of your application as early as possible to ensure that you can begin with your desired intake. If your application is not processed in time you run the risk of a deferral to the subsequent intake.

We advise students to aim to submit their online application and PAF at least four months before their desired registration date, although the earlier the application submission the better.

It is typical that the process from the receipt of your online application and PAF through to offer letter stage (which includes the arrangement of the PhD interview) takes approximately six weeks.

Please note that the deadlines listed below are for both the online application and Project Approval Form (PAF) which is to be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

Copies of the PAF can be downloaded here.

5. Application Procedure

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). It should include an explanation of your interest and existing knowledge of the field.
• Research Proposal: Yes, 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. A letter of support from your proposed King's supervisor is also required.
• 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 academic reference is required. A professional reference will be accepted if you have completed your qualifications over five years ago.
• Other: Optional, You may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of your application.

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.

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.

• 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
• 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.

Working closely with their supervisors, our Graduate research students enjoy regular meetings to discuss their progress. We also foster student collaboration by encouraging networking with other members of staff within their research group along with participation in departmental research presentations and Institute seminars. At the start of their studies new graduate students are given a full induction and 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. Students and supervisors are invited to participate in the thriving PhD student forum - a bi-monthly gathering for all all students and supervisors to discuss research methods and present on-going projects.

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.

Head of group/division

Professor Declan Murphy

Contact for information

For any additional queries regarding application and project approval procedures please contact Education Support Team.

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 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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Outline:

• Research areas:
• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• European Autism Intervention A Multicentre Study (EU-AIMS)
• Experimental Medicine studies in adult ASD: GABA, Glutamate, Endocannabinoid and Serotonin systems
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Research in the Forensic Environment
• Fitness to Plead
• Trauma in prison
• Conduct Disorder
• Brain Associates of Parent Training on Antisocial Behaviour in Children (MRC-ABC)
• Infant Brain Development
• Brain Imaging in Babies Study (BIBS)
• Methodology:
• Neuroimaging (in vivo brain imaging -MRI, fMRI, MRS, and PET)
• Genomics
• Animal models
• Epidemiology
• Psychopathology
• Psychopharmacology
• Measures of cognitive ability and behavior in healthy individuals and those with psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders

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Teaching:

• Supervision: World-leading experts in the field provide individual supervision.
• Collaboration: The program fosters collaboration through departmental research presentations, Institute seminars, and a PhD student forum.
• Facilities: Students receive a full induction, dedicated workspace, and computer access.
• Training: The program offers training in transferable skills and academic areas relevant to the student's thesis.

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Other:

• The program is offered full-time and part-time.
• There are deadlines for application and project approval.
• Tuition fees vary depending on full-time/part-time and UK/international student status.

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Contact Information:

• Education Support Team: ioppn.pgr@kcl.ac.uk
• Admissions Tutor: Dr Vaheshta Sethna- vaheshta.sethna@kcl.ac.uk
• Business Manager: Ms Harriet Meteyard- harriet.meteyard@kcl.ac.uk
• Contact email: ioppn.pgr@kcl.ac.uk

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UK Tuition Fees 2023/24 Full time tuition fees: £7,500 per year Part time tuition fees: £3,750 per year International Tuition Fees 2023/24 Full time tuition fees: £28,260 per year Part time tuition fees: £14,130 per year 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