Program Overview

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Postgraduate Research

Study

Key information

Award: 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.

How to apply

1. Application Procedure

Before applying, please visit our website and read carefully the information about our research interests, making 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 Brazil 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 the end of the second year, on the recommendation of the departmental graduate upgrading panel.

The evaluation of applications will be the responsibility of a Joint Academic Committee (JAC) consisting of academic staff from both IRI/USP and the Brazil Institute, War Studies, and Political Economy at King’s College London. The JAC will supervise all of the academic, administrative and operational issues related to the programme, working within the regulations of each university.

2. Personal Statement and Supporting Information

• Personal Statement: A personal essay describing the candidate’s suitability for the course, including a description of the studies and research that the applicant would like to undertake while at IRI/USP.
• Research Proposal: The proposal (3 - 5 pages in length) 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: 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.
• 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: Applicants may also wish to include a CV (Resume) or evidence of professional registration as part of their application.

Course Intake

No set number.

Joint PhDs - Application advice

Applicants for this 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.

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.

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

Fees or Funding

UK Tuition Fees 2024/25

• Full time tuition fees: £6,936 per year
• Part time tuition fees: £3,468 per year

International Tuition Fees 2024/25

• Full time tuition fees: £26,070 per year
• Part time tuition fees: £13,035 per year

UK Tuition Fees 2025/26

• Full time tuition fees: £7,500 per year
• Part time tuition fees: £3,750 per year

International Tuition Fees 2025/26

• Full time tuition fees: £28,000 per year
• Part time tuition fees: £14,000 per year

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.

Career Prospects

While many graduates may go on to a university-based academic career, others may pursue careers in both the public and private sector.

Student Destinations

This programme could allow students go on to become lecturers and research assistants, directors and senior managers of international consultancies, or consultants for environmental agencies, governments, charities, research organisations, and NGOs.

Entry requirements

UK requirements

• A Masters degree is usually required.
• In exceptional circumstances only, an undergraduate degree with 1st Class or high 2:1 honours degree (or international equivalent) will be considered.

Students must have a research proposal that focuses on the changing role of Brazil in the world and be fluent in Portuguese or, if not fluent, capable of reaching a good standard in their first year of the PhD programme.

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a country to view 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
• Knowledge Production in Lusophone and Francophone Countries: exploring the epistemic terrain of peace and Security in Burundi, Cameroon, Mozambique and Senegal
• Global (Anti)corruption Studies research group
• Cities, Climate and Capital in the Greater Indian Ocean World
• Authoritarianism and populism research group
• Indo-Pacific research group