Program Overview

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European Studies Research MPhil/PhD

Key information

Award: MPhil, PhD Study mode: Full time, Part time Campus: Strand Campus Duration: Expected to be PhD (initial registration for MPhil), three years FT, four-six years PT.

Overview

The Department of European and International Studies is committed to the interdisciplinary study of Europe in a global context. Our approach to the study of Europe in the world is holistic, including historical, political, economic, social, cultural, philosophical, and anthropological aspects. EIS international studies research focuses on international political economy and foreign policy. Together, these overlapping research agendas, seek to achieve the strategic aim of becoming a leading centre for excellence in the study of crisis and limitations of European and global order.

The Department is host to a cluster of internationally recognized specialists in International Political Economy. Their research interests include European political economy; the globalization of production; the political economy of finance and crisis, Latin America, East Asia, energy, and migration. Applications are invited for the PhD in International Political Economy to work with and under the supervision of these scholars.

Course detail

The Department of European and International Studies is committed to the interdisciplinary study of Europe in a global context. Our approach to the study of Europe in the world is holistic, including historical, political, economic, social, cultural, philosophical, and anthropological aspects. EIS international studies research focuses on international political economy and foreign policy. Together, these overlapping research agendas, seek to achieve the strategic aim of becoming a leading centre for excellence in the study of crisis and limitations of European and global order.

The Department is host to a cluster of internationally recognized specialists in International Political Economy. Their research interests include European political economy; the globalization of production; the political economy of finance and crisis, Latin America, East Asia, energy, and migration. Applications are invited for the PhD in International Political Economy to work with and under the supervision of these scholars.

How to apply

1. Application Procedure

Before applying please consult the department's web pages to determine if we have a suitable research supervisor for your project. Candidates are strongly encouraged to approach potential supervisors informally with a research proposal and full CV before submitting a formal application.

Admission to our research programmes will initially be for the MPhil but we expect students to transfer to the PhD after successfully passing an upgrading examination, which normally takes place after the end of first year of registration for full-time students. Candidates should a research proposal of between 2,000 and 3,000 words outlining their proposed research project. No application will be considered without one.

Candidates will be normally interviewed by two members of the department's staff, one of whom will be the prospective supervisor.

2. Personal Statement and Supporting Information

Applicants are encouraged to approach potential supervisors prior to application. To identify a supervisor please see our Research Portal.

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

• Research Proposal: Yes, The proposal (2,000 - 3,000 words 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. For advice on how to write a winning application, please visit the research courses page.
• 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.

Course Intake

No set number.

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: £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

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

Strand Campus

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Study Environment

Every research student is assigned a primary and secondary supervisor. Their progress is monitored through regular meetings of a review panel. European & International Studies mounts regular research seminars and occasional conferences with invited outside speakers. In addition, the School of Politics and Economics Postgraduate Research Seminar allows research students to report on their work in progress and receive feedback from staff members and fellow students.

Student Destinations

• University teaching
• Work in the European Union institutions, business, and national and international public service
• Teaching

Entry requirements

UK requirements

• a Master's degree with Merit
• and a 2.1 honours degree at the bachelor's level

It is not essential to have taken courses in this field at postgraduate level but we advise students to consider taking our MA or a similar course elsewhere before undertaking research.

Extensive practical experience in a relevant field (diplomatic, journalistic, humanitarian, economic or developmental) may be taken into account when evaluating an application, but a convincing research proposal is essential to being admitted.

Equivalent International qualifications

Select a country to view the 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.

For information on our English language requirements and whether you need to complete an English language test, please see our English Language requirements page.