King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded PhD in the UK with Tuition, Living Support and Research Costs
King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded PhD in the UK with Tuition, Living Support and Research Costs. King’s College London is offering three Joint PhD Scholarships for the 2027/28 academic year, supporting eligible doctoral researchers undertaking approved joint PhD programmes with international partner universities.
The scholarships provide full tuition fee coverage at the home or international rate, an annual living stipend at the UKRI rate, and an annual research grant of £1,000 to £5,000, depending on the research project while the student is at King’s.
The opportunity is administered by King’s Doctoral College and is available for joint doctoral programmes between King’s College London and four international partner universities: the University of Hong Kong, Humboldt University in Berlin, the National University of Singapore, and the University of São Paulo.
Applications opened in October 2026. The main scholarship application deadline is 24 January 2027, while references and supporting documents must be submitted by 7 February 2027.
Applicants must apply to King’s as their home institution, obtain provisional agreement from supervisors at both universities, and apply for an eligible full-time joint PhD programme.
Official scholarship page: King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28 King’s College London
King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28: Quick overview
| Scholarship name | King’s Joint PhD Scholarships |
| Host university | King’s College London |
| Funding provider | King’s Doctoral College |
| Academic year | 2027/28 |
| Study level | PhD / postgraduate research |
| Study mode | Full-time |
| Number of awards | 3 scholarships |
| Tuition coverage | Full tuition fees at home or international rate |
| Living support | Annual stipend at the UKRI rate |
| Stipend reference | £23,805 for 2026/27; 2027/28 rate to be confirmed |
| Research grant | £1,000–£5,000 annually, depending on the research project at King’s |
| Funding code | 2728-JOINT |
| Applications open | October 2026 |
| Main application deadline | 24 January 2027, 23:59 UK time |
| References and documents deadline | 7 February 2027, 23:59 UK time |
| Interview period | Week commencing 1 May 2027 |
| Earliest start date | October 2027 |
| Official contact | doctoral-college@kcl.ac.uk |
The official scholarship listing confirms that the award includes tuition fees, a stipend, and research training and support funding. It lists three awards for the 2027/28 academic year. King’s College London
About King’s College London
King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded PhD in the UK with Tuition, Living Support and Research Costs
King’s College London is a research-intensive university in London, United Kingdom. Its postgraduate research programmes provide opportunities for doctoral researchers to undertake advanced study, work with academic supervisors, and contribute to research across a range of disciplines.
The university’s Joint PhD Scholarships are administered by King’s Doctoral College and support approved doctoral programmes developed with international partner institutions.
A joint PhD differs from a conventional doctorate conducted entirely at one university. Students undertake research connected with King’s and a partner institution, receive supervision from both universities, and spend a required period of their candidature at the partner institution.
The scholarship is designed to support this international research arrangement by providing tuition funding, living support, and research funding.
Applicants should review the official scholarship guidance to confirm which research programmes are eligible. The award is not automatically available for every PhD programme offered by King’s College London. King’s College London
Partner universities for the 2027/28 scholarship
Applicants must apply for an eligible joint PhD programme involving King’s College London and one of the four approved international partner universities.
The University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Students must spend 50% of their overall doctoral candidature at the partner university.
The partnership requires at least 12 months at the University of São Paulo.
The required period at the partner institution depends on the selected partnership. Applicants must include their proposed periods of candidature in the Travel Plan form.
The official scholarship page also directs applicants to the joint PhD guidance document for the full list of eligible programmes. King’s College London
Scholarship benefits and financial coverage
King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded PhD in the UK with Tuition, Living Support and Research Costs
The King’s Joint PhD Scholarship includes three main funding components: full tuition fees, an annual living stipend, and research support.
1. Full tuition fee coverage
Successful applicants receive full tuition fee coverage at the home or international rate.
This is an important benefit for international doctoral candidates who would otherwise be responsible for paying the university’s international tuition fees.
The scholarship applies to approved joint PhD programmes and is subject to the award conditions.
Applicants should confirm that their intended programme is eligible before submitting their application. King’s College London
2. Annual living stipend
The scholarship provides an annual stipend at the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rate.
King’s lists the 2026/27 reference stipend as £23,805 per year. This is the published rate for 2026/27, not a confirmed 2027/28 amount.
The 2027/28 stipend rate should be confirmed by King’s College London when the university publishes the applicable figure.
The stipend is intended to contribute toward living expenses during doctoral study. Applicants should not assume that the award includes a separate accommodation payment or guaranteed university housing.
3. Annual research grant
The scholarship also provides an annual research grant of £1,000 to £5,000, depending on the research project while the student is at King’s.
The grant amount is project-dependent. It should not be presented as a guaranteed £5,000 payment for every scholar.
Applicants should discuss their research needs and anticipated expenses with their prospective supervisors when preparing their proposal and funding application.
The research grant is separate from the tuition fee coverage and annual living stipend. King’s College London
4. International doctoral research experience
The joint PhD arrangement allows students to undertake doctoral research involving King’s College London and an international partner university.
Depending on the partnership and research programme, students may benefit from:
- Academic supervision from both institutions.
- International research collaboration.
- Access to different academic and research environments.
- Opportunities to develop international academic networks.
- Research experience across two universities and countries.
The required period at the partner university means that applicants should plan their research, travel, and accommodation arrangements carefully.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
The award provides full tuition fee coverage, an annual stipend, and research support. It is therefore described as a fully funded doctoral scholarship.
However, applicants should distinguish these listed benefits from other costs that are not explicitly guaranteed by the scholarship description.
The official award listing does not state that all visa fees, personal travel, accommodation abroad, or every mobility-related expense are automatically covered.
Applicants should consult the official guidance document and their prospective supervisors for details about expenses and award conditions. King’s College London
Eligibility requirements for King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28
Applicants must satisfy the scholarship eligibility criteria and the admission requirements of King’s College London and the selected partner university.
Who can apply?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be due to commence an eligible full-time joint PhD programme during the 2027/28 academic year.
- Apply to King’s College London as their home institution.
- Select a joint PhD programme offered in collaboration with one of the four approved partner universities.
- Obtain provisional agreement from a supervisor at King’s College London.
- Obtain provisional agreement from a supervisor at the partner university.
- Submit all required application materials by the scholarship funding deadline.
- Provide references, academic transcripts, supervisor confirmation, and the required Travel Plan form.
- Meet the academic and programme-specific admission requirements.
The scholarship is available only for full-time study and cannot commence before October 2027.
Applications for joint PhD programmes must be approved by both King’s College London and the partner university before a formal admission offer can be made. The process may take longer than a standard PhD application because both institutions must approve the proposed programme.
Applicants may submit their scholarship application while their joint PhD admission application is being considered, provided they meet the scholarship deadline. King’s College London
Is the scholarship open to international students?
The scholarship supports joint PhD programmes between King’s College London and international partner universities.
The official scholarship listing does not specify a nationality restriction. Applicants should therefore focus on meeting the joint programme, admission, supervisory, and funding requirements.
International applicants should also check applicable visa and immigration requirements and discuss the arrangements for studying in the UK and at the partner institution.
Can applicants apply for any PhD programme at King’s?
No. The scholarship is restricted to approved joint PhD programmes involving King’s College London and one of the four named partner universities.
Applicants should consult the official joint PhD guidance document to confirm whether their research area and intended programme are eligible.
Can part-time students apply?
No. The scholarship is offered only for full-time doctoral study.
Do applicants need supervisors at both universities?
King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded PhD in the UK with Tuition, Living Support and Research Costs
Yes. Applicants must have provisional agreement from supervisors at both King’s College London and the partner university.
Applicants should contact prospective supervisors early, discuss their research proposal, and obtain evidence of their provisional agreement.
King’s requires evidence of this agreement, such as email correspondence, to be included with the application materials. King’s College London
Required documents for the scholarship application
Applicants should prepare their supporting documents before submitting the scholarship application.
The official application instructions require applicants to submit the relevant admission materials, references, transcripts, supervisor confirmation, and Travel Plan form.
Application checklist
Application to an eligible joint PhD programme through King’s admissions portalAcademic transcriptsRequired referencesConfirmation from the prospective King’s supervisor agreeing to supervise the researchEvidence of provisional agreement from the partner university supervisorTravel Plan formProgramme-specific supporting documentationCorrect scholarship funding code: 2728-JOINT
Applicants should check their programme’s online prospectus for additional admission requirements.
King’s states that applicants who fail to submit all required information and supporting documentation by the funding deadline will be ineligible for scholarship consideration. They may still proceed with their PhD admission application using alternative funding.
Applicants who have already applied for admission and those who previously applied but deferred entry to 2027/28 are not required to submit a new admissions application. King’s College London
How to apply for King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28
King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded PhD in the UK with Tuition, Living Support and Research Costs
Applicants should follow the official admissions and scholarship application instructions carefully.
Step 1: Identify an eligible joint PhD programme
Start by reviewing the joint PhD programmes offered between King’s College London and its four partner universities.
Confirm that your research area is eligible and that the programme is available for entry in 2027/28.
The scholarship is not automatically available for all PhD programmes at King’s.
Step 2: Contact supervisors at both universities
Applicants must contact potential supervisors at King’s College London and the partner university.
Discuss your research proposal, academic interests, and the joint PhD arrangement.
You must obtain provisional agreement from both supervisors and provide evidence of this agreement, such as email correspondence, with your application materials.
Step 3: Apply to King’s College London
King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded PhD in the UK with Tuition, Living Support and Research Costs
Submit your application for the eligible joint PhD programme through the official admissions portal.
Applicants are recommended to submit their programme application by 24 January 2027 at 23:59 UK time.
Because the joint PhD application must be approved by both institutions, applicants should allow sufficient time for the process.
Step 4: Enter the scholarship funding code
In the funding section of the online admissions application, candidates must select the award scheme code or name and enter:
Scholarship funding code
2728-JOINT
Applicants must enter the code accurately.
King’s warns that if the funding code is omitted or entered incorrectly, the funding application will not be picked up and the applicant will not be put forward for scholarship consideration. King’s College London
Step 5: Submit all supporting documents
Submit all required documents through the admissions portal.
These include:
- Academic transcripts.
- References.
- Confirmation from the prospective King’s supervisor.
- Evidence of provisional agreement from the partner university supervisor.
- Travel Plan form.
- Other programme-specific documents.
The supporting documentation deadline is 7 February 2027 at 23:59 UK time.
Applicants should check that every required document has been submitted before the deadline.
Step 6: Prepare for the interview
King’s lists interviews for the week commencing 1 May 2027, with the exact date to be confirmed.
Applicants should be prepared to discuss:
- Their proposed research and academic objectives.
- Why they selected the joint PhD programme.
- Why the partner university is relevant to their research.
- Their proposed research timeline.
- Their planned periods of study at each institution.
- Their academic preparation and suitability for doctoral research.
Step 7: Monitor application updates
King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded PhD in the UK with Tuition, Living Support and Research Costs
Applicants should regularly monitor their email and admissions portal for updates from King’s College London.
For scholarship-related questions, contact:
doctoral-college@kcl.ac.uk
Applicants should consult the official scholarship page for any updates to the application timeline, eligible programmes, and award requirements. King’s College London
Important application dates
- October 2026Applications open
- 24 January 2027 — 23:59 UK timeMain scholarship application deadline
- 7 February 2027 — 23:59 UK timeReferences and supporting documents deadline
- Week commencing 1 May 2027Interviews; exact date to be confirmed
- October 2027Scholarship commencement cannot be earlier than this date
The main scholarship application deadline and the supporting-document deadline are separate.
Applicants should submit their funding application by 24 January 2027 and ensure that all required references and supporting materials are submitted by 7 February 2027.
Missing information may make the scholarship application ineligible, even if the applicant can still proceed with admission using alternative funding. King’s College London
Selection process and scholarship conditions
The King’s Joint PhD Scholarship is competitive, with three awards listed for the 2027/28 academic year.
Applicants must meet the joint PhD admission requirements and complete the scholarship application correctly.
Important conditions include:
- The scholarship is available only for full-time study.
- Funding cannot commence before October 2027.
- The proposed joint PhD programme must be approved by both institutions.
- Applicants must have provisional agreement from supervisors at both universities.
- Applicants must submit the required Travel Plan form.
- Students must spend the required minimum period at the partner institution.
- Applicants must submit all required documents by the funding deadline.
The university directs applicants to the official King’s Doctoral College PGR Joint PhD 2027/28 guidance document for the complete award conditions.
Applicants should read the guidance carefully before accepting an offer. King’s College London
Why consider a joint PhD at King’s College London?
The Joint PhD Scholarships are designed for doctoral researchers whose research benefits from international collaboration.
The programme may be particularly relevant to students interested in:
- International doctoral research.
- Joint academic supervision.
- Research collaboration between universities.
- Access to different research environments.
- Cross-cultural academic experience.
- Developing international research networks.
- Research projects involving expertise from more than one institution.
The joint PhD structure also requires planning. Students must coordinate their research, supervision, travel, and periods of study across two universities.
Applicants should discuss these arrangements with both supervisors before submitting their application.
Frequently asked questions
1. Are King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28 open?
Yes. King’s College London lists the 2027/28 Joint PhD Scholarships as open, with applications opening in October 2026. King’s College London
2. How many scholarships are available?
The official scholarship listing identifies three awards for the 2027/28 academic year. King’s College London
3. What does the scholarship cover?
It covers full tuition fees at the home or international rate, an annual stipend at the UKRI rate, and an annual research grant of £1,000 to £5,000 depending on the research project while the student is at King’s. King’s College London
4. How much is the annual stipend?
The published reference rate for 2026/27 is £23,805 per year.
The 2027/28 stipend rate should be confirmed by King’s College London when it is announced. King’s College London
5. Is the scholarship available to international applicants?
The scholarship supports approved joint PhD programmes between King’s and international partner universities.
The official listing does not specify a nationality restriction. Applicants must meet the joint programme, admission, supervisory, and funding requirements.
6. Can I apply without a supervisor?
No. Applicants must have provisional agreement from supervisors at both King’s College London and the partner university.
Evidence of the agreement must be included with the application materials. King’s College London
7. Can I apply for a regular PhD at King’s?
King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28: Fully Funded PhD in the UK with Tuition, Living Support and Research Costs
The scholarship is restricted to eligible joint PhD programmes.
Applicants should check the official guidance to determine whether their intended programme is included.
8. Is part-time study supported?
No. The scholarship is available only for full-time doctoral study. King’s College London
9. What is the scholarship application deadline?
The main application deadline is 24 January 2027 at 23:59 UK time.
The deadline for references and supporting documents is 7 February 2027 at 23:59 UK time. King’s College London
10. When will interviews take place?
King’s lists interviews for the week commencing 1 May 2027. The exact date is to be confirmed. King’s College London
11. When can the scholarship begin?
The scholarship cannot commence before October 2027. King’s College London
12. How long must students spend at the partner university?
Students in the Humboldt University, National University of Singapore, and University of São Paulo partnerships must spend at least 12 months at the partner institution.
Students in the University of Hong Kong partnership must spend 50% of their overall doctoral candidature there. King’s College London
13. Does the scholarship guarantee accommodation or travel expenses?
The official award description lists tuition fees, a stipend, and research support.
It does not explicitly guarantee university accommodation or automatic coverage of all travel and visa expenses. Applicants should confirm these costs with the university and their supervisors.
14. Where can I find the official scholarship guidance?
The official scholarship page provides the 2027/28 guidance document and application information.
Applicants should consult the guidance for the full list of eligible programmes and award conditions. King’s College London
Final thoughts
The King’s Joint PhD Scholarships 2027/28 provide an opportunity for eligible doctoral researchers to pursue an international joint PhD with tuition funding, living support, and research funding.
The award covers full tuition fees at the home or international rate, provides an annual stipend at the UKRI rate, and includes research support of £1,000 to £5,000 depending on the project while the student is at King’s.
Applicants should begin by identifying an eligible joint PhD programme, contacting supervisors at both universities, and preparing their admission and scholarship documents.
The most important deadlines are 24 January 2027 for the main scholarship application and 7 February 2027 for references and supporting documents.
Since the scholarship is limited to approved joint PhD programmes, prospective applicants should carefully review the official guidance before applying.
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