Funding PhD research

For UK students and those who are entitled to pay UK fees, the most common source of funding is from one of the various Research Councils that exist to sponsor research. In Geography, these will primarily be the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Some research, particularly relating to cultural and urban geography, may fall under the remit of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).
 
(Please note that EU citizens who have lived less than 3 years in the UK only qualify for fees-only reimbursement under ESRC, NERC and AHRC PhD studentships. These studentships will not pay for living expenses for non-UK students.)

Applications must be made in conjunction with your potential supervisor.
 
The Department has ESRC recognition for the MSc Cities, Culture and Social Change; MSc Environment and Development; MSc Environment, Politics and Globalisation and MSc Tourism, Environment and Development programmes.
 
All applicants for Graduate School funding will automatically be considered for ESRC Open studentship competition nomination from their department. You can find details of how to apply for Graduate School funding on the Graduate School web pages.
 
The deadline for Graduate School funding applications is 1st February 2010.
 
If you have missed the Graduate School funding application deadline but would still like to be considered for the ESRC Open Studentship competition nomination should complete the Graduate School funding application form (attached at the bottom of the web page) and submit one electronic copy of the form and all accompanying paperwork to Julia Howse.

This application will be entered into the internal KCL competition, with one successful applicant going forward to the ESRC Open Studentship competition. The Studentships are extremely competitive so good grades and strong letters of support are essential. Applications should only be made after discussion with your potential supervisor.
 
Before you apply to the department for consideration for the Open Studentship competition you should ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements (details are available from the ESRC web pages).
 
The deadline for receipt of ESRC Open Studentship applications is 26th March 2010.

Further information on AHRC funding at King's in 2010-11 is available from the Graduate School web pages.

Further information on  the SSPP research student small bursaries (maximum £250) can be found on the SSPP web pages.

King’s College London funds several studentships programmes. These include the Graduate School Studentship and the Annual Fund Studentship, all of which provide UK/EU fees + maintenance for 3 years. (NB These programmes may also be open to students who are eligible for overseas fees but who are able to find the difference in fees from another source.)

King's Geography has been very successful in getting ORS studentships. This scheme pays the difference between home fees and overseas fees. It will not provide full fees, or a maintenance grant.

Students who are currently registered for MPhil or PhD research in the Department of Geography can apply to the small grants fund. The fund is intending to support research students conducting and disseminating research.
 
The deadline for applications is 31st May 2010. The application form and guidance notes are attached at the bottom of the page.