Research needs an open mind, resilience, a willingness to ask, and answer, difficult questions and the ability to collaborate. It also needs funding. That’s why we have a number of funding packages to support you.
Explore our scholarships and discover other options to fund your studies, such as postgraduate loans.
Kent is linked with like-minded research-intensive institutions through several Doctoral Training Partnerships (DTPs).
Options to start in September, January or May give you more opportunities to apply for funding. Check to see what’s possible on your course.
Candidates from outside the University may apply to the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by means of submitting published works.
For dual research awards (or cotutelles), you are jointly supervised by Kent and one of our global partners.
Our external research programme allows you to stay in your home country while studying for a UK qualification.
Our postgraduate community is friendly, international and welcoming. You’ll soon find your place here.
Alongside your subject-specific facilities, and our brilliant library, there are study spaces exclusively for PG students. These include a 24/7 hub on the Canterbury campus with PCs, collaborative study zones and a kitchen and lounge.
As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll be working with world-leading researchers, pushing boundaries in an area you’re passionate about. We encourage interdisciplinary conversations so, as you become a specialist, you’ll also be aware of how your area intersects with others.
Our Researcher Development Programme will improve your effectiveness as a researcher and equip you with a full range of skills making you highly employable in a variety of careers.
Our Careers and Employability Service offers support tailored to you as a research student, whether you plan to stay in academia or build your career elsewhere. You’ll receive guidance on career planning, interview techniques and assessment centres. Their support continues for up to three years after you graduate.
Skills for Academic Success offers help with academic writing and advice on techniques to better manage your time and meet deadlines. There are also online resources, workshops and personal appointments (either online or face-to-face).
Our Wellbeing team can help if you have a disability or need support with your emotional or mental health. The students’ union also have an advice service and run Jobshop, a service to help you find part-time or temporary work.
Kent Students’ Union has a Vice-President for Postgraduate Experience whose focus is on making sure PG students get the most out of their time at Kent academically and socially. With a Postgraduate Network, drop-in coffee mornings, craft days, lots of societies and opportunities to socialise online, it’s definitely worth getting involved. There are also excellent sports facilities at our Canterbury campus including high-quality gym and fitness suites; indoor and outdoor tennis and netball pitches; and Astro and grass pitches.
The Graduate and Researcher College is dedicated to developing your skills and experience through workshops, lectures, academic skills and professional development sessions. It supports students to organise the annual PG conference as well as organising less formal events where PG students can relax and chat.
Look out for the Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, an exciting and challenging chance for PhD students to distil their thesis into three minutes!
Our research changes lives. It protects the environment, influences policy, solves problems for businesses and supports the most vulnerable. As part of our community, your work can have groundbreaking impact.
