Applications are now open for the King’s-China Scholarship Council (K-CSC) PhD Scholarship Programme 2026–27 — a prestigious opportunity for talented Chinese students to pursue fully funded PhD studies at King’s College London, one of the world’s leading research universities.
This joint scholarship initiative between King’s College London and the China Scholarship Council (CSC) aims to support outstanding Chinese nationals in undertaking doctoral research across a wide range of academic disciplines.
About the K-CSC PhD Scholarship
The King’s-China Scholarship Council (K-CSC) is a joint funding scheme established by King’s College London and the CSC to promote academic exchange and collaboration between the UK and China. Successful candidates will receive full tuition fee waivers from King’s and a living stipend and additional support from the CSC.
The scholarship is valid for up to four years, offering Chinese PhD students the opportunity to engage in high-level research under the supervision of leading academics at King’s College London.
Eligible Subject Areas
Applicants can apply to PhD programmes across diverse academic fields, including:
- Arts, Culture and Media
- Biomedical and Life Sciences
- Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences
- Computer Science and Engineering
- Dentistry and Dental Sciences
- Medicine, Nursing, Midwifery, and Palliative Care
- Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Forensic Science
- Law, Policy, and International Affairs
- History, Philosophy, and Religion
- Education, Management, Finance, and Economics
- Psychology, Psychiatry, and Neuroscience
- Geography, Environment, and Public Health
Funding and Benefits
Successful K-CSC scholars will receive:
- Full tuition fee waiver from King’s College London
- Living stipend funded by the China Scholarship Council (approximately £1,200–£1,350 per month)*
- Overseas student health cover
- Return airfare to London
- Visa application fee coverage
- No bench fees – these will be waived or covered by the relevant department or supervisor
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the K-CSC PhD Scholarship 2026–27, applicants must:
- Be citizens and permanent residents of the People’s Republic of China (holding a valid Chinese passport)
- Intend to start a full-time MPhil/PhD programme at King’s College London between October 2026 and June 2027
- Meet the CSC eligibility criteria on age, education, and employment (see CSC website)
- Commit to returning to China after completing the PhD
- Submit a complete King’s application by 1 January 2026 (23:59 UK time)
- Submit all supporting documents and meet English language requirements by 14 January 2026 (23:59 UK time)
- Complete the separate CSC online application by its official deadline
Please note that this scholarship is not available for part-time, joint, distance-learning, or professional doctorate degrees (e.g., MD(Res), DClinPsy).
CSC Guidance
Depending on where the applicant is based, CSC requirements differ slightly:
Domestic applicants (in China) must:
- Be in the final year of an undergraduate or master’s programme at a Chinese university, or
- Be currently employed in China and holding an offer for a PhD at King’s.
Overseas Chinese applicants must:
- Be completing a master’s degree abroad (e.g., in the UK) in 2026, or
- Have completed a master’s degree overseas within the past year and hold a PhD offer for 2026–27.
- Final-year undergraduate students studying abroad are not eligible to apply through the CSC.
How to Apply
- Apply for a PhD at King’s College London using the online application system.
- Identify a potential supervisor via the King’s supervisor directory.
- Submit all required documents (transcripts, references, English test results, proposal, etc.) by 14 January 2026.
- Apply separately to the China Scholarship Council for funding via the official CSC portal.
- Attend the K-CSC information session for guidance and Q&A.
Application Deadline: 1 January 2026 (23:59 UK time)
Apply here: Application
For more information: KCL
For more opportunities: Opportunities for Youth
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