King’s-China Scholarship Council (K-CSC) PhD Scholarship Programme 2026 at King’s College London

Omran Aburayya
Oct 20
3 min read

King’s College London, in collaboration with the China Scholarship Council (CSC), offers the prestigious King’s-China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship Programme (K-CSC) for the 2026–27 academic year. This initiative provides fully funded opportunities for exceptional Chinese students to pursue full-time PhD research degrees across a diverse range of disciplines at one of the UK’s leading universities.

🎓 Programme Overview

The K-CSC programme is a joint funding initiative between King’s College London and the China Scholarship Council, aimed at supporting Chinese nationals to undertake doctoral research at King’s College London. The scholarship covers:

Full international tuition fees waived by King’s College London.
Annual living allowance ranging from £1,200 to £1,350 per month.
Overseas student health cover for the duration of the programme.
Return airfare to London.
Visa application fees covered.

The scholarship is valid for up to four years, with no additional 'bench fees' required, as these are typically waived or covered by the supervisor, department, or faculty at King’s .

📚 Eligible Research Areas

The K-CSC scholarship is available for full-time PhD programmes in the following subject areas:

Arts, Culture, and Media
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Chemistry
Computer Science
Conflict and Security
Dental Training and Science
Dentistry
Education Management and Policy
Engineering
Finance
Geography and the Environment
History and Classics
Imaging Sciences
Intercalated Programmes
International Affairs & Development
Languages and Literature
Law
Management
Mathematics
Medicine
Natural Sciences
Nursing, Midwifery & Palliative Care
Pharmacy, Pharmacology, and Forensic Science
Philosophy and Religion
Physics
Policy and Society
Politics & Economics
Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience
Public Health
Therapeutic Health

✅ Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the K-CSC scholarship, applicants must:

Be citizens and permanent residents of the People’s Republic of China (holding a valid Chinese passport).
Be due to commence a full-time MPhil/PhD research degree programme at King’s College London in the 2026–27 academic year (i.e., from October 2026 and by no later than June 2027), with the intention to complete a PhD.
Satisfy criteria set out by the CSC, including age, education, and employment requirements.
Agree to return to China upon completion of studies/research.
Apply to King’s College London for the scholarship by the deadline of 1 January 2026, 23:59 UK time.
Submit all required documentation to support the King’s admissions application by 14 January 2026, 23:59 UK time.
Complete the separate CSC application process and submit the required documentation to the CSC by its stated deadlines .

📝 Application Process

Step 1: Apply to King’s College London

Submit an application for a full-time MPhil/PhD degree programme with a 2026–27 start date using the King’s online admissions application system – King’s Apply.
Contact a potential supervisor at King’s and include their name in your admissions application.
Enter the funding code: 2627-KCSC in the Funding section of your online King’s Admissions Application Form.
Ensure all required supporting documentation is submitted by 14 January 2026, 23:59 UK time.

Step 2: Apply to the China Scholarship Council

If nominated by King’s, you will receive a ‘Confirmation of Nomination’ letter on or just after 9 March 2026.
Use this letter alongside your admissions offer letter to apply separately to the CSC via their ‘Collaborative channel’.
Follow the CSC’s application procedures and submit the required documentation by their stated deadlines .

🔍 Selection Process

Eligibility Check: After the application deadline, the Admissions Office and King’s Doctoral College will verify the eligibility of all applicants.
Assessment Criteria: Applications are assessed based on academic qualifications, strength of the research project, and alignment with the proposed supervisor.
Shortlisting: Academic faculties will submit a ranked shortlist of candidates to King’s Doctoral College by 4 March 2026.
Final Nomination: King’s Doctoral College will finalize the list of nominees and submit this to the CSC by 9 March 2026.
Notification: Applicants will be notified of their status via email as soon as the nominations list is confirmed .

📍 About King’s College London

Located in the heart of London, King’s College London is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the UK. With a rich history dating back to 1829, King’s offers a vibrant academic community and state-of-the-art facilities across its various campuses. The university is renowned for its research excellence and global impact, providing students with unparalleled opportunities for academic and professional development.

📌 Important Notes

Applicants who have already commenced their doctoral degree at King’s are not eligible.
These scholarships cannot be held on a part-time basis.
Distance learning programmes are not eligible.
Professional doctorate degrees (such as MD(Res) and DClinPsy) are not eligible.
Joint PhD programmes are not eligible.
Applicants must apply to both King’s and the CSC to be considered.
Scholarships cannot commence prior to October 2026 or after June 2027 .