Research degrees

Research students are a key and valued part of the research activities within the Faculty. They help to build a strong research reputation, are vital members of our Research Centres and occasionally help with teaching undergraduate students.

The Faculty of Business and Social Sciences (FBSS) is one of the most research-intensive parts of Kingston University. It has an energetic research culture and therefore a plethora of research projects currently on offer.

Find out about our studentship competition.

How to apply

Our degrees

The Faculty offers the following research degrees which are offered across a range of subject areas. Click the subject areas below for advice on how to write a research proposal.

MA/MSc by Research

This course is a flexible learning programme designed for anyone who wants to conduct an extended and supervised research project in an area of Social Sciences.

Students pursue an individual programme of research, which enables them to expand their knowledge of the subject area and provides them with an opportunity to contribute a piece of original research.

MPhil

The MPhil takes up to two years full-time or up to four years part time. It is awarded on the basis of a thesis of about 40,000 words which has been successfully defended in an oral examination.

Read more about our MPhil

Business and Management PhD

The Business School offers exciting projects and supervisory expertise across a range of business and management fields to enable you to pursue a topic to the highest academic level.

Read more about the Business and Management PhD

Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences PhD (including Criminology and Sociology, Economics, Law, Politics and International Relations, Psychology)

The PhD takes up to four years full time, or up to eight years part time. It is normally awarded on the basis of a thesis of 80,000 words which has been successfully defended in an oral examination.

Find out more about applying for a research degree in Economics, Psychology and Sociology and Criminology, Law and Politics , International Relations and Human Rights.

Current research themes

There is currently a wide range of opportunities on offer across the Faculty to engage in individual research leading to a PhD or Masters by Research. Find out more about the research themes available across the faculty.

Find out more about research themes