PhD Scholarships

The University of Kent and Huawei invite applications for one fully-funded 3.5-year PhD scholarship for Home and Overseas applicants. The PhD studentship award includes tuition fees plus a combined maintenance grant equivalent to the UKRI National Minimum Doctoral Stipend (Ł20,278 for 2025/26) for 3.5 years.

SEDarc PhD Scholarships

The University of Kent is part of the South-East Doctoral Training Arc for the Social Sciences (SEDarc), which is a multi-institutional and interdisciplinary DTP (Doctoral Training Partnership) led by the Royal Holloway University of London. Other UK universities participating include University of Reading, University of Surrey, University of Sussex, and Kingston University. SEDarc is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Eligible Supervisors

The following Core Members of iCSS in a social science school are eligible to be principal supervisors of SEDarc PhD students and have capacity to supervise new PhD students:

• PhD Forensic Psychology:
  • Afroditi Pina, Reader in Forensic Psychology & Director of Graduate Studies (Research), School of Psychology
  • Jennifer Storey, Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology & Progression Monitoring Lead for PGR, School of Psychology
• PhD Law:
  • Lisa Dickson, Reader in Law, Kent Law School
  • Pamela White, Senior Lecturer in Medical Law, Kent Law School
• PhD Criminology:
  • Jack Cunliffe, Lecturer in Quantitative Methods and Criminology, School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research (SSPSSR)
• PhD Sociology and PhD Social Policy:
  • Tracee Green, Reader in Social Work and Child Protection & Head of the Centre for Child Protection (CCP), School of Social Sciences

Co-Supervisors

The following Core Members of iCSS can be a co-supervisor or the secondary supervisor of SEDarc PhD students studying an interdisciplinary topic:

• Rao Faizan Ali, Lecturer in Computing, School of Computing
• Budi Arief, Senior Lecturer, School of Computing
• Mark Batty, Professor, School of Computing
• Sanjay Bhattacherjee, Lecturer, School of Computing
• Rogério de Lemos, Senior Lecturer, School of Computing
• Virginia Franqueira, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security, School of Computing; Deputy Director (Education), iCSS
• Stuart Gibson, Reader in Physics and Astronomy, School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics
• Sanaul Hoque, Senior Lecturer in Secure Systems Engineering, School of Engineering, Mathematics and Physics
• Darren Hurley-Smith, Senior Lecturer in Cyber Security, School of Computing
• Özgür Kafal, Lecturer, School of Computing
• Shujun Li, Professor of Cyber Security, School of Computing; Director, iCSS
• Jason Nurse, Reader in Cyber Security, School of Computing
• Carlos Perez-Delgado, Senior Lecturer, School of Computing
• Frank Zhigang Wang, Professor in Future Computing, School of Computing

PhD Programmes and Research Areas/Topics

iCSS Core Members who can supervise PhD students as the principle supervisor are the following:

• PhD Computer Science:
  • Rao Faizan Ali
  • Budi Arief
  • Mark Batty
  • Sanjay Bhattacherjee
  • Virginia Franqueira
  • Darren Hurley-Smith
  • Özgür Kafal
  • Rogério de Lemos
  • Shujun Li
  • Jason Nurse
  • Carlos Perez-Delgado
  • Frank Wang
• PhD Forensic Psychology:
  • Afroditi Pina
  • Jennifer Storey
• PhD Law:
  • Lisa Dickson
  • Pamela White
• PhD Criminology:
  • Jack Cunliffe
• PhD Electronic Engineering:
  • Sanaul Hoque
• PhD Physics:
  • Stuart Gibson
• PhD Sociology and PhD Social Policy:
  • Tracee Green

Indicative Research Areas and Topics

Indicative research areas and topics of eligible PhD supervisors of iCSS are the following:

• Rao Faizan Ali
• Budi Arief
• Mark Batty
• Sanjay Bhattacherjee
• Jack Cunliffe
• Lisa Dickson
• Virginia Franqueira
• Stuart Gibson
• Tracee Green
• Sanaul Hoque
• Darren Hurley-Smith
• Özgür Kafal
• Rogério de Lemos
• Shujun Li
• Jason Nurse
• Carlos Perez-Delgado
• Afroditi Pina
• Jennifer Storey
• Frank Wang
• Pamela White

How to Apply

To apply for a PhD studentship, please follow the general steps below:

1. Read the general instructions for PhD applications.
2. Study research profiles of all eligible supervisors to identify one or several supervisors you want to work with.
3. Approach the identified potential supervisor(s) to discuss your research interests and any specific topic(s) to identify the principal supervisor(s) you want to work with and to get advice on how to prepare a research proposal.
4. Prepare your application material, which should include:

• A properly formatted CV
• The certificate(s) and transcript(s) of all university degree programme(s) studied
• A research proposal on a selected topic including a mini literature review, a proposed methodology, a work plan, and a bibliography
• Proof of your English qualifications
• Proof of your home student status (if you consider yourself eligible as a home student)
• At least two reference letters

How to Write a Good Research Proposal

A research proposal should normally include the following components:

1. Title
2. Your full name and contact details
3. Date
4. Abstract (optional)
5. Introduction
6. Related Work
7. Research Methodology
8. Work Plan
9. References

Some useful guidelines on how to write a good research proposal are available from various academic institutions.

University of Kent

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Overview:

The University of Kent is a public research university located in Canterbury, Kent, England. It is known for its commitment to ambition and providing a supportive environment for students to thrive.

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Services Offered:

Guaranteed Campus Accommodation:

First-year students are guaranteed a place in campus accommodation upon accepting their offer.

Free Gym and Fitness Membership:

First-year students receive a free sport and fitness membership.

Campus Tours:

Prospective students can book tours to explore the campuses and learn more about accommodation options.

Clearing Support:

The university provides comprehensive support for students applying through Clearing, including a dedicated website with information and resources.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

The university emphasizes a vibrant student life with opportunities for community building, fitness, and social activities. Students can expect a welcoming and supportive environment.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Guaranteed Campus Accommodation:

Ensures a comfortable and convenient living experience.

Free Gym and Fitness Membership:

Promotes a healthy lifestyle and fosters a sense of community.

Comprehensive Clearing Support:

Provides reassurance and guidance for students applying through Clearing.

Vibrant Student Life:

Offers a range of opportunities for social interaction, personal development, and community engagement.

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Academic Programs:

The context does not provide specific details about academic programs.

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Other: