PhD Studentship: Knowledge Orders before Modernity

Our step-by-step guide

Thank you for your interest in joining us at Knowledge Orders. Applications for PhD funding for 2026 entry are now open. This year, we expect to appoint six scholars – five funded by the Leverhulme Trust, and shared between King’s College, London and MEMS at the University of Kent, plus one King’s-based and funded by King’s College London. The deadline for applications will be 12pm, 13 February 2026.

Here is your guide to how to apply to join us.

1. Before beginning an application, get to know more about the programme. We are an innovative partnership with a particular remit and offering distinctive possibilities for you, so you will want to understand our rationale, our themes and what we offer.
2. Decide whether you want to apply to research one of our advertised projects or want to propose a project of your own. If you are at an earlier stage and interested in one of MA+ scholarships, go to the dedicated page.
3. At this stage, you may have queries. If it is specific to one of the advertised projects, contact the relevant supervisory team. If it is more general, contact the programme or one of our Directors. You can also contact us at any stage later in the process.
4. When you are ready, begin an application for a PhD place at the relevant partner institution. At King’s, apply to the lead supervisor’s department, and at Kent, apply to the Centre for Medieval and Early Modern Studies. In either case, make clear you are applying for a Knowledge Orders scholarship, specifying which project. The university to which you apply will check you meet the eligibility and residency criteria (see below).
5. When you have your candidate number from the university, you will then send us your expression of interest, using the online form at the bottom of this page. It is on this that you will be judged by the Knowledge Orders team. You will need to provide: your candidate number, a proposal (explaining either your own project or how you will shape one of the advertised projects), a personal statement (outlining what you believe you can bring to the programme and how you can support its aims), a CV, an academic transcript, and the names of two referees.
6. It is your responsibility to ensure your referees send their letters of support by the close of applications. They should be addressed to the Directors sent by email to KOM addresses as listed on the Contact page.

Eligibility and Residency Criteria

• Residency requirements
  KOM studentships are open to UK and international students who meet the residency requirements as detailed on the UKRI Guidance document on EU and International eligibility.
• Eligibility
  Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, and a Masters-level qualification or equivalent which meets KOM requirements for research training. Applicants with relevant work/professional experience who are considering doing a PhD are also encouraged to apply.
• You will also be subject to meeting the host university’s (i.e. the institution where the lead supervisor is based) admissions criteria of the university to which you apply, and any KOM award is conditional on the candidate being offered a place to study at the host university.
• Students who are currently undertaking a PhD are not eligible to apply for KOM projects.
• Please contact the Admissions Office of the institution where you are applying for a PhD place to determine your fee status. KOM is not able to advise on fee status.
• Successful candidates will be assumed to be starting their studies in October 2026 unless there are exceptional circumstances approved by KOM and the relevant university.

Important information to remember

To be considered for the scholarships Knowledge Orders can provide, you must have your sent us your expression of interest by 12pm, 13 February 2026. Remember that to do this, you will also need to have submitted your application to the relevant university.

Candidates short-listed for funding will be interviewed by the Knowledge Orders team in late March 2026.

Your expression of interest to us will be judged on the basis of intellectual quality, feasibility and synergy with the consortium’s aims.

We welcome a field of applicants from a diversity in backgrounds and experience and we undertake to build relevant skills training into the student’s individual work-plan.

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