About the Scholarship:
The King’s College London (KCL) Africa Studentships program aims to explore how African fashion designers utilize capital, knowledge, technology, and other resources to create social, economic, and cultural value in both local and international markets. This research seeks to understand the impact of these activities on socioeconomic change. By delving into creative economies, the initiative intends to move beyond stereotypes of Africa as a resource-constrained continent and highlight the creativity, innovation, and sustainability emerging from the region. The Ph.D. program will focus on collecting new data on fashion economies relevant to the industry and continue developing ideas on leading businesses in the global South.
Scholarship Benefits:
The KCL Africa Studentships cover the following for a duration of four years:
- Increased international/outside rate tuition fees.
- A living allowance (stipend) paid annually at the UKRI rate, which was set at £19,688 for 2022–2023.
- Research expenses of up to £5,000 annually.
Eligibility Criteria:
To be eligible for the King’s College London KCL Africa Studentships, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be African citizens with a permanent address in an African country.
- Intend to commence a full-time MPhil/Ph.D. program at King’s College London during the academic year 2023–2024 (ideally, starting in October 2023, but no later than January 2024).
- Meet the academic prerequisites for admission to King’s College London’s Faculty of Social Science and Policy’s Ph.D. program.
- Hold a High Merit or Distinction at the Master’s level (or equivalent) or higher in any subject.
- Have a significant interest in fashion and the creative economy.
- Possess strong organizational, communication, observation, and teamwork skills.
- Have a working knowledge of both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
Application Process:
- Applicants should pre-select the project by submitting a CV, a cover letter outlining their interest in the project and how their prior experience aligns with it, and a sample of written work (such as an MSc or MA thesis) to Drs. Ikpe and England via email before applying through the KCL portal.
- Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, and if successful, they will receive a Ph.D. funding offer and scholarship.
Supporting Documents:
When submitting your online application, make sure to include all necessary supporting documents. These typically include:
- A personal statement
- A project proposal or research plan
- Transcripts of previous education (with certified English translations if not originally in English)
- Proof of scholarly work
- English language proficiency credentials (if applicable)
Specific additional materials, such as prior academic writing samples, may be required for certain courses, so refer to the ‘Entry requirement’ section in the course description on the postgraduate course finder for more details.
How to Apply:
Interested and eligible candidates should apply through King’s College London’s application portal (King’s Apply). Ensure you specify Dr. Eka Ikpe as your preferred supervisor and include the project title for the Leadership Studies (regarding Security and Development) (MPhil/Ph.D.). Use the funding code 2324-AFRICA when completing the application.
For detailed application instructions, visit King’s College London Apply.
For further information about the Ph.D. program, visit KCL Leadership Studies.
Application Deadline:
The application deadline for the King’s College London KCL Africa Studentships is June 30, 2023.
For more details, visit the KCL Africa Studentships page.