Ⅰ.  Project Information

— Program Type: Joint Training

— Program Year: 2024

— Duration of Study/Internship: One Academic Year

— Project Start and End Dates: September 1, 2024 - September 1, 2025

Ⅱ.  Application Information

— Project organizer: School of Life Sciences, School of Engineering/Department of Biomedical Engineering

— Application target: Undergraduate students

— Eligible Majors: Biological Science, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Engineering

— Application grade: 2021 level

III.  Introduction to the Exchange University/Institution

King's College London (KCL), a founding college of the University of London, is a world-class comprehensive research university with an extremely high reputation. It is a member of the UK's Golden Triangle of prestigious universities, a member of the Russell Group, and part of the SES-5. Established in 1829 by King George IV of the United Kingdom and granted a royal charter the same year, King's is one of the oldest universities in the UK.

King's Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), established in 1948, divides its educational content into three major systems: psychology and systems sciences, psychiatry and neuroscience. The institute is dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of neuropsychiatric diseases and improving the quality of life for people affected by these diseases. Currently, over 500 students from 70 countries are enrolled in the institute. The IoPPN offers courses in substance abuse, affective disorders, neuroscience research, and adolescent psychological education at the undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and continuing education levels. As the largest center for neuropsychiatric and psychological research and education in Europe, several professors at IoPPN have been honored by the British royal family.

IV.  Special Reminders

The exchange period shall be based on the latest academic calendar published on the foreign institution's official website and must not conflict with the home institution's academic calendar. Exchange students must return to their home institution to defend their thesis and complete graduation procedures, and it is essential to make appropriate academic arrangements accordingly.

Before applying, students must report in advance to the School of Life Sciences/Department of Biomedical Engineering. After the eligibility is confirmed through credit calculation, they should complete the online application process at King's College London (please note the deadline).

V.  Program Overview

Since 2019, the School of Life Sciences at Southern University of Science and Technology has been collaborating with King's College London on a joint undergraduate and graduate training program, which includes two phases:

Years 1-3: Study at SUSTech. Applicants must have entered their major and completed general education courses, military physical education, ideological and political courses, writing and communication, labor education, elective courses, English courses, and major required and elective courses. They must also have passed the mid-term review of their undergraduate thesis. Additionally, during the spring semester of the third year, students must complete the online bridging module arranged by King's College London.

Year 4: Study at King's College London, taking the required courses for the postgraduate phase. The available modules for the postgraduate phase include: Neurodegeneration, Neuroimaging, Cognitive Neuroscience, Neural Stem Cells and Nervous System Repair Research, and Network Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence. During the spring semester of the fourth academic year, students should participate in the graduation thesis defense and complete graduation procedures at the School of Life Sciences/Department of Biomedical Engineering at SUSTech. After obtaining a bachelor's degree from SUSTech, students will then complete the postgraduate phase courses and a graduation project to earn a master's degree from KCL.

VI.  Application Requirements

i. Language Proficiency: TOEFL/IELTS - TOEFL 92 (with a minimum of 23 in writing and 20 in other sections); IELTS score of 6.5 (with no less than 6 in each component).

ii. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 for the first three years of undergraduate study.

iii. Completion of all general education courses, major required courses, and major elective courses during the first three years of college, meeting the standard for passing the mid-term review of the "Graduation Thesis."

iv. Completion of the bridging module (KCL-SUSTech Bridge Module) during the spring semester of the third year, which includes a neuroscience research innovation project, some online courses, and a thesis.

VII.  Application Process

i. Complete the internal application within the foreign affairs system.

ii. The School of Life Sciences will review the application materials, confirm the eligibility, and send the recommended list to King's College London.

iii. After receiving a recommendation, the School of Life Sciences will provide the application website, and the applicant will complete the online application for KCL.

iv. KCL will review the materials of the recommended applicants and the completion of the bridging module to determine the final admission.

VIII.  Application Materials

i. Academic transcript (in English)

ii. Personal statement (in English, no more than two pages or 4000 words)

iii. Two letters of recommendation (at least one academic reference)

iv. English language proficiency test scores

IX.  Program Costs

i. Tuition Fees: For specific fees, please inquire at: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/fees-and-funding/tuition-fees#section-4 

ii. Accommodation: Estimated £11,000 per year, for specific fees, please inquire at: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/accommodation/residences

iii. Scholarships: Scholarships are available for students to apply through the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience at King's College London.

Ⅹ.  Consulting

King's College London:

Jacqueline Szczerbinski, IoPPN

Jacqueline.szczerbinski@kcl.ac.uk

+44 (0)20 7848 3984

Southern University of Science and Technology

LIU Binglei, School of Life Sciences, SUSTech liubl@sustech.edu.cn

+86-0755-88018404