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On this page you will find general information for all new and current students at the Institute of Psychiatry. Specific information is also available for Research, Taught and International students.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions. If you can’t find what you are looking for please contact the Education Support Team, who will be able to help with queries and point you in the right direction
Welfare
- What disability assistance is available?
- How do I get a student oyster card / railcard?
- How do I get a letter from the Education Support Team (e.g. visas, bank)?
- How can I meet other students?
- How can I become a student rep?
- How do I find accommodation?
Finances
- Are there any sources of funding available?
- Who do I speak to about payment of my tuition fee?
- How do I set up a bank account?
- How do I obtain a council tax discount?
- What happens if I have financial difficulties?
Interruptions of studies
- What happens if I become ill?
- How do I get an extension?
- How do I make a complaint?
- Can I defer?
- What happens if I am accused of plagiarism?
- Am I entitled to maternity / paternity leave if I am going to have a baby?
Continuing studies
- What happens when I enter year my second and subsequent years of study?
- What happens if my details have changed since last year?
- How do I re-enrol / do I need to re-enrol?
Finishing stages of your programme
- How do I find out about examination regulations?
- What is a VIVA?
- How will I receive my results?
- What is the graduation process?
- What do I do if I disagree with an academic decision?
- How do I join the alumni?
- When will I receive my certificate?
- I haven’t received my certificate / I have misplaced my certificate- what should I do?
- How do I obtain my transcript?
- Where can I get career advice?
Going on to do a PhD
Enrolment & Induction
- What happens at enrolment?
- What do I need for enrolment?
- How do I find out when I enrol?
- I have forgotten the papers you told me to bring, what should I do?
- How long will it take to enrol?
- When and how do I pay my tuition fees?
- I can’t come to the enrolment session I have been allocated to, what should I do?
- What happens during induction?
- What if I miss induction?
- How do I sign up for my College email address?
Enrolment & Induction
Enrolment is the process by which you are formally enrolled and welcomed as a student of the College. You will have checked and signed your Permit to Enrol and other documentation, which will be handed over to the enrolment staff. You will complete other checks where relevant (such as qualifications and CRB) and be issued with your College ID card.
1. Permit To Enrol (PTE): Please ensure that you have completed the form and signed it. Are all your details correct on the PTE, such as name and birth date? If not, you will be required to bring original documentation to enable us to make the changes i.e. Marriage Certificate, Birth Certificate or Decree Absolute.
2. Identification: Please bring along at least one of the following forms of identification (originals only, photocopies will not be accepted):
- Current passport (it must still be valid and in date)
- Birth certificate (
- Full driver’s licence (photo card licences only)
3. Qualifications (academic and English language): If you have not already supplied the original certificate or transcript of the qualifications under which you were admitted, please bring them with you.
4. Identification for Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Disclosure (if applicable): Some students may be required to complete a CRB Disclosure if they are working in a ’position of trust’ or working with children or vulnerable adults. You must bring along the exact original identification documents that you entered on your online CRB application form. Please contact the Education Support Team for further information about CRB checks and required identification.
How do I find out when I enrol?
You should have already received a letter informing you of your enrolment date, but if you haven’t please contact the Education Support Team.
I have forgotten the papers you told me to bring, what should I do?
If you have forgotten any of the above documentation, please come along to the enrolment session anyway. Some aspects of your registration may need to be dealt with the following week and you may not be able to fully enrol or be issued with your College ID card (NUS card) until you have presented the required documentation.
How long will it take to enrol?
We shall be enrolling a number of new students over the main enrolment days and so you should expect some queuing, and for the enrolment process to take at least one hour. This will be the only time you are expected to enrol in person; in subsequent years you will enrol online (see re-enrolment below).
When and how do I pay my tuition fees?
You cannot pay your fees on the day of enrolment.
- At any UK bank using the bank giro slip on the bottom of the tuition fee invoice.
- By Credit card via the web on www.kcl.ac.uk/feepay
- By cheque made payable to King’s College London.
For information about fees please contact Robina Cloralio in Education Support (robina.cloralio@iop.kcl.ac.uk, +44 (0)207 848 0335).
International students should refer to the International Student web page for information on how to pay fees and details of early settlement discounts.
I can’t come to the enrolment session I have been allocated to, what should I do?
We would appreciate it if you could make every effort to come to the allotted enrolment session. However if you really can’t make it you should arrange a different time to enrol by contacting Robina Cloralio in the Education Support Team (robina.cloralio@iop.kcl.ac.uk, +44 (0)207 848 0335).
What happens during induction?
Institute Induction sessions give you an introduction to various aspects of student life. It is an opportunity to meet other students and staff members, and familiarise yourself with the Institutes facilities and its rules and regulations. There will be a number of short talks scheduled, including: an introduction to the Institute from the Sub Dean for Education and Education Support Team; talks by Student Forum and KCLSU; details of counselling and welfare services; overview of facilities, such as the library, and statistics and computing services; summary of Health & Safety regulations; overview of King’s Chaplaincy and AKC programme. Once the formal Induction process is complete, there will be a reception hosted by the Student forum.
International students should refer to the International Student web page for information on International Induction Sessions.
Our Induction sessions are recorded and are available to view or download.
How do I sign up for my College email address?
You will receive your email password and log-in instructions as part of the enrolment process. The School and programme will communicate with you via email, and so it is important that you check your College email regularly.
Welfare
What disability assistance is available?
The Institute of Psychiatry has a dedicated Disability Officer - Juliana Onwumere - who can offer support, advice and guidance to students with disabilities. Working closely with the College Equality & Diversity department we encourage prospective students to let us know as early as possible about any special requirements so that we can try to ensure that your course and accommodation are accessible to you.
For further advice and guidance please contact Juliana.onwumere@iop.kcl.ac.uk or equality@kcl.ac.uk
How do I get a student oyster card / railcard?
- Paper application forms for Oyster cards and Railcards are kept in the Education Support Team office. You will need to complete the form, attach a photograph if required, and then submit it to Education Support to be verified. It will take approximately 3 working days to verify your application - please bring your college ID card with you when you come to collect it. You will then need to post the application to the address given on the form.
- To apply for a student oyster card online go to the Transport for London website, enter ’Institute of Psychiatry’ (not King’s College London) and follow the instructions on the screen. You will need your student number, a digital photograph and a credit/debit card.
How do I get a letter from the Education Support Team (e.g. visas, bank)
To request a letter please complete a letter request form which you can pick up from the Education Support Team offices or download from here. Letter requests should be submitted to the Education Support Team, either as a hard-copy or emailed to educationsupport@iop.kcl.ac.uk. It usually takes 3 working days to produce letters, but it may take longer during busy times, such as the beginning of the academic year when we receive a large number of letter requests. You must collect your letter in person. Please bring your college ID card when you come to collect your letter.
How can I meet other students?
The student Forum hosts social events every 2 – 3 months for staff and students at the IOP including some free food and drink. The IOP also has a number of spots clubs such as the climbing club and Women’s football. Information on these can be found on the Student Forum website.
Joining one of the many clubs and societies within King’s College Student Union is a great way of meeting students from all schools within King’s. See the website for further details: http://www.kclsu.org/.
How can I become a student rep?
If you would like to be the voice for students on your programme, developing transferable skills and enhancing your CV, please visit www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/studentforum or contact the Student Support Officer, Becky Cooper.
As a King’s College London Student, you have access to the halls of Residences owned by King’s as well as those by the University of London. Halls accommodation is limited so an early application is vital. Applications should be made online through the Accommodation Office website. There is also a wide range of Private accommodation available and the Student Support Officer is able to provide advice and guidance on both short and long term accommodation.
Contact
Becky Cooper (Student Support Officer) Education Support Team PO90, M2.21 Main IoP Building Tel: +44 (0)20 7848 0237 Email: rebecca.cooper@iop.kcl.ac.ukFinances
Are there any sources of funding available?
Students are expected to organise funding for their programme before they start. Some funding is available through internal and external scholarships but these are in high demand therefore an early application is essential. For graduate funding opportunities see the Graduate School webpage, and see the Finances section of the Current Taught Students, Current Research Students and International Student pages.
Who do I speak to about payment of my fees?
For information about fee payment please email Robina Cloralio in the Education Support Team, or telephone +44 (0)207 848 0335.
How do I set up a bank account?
If you wish to open a bank account in the
How do I obtain a council tax discount?
If you are studying full time then you should be exempt from paying council tax*. The Education Support Team can provide you with a letter confirming that you are a full-time student once you have enrolled. Please download a letter request form, which should be returned to the Education Support Team once it is complete. Please make sure to give the address for which your council tax exemption relates.
Non-British spouse or dependants are also exempt from payment if they are prevented by the terms of their leave to enter or remain in the
* The case is different for students living with non-students. If there is only one non-student resident, that person will have to pay 75% of the tax for that area regardless of the number of students also resident in the property. There is nothing to stop the liable person from dividing up the payment between all the residents. It is therefore possible for a student living with one or more non-students to be asked to pay a share of the tax.
You must notify the local authority if its assumption about an exemption or discount entitlement is wrong. It will be your responsibility to ensure that the local authority has been informed if a change in occupancy affects the exemption or discount on your home.
What happens if I have financial difficulties?
If you are struggling financially it is important that you contact the Student Support Officer or a member of the Welfare and Advice service as soon as possible for advice and guidance. They can give you information on College and School hardship funds as well as funds available from external charities and trusts. Guidance can also be provided on budgeting techniques and debt management. For information or an appointment with an advisor contact the Student Support officer at the IOP or email welfare@kcl.ac.uk
Interruptions of studies
For assistance with health related matters, please see the Health section of the King’s websites.
If you feel that your illness may be affecting your work, or will make it difficult to meet a deadline, you will need to make a request for an extension or fill in a mitigating circumstances form. Pleas read the guidance notes for students before completing either the Extension Request Form (ERF) or the Mitigating Circumstances Form (MCF), (also available from your School Office), if you:
- wish to apply for an extension and there are least 7 days before the submission deadline (applications should be submitted on an ERF)
- withdraw from an examination due to illness or other good cause;
- you have been absent from an in-course assessment or examination due to illness or other good cause;
- you entered an examination but were unable to complete it due to illness or other good cause; or
- you believe your examination/assessment performance has been adversely affected by circumstances beyond your control.
If you feel that due to circumstances beyond your control you are not properly fit to submit an assessment by the deadline, it is essential that you seek to request an extension to the deadline in advance. You must submit a Mitigating Circumstances Form (MCF) or an Extension Request Form (EFR), which are available from the Education Support Team or downloadable from the King’s website.
You must complete the form in full, and submit it to Education Support together with all supporting documentary evidence (e.g. doctor’s certificate), at least 7 days before the assessment submission deadline to allow sufficient time for a decision to be made, and for that decision to be communicated to you.
Although we do our best to make sure that things do not go wrong, from time to time it is inevitable that things will not be as they should. Depending on the nature of the problem you may wish to try to resolve it or, in some instances, make a complaint. The first step should always to be to discuss the problem with the relevant person. This may be your supervisor or, if the problem is with your supervisor and you have not been able to resolve it with them, you could discuss it with your personal tutor or the programme leader.
If the unresolved problem relates to your programme, or matters surrounding it, you can informally approach either the Head of Graduate Studies (Taught), Dr Kim Wolff, or Head of Graduate Studies (Research), Professor Paul Salkovskis. As with personal tutors, this approach can be on a confidential basis. Others who may be able to help with problems and complaints include members of the Education Support Team: Steve Ward and Robina Cloralio (taught) and Peter Taylor and Anca Carrington would be the members of that team to contact in the first instance.
Finally, the Student Forum and KCLSU can often provide very useful guidance and support, and can occasionally act in an advocacy role.
You can defer by one year, after which time you will need to reapply for a place on the programme. For more information please contact Robina Cloralio (+44 (0)20 7848 0335).
What happens if I am accused of plagiarism?
All allegations of plagiarism will be investigated and may result in action being taken under the College’s Misconduct Regulations. A substantiated charge of plagiarism will result in a penalty being ordered ranging from a mark of zero for the assessed work to expulsion from the College. Please see the College Statement on Plagiarism and related forms of cheating
Am I entitled to maternity / paternity leave if I am going to have a baby?
Like members of staff, students are entitled to maternity and paternity leave. You may apply for an interruption to your studies during this time, although you are expected NOT to be working on your programme. Maternity / Paternity leave should be applied for through the Education Support Team.
Continuing studies
What happens when I enter year my second and subsequent years of study?
You will need to re-enrol at the beginning of each year of study. In your first year you need to enrol in person, but in subsequent years you can enrol online – please see below for details of how to re-enrol.
What happens if my details have changed?
Please inform Education Support of any changes to your name and/or contact details. This is particularly important when you graduate, because the name on your certificate will be the same as the name on our files, and the certificate will be sent to the most recent home address on your student records. To change your details please contact Robina Cloralio (+44 (0)20 7848 0335).
How do I re-enrol / do I need to re-enrol?
Every student need to enrol at the start of each academic year. In the first year you are required to enrol in person, but in subsequent years you can enrol online, via the enrolment link on the myKCL website.
You will need your King’s College London username and password to log on to myKCL. If you have forgotten or mislaid your log-in details please contact issenquiry@kcl.ac.uk.
For a step by step guide to the online enrolment process, please see the Guidelines for Re-enrolment.
Please note: completion of the enrolment form does not constitute in itself the right to re-enrol. Re-enrolment also depends upon your having fulfilled all academic conditions relation to your programme of study and upon all financial debts to the College having been cleared.
Finishing stages of your programme
How do I find out about examination regulations?
Examination Regulations are outlined in your programme handbook, available from your programme administrator. More extensive information on regulations can be obtained from the College’s Academic Regulations: The student’s guide.
A viva is an in-depth discussion of your dissertation / thesis, which is a requirement for all PhD students and some taught students. It is conducted by the examination board, and lasts approximately an hour. In the viva, the candidate will be asked to clarify or defend aspects of their dissertation / thesis. The candidate may be required to make changes before a degree can be awarded.
How will I receive my results?
Results of examinations and coursework undertaken during the academic year will be sent by post to students after the programme exam board meets. The marks indicated will be provisional and subject to ratification by the School Board of Examiners, which meets in November.
What is the graduation process?
Graduation ceremonies are held in Summer (June / July) and Winter (January). You can book a place, order your gown and reserve guest tickets online at www.kcl.ac.uk/graduation. Ceremonies are held at a number of locations across London, including Barbican Centre, Southwark Cathedral and the Royal Festival Hall. Grandaunts should arrive early to collect their gowns and take the opportunity to have a formal graduation photograph taken. Following the formal ceremony there will be a short reception.
What do I do if I disagree with an academic decision?
Please read the guidance notes for students carefully. If after reading these you feel that you have a sufficiently strong case and wish to request a review of a decision of a Board of Examiners then you should complete the EDR2 form, which is also available from the Education Support Team. Strict criteria for reconsideration apply and you should read Regulation 14 of the General regulations for examinations.
More information can be found on the King’s website.
All you need to do is register your current contact details with the Alumni Office.
When will I receive my certificate?
Degree certificates are not given out at the graduation ceremonies. The diploma production office will send your certificate to your home address by post, and it will generally arrive after your graduation ceremony date.
I haven’t received my certificate / I have misplaced my certificate- what should I do?
If you have moved home recently then it could be that your certificate has been sent to your old address. Certificates are sent to the last known home address on your students records, and so it is extremely important to ensure that the Education Support Team are kept informed of any changes to your home address.
To find out whether/where your degree certificate has been sent, or to request a replacement copy please contact Julia Richardson in the Education Support Team.
"Where can I get career advice?
The College Careers Service is available to all current students and graduates of King’s. It can provide information on careers options, job vacancies, and advice on writing your CV and preparing for interviews. Drop-in sessions are currently available at
How do I obtain my transcript?
You can order a copy of your transcript online via the King’s College London website. Please see: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/about/structure/admin/acareg/stureg/transcripts.
Going on to do a PhD
How can I find out more about research at the IoP?
The Research pages on this website will give you an idea of what is involved in doing research at the IoP. Here you can find details of the research being undertaken by each department. If you would like more specific information about continuing onto a research degree, including funding opportunities, please contact michaela.litchmore-dunbar@iop.kcl.ac.uk