Law research degrees
The length of programme registration will be longer as it includes the maximum writing-up phase.
Our particular range of specialisms includes areas as diverse as contract, international, maritime, comparative and criminal justice, human rights, European Union law, and public law among many others.
About our Law research degrees
We welcome applications for postgraduate research into many areas of law at PhD level.
In each programme, students write a detailed research thesis on a topic they have chosen under the supervision of a member of staff specialising in that area of law. A thesis is presented of 100,000 words for a PhD. Candidates are also required to attend a viva voce (oral) examination.
Our postgraduate students are a fully integrated part of Law and our research students make an important contribution to our vibrant research culture. You are given expert supervision from at least two academic members of staff, research training and financial assistance to fund research trips and attend conferences.
We also stage dedicated workshops, seminars and conferences for our PhD students.
All of this takes place within a prestigious Law department. As the 14th oldest university in England, we've been teaching and practising Law for almost 100 years with our alumni including The Right Honourable Lady Justice Dame Eleanor King, who has a mock courtroom named in her honour on campus.
Research topics
We support two specialist research institutes: the McCoubrey Centre for International Law and the Institute of European Public Law.
Our academic experts welcome applications for postgraduate research across a broad range of topics including civil liberties, company law, international, maritime, comparative and criminal justice, European Union law, human rights, international law, legal theory and philosophy, public law and many more.
The Postgraduate Training Scheme
It is now widely recognised by employers, professional bodies and research funding agencies that specialist expertise alone is not sufficient preparation either for research or a subsequent career. With this in mind, we require all our postgraduate research students to follow a research training programme relating both to their particular field of study and to generic skills; for example, information technology and communication skills.
Programme structure
PhD structure
| Full time | Part time |
|---|---|
| 3 years of research, with up to 12 months writing up if required | 6 years of research, with up to 24 months of writing up if required |
Writing up and thesis submission
A standard full-time PhD programme comprised three years of research plus up to 12 months of thesis finalisation (also referred to as “writing-up”). Part-time is six years plus up to 24 months thesis finalisation if needed.
For full-time students, the thesis finalisation phase should take three months but may be extended to one year without further paperwork. For part-time students, thesis finalisation should take six months, but may be extended to two years without further paperwork. The maximum thesis finalisation period is included in your overall programme length, which means that international PGRs will not need to apply for an additional visa to cover this phase.
If you need to move into the thesis finalisation period of your research degree, you must enrol for this phase and you will be liable to pay a continuation fee.
Thesis submission timelines
It is expected that you will submit your thesis within the timeframes outlined below:
Doctoral degrees
- Submission by 3 years and 3 months full-time.
- Submission by 6 years and 6 months for part-time.
Entry Requirements
What do I need?
You should normally have, or expect to obtain, at least a 2:1 Honours degree, or international equivalent, in a related discipline appropriate to your intended research.
Contacting your prospective supervisor before you submit your application is not essential but may be helpful.
Typical offer
2:1 in a relevant subject area
Fees & Funding
How much is it?
Ready to get started?
Like what you’ve seen? Then it’s time to apply.
Make your application online now, and our admissions team will get back to you as soon as possible to make you an offer.
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International student? Please use the link below to get in touch with our international team for answers and advice.