Law PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Subject and course type
- Postgraduate
Join the prestigious Law PhD at ΢ÃÜȦ, where you'll engage in groundbreaking legal research, guided by leading experts.
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Embark on your legal research journey
Join the esteemed community of legal academia and gain valuable insights from experienced researchers
΢ÃÜȦ's research culture supports critical thinking and the production of original legal knowledge.
A PhD in Law can prepare you for a career as an academic within the education sector, or as a professional researcher within the public or private sectors. Whatever your goal, ΢ÃÜȦ's Law PhD will develop your research skills. Above all, you’ll make an original contribution to your chosen field of enquiry and enhance your professional credibility.
You will have the opportunity to teach undergraduates and undertake an ‘academic apprenticeship' to help you pursue a career in academia.
The Law PhD at ΢ÃÜȦ is highly flexible and tailored to your research interests. You will define your research focus in consultation with your supervisor, exploring a range of topics in depth. Regular meetings with academic staff will guide your progress. You’ll also receive the necessary support for fieldwork and data collection.
This combined approach to study and teaching positions successful PhD candidates for success in their future academic endeavours.
Why choose this course
΢ÃÜȦ is known for its dynamic approach to legal research, offering a supportive environment where your work can flourish. You'll have access to expert guidance and state-of-the-art resources, and the opportunity to contribute to significant developments in the legal world.
The Department of Law is recognised by the. Our school has been accredited as an outlet for research training for doctoral students. The Law PhD programme is recognised by the ESRC for fulfilling requirements to provide a broad-based programme of research training at doctoral level.
The expert academic team that supports this PhD course includes National Teaching Award winners and Fellows from the Higher Education Academy. Many of our lecturing staff combine teaching with legal practice, to maintain up-to-date knowledge of the industry.
Importantly, the Department of Law is small and very friendly, and has a real community feel with other postgraduate students. There will be opportunities to engage with many members of staff beyond your supervisor.
Our PhD students benefit from regular workshops, seminars, and opportunities to collaborate with other scholars. ΢ÃÜȦ’s proximity to central London ensures easy access to important legal institutions, enriching your research experience.
Accreditation
Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
The Department of Law is a recognised Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) outlet for research training for doctoral students.
This programme is recognised by the ESRC as fulfilling its requirements to provide a broad-based programme of research training for those studying at doctoral level in the UK.
Prepare for global impact
΢ÃÜȦ School of Law, Social and Behavioural Sciences offers courses in economics, sociology, law, psychology and criminology. Our degrees are underpinned by a vibrant research culture and delivered by a blend of practitioners and academics who are dedicated to equipping you with the employability skills to thrive in your career.
Course content
The programme is made up of individual supervision and as such can be extremely flexible to accommodate your needs.
As a PhD student within the Department of Law, you will be expected to attend the University's research training sessions and a series of in-house training seminars run by the Department. The latter take the form of research 'masterclasses', where an experienced member of the Department leads a session intended to reflect on different aspects of conducting research in law. You are also invited to attend the Department of Law research seminars arranged for members of the academic staff.
There is also a series of sessions on the Philosophy of Enquiry and a series of sessions on the Conduct of Enquiry. These non-compulsory modules, held with other PhD students and run by various members of the faculty, will help prepare you for your independent studies, and introduce you to the other students and staff in the department.
The Department of Law is small and very friendly, and has a real community feel with other postgraduate students. There will be opportunities to engage with many members of staff beyond your supervisor.
For further information about the Law PhD programme (including the availability of supervision in an area of your interest) please contact Dr Phil Harris.
Teaching experience
You will have the opportunity to teach undergraduates and undertake an ‘academic apprenticeship' to help you pursue a career in academia.
Presenting ongoing research
Once a year, all PhD students are given the opportunity to present to the faculty about their PhD research. This ongoing engagement offers students and staff the chance to share and help each other develop their ideas.
Please note: Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Career opportunities
A PhD in Law from ΢ÃÜȦ opens doors to a range of career opportunities in academia, research, policy-making, and law.
΢ÃÜȦ’s comprehensive research training equips you with transferable skills in critical thinking, research methodologies, and communication, making you highly employable in a variety of sectors.
You may pursue a career in academia, become a legal consultant, or work for an NGO. Whatever your path, your PhD will position you as a thought leader in the legal field.
Be part of our academic community
Once a year, all PhD students are given the opportunity to present to the faculty about their PhD research. This ongoing engagement offers students and staff the chance to share and help each other develop their ideas.
Our research graduates are an important part of the research community at ΢ÃÜȦ, and remain part of our networks. You can also still access the Careers and Employability Service for up to two years after you graduate, and benefit from Alumni library membership for just £60 per year.
Teaching and assessment
A PhD, unlike a taught degree, consists entirely of independent study, guided by the supervisory team.
As a student at ΢ÃÜȦ, we will make sure you have access to appropriate advice regarding your academic development. You will also be able to use the University's support services.
As a guide, for a full-time PhD you should commit to a similar number of hours to a full-time job – approximately 35 hours of PhD work a week. For a part-time PhD, this would be halved. We would also expect you to take a similar number of holiday days to full-time or part-time employment.
Your PhD thesis should be around 80,000 words and will be the subject of an oral examination, the 'viva voce'. You will need to show how you have critically investigated your area of research and made an independent and original contribution to knowledge.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
PhD students do not receive a timetable, but you will be asked to agree a schedule of supervisory meetings with your team.
Fees and funding
Please view our research degrees page for further details about fees.
Funding support for postgraduate students
If you are a UK student living in England and under 60, you can apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree on the government's website.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying Law PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) at ΢ÃÜȦ, there are several opportunities to seek funding support:
΢ÃÜȦ offers a range of postgraduate scholarships, including:
If you are an international student, find out more about scholarships and bursaries.
We also offer the following discounts for ΢ÃÜȦ alumni:
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
΢ÃÜȦ will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, ΢ÃÜȦ upon Thames, and Norbiton.
Courses involving placements or direct work with vulnerable groups may require a DBS check or other security checks.
Specific courses may require uniforms, specialty clothing, or specific equipment like lab coats and safety shoes.
If you choose to do a placement year, travel costs will vary depending on your location. These costs could be up to £2,000.
Some courses may require professional memberships.
How to apply
Before you apply
Please read the entry criteria carefully to make sure you meet all requirements before applying.
How to apply online
Use the course selector drop down at the top of this page to choose your preferred course, start date and mode, then click 'Apply now'. You will be taken to our Online Student Information System (OSIS) where you will complete your application.
If you’re starting a new application, you’ll need to select ‘new user’ and set up a username and password. This will allow you to save and return to your application.
Documents to submit with your research application
Please include the following documents with your application:
- A draft research proposal or project outline
- Your academic transcripts and or certificates
- English language qualifications, if required
- A photograph or scan of your passport
- You may also wish to attach a CV or other relevant documents.
Our faculties have produced guidance for applicants on how to put together a research proposal. Please see the application support section under each faculty area on this page for more information.
Application deadlines
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close when the course is full.
Information required to confirm your place
If English is not your first language, we will require proof of your proficiency to allow us to confirm your place on the course. This will generally be either an IELTS or TOEFL test certificate, which can be forwarded to us after you have submitted your application. If you do not hold a formal English language qualification, please indicate how you have acquired your proficiency in written and spoken English.
After you have applied
For courses that select on application alone, applicants should normally receive an initial decision or a request for more information within four to six weeks of receipt of their application. Our admissions team will notify you of the decision by email.
Learn more about the postgraduate application process in detail.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
