law phd scholarships uk

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Attend an open day

Discover more about Law at Manchester

Humanities PGR Virtual Open Week 2024

Find out more about the options and funding opportunities for PhD study in the Faculty of Humanities across a range of online sessions during our Virtual Open Week (14-18 October 2024).

Sign up for your session

PhD Law / Overview

Year of entry: 2025

• View full page
• Bachelor's (Honours) degree in Law (or a cognate subject) at 2:1 or above (or overseas equivalent), or professional experience/qualifications; and
• Master's degree in Law (or a relevant subject) with an overall average of 65% or above, a minimum mark of 65% in your dissertation and no mark below 55% (or overseas equivalent), or professional experience/qualifications.

Full entry requirements

Apply online

Please ensure you include all required supporting documents at the time of submission, as incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Deadlines

For consideration in internal funding competitions, you must submit your completed application by 1 December 2024. If you are applying for or have secured external funding (for example, from an employer or government) or are self-funding, you must submit your application before the below deadlines to be considered. You will not be able to apply after these dates have passed.

• For September 2025 entry: 30 June 2025
• For January 2026 entry: 30 September 2025

Programme options

Programme overview

• Immerse yourself in sustained, in-depth study into a specific topic.
• Stimulate real change while you work across our core fields in terms of both legal and policy issues.
• Join a community of established researchers and contribute to a diverse intellectual environment.
• Receive research training in law and social sciences.

Please enable JavaScript to watch this video.

Want to find out more about what PhD study really involves, the application process and funding options for 2025? The Humanities Doctoral Academy will be conducting a range of sessions for potential PhD students across our Virtual Open Week (14 – 18 October 2024) across all four academic schools for anyone considering postgraduate research study for 2025/2026.

Register for your session here .

For entry in the academic year beginning September 2025, the tuition fees are as follows:

• PhD (full-time) UK students (per annum): TBC International, including EU, students (per annum): £22,000
• PhD (part-time) UK students (per annum): TBC International, including EU, students (per annum): £11,000

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Scholarships/sponsorships

There are a range of scholarships, studentships and awards available to support both UK and overseas postgraduate researchers, details of which can be found via the links below.

To apply University of Manchester funding, you must indicate in your application the competitions for which you wish to be considered. The deadline for most internal competitions, including School of Social Sciences studentships is 1 December 2024.

All external funding competitions have a specified deadline for submitting your funding application and a separate (earlier) deadline for submitting the online programme application form, both of which will be stated in the funding competition details below.

You will need to be nominated by your proposed supervisor for a number of our scholarships. Therefore, we highly recommend you discuss these funding opportunities with your supervisor first, so they can advise on your suitability and ensure you meet nomination deadlines.

For more information about funding, visit our funding page to browse for scholarships, studentships and awards you may be eligible for.

• ESRC North West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (NWSSDTP) PhD Studentships 2025 Entry
• School of Social Sciences PhD Studentships 2025 Entry
• AHRC North West Consortium Doctoral Training Partnership (NWCDTP) PhD Studentships 2025 Entry
• China Scholarship Council - The University of Manchester (CSC-UoM) Joint Scholarship Programme 2025 Entry
• Trudeau Doctoral Scholarships 2025 Entry
• PhD Studentship with the Stuart Hall Foundation (Social Sciences) 2025 Entry
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (High Income Countries)
• Commonwealth PhD Scholarships (Least Developed Countries and Fragile States)
• President's Doctoral Scholar (PDS) Awards 2025 Entry

Contact details

See: School Subjects

Programmes in related subject areas

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

Regulated by the Office for Students

The University of Manchester is regulated by the Office for Students (OfS). The OfS aims to help students succeed in Higher Education by ensuring they receive excellent information and guidance, get high quality education that prepares them for the future and by protecting their interests. More information can be found at the OfS website .

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at The University of Manchester, including our Degree Regulations and Complaints Procedure, on our regulations website .

Law PhD Scholarship

Scholarship for Law PhD students

• Postgraduate study
• Why Nottingham?

How to apply

• Visiting us
• Already applied?
• Doctoral Training Programmes
• Researcher Academy
• Make an enquiry

With six well-established research centres and links to leading institutions around the world, the School of Law at the University of Nottingham is a dynamic environment for scholarly endeavours. We engage in world-leading and internationally renowned research in core as well as emerging areas of law. Our research demonstrates real-world impact through knowledge exchange and collaboration with external partners.

We are seeking to expand our thriving postgraduate research community by offering two PhD scholarships for the start of the next academic session (September 2022). We are especially keen to attract highly motivated individuals with innovative project ideas. We are equally open to proposals in any area of law, any methodology (ie empirical, doctrinal, comparative, theoretical) or research design.

Applicants are strongly advised to review the details of the research interests of staff members within the School of Law and to approach them as potential supervisors to see if they are willing to act as supervisors of the project—at least in principle.

Prime consideration will be given to applicants with a focused research project/proposal that can demonstrate a cutting-edge topic, angle or approach. This aspect should be given special emphasis in the applicant’s submitted documentation.

Scholarship particulars

• Tuition fees to be paid at the home rate for three years. Please note this scholarship does not cover the extra cost of international tuition fees.
• Stipend of £15,609 per year for three years.

Eligibility

• 2:1 LLB (or equivalent for overseas students) (Essential) or First Class LLB (or equivalent for overseas students) (Desirable)
• Masters level degree in any area of law or a related subject (Desirable) or equivalent and relevant professional and/or work experience (Desirable)
• High level proficiency in written and spoken English (for overseas students IELTS score of 7.0 is needed with no less than 7.0 in writing, 6.5 in reading, and 6.0 in speaking and listening)
• Ability to work independently on research as well as engage with the wider research community, including the postgraduate research community at Nottingham
• Complete the university application form . Applicants who wish to be considered for the University of Nottingham Law PhD Scholarship must specify that they are applying for this Scholarship in either the cover letter or personal statement component of their PhD application submitted at this website .
• Academic references for the University application must be provided before the application can be considered for the scholarship. Once the application has been made, applicants are advised to ensure that their referees submit references timeously.
• Shortlisted candidates will be asked to attend for a short online interview to discuss their application, and the second week of March 2022 has been provisionally set aside for this purpose.

The closing deadline for both scholarship applications is noon GMT on Friday 11 February 2022.

Selection criteria

• 2:1 LLB (the equivalent for overseas students) (Essential) or First Class LLB (the equivalent for overseas students) (Desirable)
• Uniqueness/originality of proposal
• Clear and persuasive justification for the necessity of the research
• Understanding of the potential value and impact of the research

Contact details

Offered by School of Law

For further enquiries, please contact either of the Co-Directors of the Postgraduate Research Programme within the School of Law, Professor Dino Kritsiotis ( [email protected] ) or Professor Howard Bennett ( [email protected] ).

Legal information

• Terms and conditions
• Posting rules
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Charity gateway
• Cookie policy

Connect with the University of Nottingham through social media and our blogs .

PhD/MPhil Law

Postgraduate research degree

The PhD/MPhil programme at The City Law School offers you the opportunity to carry out legal research and to contribute to professional knowledge in this constantly evolving field.

Research centres and groups

• European Union Law
• The Legal Practice Hub
• Maritime Law and Policy
• Intellectual Property Engagement
• International Law and Affairs
• Law & Social Change

Key information

Law Postgraduate research degrees PhD/MPhil course Overview

As PhD/MPhil researcher at The City Law School , you will be joining a dynamic research environment. We are dedicated to advancing knowledge and bringing value to society.

Within our research centres, we carry out cutting edge research that straddles different areas and approaches to the subject of Law . We cover many diverse areas including (but not confined to):

• EU and international law
• Commercial law and arbitration
• Intellectual property
• Maritime law
• Public law, and child and family law.

if you are interested in pursuing an academic career, you will have the opportunity to teach as you carry out your research. We will provide you with full professional training and higher education certification through City’s Department for Learning Enhancement and Development (LEaD).

You will initially register for the MPhil degree. You will upgrade to PhD status once you have demonstrated that your research has developed to doctoral standard.

Upgrading normally occurs after 12 months for full time study and within 24 months for part time study.

Your academic research and inquiry will culminate in a thesis of up to 100,000 words. Your thesis will make a significant, original contribution to your area of study.

You will then be examined in detail on your thesis by two academics, in the form of a viva voce (oral examination). At least one of the examiners will be external to City.

For full details about the City PhD programme structure, please see the Guide for Research Students .

Requirements

Entry requirements.

You will need to demonstrate a track record of high academic achievement.

We are looking for a minimum of second class (upper division) LLB degree and a Master’s in Law or a related discipline with at least a merit or equivalent.

You will also need to show a suitable aptitude to carry out an extended programme of original, independent research at a high level.

English requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide proof of one of the following:

• A first degree from a UK university or from the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA)
• A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City as providing evidence of English language proficiency
• GCE O-level/GCSE English language or English Literature, with a minimum C grade
• An overall score of 7.0 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum of 6.5 in the reading and writing subtests
• TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition: 95 overall with no less than 24 in Writing and Reading, 22 in Listening and 25 in Speaking
• Other evidence of English language proficiency that satisfies the Board of Studies (if you are from the European Economic Area or Switzerland).

For more information see our English language proficiency requirements at City.

Visa requirements

If you are not from the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you may need to apply for a visa or entry clearance to study in the UK.

Your application may vary depending on the length of your studies.

Check our main visa page to see the rules that apply to you.

Fees and funding

Full-time Home/UK: £11,700 per year

Part-time Home/UK: £5,850 per year

Full-time International: £11,700 per year

Part-time International: £5,850 per year

You will pay fees annually to cover registration, supervision and examination.

Fees are subject to review each year and may vary during your period of registration. Where applicable, fees for City's programmes will be subject to inflationary increases in each academic year of study commencing in September . Our policy for these increases is set out in our terms and conditions of study .

Support for PhD study

Prospective students are encouraged to explore doctoral Grants and funding opportunities such as:

• Research Council studentship awards , if available.
• PhD Scholarship for Black British applicants - The City Law School is offering a full-time, three-year doctoral scholarship for a Black British researcher (entry in September 2024).
• SeNSS Doctoral Training Partnership -SENSS is offering UK Fully funded ESRC studentships are currently available to Doctoral Researchers for entry in October 2024.

The City Law School Doctoral Studentships

We normally offer two scholarships a year to support exceptional research proposals. These comprise a full fee waiver and a National Living Wage bursary of currently £19,668, subject to change in line with the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI’s) recommended doctoral research student stipend.

In addition, all students are eligible for funding (currently up to £1,000) over the course of your studies. This can be used for research materials or to support attendance at conferences. Contact the Law School office for more details.

PhD Scholarships -  The City Law School is offering 2 full-time, three-year doctoral scholarships to applicants for entry in September 2024.

Our bursaries are non-repayable sums of money granted by the University, usually based on need.

Our loans are repayable sums of money granted by the University or other body.

Our scholarships are when the University pays towards your Study fees. You may also be eligible for further funding.

Scholarships for EU Law and Commercial Law students

We are inviting applications for 2 PhD scholarships funded by the City, University of London on EU law and commercial law. WE understand these two areas broadly:

• EU law covers competition, constitutional and administrative law, migration, citizenship, trade and investment, health, human rights, media and intellectual property
• commercial law covers maritime, corporate, investment, arbitration, data protection and privacy, intellectual property, competition law, and commercial aspects of law in society, eg in medical law.

The School has expertise in both these areas and we invite prospective applicants to look at our website and even approach our EU and commercial law colleagues. Applications can be made below:

• September 23/24 full-time
• September 23/24 part-time

Postgraduate Doctoral Loans

The Government has introduced a new Postgraduate Doctoral Loans scheme which can provide a loan of up to £25,000.

This will be over three years to support study for a doctoral degree.

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study. It can be used alongside any other forms of support you may be able to receive.

For more information, please see our Postgraduate Doctoral Loans page .

Additional expenses

Some of our degrees may involve additional expenses which are not covered by your tuition fees. Find out more about additional expenses .

Academic support

City has a well-established structure and processes to support your research .

You will have two supervisors to support you throughout your research, one of these will be your first point of contact responsible for:

• assisting you to refine your research ideas
• suggesting reading
• commenting on drafts of your thesis
• ensuring that you are effectively supervised.

We have an outstanding research seminar programme, designed to equip you with the skills needed to carry out your research successfully. The programme also contributes to facilitating your transition to a career once you have finished your research at City.

These seminars, led by faculty members, recent PhD graduates and more advanced doctoral researchers, take place weekly in your first year. You will explore a range of methodologies and research approaches. Learning from established practitioners as well as your PhD peers.

Our research seminar programme is supplemented by many other training opportunities. These are both within the City Law School and the wider university community, throughout the year.

In addition to events tailor-made for PhD students, you will be expected to participate to research events organised by City Law School academic staff .

You will be based in the brand new and state of the art City Law School Building. Here you will have use of a dedicated and suitably equipped area for Law PhD students .

All students are eligible for funding (currently up to £1,000) over the course of your studies. This can be for research materials or to support attendance at conferences.

Other support:

If you are interested in pursuing an academic career, you may have the opportunity to teach as you carry out your research.

We will provide you with full professional training and higher education certification through City’s Department for Learning Enhancement and Development (LEaD).

How to apply

You need to complete an online application form below, including:

• your research proposal
• details of two academic referees who know your work well and can comment on your ability to carry out research at this level

Your research proposal is a crucial part of your application. We strongly advise you to read our guide to writing a successful PhD proposal carefully before applying.

You are also welcome to discuss your ideas for research with relevant members of the School of Law before applying. Contact details can be found on our Research Pages .

You may be invited for an interview by a panel consisting of the PhD Programme Director and a potential supervisor.

You can apply here by completing our online form .

• 30 th Sep 2024

For further application enquiries please contact our PGR enquiries team .

PhD Research projects from The City Law School

Jean monnet chair in law and transatlantic relations.

The Jean Monnet Chair in Law & Transatlantic Relations aims to study and critically reflect upon the largest casestudy of global governance in the international legal order, the transatlantic alliance

Research centre: Institute for the Study of European Law

Academic: Professor Elaine Fahey

Current student: Giulio Kowalski

Status: Ongoing project

View case study site

The future of EU Trade and Investment Partnerships EUTIP

The objective of the EU Trade and Investment Policy ITN is to foster interdisciplinary research into the evolving international trade policy of the European Union (EU).

EU-UK-Japan relations TRILATTRADE

'TRILATTRADE’ examines three thematic strands in UK-EU-Japan relations going forward: overall economic law; regulation theory and data transfers; and IP law and policy.

Research centres: Institute for the Study of European Law and Intellectual Property Engagement Group

Academics: Dr Enrico Bonadio and Professor David Collins

Find a supervisor

Some examples of our supervisors are listed below

Professor Elaine Fahey

Professor of Law, Jean Monnet Chair in Law & Transatlantic Relations

Academic law programmes

Professor Panos Koutrakos

Jean Monnet Professor of EU Law

Professor David Collins

Professor of International Economic Law

Useful links

• Doctoral College
• Professional Law Programmes
• Student wellbeing
• Terms and conditions

The City Law School

Contact details.

+44 (0)20 7040 4568

[email protected]

• Schools & departments

Awards: PhD

Study modes: Full-time, Part-time

Funding opportunities

Programme website: Law

Postgraduate Virtual Open Days

Join us online on 12 to 14 November where you can learn more about postgraduate study through webinars, live panel sessions, and one-to-one chat.

Find out more and register

Research profile

The Edinburgh Law School is a vibrant, collegial and enriching community of legal, sociolegal and criminology researchers and offers an excellent setting for doctoral research.

Edinburgh Law School is ranked 3rd in the UK for law for the quality and breadth of our research by Research Professional, based on the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021).

Our doctoral researchers are key to the School’s research activities, and we work hard to ensure that they are fully engaged with staff and projects across all of our legal disciplines.

You will find opportunities in the following fields:

• company and commercial law
• comparative law
• constitutional and administrative law
• criminal law
• criminology and criminal justice
• environmental law
• European law, policy and institutions
• European private law
• evidence and procedure
• gender and sexuality
• human rights law
• information technology law
• intellectual property law
• international law
• legal theory
• medical law and ethics
• obligations
• contract delict
• unjustified enrichment
• property, trusts and successions
• Roman law and legal history
• socio-legal studies

Programme structure

Find out more about compulsory and optional courses.

We link to the latest information available. Please note that this may be for a previous academic year and should be considered indicative.

Training and support

Doctoral researchers enjoy full access to the University’s research skills training which the Law School complements with a tailored research and wider skills programme.

The training programme in Year One (six seminars) includes workshops on research design, writing and research ethics.

The focus of the training programme in Year Two and Three is on supporting the dissemination of work with opportunities to present work.

Opportunities are also available for research exchanges through the League of European Research (LERU) network, as well as an annual research training exchange programme with KU Leuven.

• Find out more about the training and support available

Doctoral researchers are able to draw upon a fantastic range of resources and facilities to support their research.

The Law School has one of the most significant academic law libraries in the UK which offers outstanding digital resources alongside a world-leading print collection (almost 60,000 items including a unique collection for Scots law research).

You will also have access to the University’s Main Library which has one of the largest and most important collections in Britain, as well as the legal collection of the National Library of Scotland.

Career opportunities

Upon completion of the PhD, the majority of our students progress to postdoctoral research or lecturing and teaching roles.

Recent graduates have also found employment in roles as diverse as prison governor, solicitor and policy adviser for organisations including:

• the International Criminal Court
• Anderson Strathern
• HM Prison Service

Our PhD programme

Edinburgh Law School can offer expert supervision across an exceptional range of subject areas for PhD study.

A PhD at Edinburgh Law School involves undertaking independent research, culminating in the submission of a thesis of up to 100,000 words, which should be an original piece of work that makes a significant contribution to knowledge in the field of study and contains material worthy of publication.

As a doctoral student, you will join a diverse community of around 100 postgraduate researchers and will become an integral part of the intellectual life of the School.

• Find our more about studying for a PhD at Edinburgh Law School

Studying for a PhD video

Entry requirements.

These entry requirements are for the 2025/26 academic year and requirements for future academic years may differ. Entry requirements for the 2026/27 academic year will be published on 1 Oct 2025.

• PhD Law: a UK 2:1 honours degree in law, arts or social sciences, and a UK Masters degree with at least 60% in the taught section and 65% or more in the dissertation, or their international equivalents.

The majority of our applicants have studied law, but we are a comprehensive Law School covering a range of approaches to legal topics including social science, historical and philosophical enquiry; applications from non-law students with relevant studies and experience will be considered and if you require further guidance please contact us.

Entry to this programme is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements for consideration does not guarantee an offer of study

International qualifications

Check whether your international qualifications meet our general entry requirements:

• Entry requirements by country
• English language requirements

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests

We accept the following English language qualifications at the grades specified:

• IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 7.0 in writing and 6.5 in all other components. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
• TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition): total 100 with at least 25 in writing and 23 in all other components.
• C1 Advanced ( CAE ) / C2 Proficiency ( CPE ): total 185 with at least 185 in writing and 176 in all other components.
• Trinity ISE : ISE III with passes in all four components.
• PTE Academic: total 73 with at least 73 in writing and 65 in all other components. We do not accept PTE Academic Online.
• Oxford ELLT : 8 overall with at least 8 in writing and 7 in all other components.

Your English language qualification must be no more than three and a half years old from the start date of the programme you are applying to study, unless you are using IELTS , TOEFL, Trinity ISE or PTE , in which case it must be no more than two years old.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We also accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration:

• UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English speaking countries (non-MESC).

• Approved universities in non-MESC

If you are not a national of a majority English speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old at the beginning of your programme of study.

Find out more about our language requirements:

Fees and costs

Scholarships and funding.

Funding for postgraduate study is different to undergraduate study, and many students need to combine funding sources to pay for their studies.

Most students use a combination of the following funding to pay their tuition fees and living costs:

borrowing money

taking out a loan

family support

personal savings

income from work

employer sponsorship

• scholarships

Explore sources of funding for postgraduate study

Featured funding

• School of Law funding opportunities
• Research scholarships for international students
• Principal's Career Development PhD Scholarships

UK government postgraduate loans

If you live in the UK, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan from one of the UK’s governments.

The type and amount of financial support you are eligible for will depend on:

• your programme
• the duration of your studies
• your tuition fee status

Programmes studied on a part-time intermittent basis are not eligible.

• UK government and other external funding

Other funding opportunities

Search for scholarships and funding opportunities:

• Search for funding

Further information

• Postgraduate Research Office
• Phone: +44 (0)131 650 2022
• Contact: [email protected]
• School of Law (Postgraduate Research Office)
• Old College
• South Bridge
• Central Campus
• Programme: Law
• School: Law
• College: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences

Select your programme and preferred start date to begin your application.

PhD Law - 3 Years (Full-time)

Phd law - 6 years (part-time), application deadlines.

We encourage you to apply at least one month prior to entry so that we have enough time to process your application. If you are also applying for funding or will require a visa then we strongly recommend you apply as early as possible.

• How to apply

You must submit two references with your application.

Find out more about the general application process for postgraduate programmes:

Scholarships and funding

The University and Edinburgh Law School offer a range of scholarships for our research degrees. There are also a selection of external funding opportunities that you may be eligible to apply to. Scholarship and funding opportunities listed on this web page are for entry in the 2025-26 academic year.

If you are intending to apply for a scholarship offered by the Law School or University we advise applying to your programme (PhD or LLM by Research) at least two weeks before the scholarship closing date.

The University of Edinburgh is a partner university of the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS). The SGSSS awards a number of studentships across Scotland each year through the student-led 'Open' competition. These studentships can be offered as MSc plus PhD (1+3.5) or PhD (+3.5) awards depending on the experience of the applicant.

Eligibility

Candidates will normally hold a First Class Honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject, e.g. BA or LLB.

For the PhD award, applicants should hold (or be currently studying for) a relevant Masters degree. Applicants who are not eligible for the PhD award can apply on a '1+3.5' basis which starts with a one-year MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice (ESRC Track) and is then followed by a three-year PhD. Please note that you will still need to have PhD supervision secured and your PhD project proposal will be assessed as part of the SGSSS marking criteria.

Awards are available to applicants with UK fee status and a limited number of awards are available for international applicants.

Applicants must contact our Unit of Assessment Lead, Dr Andy Aydin-Aitchison ( [email protected] ), to check eligibility for the competition before applying.

The studentship covers the cost of UK or international tuition fees and provides a stipend at UKRI rates (approximately £19,237 per year).

Information Session

The Dean of Postgraduate Research is hosting a 1-hour online information session about the SGSSS Open PhD competition for prospective applicants on 15 October 2024 at 15:00 (BST). You can access it through the link below – no registration is needed:

Join information session

How to apply

To be considered for this competition, applicants should:

Apply for admission through the University’s online application system by 16:00 (GMT) 21 November 2024. (Please note you do not need to have received an offer by this date, you must simply have submitted your application). All applicants must have the support of an academic supervisor before applying. Find out more about applying for a PhD in the Law School

Applicants who need an MSc and are applying for 1+3.5 years of funding can find out more about the MSc Criminology and Criminal Justice (ESRC Track) programme which is approved by the ESRC.

Find out more about applying to the MSc in Criminology and Criminal Justice (ESRC track)

• Register on the SGSSS online application system Apply. Complete and upload the SGSSS Open Competition application form by 16:00 (GMT) 21 November 2024. Copies of transcripts, a CV and two references will also need to be uploaded by this date. Queries about registering or logging into Apply Visit the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science Open Competition website

Applicants must meet both deadlines in order to be considered for this funding. Late applications will not be considered.

Selection process

The Open Competition includes three stages of review, with candidates updated after each stage until either you are awarded or your application is unsuccessful.

• University of Edinburgh Review : this is two-stage with a nomination needed from the Unit of Assessment lead and then selection by the University panel. Interested candidates will be shortlisted by the University.
• Challenge Led Pathway Review : Each of the six challenge pathways will consider applications shortlisted by universities.
• Global Review : An executive panel of University Deans and members of the SGSSS Directorate meet and make the final award decisions.

Award announcement date

The award decision will be communicated to applicants by May 2025.

The University of Edinburgh offers many scholarships for postgraduate study. You should consult the University Scholarship pages for further information on these and other sources of funding that may be available.

Find out more about the range of scholarships offered by the University of Edinburgh

There are a range of additional sources of financial support that you may be eligible to apply to.

Find out more about additional sources of funding for students

If you have any questions about our scholarships please don't hesitate to contact us.

[email protected]

Key information

Study at Cambridge

About the university, research at cambridge.

• Undergraduate courses
• Events and open days
• Fees and finance
• Postgraduate courses
• How to apply
• Postgraduate events
• Fees and funding
• International students
• Continuing education
• Executive and professional education
• Courses in education
• How the University and Colleges work
• Term dates and calendars
• Visiting the University
• Annual reports
• Equality and diversity
• A global university
• Public engagement
• Give to Cambridge
• For Cambridge students
• For our researchers
• Business and enterprise
• Colleges & departments
• Email & phone search
• Museums & collections
• Research Centres
• Institute of Criminology
• Computer Office
• Squire Law Library
• Faculty of Law
• About overview
• History of the Faculty
• Equality, diversity & inclusion overview
• Athena SWAN
• Diversifying the Law: Postgraduate research poster exhibition
• Equal opportunities
• Dignity at work
• Societies overview
• Graduate Law Society (CUGLS)
• Public media collections
• Cambridge LawLink newsletter overview
• LawLink July 2024
• LawLink April 2024
• LawLink January 2024
• LawLink October 2023
• LawLink July 2023
• LawLink April 2023
• LawLink January 2023
• LawLink October 2022
• LawLink July 2022
• LawLink April 2022
• LawLink January 2022
• LawLink October 2021
• LawLink July 2021
• LawLink May 2021
• LawLink January 2021
• LawLink October 2020
• LawLink July 2020
• LawLink May 2020
• LawLink January 2020
• LawLink October 2019
• LawLink July 2019
• LawLink April 2019
• LawLink January 2019
• LawLink October 2018
• LawLink July 2018
• LawLink April 2018
• LawLink January 2018
• LawLink October 2017
• LawLink July 2017
• LawLink April 2017
• LawLink January 2017
• LawLink October 2016
• LawLink July 2016
• LawLink April 2016
• LawLink January 2016
• LawLink October 2015
• LawLink August 2015
• LawLink April 2015
• LawLink January 2015
• LawLink October 2014
• LawLink July 2014
• LawLink April 2014
• Publications from the Faculty
• How to find us
• People overview
• University and College Teaching Officers in Law Faculty Officers University Teaching Officers in the Institute of Criminology University Teaching Officers in the Department of Land Economy Affiliated Lecturers Retired and honorary members Research Staff Research Students Development and Communications Administrative Staff Computing Staff Squire Library Staff
• Directors of Studies and College Teaching Affiliates
• College Research Fellows in Law
• Human Resources
• Courses overview
• Research overview
• Current research grants
• Faculty Centres, Networks and Groups overview
• Network of Empirical Labour Law Scholars (NELLS)
• Cambridge Socio-Legal Group
• Criminal Jurisprudence and Philosophy Group (CrimJur)
• Cambridge Legal Theory Discussion Group (CLTDG)
• Cambridge Law Club
• Financial support for research
• International Research Groups and Networks
• Research ethics
• Research highlights
• Research with impact
• SSRN Legal Studies Research Paper Series
• Cambridge Law Eminent Scholars Archive
• International links overview
• Faculty academic visitors
• Exchange schemes
• Access & outreach overview
• Why study law?
• How do I become a lawyer?
• Outreach initiatives
• Exploring Law Course: Studying Law at University
• Exploring Law Conference overview
• Attending the conference
• Testimonials
• Exploring Legal Futures Webinars
• Student recruitment events
• #getincambridge
• Life at Cambridge/Applying
• Finding out more: Helpful links
• Alumni & development overview
• Alumni events overview
• Cambridge Women in Law (CWIL) overview
• Statement of aims and objectives
• CWIL Advisory Board
• CWIL mailing list
• Our benefactors
• Ways to give overview
• Squire Law Library appeal

The PhD programme

• International links
• Access & outreach
• Alumni & development

Finance overview    Funding    How to apply

The PhD is awarded after three to four years of full-time research (or five to seven years of part-time study) on the basis of a dissertation of 80,000 words (exclusive of footnotes, appendices and bibliography, but subject to an overall word limit of 100,000 words exclusive of bibliography, table of contents and any other preliminary matter). Examination for the PhD involves an oral examination (viva) by two examiners.

Research students who intend to undertake PhD research are in the first instance automatically registered for a one-year research training programme leading to the Certificate of Postgraduate Study (CPGS) in Legal Studies. They are assigned a supervisory team by the Degree Committee of the Faculty, ordinarily consisting of a supervisor (who is principally responsible for directing and assisting the research) and an advisor (who provides a second point of contact for academic advice). At the end of the first year, the Degree Committee decides whether students should be registered for the PhD. This decision is taken on the basis of the student’s personal progress log, first-year dissertation of 15,000 words, viva conducted by two assessors from within the Faculty, and outline of plans for the full research project. Candidates who successfully complete the requirements of the CPGS and the first-year progress review are retrospectively registered for the PhD.

All full-time PhD students are ordinarily required to be resident in Cambridge for the duration of their research (except where given leave to work away from Cambridge for academic reasons or whilst undertaking fieldwork), and during the first year in particular must attend weekly research training sessions in the Faculty.

This overview of the PhD programme must be read in conjunction with the detailed information available under the 'Courses' section (see, in particular, the Course Directory) of the Postgraduate Admissions website . Further information on postgraduate admission to research courses in the Faculty of Law is available from [email protected] or +44 (0)1223 330039.

The Faculty of Law The David Williams Building 10 West Road Cambridge CB3 9DZ United Kingdom

Telephone: +44 1223 330033 Email: [email protected]

Terms and Conditions

Connect with us.

Quick links

© 2024 University of Cambridge

• Contact the University
• Accessibility
• Freedom of information
• Privacy policy and cookies
• Statement on Modern Slavery
• Terms and conditions
• University A-Z
• Undergraduate
• Postgraduate
• Research news
• About research at Cambridge
• Spotlight on...

• School of Law

School of Law announce funded PhD Scholarship

The School of Law has announced a funded PhD scholarship for full-time and part-time students from both the UK and overseas.

We welcome suitably qualified applicants in the field of law and criminology  for study commencing from October 2022.

The scholarship is awarded on a competitive basis. Applications are assessed on academic success and qualifications, experience, research background, a clear well-articulated, fully-developed research proposal, the potential impact of the research and a good match with supervisor expertise.

We particularly welcome applicants in the following subfields of law and criminology:

• Law and technology
• Public international law
• Children and the law
• Wellbeing and the legal system
• Probation and non-custodial punishment
• Prisons and imprisonment
• Punishment and penal theory
• Gender and criminal justice
• Criminology of war
• Colonial and post-colonial law and justice

This scholarship will fund the following:

• Fees: Full payment of tuition fees across the course of study at the Home rate. For international students, the residual fee must be met by the individual.
• Maintenance/stipend: £9000 per year for full-time students with payments being made to the individual in quarterly instalments for three and a half years after the start of the course.
• Research Training Support Grant: Up to £500 per year for 3 years with the balance of unspent funds rolling forward each year. Restrictions apply to the use of these funds and there must be a clear connection to supporting the research project. Any unspent funds at the end of the project will be retained by the School. 
• The above will be pro-rated for part-time students.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 17th August 2022 .

Find out more and apply. 

Any enquiries can be sent to [email protected] 

Related information

Research degrees

PhD scholarships

Search for PhD opportunities at Sheffield and be part of our world-leading research.

Global main menu

• School of Law
• Postgraduate

School of Law PhD Studentships

• PhD programme

PhD Studentships for 2024-25 entry

The School of Law is looking to offer a limited number of Studentship Awards. To be eligible, applicants must submit a research proposal relevant to an area of Law that the School of Law possesses academic expertise in, and thus can offer doctoral supervision in.

The Department of Law can offer supervision in most areas of non-commercial law. Please see our staff list to view areas of staff expertise. Should you wish to see if we have academics with research expertise in your proposed area of research type in your proposed area of research in the ‘search’ box at the top of this page. Once you have identified the relevant staff, please then click on the homepage of the staff you think are most appropriate to you to see more detailed information about them.

Please note, only permanent academic staff, not visiting staff, can act as supervisors. The Department of Law also co-ordinates and conducts research in the legal field via a number of Research Centres:

Within the area of Justice and Human Rights :

• International State Crime Initiative
• Human Rights Law Centre
• Centre for Research on Law, Equality and Diversity
• Criminal Justice Centre
• (B)OrderS: Centre for the Legal Study of Borders and Migration

Within the area of Society, Democracy and the Humanities :

• Centre for Law, Democracy and Society
• Centre for Law and Society in a Global Context
• Centre for Small States

Within the area of International, European and Comparative Law

• Centre for European and International Legal Affairs
• EU-China Legal and Judicial Cooperation

Within the area of the Governance of Business & Finance :

• Institute for Competition and Consumers

The Department would therefore also welcome applications where the proposed research relates to the work and focus of one of these Research Centres.

The Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS) can offer supervision in most areas of commercial law. Please see our staff list to view areas of staff expertise. Should you wish to see if we have academics with research expertise in your proposed area of research type in your proposed area of research in the ‘search’ box at the top of this page.  Once you have identified the relevant staff, please then click on the homepage of the staff you think are most appropriate to you to see more detailed information about them.

Please note, only permanent academic staff, not visiting staff, can act as supervisors. CCLS also co-ordinates and conducts research in the legal field via a number of Research Centres:

Within the area of Governance of Business and Finance

• The Queen Mary-UNIDROIT Institute of Transnational Commercial Law
• Institute for Global Law, Economics and Finance (IGLEF)
• Institute of Tax Law
• Institute of Banking and Finance Law
• Institute for Regulation and Ethics

Within the area of Transnational Challenges and the Law

• School of International Arbitration (Arbitration and dispute resolution)
• Energy Law Institute
• Technology, Media and Telecommunications Law Institute
• Queen Mary Intellectual Property Research Institute (QMIPRI)
• Insurance, Shipping and Aviation Law Institute
• SINO UK Institute in Commercial Law, Economics and Business

CCLS would therefore also welcome applications where the proposed research relates to the work and focus of one of these Research Centres.

Stuart Hall Foundation – Queen Mary Studentship

An additional Studentship place is being offered by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, which is open to applicants who are eligible for Home tuition fees, and who meet the criteria for the award.

Information about this award will be provided by the Faculty in due course.

If you have already applied to the PhD programme but think you meet the criteria for this award, please contact [email protected]  immediately. You would need to update your Statement of Purpose document to provide details of your eligibility.

BAME Studentships for UK Candidates

Queen Mary encourages applicants from UK candidates in BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) groups who have been previously under-represented in this process.

The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences will be offering two fully funded doctoral studentships (tuition fees and stipend at the UKRI London rate) to UK applicants from a BAME background. Awards are tenable for up to three years. Applications will also be considered from students who are currently in the first year of a full-time PhD programme, or the first two years of a part-time programme. To be eligible to apply for these studentships the applicant must be UK permanent resident from a BAME background, and eligible to pay home student fees. Queen Mary’s goal is to recruit outstanding and diverse candidates across the full range of studentships.

About the Studentship award

• The award is for postgraduate PhD research students only.
• The award will cover all tuition fees whether at the Home rate or the International rate. It is therefore open to both UK and international applicants. In addition, the recipient will receive an annual maintenance grant, set at UK Research Council levels. Part-time recipients will receive the award on a pro-rata basis.
• Applicants should be aware that the School of Law PhD programme has various entrance requirements which applicants are expected to meet, including, for example, academic performance requirements relating to previously taken taught postgraduate degrees in a law or law-related subject.
• The award is renewable over three years of study while in full time enrolment, and six years of study while in part time study mode, subject to satisfactory annual progress reports.
• At the end of the three years, research students sometimes need further time to complete their research and thesis. This is known as ‘writing up’ time. Students only move to 'writing up' when their supervisor confirms that the student has submitted a satisfactory first full draft of the entire thesis for the supervisor’s review and the Director of Graduate Studies is satisfied that the student can complete within the year. The writing-up period does not attract full tuition fees, although a reduced writing up fee may be payable. A student in writing up is responsible for his/her own living costs as well as for any writing up fee.
• The award is for new applicants looking to enrol at the beginning of the coming academic year, in September 2024. Additionally, existing first year PhD students at Queen Mary who have already enrolled prior to September can apply for the award. To apply, a current student would need to submit an updated version of their Research Proposal via e-mail to [email protected]  confirming they wished to be considered for a Studentship award by the deadline.
• The School of Law PhD programme only has one entry point each year – in September. Given that most LLM courses in the UK end with graduation in November (and that entry on to our PhD programme is dependent upon your obtaining a certain grade on your LLM so as to meet our academic entry requirements), so this means for applicants currently taking their LLM in the UK (but not at QMUL) where the date of graduation falls after September 2024, and/or for applicants requiring a UK student visa who are currently taking an LLM in the UK, including at Queen Mary, then an application this year is not possible unless they have previously already taken an LLM degree.
• Successful recipients of this award may be required to undertake teaching and / or support duties within the School of Law.
• The Studentships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence. The application process for these awards is highly competitive.
• If you have any queries relating to the funding application process, please email the School of Law PhD Admissions Administrator, Mr G Skehan,  [email protected]

The deadline for Studentship applications to the School of Law is Wednesday 6 December 2023 . You must have completed both the main PhD application process, and submitted all your supporting documents, by this date. The selection process will then take place during the next couple of months and be completed in February 2024.

Notifying the School of Law of your application for Studentship funding

There is a section within the PhD online application form labelled ‘Other Information’. To notify us that you wish to apply for our Studentship award you will need to respond to the question: ‘How do you intend to finance your studies at Queen Mary?’ by choosing the option ‘I am a QMUL PG Research Studentship applicant’.

Without this notification, you will not be considered as a funding applicant. You will be treated as an applicant to our PhD programme only.

If you want to apply for Studentship funding and have already submitted your main application (without indicating that you wish to be considered for one of our funding awards) you must contact Mr Gareth Skehan, PhD Admissions Administrator, before the deadline by email on [email protected] , and state the award that you want to apply for. Without this specific email notification you will not be considered for Studentship funding.

Applicants can apply for more than one QMUL award simultaneously. Please see the relevant webpages about the other awards we offer for information on the notification process via our Online application system.

Submitting your PhD online application

Only applicants who have completed the online application process to the PhD programme prior to the funding submission deadline will be considered for funding. For information on how to make an application, what our entry requirements are, and what supporting documentation is required, see our PhD page .

To make an on-line application, you would need to visit this web-page and then click on one of the two buttons in the right hand column of the webpage (for either ‘full-time’ or ‘part-time’ study, depending upon which study mode you with to apply for).

Applicants are encouraged to contact an eligible academic staff member to secure supervision prior to submitting their main PhD application, and so prior to the funding deadline date.  Whilst applications submitted without supervision agreed will also be considered, it will aid any application for funding if they can show they have already secured supervision by the time the funding selection process takes place.

It is important to make sure that the School of Law has staff whose research interests and expertise complement your research project.  Information and guidance for applicants on how to contact academic staff can be found on the main PhD web-page, specifically in the ‘Finding a Supervisor’ section .

Queen Mary’s online application system requires applicants to confirm the name of a proposed supervisor (in the ‘Research Proposal’ section).

Finally, if you are wishing to apply for either an LISS DTP Scholarship or an LAHP Scholarship, please note these require an academic to have agreed to act as an applicant’s supervisor, and then complete and submit an application form in support of the funding application by the relevant deadline date (which is in late January 2024).  We therefore advise applicants to submit their main application no later than early December, to allow time for their Research Proposal to be considered as part of our review, and for a staff member to be appointed as a proposed supervisor in time for the relevant application documentation to be submitted prior to the deadlines in late January. 

• Skip to main content

We use cookies

Necessary cookies.

Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.

Analytics cookies

Analytical cookies help us improve our website. We use Google Analytics. All data is anonymised.

Clarity helps us to understand our users’ behaviour by visually representing their clicks, taps and scrolling. All data is anonymised.

Privacy policy

• Scholarships & funding

School of Law PhD Scholarships

About the Project

The School of Law invites applications for up to two funded PhD scholarships for doctoral research, either in Scots Private Law or UK Public Law, commencing in October 2024.  Indicative topics that would be appropriate for these awards include (but are not limited to) the following:

• For Scots Private Law (including topics in private international law): contracts and obligations, delict (including negligence), equity and trusts, family law, property law (including family property), remedies, and wills and succession.
• For UK Public Law: administrative law, devolution, the judiciary and judicial review, the executive and executive power, Parliament and parliamentary sovereignty, the rule of law, and the separation of powers.

About the School/Research Group

The University of Glasgow, founded in 1451, is one of Scotland’s ancient universities and the 4 th  oldest university in the English-speaking world. Today, the University’s School of Law is a vibrant and cosmopolitan centre for world-leading legal scholarship, recognized by the 2021 Research Excellence Framework as one of the top 5 law schools in the United Kingdom for academic research.  Further information about the University of Glasgow’s School of Law can be found at  https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/law/ . The following pages may be of particular interest:

• Research in the School of Law:  https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/law/research/
• Postgraduate research in the School of Law:  https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/law/postgraduateresearch/
• Current research students:  https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/law/research/researchstudents/

The scholarships are open to anyone who, by September 2024, will hold an honours degree in Law or an honours degree in another discipline followed by a graduate LLB. A Master’s degree (or overseas equivalent) may be an advantage but is not essential. Applicants without a Master’s degree may, if successful, be asked to register initially for the LLM by research with a view to transferring to the PhD programme at the end of their first year of study.

Applicants must have a minimum of an upper second-class honours undergraduate degree (or overseas equivalent), which should include evidence of at least some performance at first-class level (or overseas equivalent). Applicants without a Master’s degree (completed or in progress) must either have achieved (or be predicted to achieve) a first-class honours (or ‘distinction’) degree classification in their LLB (or overseas equivalent).

Please note that all applicants must also meet the entry requirements of the  Law, PhD .

Number of Scholarships

Eligible countries/regions.

• Afghanistan
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• British Virgin Islands
• Burkina Faso
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• Congo Democratic Republic of
• Cote d'Ivoire
• Czech Republic
• Dominican Republic
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Falkland Islands
• Guinea Bissau
• Korea North
• Korea South
• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Northern Ireland
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Solomon Islands
• South Africa
• South Sudan
• St Kitts and Nevis
• St Vincent and the Grenadines
• Switzerland
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United States of America
• Vatican City

Eligible programmes

• Law [PhD/LLM (Research)]

Award details

The scholarships will provide funding for three years of research towards a PhD in Law. The programme will commence in  October 2024.  The full scholarship package includes:

• An annual maintenance grant (stipend) indexed to the  UKRI rate
• Fees  at the standard Home rate rate
• Recipients can also draw on a Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of up to £940 per annum.

Applicants may apply to hold the scholarship on a part-time basis over five years: where this is the case it should be made explicit in the application. Part-time applicants must be able to commit 50% of full-time equivalent to PhD study and must include a realistic assessment of how the time required to complete a PhD will be balanced with other commitments. International applicants may have visa restrictions that preclude undertaking a PhD on a part-time basis

The scholarship does not cover fees at the international rate but successful applicants who are required to pay international fees may be able to apply separately for a waiver of the difference in fees. There will be no obligation to accept any award before a decision on such an application is confirmed.

How to apply

Please review the  How to apply   section on this  page . 

For more information contact: [email protected]

Recommended pages

• Undergraduate open days
• Postgraduate open days
• Accommodation
• Information for teachers
• Maps and directions
• Sport and fitness

Law PhD / PhD by Distance Learning / MPhil / MJur

Annual tuition fee 2025 entry: UK: £4,921 full-time, £2,461 part-time International: £22,600 full-time; £11,300 part-time (distance learning only) More detail .

• Visit an Open Day
• Request a prospectus
• Course details
• Entry Requirements
• Employability

As a postgraduate researcher at Birmingham Law School you will be contributing to more than 85 years of research tradition, working alongside some of the country's most eminent legal scholars.

Our expertise spans a wide range of areas, including commercial law, criminal law, criminal justice, judicial administration, European law, public law, human rights, international law, private law, restitution, conflicts of law, international economic law, comparative law, health and social welfare, socio-legal studies, and legal theory.

ESRC funding for PhD students

The University of Birmingham is part of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Midlands Graduate School Doctoral Training Partnership, offering ESRC PhD studentships for campus-based programmes. ESRC awards are available for a range of social science disciplines including Applied Linguistics, Area Studies (African Studies), Economic and Social History, and Socio-Legal Studies.

Find out more

Postgraduate scholarships available

The College of Arts and Law is offering a range of scholarships for our postgraduate taught and research programmes to ensure that the very best talent is nurtured and supported.

Learn more about our scholarships

AHRC funding for PhD students

The University of Birmingham is part of the Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership (M4C), offering Arts and Humanities Research Council PhD studentships for campus-based programmes. These include a number of Collaborative Doctoral Award opportunities. Each studentship includes research fees, a substantial maintenance grant and additional research training support. Applications are open until 12:00 (noon), 13 January 2021.

Scholarships for 2024 entry

The University of Birmingham is proud to offer a range of scholarships for our postgraduate programmes. With a scholarship pot worth over £2 million, we are committed to alleviating financial barriers to support you in taking your next steps.

Each scholarship has its own specific deadlines and eligibility criteria. Please familiarise yourself with the information on individual scholarship webpages prior to submitting an application.

Explore our scholarships

As well as providing expert supervision from experienced members of staff, we offer a friendly and supportive environment for our postgraduate students and consider them an integral part of the School’s  research community .

• With supervision from academic staff, our PhD programme requires you to research and write a thesis of 80,000 words that makes an original contribution to knowledge. Full-time students are expected to complete their work within three years. This programme can also be studied by Distance Learning -  see whether distance learning is an option for you .
• The MPhil programme requires you to research and write a 60,000-word thesis under the supervision of academic staff. Full-time students are expected to complete their work within two years.
• The MJur programme requires you to research and write a 40,000-word thesis under the supervision of academic staff. Full-time students are expected to complete their work within one year.

Our current Law PhD students

To find out more about the range of research currently being undertaken by our PhD students and the academics providing supervision, read our  profiles of current doctoral researchers .

At Birmingham, I have the fantastic opportunity to work with talented people from across a range of different cultural backgrounds which broadens my horizons and helps me get to know the world better. My supervisors provide great support and assistance, while I can always find activities on campus that interest me outside of my research. Yunxiang

Why study this course?

• Academic expertise : You will be supervised by experts, internationally renowned for their research in the legal field. Many of our academics ‘wrote the book’ on their area of expertise, or have been commissioned by governments and other public bodies to carry out important applied legal research. The University of Birmingham is a Top 100 University in the World (QS 2024 Rankings).
• Postgraduate community : The postgraduate community at Birmingham Law School is lively and supportive. You will have the opportunity to organise and participate in a range of research events, as well as get involved in social events. It is not without significance that several members of the School’s academic staff were themselves postgraduate students here. You can also make the most of new, dedicated postgraduate study spaces in the Law School and neighbouring Frankland Building.  Read more about the postgraduate community at Birmingham Law School . 
• Employability : Birmingham is one of the top universities in the UK for graduate employment. Our Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research (CEPLER) offers support, whether you are looking to pursue a career in law, academia or elsewhere. 

The postgraduate experience

The College of Arts and Law offers excellent support to its postgraduates, from libraries and research spaces, to careers support and funding opportunities. Learn more about your postgraduate experience .

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are as follows:

• UK: £4,921 full-time; £2,461 part-time *
• International: £22,600 full-time; £11,300 part-time (distance learning only)

The same fees apply to both campus-based and distance learning study. The distance learning programme also includes one fully-funded visit to campus in the first year of study.

The above fees quoted are for one year only; for those studying over two or more years, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

* For UK postgraduate research students the University fee level is set at Research Council rates and as such is subject to change. The final fee will be announced by Research Councils UK in spring 2025.

Eligibility for UK or international fees can be verified with Admissions. Learn more about fees for international students .

Paying your fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding .

How To Apply

Application deadlines.

Applications are accepted at any time though we strongly encourage students to begin their studies at the start of the UK academic year (September).

Before you make your application

Full details of our requirements can be found on our Applications page . 

As part of the application for admission onto our MJur, MPhil and PhD programmes, you must prepare a research proposal outlining your proposed area of study. For more information, please see our  guidance on how to write a research proposal . 

Please also see our additional guidance for applicants to the PhD Distance Learning study mode . 

Making your application

• How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate research programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online. We have put together some helpful information on the research programme application process and supporting documents on our how to apply page . Please read this information carefully before completing your application.

Our Standard Requirements

Our requirements for postgraduate research are dependent on the type of programme you are applying for:

• For MJur and MPhil programmes, entry usually requires a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree in law (or a subject related to the proposed area of research) or its international equivalent
• Typically, applicants for a PhD will also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above in law (or a subject related to the proposed area of research) or its international equivalent

Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience you may have will also taken into account.

If you are applying to study by distance learning, you will also be required to demonstrate that you have the time, commitment, facilities and experience to study by distance learning.

If your qualifications are non-standard or different from the entry requirements stated here, please email [email protected] .

International students

We accept a range of qualifications from different countries - use our handy guide below to see what qualifications we accept from your country.

English language requirements: standard language requirements apply for this course - IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band. If you are made an offer of a place to study and you do not meet the language requirement, you have the option to enrol on our English for Academic Purposes Presessional Course - if you successfully complete the course, you will be able to fulfil the language requirement without retaking a language qualification.

International Requirements

For entry to a PhD programme, any of the following Masters equivalent programmes with a minimum grade of 8/10 will be considered: - Kandidat i Shkencave (Candidate of Sciences) - Certifikate Specializimi (Specialisation Certificate) - Diplomë e Nivelit të Dytë (Second Level (University) Diploma) - Master i Arteve të Bukura (Master of Fine Arts) - Master i Nivelit të Dytë (Second Level Master's degree ) - Master i Nivelit të Parë (First level Master's degree) - Master Shkencave (Master of Science)

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 14/20 from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Argentinian university, with a promedio of at least 7.5, may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent

Applicants who hold a Masters degree will be considered for admission to PhD study.

Holders of a good four-year Diplomstudium/Magister or a Masters degree from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5 will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a good 5-year Specialist Diploma or 4-year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan, with a minimum GPA of 4/5 or 80% will be considered for entry to postgraduate taught programmes at the University of Birmingham.

For postgraduate research programmes applicants should have a good 5-year Specialist Diploma (completed after 1991), with a minimum grade point average of 4/5 or 80%, from a recognised higher education institution or a Masters or “Magistr Diplomu” or “Kandidat Nauk” from a recognised higher education institution in Azerbaijan.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0-3.3/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold a Masters degree from the University of Botswana with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (70%/B/'very good') will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Please note 4-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education. 5-year bachelor degrees from the University of Botswana are considered equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) degree.

Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

A Licenciatura or Bacharelado degree from a recognised Brazilian university:

• A grade of 7.5/10 for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement
• A grade of 6.5/10for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement

Holders of a good Bachelors degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good post-2001 Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a minimum average of 14 out of 20 (or 70%) on a 4-year Licence, Bachelor degree or Diplôme d'Etudes Superieures de Commerce (DESC) or Diplôme d'Ingénieur or a Maîtrise will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Holders of a bachelor degree with honours from a recognised Canadian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A GPA of 3.0/4, 7.0/9 or 75% is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1.

Holders of the Licenciado or equivalent Professional Title from a recognised Chilean university will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD study will preferably hold a Magister degree or equivalent.

Students with a bachelor’s degree (4 years minimum) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. However please note that we will only consider students who meet the entry guidance below. 

Please note: for the subject areas below we use the Shanghai Ranking 2023 (full table) , Shanghai Ranking 2024 (full table) and Shanghai Ranking of Chinese Art Universities 2024

需要具备学士学位（4年制）的申请人可申请研究生课程。请根据所申请的课程查看相应的入学要求。 请注意，中国院校名单参考 软科中国大学排名2023（总榜） ，  软科中国大学排名2024（总榜） ，以及 软科中国艺术类高校名单2024 。  

Business School (excluding MBA)   and School of Computer Science programmes 商学院 （ MBA除外） 及计算机学院硕士 课程入学要求

* Applicants from Group 4 institutions are only considered for the following 7 programmes

来自第四类院校的申请人仅限于申请以下7个课程：

• MSc Financial Management
• MSc Investments
• MSc Financial Technology
• MSc Economics
• MSc Financial Economics
• MSc Money, Banking and Finance
• MSc Computer Science

All other programmes (including MBA)   所有其他 硕士课程（包括 MBA）入学要求

Please contact the China Recruitment Team for any questions on the above entry requirements.

如果您对录取要求有疑问，请联系伯明翰大学中国办公室   [email protected]  

Holders of the Licenciado/Professional Title from a recognised Colombian university will be considered for our Postgraduate Diploma and Masters degrees. Applicants for PhD degrees will normally have a Maestria or equivalent.

Holders of a good bachelor degree with honours (4 to 6 years) from a recognised university with a upper second class grade or higher will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.  Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Bacclaureus (Bachelors) from a recognised Croatian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 4.0 out of 5.0, vrlo dobar ‘very good’, or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelors degree(from the University of the West Indies or the University of Technology) may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. A Class II Upper Division degree is usually equivalent to a UK 2.1. For further details on particular institutions please refer to the list below.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Masters degree or Mphil from the University of the West Indies.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, or a GPA of 3 out of 4, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalár from a recognised Czech Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, velmi dobre ‘very good’ (post-2004) or 2, velmi dobre ‘good’ (pre-2004), or a good post-2002 Magistr (Masters), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum overall grade of 7-10 out of 12 (or 8 out of 13) or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters/ Magisterkonfereus/Magister Artium degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the Licenciado or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Ecuadorian university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 70% or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Magister/Masterado or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Licenciado with excellent grades can be considered.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 75% from a recognised institution. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bakalaurusekraad from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 4/5 or B, or a good one- or two-year Magistrikraad from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with very good grades (grade B, 3.5/4 GPA or 85%) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Holders of a good Kandidaatti / Kandidat (old system), a professional title such as Ekonomi, Diplomi-insinööri, Arkkitehti, Lisensiaatti (in Medicine, Dentistry and Vetinary Medicine), or a Maisteri / Magister (new system), Lisensiaatti / Licenciat, Oikeustieteen Kandidaatti / Juris Kandidat (new system) or Proviisori / Provisor from a recognised Finnish Higher Education institution, with a minimum overall grade of 2/3 or 4/5, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters/Maîtrise with a minimum overall grade of 13 out of 20, or a Magistère / Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies / Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Specialisées / Mastère Specialis, from a recognised French university or Grande École to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

The following qualifications may be considered for entry to a Masters programme: Bachelor degree - Transliteration: Bakalavris Khariskhi Diploma in Dentistry / Medicine / Veterinary Medicine) Certified Specialist - Transliteration: Diplomirebuli Spezialisti (when studied for 4 years) (awarded between 2005 and 2010) Specialist Diploma - Transliteration: Umaghlesi Ganatlebis Diplomi (last awarded in 2005) For qualifications awarded 2005 onwards, a B or 81-90/100 can be considered equivalent to a 2.1, and a C or 71-80/100 can be considered equivalent to a 2.1. 

For qualifications awarded before 2005 on a grading scheme out of 5, the following equivalencies may be considered: 2.1 = 4.5 - 4.9, and 2.2 = 4.0 – 4.49

Holders of a Magister Artium, a Diplom or an Erstes Staatsexamen from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 2.5, or a good two-year Lizentiat / Aufbaustudium / Zweites Staatsexamen or a Masters degree from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good four-year Ptychio (Bachelor degree) with a minimum overall grade of 6.5 out of 10, from a recognised Greek university (AEI), and will usually be required to have completed a good Metaptychiako Diploma Eidikefsis (Masters degree) from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

4-year Licenciado is deemed equivalent to a UK bachelors degree. A score of 75 or higher from Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala (USAC) can be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 60 is comparable to a UK 2.2.  Private universities have a higher pass mark, so 80 or higher should be considered comparable to a UK 2.1, 70 is comparable to a UK 2.2

The Hong Kong Bachelor degree is considered comparable to British Bachelor degree standard. Students with bachelor degrees awarded by universities in Hong Kong may be considered for entry to one of our postgraduate degree programmes.

Students with Masters degrees may be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Alapfokozat / Alapképzés or Egyetemi Oklevel from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 3.5, or a good Mesterfokozat (Masters degree) or Egyetemi Doktor (university doctorate), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a 60% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of the 4 year Sarjana (S1) from a recognised Indonesian institution will be considered for postgraduate study. Entry requirements vary with a minimum requirement of a GPA of 2.8.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution, with 100 out of 110 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students who hold the Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies, Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Students with a Bachelor degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for entry to a postgraduate Masters degree provided they achieve a sufficiently high overall score in their first (Bachelor) degree. A GPA of 3.0/4.0 or a B average from a good Japanese university is usually considered equivalent to a UK 2:1.

Students with a Masters degree from a recognised university in Japan will be considered for PhD study. A high overall grade will be necessary to be considered.

Students who have completed their Specialist Diploma Мамаң дипломы/Диплом специалиста) or "Magistr" (Магистр дипломы/Диплом магистра) degree (completed after 1991) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate Masters degrees and, occasionally, directly for PhD degrees.  Holders of a Bachelor "Bakalavr" degree (Бакалавр дипломы/Диплом бакалавра) from a recognised higher education institution, with a minimum GPA of  2.67/4.00 for courses requiring a UK lower second and 3.00/4.00 for courses requiring a UK upper second class degree, may also be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/50

Holders of a good Postgraduate Diploma (professional programme) from a recognised university or institution of Higher Education, with a minimum overall grade of 7.5 out of 10, or a post-2000 Magistrs, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a score of 16/20 or 80% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in Libya will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of a Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved score of 70% for 2:1 equivalency or 65% for 2:2 equivalency. Alternatively students will require a minimum of 3.0/4.0 or BB to be considered.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magistras from a recognised university with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, or a good post-2001 Magistras, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, or a Diplôme d'Études Supérieures Spécialisées (comparable to a UK PGDip) or Masters degree from a recognised Luxembourgish Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees (70-74% or A or Marginal Distinction from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 60-69% or B or Bare Distinction/Credit is considered comparable to a UK 2.2).

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Malaysian institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum of 3.0) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good Bachelors degree from the University of Malta with a minimum grade of 2:1 (Hons), and/or a Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (Honours) from a recognised institution (including the University of Mauritius) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2:1).

Students who hold the Licenciado/Professional Titulo from a recognised Mexican university with a promedio of at least 8 will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.

Students who have completed a Maestria from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree, licence or Maîtrise and a Masters degree, with a score of 14/20 or 70% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Students with a good four year honours degree from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at the University of Birmingham. PhD applications will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Doctoraal from a recognised Dutch university with a minimum overall grade of 7 out of 10, and/or a good Masters degree, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree (minimum 4 years and/or level 400) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) with a minimum GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of B/Very Good or 1.6-2.5 for a 2.1 equivalency, and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters, Mastergrad, Magister. Artium, Sivilingeniør, Candidatus realium or Candidatus philologiae degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with a CGPA of 3.0/4 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised university in the Palestinian Territories will be considered for postgraduate study. Holders of Bachelors degree will normally be expected to have achieved a GPA of 3/4 or 80% for 2:1 equivalency or a GPA of 2.5/4 or 70% for 2:2 equivalency.    

Holders of the Título de Licenciado /Título de (4-6 years) or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Paraguayan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Grades of 4/5 or higher can be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  The Título Intermedio is a 2-3 year degree and is equivalent to a HNC, it is not suitable for postgraduate entry but holders of this award could be considered for second year undergraduate entry or pre-Masters.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría / Magister or equivalent qualification, but holders of the Título/Grado de Licenciado/a with excellent grades can be considered.

Holders of the Bachiller, Licenciado, or Título Profesional with at least 13/20 may be considered as UK 2.1 equivalent.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Título de Maestría or equivalent qualification.

Holders of a good pre-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4 out of 5, dobry ‘good’, and/or a good Swiadectwo Ukonczenia Studiów Podyplomowych (Certificate of Postgraduate Study) or post-2001 Magister from a recognised Polish university with a minimum overall grade of 4.5/4+ out of 5, dobry plus 'better than good', will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Licenciado from a recognised university, or a Diploma de Estudos Superiores Especializados (DESE) from a recognised Polytechnic Institution, with a minimum overall grade of 16 out of 20, and/or a good Mestrado / Mestre (Masters) from a recognised university, will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree from a recognised Romanian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8 out of 10, and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree/Diploma de Master/Diploma de Studii Academice Postuniversitare (Postgraduate Diploma - Academic Studies) or Diploma de Studii Postuniversitare de Specializare (Postgraduate Diploma - Specialised Studies) to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Диплом Специалиста (Specialist Diploma) or Диплом Магистра (Magistr) degree from recognised universities in Russia (minimum GPA of 4.0) will be considered for entry to taught postgraduate programmes/PhD study.

Students who hold a 4-year Bachelor degree with at least 16/20 or 70% will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a Maitrise, Diplome d'Etude Approfondies,Diplome d'Etude Superieures or Diplome d'Etude Superieures Specialisees will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. A score of 14-15/20 or Bien from a well ranked institution is considered comparable to a UK 2.1, while a score of 12-13/20 or Assez Bien is considered comparable to a UK 2.2

Students who hold a Bachelor (Honours) degree from a recognised institution with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 or 3.5/5.0 (or a score of 60-69% or B+) from a well ranked institution will be considered for most our Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees with a 2:1 requirement.

Students holding a good Bachelors Honours degree will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a good three-year Bakalár or pre-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 1.5, B, Vel’mi dobrý ‘very good’, and/or a good Inžinier or a post-2002 Magister from a recognised Slovakian Higher Education institution will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Diploma o pridobljeni univerzitetni izobrazbi (Bachelors degree), Diplomant (Professionally oriented first degree), Univerzitetni diplomant (Academically oriented first degree) or Visoko Obrazovanja (until 1999) from a recognised Slovenian Higher Education institution with a minimum overall grade of 8.0 out of 10, and/or a good Diploma specializacija (Postgraduate Diploma) or Magister (Masters) will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students who hold a Bachelor Honours degree (also known as Baccalaureus Honores / Baccalaureus Cum Honoribus) from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (70%) or a distinction (75%).

Holders of a Masters degree will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a Bachelor degree from a recognised South Korean institution (usually with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average 3.0/4.0 or 3.2/4.5) will be considered for Masters programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 7 out of 10 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and will usually be required to have completed a Masters degree, with 60-74% or a CGPA 3.30/4.0 or higher for 2:1 equivalency from a recognised institution to be considered for entry. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Kandidatexamen (Bachelors degree) or Yrkesexamen (Professional Bachelors degree) from a recognised Swedish Higher Education institution with the majority of subjects with a grade of VG (Val godkänd), and/or a good Magisterexamen (Masters degree), International Masters degree or Licentiatexamen (comparable to a UK Mphil), will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good "PostGraduate Certificate" or "PostGraduate Diploma" or a Masters degree from a recognised Swiss higher education institution (with a minimum GPA of 5/6 or 8/10 or 2/5 (gut-bien-bene/good) for a 2.1 equivalence) may be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree, with a GPA of 3.0/4.0, 3.5/5 or 75% from a recognised institution to be considered. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

Holders of a good Bachelor degree (from 75% to 85% depending upon the university in Taiwan) from a recognised institution will be considered for postgraduate Masters study. Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.  Most taught Masters programmes require a minimum of an upper second class degree (2.1) Students who have completed a Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of a good Masters degree from a recognised institution will be considered for entry to our postgraduate research programmes.

Holders of a good Masters degree or Mphil from a recognised university will be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes.

Students with a Bachelors degree from the following universities may be considered for entry to postgraduate programmes:

• Ateneo de Manila University - Quezon City
• De La Salle University - Manila
• University of Santo Tomas
• University of the Philippines - Diliman

Students from all other institutions with a Bachelors and a Masters degree or relevant work experience may be considered for postgraduate programmes.

Grading Schemes

1-5 where 1 is the highest 2.1 = 1.75 2.2 = 2.25 

Out of 4.0 where 4 is the highest 2.1 = 3.0 2.2 = 2.5

Letter grades and percentages 2.1 = B / 3.00 / 83% 2.2 = C+ / 2.5 / 77%

Holders of a postdoctoral qualification from a recognised institution will be considered for PhD study.  Students may be considered for PhD study if they have a Masters from one of the above listed universities.

Holders of a Lisans Diplomasi with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 from a recognised university will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.

Holders of a Yuksek Diplomasi from a recognised university will be considered for PhD study.

Students who hold a Bachelor degree from a recognised institution will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. Most Masters programmes will require a second class upper (2.1) or GPA of 3.5/5.0

Applicants for postgraduate research programmes should hold a good Bachelors degree / Диплом бакалавра (Dyplom Bakalavra), Диплом спеціаліста (Specialist Diploma) or a Dyplom Magistra from a recognised Ukrainian higher education institution with a minimum GPA of 4.0/5.0, 3.5/4, 8/12 or 80% or higher for 2:1 equivalence and will usually be required to have completed a good Masters degree to be considered for entry to postgraduate research programmes. Applicants with lower grades than this may be considered on an individual basis.

The University will consider students who hold an Honours degree from a recognised institution in the USA with a GPA of:

• 2.8 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:2 requirement 
• 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) for entry to programmes with a 2:1 requirement 

Please note that some subjects which are studied at postgraduate level in the USA, eg. Medicine and Law, are traditionally studied at undergraduate level in the UK.

Holders of the Magistr Diplomi (Master's degree) or Diplomi (Specialist Diploma), awarded by prestigious universities, who have attained high grades in their studies will be considered for postgraduate study.  Holders of the Fanlari Nomzodi (Candidate of Science), where appropriate, will be considered for PhD study.

Holders of the Licenciatura/Título or an equivalent professional title from a recognised Venezuelan university may be considered for entry to a postgraduate degree programme. Scales of 1-5, 1-10 and 1-20 are used, an overall score of 70% or equivalent can be considered equivalent to a UK 2.1.  Applicants for PhD level study will preferably hold a Maestria or equivalent qualification

Holders of a Bachelors degree from a recognised Vietnamese institution (usually achieved with the equivalent of a second class upper or a grade point average minimum GPA of 7.0 and above) will be considered for postgraduate study at Diploma or Masters level.  Holders of a Masters degree (thac si) will be considered for entry to PhD programmes.

Students who hold a Masters degree with a minimum GPA of 3.5/5.0 or a mark of 2.0/2.5 (A) will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees.   

Students who hold a good Bachelor Honours degree will be considered for Postgraduate Diplomas and Masters degrees. 

Members of Birmingham Law School are active in research and publication, and many of their books have become standard works on numerous areas of law. Academics working in the School are well known for carrying out important applied legal research, much of it commissioned by the government and other public bodies.

Birmingham Law School staff research supervision areas

• Commercial and company law (include banking, international commercial law, corporate governance)
• Comparative law (including civil law)
• Constitutional and administrative law (including legal response to terrorism)
• Criminal law and criminal justice (including international criminal law and evidence) 
• Environmental law
• European Union law
• Health and health care law
• Human rights and civil liberties
• International law and global legal studies (to include conflicts,  international economic law, International sale of goods, international trade law, transitional justice, law and development, international economic law, international criminal law)  
• Jurisprudence and legal theory
• Law and society (disability law, law and religion, gender and sexuality) 
• Legal education and the legal profession (legal education, judicial administration)
• Private law (contract, tort, restitution and common law)
• Property law (including intellectual property)

The University of Birmingham is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits, according to The Graduate Market 2024 report .

Your degree will provide excellent preparation for your future career, but this can also be enhanced by a range of employability support services offered by the University and the College of Arts and Law.

The University's Careers Network  provides expert guidance and activities especially for postgraduates, which will help you achieve your career goals. The College of Arts and Law also has a dedicated  careers and employability team  who offer tailored advice and a programme of College-specific careers events.

You will be encouraged to make the most of your postgraduate experience and will have the opportunity to:

• Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on your job applications, writing your CV and improving your interview technique, whether you are looking for a career inside or outside of academia
• Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations
• Attend an annual programme of careers fairs, skills workshops and conferences, including bespoke events for postgraduates in the College of Arts and Law
• Take part in a range of activities to demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers and enhance your CV

What’s more, you will be able to access our full range of careers support for up to 2 years after graduation. 

Postgraduate employability: Law

Postgraduate research students have the opportunity to benefit from extensive careers advice and employability support from the Law School. If you are interested in a qualifying as a lawyer, you have access to a wide range of events and activities, including regular visits from major law firms and barristers’ chambers. All of our careers and employability activities are organised through the Law School’s  Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research . Over the past 5 years, 83% of our postgraduates were in work and/or further study 6 months after graduation (DLHE 2012 – 2017).

If a career in academia is your goal, we have an annual lecture and exclusive advice sessions for postgraduate researchers, which includes support to develop you career profile and secure a job in higher education. It is not without significance that several members of the Law School’s academic staff were themselves postgraduate students here.

• Online chat events
• Ask our students

• Schools & departments

Edinburgh Law School & Cameron PhD Studentships

Edinburgh Law School offers a number of full PhD studentships, one of which is provided through a generous bequest from alumnus Ewen Cameron in his name.

These scholarships will pay tuition fees and an annual stipend in line with UKRI rates (approximately £18,662 per annum). The stipend will be paid in equal monthly instalments for a maximum of three years, subject to satisfactory progress. Awards will be paid pro-rata for part-time candidates.

Eligibility

Candidates for these scholarships must be seeking to start their first year of full-time or part-time PhD study in the Edinburgh Law School within the academic year 2024/25 (i.e. either September 2024 or January 2025 entry).  UK and international students are eligible to apply. Please note that international students are not eligible for part-time study.

To be considered for these scholarships, you must meet the School’s standard minimum entry requirements. See Entry Requirements at: How to apply | Edinburgh Law School .

The successful candidates normally exceed these requirements, having obtained the highest classification in at least one of their degrees, and provide a strong research proposal which has a close fit with research within the School.

Applications are welcome across the full range of legal and law-related subjects.

Please note that one scholarship will be ring-fenced under our Athena Swan action plan to support a project that deals with questions of equality, diversity or social justice. This can include projects on families and relationships, gender and sexuality, employment, crime and justice, environment, peace, war and conflict, and human rights.

When making decisions the School will consider the applicant’s academic achievements, research proposal, fit with our research expertise, and the degree of support provided by references. The School will not take into account factors such as financial status and nationality.

Successful applicants will be expected to firmly accept the offer when the results of the application process are announced. Candidates who already have an offer of financial sponsorship from elsewhere will not be eligible.

Applications for 2024-2025 are now closed as the 1st February 2024 deadline has passed.

Please note that the application to the PhD Law programme must be submitted at least ten working days prior to the scholarship application deadline.

Eligible applicants should apply for admission to the PhD Law programme. You can find further information on how to apply for admission to the programme at How to apply | Edinburgh Law School .

Frequently Asked Questions

Notification

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of April 2024.

Contact Details

[email protected]

This article was published on 2024-05-29

Graduate Scholarships

New Applicants

You will automatically be considered for all Faculty awards and all chambers awards for which you are eligible. Other scholarships may require you to complete a separate application procedure; if so, there will be information about how to apply in the scholarship description.

Current PRS and DPhil students

The application process is currently under review. Please check back here from time-to-time for current information.

Take a look at our  Graduate Scholars  and find out more about their experiences.

3 Verulam Buildings Scholarship

4 new square chambers scholarship, alastair mcbain international human rights law scholarship.

Mansfield College

All Souls Hugh Springer Graduate Scholarships

Oxford University Scholarships

Allan Myers Scholarships

Ann kennedy graduate scholarship in law.

Lady Margaret Hall

Arts and Humanities Research Council Awards

Full funding for research students

Barnett Bequest scholarship

Merton College and Faculty of Law

BCL and MJur needs-based bursaries

Faculty of Law

BCL and MJur Scholarships

Brasenose College and Faculty of Law

BCL Scholarship

Magdalen College and Faculty of Law

BCL Scholarships

Jesus College and Faculty of Law

Beer Family Scholarship

Lady Margaret Hall and Faculty of Law

Clarendon Scholarships

Full funding for graduate students

COMBAR/Oxford Faculty of Law Scholarships

Funding for black and mixed black ethnicity students ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom, commencing the BCL

Commonwealth Distance Learning Scholarships

MSc in International Human Rights Law

Cornelia Sorabji Scholarship

Somerville College and Faculty of Law

Crankstart Graduate Scholarships

Daniel slifkin scholarship.

St John's College

Des Voeux Chambers Oxford Scholarship

Dphil bame scholarship.

Christ Church and Faculty of Law

Oriel College and Faculty of Law

Dr and Mrs Ambriti Salve Scholarship

Exeter College and Faculty of Law

Eldon Law Scholarship

Esrc scholarships.

DPhil in Criminology and DPhil in Socio-Legal Studies

Ethics in AI Scholarship

Full DPhil Scholarship supported by Schmidt Futures grant (the Institute for Ethics in AI)

Ewald Scholarship

The Queen's College and Faculty of Law

Felix Scholarship

Studentships and doctoral training

Get a studentship to fund your doctorate.

UKRI studentships offer funding for doctoral research. They also offer you access to training, networking and development opportunities to help you build a research and innovation career.

Our expectations for research organisations, supervisors and students are set out in the statement of expectations for doctoral training .

You could get:

• a minimum stipend of £19,237 per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular instalments
• support for your tuition fees (minimum £4,786 per year)

The stipend is usually non-taxable and does not need to be paid back. Some research organisations may offer more if you study in London, or they or one of their collaborators might decide to top up the payment. This will be outlined in the studentship advert from the research organisation.

We normally pay the support for tuition fees directly to your research organisation.

The levels given here are for the academic year 2024 to 2025. UKRI’s approach to doctoral stipend and fee levels will be reviewed through the  new deal for postgraduate research .

Additional support for your doctoral studies

As a UKRI-funded doctoral student, you may be able to access additional funding to cover the cost of other related training and development opportunities.

This could include:

• conference attendance
• language training
• overseas research visits
• internships or placements with a non-academic partner

The availability of support will depend on the research organisation and the training grants they have on offer. You should contact the research organisation you are interested in applying to, to find out what you could get.

Extra support if you have a disability

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) on top of your studentship.

You should speak to your research organisation’s disability advisor to assess your needs. They can help put the right support in place, including a DSA application if necessary. You cannot claim DSA directly from UKRI.

DSA helps to cover the cost of any additional support that a person studying for a doctorate might need as a result of a disability, mental health problem or specific learning difficulty.

The allowance covers:

• non-medical personal assistance
• specialist equipment
• extra travel costs
• general expenses

Find out more about DSA in our framework .

If you are a research organisation you can download claim forms and guidance for DSA .

Who can apply

Any prospective doctoral student wishing to study at a UK research organisation, including prospective international students, can apply for a UKRI studentship.

All UKRI-funded doctoral students will be eligible for the full award, both the stipend to support living costs, and home-level fees at the UK research organisation rate.

How to find opportunities

Many UK research organisations offer some form of studentship funding from UKRI. These opportunities will depend on the subject you want to study and will normally be advertised by the research organisations.

Research organisations may have additional opportunities that do not involve UKRI. UKRI supports around 20% of all UK-based postgraduate researchers. You should speak to the research organisation you are interested in to find out what studentships are available.

You could also consider using a specialist website like   FindaPhD  to look for opportunities.

When to apply

Research organisations set their own deadlines for applications.

Many open for applications early in the academic year and close in January or February. This is not a hard and fast rule. It is important that you check the deadlines for the research organisation where you want to study.

How to apply

You cannot apply to UKRI for a studentship. You must contact the research organisation you are interested in studying with and use their application process.

For doctoral students who are already studying with a studentship, there are opportunities to get additional funding to support placements that are separate from your doctorate.  Find training and development opportunities .

Last updated: 14 February 2024

This is the website for UKRI: our seven research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Let us know if you have feedback or would like to help improve our online products and services .

We have 29 Law PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for UK Students in the UK

United Kingdom

Institution

All Institutions

All PhD Types

I am a UK student

Law PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships for UK Students in the UK

Law and criminology: fully funded esrc wales graduate school for the social sciences (wgsss) studentship in the empirical studies in law and criminology pathway, phd research project.

PhD Research Projects are advertised opportunities to examine a pre-defined topic or answer a stated research question. Some projects may also provide scope for you to propose your own ideas and approaches.

Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

This project has funding attached, subject to eligibility criteria. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but its funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

Law PhD Studentships

Funded phd programme (students worldwide).

Some or all of the PhD opportunities in this programme have funding attached. Applications for this programme are welcome from suitably qualified candidates worldwide. Funding may only be available to a limited set of nationalities and you should read the full programme details for further information.

Law Research Programme

Law Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Transforming endometriosis care in Europe: an integrated approach to enhance understanding, diagnosis, tailored management and patient empowerment

Lse phd studentships for 2025/26 entry, social sciences research programme.

Social Sciences Research Programmes present a range of research opportunities, shaped by a university’s particular expertise, facilities and resources. You will usually identify a suitable topic for your PhD and propose your own project. Additional training and development opportunities may also be offered as part of your programme.

Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) - General Studentships 2025

Esrc & ahrc phd studentships 2024/25, competition funded phd project (students worldwide).

This project is in competition for funding with other projects. Usually the project which receives the best applicant will be successful. Unsuccessful projects may still go ahead as self-funded opportunities. Applications for the project are welcome from all suitably qualified candidates, but potential funding may be restricted to a limited set of nationalities. You should check the project and department details for more information.

ESRC WGSSS studentship in Criminology and Law

Arts and humanities studentships available at the university of sussex via chase doctoral training partnership, ahrc doctoral training partnership.

AHRC Doctoral Training Partnerships are set up by universities to provide research and training opportunities for PhD students, funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council. Applicants usually propose their own PhD topics, but some DTPs may advertise specific research opportunities. Students may receive additional training and development opportunities as part of their programme.

Identifying and Challenging Rape Culture in the Media

Funded phd project (uk students only).

This research project has funding attached. It is only available to UK citizens or those who have been resident in the UK for a period of 3 years or more. Some projects, which are funded by charities or by the universities themselves may have more stringent restrictions.

Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS), ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) Studentships in Law and Criminology

Reforming the regulation of healthcare professionals in the united states, the centre for rural economy percy phd award: phd studentship to research farm tenancies in the north east of england, probable futures – probabilistic systems in law enforcement futures (reference: rdf24/ee/cis/montague, probable futures – probabilistic systems in law enforcement futures (reference: rdf24/bl/law/oswald).

FindAPhD. Copyright 2005-2024 All rights reserved.

Unknown    ( change )

Have you got time to answer some quick questions about PhD study?

Select your nearest city

You haven’t completed your profile yet. To get the most out of FindAPhD, finish your profile and receive these benefits:

• Monthly chance to win one of ten £10 Amazon vouchers ; winners will be notified every month.*
• The latest PhD projects delivered straight to your inbox
• Access to our £6,000 scholarship competition
• Weekly newsletter with funding opportunities, research proposal tips and much more
• Early access to our physical and virtual postgraduate study fairs

Or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

or begin browsing FindAPhD.com

*Offer only available for the duration of your active subscription, and subject to change. You MUST claim your prize within 72 hours, if not we will redraw.

Create your account

Looking to list your PhD opportunities? Log in here .

Filtering Results

King's College London

Funding for doctoral research.

We have a broad range of funding for PhD students. This includes fully-funded scholarship programmes, a financial aid scheme and various smaller funds to support training & development, community building and conference travel.

If you're a potential student and need funding, we suggest you search our funding database .

Our funding opportunities include:

• Our cohort training programmes or Doctoral Training Entities
• Individual scholarships
• Funding for Black and Global Majority students
• Funding for international students
• Funding that includes a period of time overseas

Find out more about funding support available

• If you already have funding we can help you identify a supervisor for your research.
• If you're already a PhD student in the UK or abroad and want to spend some time at King’s as a visiting research student.
• If you're interesting in partnering with us please take a look at King's Doctoral College Partners.
• If you're a King’s student or supervisor looking for funding, please see the internal King’s Doctoral College hub for detailed guidance.

King’s Doctoral College manages King’s doctoral studentships budget. This enables us to deliver on King’s Doctoral Strategy in terms of the size and breadth of our doctoral community and the quality of experience for both students and supervisors.

Helping you go further

Exciting opportunities to explore as a research student at King's.

International student research funding

Funding opportunities for international research students.

Funding opportunities

Search our database to discover opportunities you may be eligible for.

• Accessibility Tools
• Current Students
• Postgraduate
• Postgraduate scholarships and bursaries
• Research Scholarships

Law and Criminology: Fully Funded ESRC Wales Graduate School for the Social Sciences (WGSSS) Studentship in the Empirical Studies in Law and Criminology pathway (RS693)

• An introduction to postgraduate study
• Postgraduate Taught Courses
• Taught Master's Scholarships
• Contact the Postgrad Admissions team
• Postgraduate Research Programmes
• How to Apply For Your Postgraduate Course
• Postgraduate Fees and Funding
• Postgraduate Open Days
• Apply Online
• Postgraduate Careers and Employability
• Accommodation
• Postgraduate Study Video Hub
• Why study at Swansea
• Academi Hywel Teifi
• Student life
• Student Services
• Information for parents and advisors
• Enrolment, Arrivals and Welcome
• Postgraduate Enquiry
• Postgraduate programme changes
• Meet our postgraduate students
• Postgraduate Prospectus
• Fast-track for current students

Closing date: 11 December 2024

Key Information

Funding provider(s): ESRC WGSSS 50%; Swansea University 50%  

Subject area(s): WGSSS ESRC studentship Empirical Studies in Law and Criminology pathway  

Project start date(s) :  1 October 202 5 (Enrolment open from mid-September)  

Supervisors:  

This studentship is an ‘open’ award. Applicants should approach a potential supervisor before submitting their application to confirm that there is appropriate supervisory capacity within the University and to discuss their draft application. Information on the research interests of our staff can be found on the Swansea University webpages . Short descriptions of each accredited pathway are available on the  ESRC Wales DTP website .   

The Swansea-based representatives for the pathway, Michelle Coleman and Mike Harrison, might be able to advise you.   

Pathway Lead : Emma Nishio   (Law) & Mike Harrison (Criminology)    

Aligned programme of study:  PhD in Criminology, or PhD in Law  

Mode of study :  Full or part-time study is possible.  

Please note that full-time ESRC studentship award holders cannot hold either a full-time job, permanent part-time job or temporary role for an extended period of time, during the period of their award. Part-time ESRC studentship award holders cannot hold a full-time job.  

Project description:  

Swansea University, supported by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership for Wales (Wales DTP), invites applications for PhD study in Criminology, and Law, with the possibility of being awarded a fully funded ESRC DTP studentship, available to start in October 2025.  

The ESRC Wales DTP, has for many years, supported postgraduate research at Swansea University by awarding applicants funded studentships through its annual competition.  Applicants will be supported by a dedicated team of postgraduate research professionals and supervised by highly experienced academics in either Criminology or Law.      

Criminology sits within the School of Social Sciences, adding complementary interdisciplinarity in legal studies, the Wales Observatory on Human Rights of Children and Young People, the Centre for Social Change, and the collaborative Centre for Criminal Justice and Criminology (CCJC). The CCJC undertakes interdisciplinary empirical research on areas including youth justice policy, drug policies and criminality, policing, sports criminology, sex work, crimes of the powerful, the political economy of crime in the Global South, maritime security and crime, terrorism and cybercrime. Swansea University also hosts the ESRC Administrative Data Research Centre (Wales), which facilitates access to linked, de-identified administrative data in a secure environment.

The School of Law is located within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, providing a unique setting within which to conduct empirical or socio-legal research connecting with law the concerns and methods of social science. Swansea’s School of Law has an active and vibrant research culture including: CCJC; Cyber Threats Research Centre (CYTREC); Institute of International Shipping and Trade Law (IISTL); Observatory on Human Rights of Children; and the Governance and Human Rights Research Group. Previously the School has supported studentships across a wide range of sub-disciplines, including: public and constitutional law; legal education; human rights; disability law; asylum law; tort law; environmental law; European Union law and governance; family law; perceptions of risk in third sector sporting clubs; banking and environmental risk; comparative Welsh/English housing law/policy; and constitutional perspectives on Welsh Devolution.     Students following a ‘1+3.5’ route will undertake the MSc Social Research Methods course that develops a breadth of methodological capacity as well as having specialist modules and a supervised dissertation that is more subject-specific. Students will predominately be based at Swansea University, although will be invited to attend Wales DTP events at other locations in Wales.  Throughout the PhD, all Wales DTP students come together for joint workshops, residential courses, and annual conferences. Seminars include those organised by the Welsh Centre for Crime and Social Justice Conference (held at Gregynog, Powys) each year, who also hold residential postgraduate training days. In these, and other events, students work and present alongside established researchers.  

Duration of study:  

The duration of study is dependent on prior research experience and training needs which will be assessed by completing an Initial Development Needs Analysis (Initial DNA) at the application stage and a Full DNA prior to award if successful.   

Duration of study may vary from 3.5-4.5 years, full time (or part time equivalent) dependent on your prior research experience.   

Swansea University, in conjunction with colleagues in the WGSS, will undertake an assessment of the successful applicant’s training needs and work with them to tailor the training they are offered to meet their research needs. This might take the form a full master's course, or might be comprised of individual courses designed to enhance skills required for their chosen area of study.  

Research in practice placement:       All WGSSS funded students are required to complete a funded Research in Practice placement of 3-months in total (or part-time equivalent). All students will have the opportunity to complete a placement in academia, policy, business or civil society organisations.    

Eligibility

To receive ESRC studentship funding, you must have qualifications or experience equal to an honours degree at a first or upper second-class level, or a masters from a UK academic research organisation.   

Students with non-traditional academic backgrounds are also welcome to apply.  

WGSSS studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students. International students will not be charged the fee difference between the UK and international rate. Applicants should satisfy the UKRI eligibility requirements .    

The WGSSS is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive environment for all. We welcome applications from all members of the global community irrespective of age, disability, sex, gender identity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation.   

We welcome applications for both full and part-time study.  

English Language:  IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.0) or Swansea University recognised equivalent.  Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here.  

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance;  further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.  

ATAS clearance  IS NOT required  to be held as part of the scholarship application process, successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with scholarship course offer.

The studentship funded by the ESRC covers tuition fees and an annual tax-free living stipend in line with  UKRI  minimum  rates  (currently £19,237 for 2024/25).

If you have a disability, you may be entitled to a  Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)  on top of your studentship.   

Students also have  access to a Research Training Support Grant, worth up to £750 per year.

How to Apply

To apply, please  complete your application online   with the following information:

In the event you have already applied for the above programme previously, the application system may issue a warning notice and prevent application, in this event, please email  [email protected]  where staff will be happy to assist you in submitting your application.

• Start year  – please select  2025
• Funding (page 8)  –
• ‘Are you funding your studies yourself?’ – please select  No
• ‘Name of Individual or organisation providing funds for study’ – please enter  ‘RS693 - WGSSS 1 '

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):

• Set out your reasons and motivation for applying to study at Swansea University, and the  Empirical Studies in Law and Criminology pathway.
• Please detail your understanding, and expectations of doctoral study. 
• Provide detail of your academic interests generally, and particularly of those relating to your proposed research.
• Drawing on your own background (including your life experiences, journey to/through university, work experiences or volunteering) please provide a summary of why you are ready to undertake a PhD now and how you will flourish as a result of PhD funding. You might include, for example, personal challenges that you have overcome or achievements that you are proud of in your work, study or life experiences and how these map onto the skills required to flourish in a PhD programme. Challenges could include, but are not limited to, protected characteristics, socio-economic status and of being a prospective first-generation student or care- experienced.
• Reflecting on your own background and/or proposed approach to PhD study and the opportunities which it will present, how will you support diversity and inclusion in the PhD community?
• Academic CV  (two pages maximum)
• Title, aims and purpose of the research; 
• Brief overview of the academic literature relevant to your field; 
• Proposed design/methods;  
• Academic contributions of your research;
• Bibliographic References.
• Candidates must approach referees themselves and include references with their application. The reference must detail the applicant’s research strengths.  
• Degree certificates and Transcripts  (including translations if applicable)
• If relevant,  proof of English Language Competency (see institutional requirements for entry)
• Copy of  UK resident visa  (if applicable)

Assessment:  

Applicants are reminded to submit all relevant documents (transcripts, supporting statement, etc) by the deadline. Due to the volume of applications received, incomplete applications will not be considered.   

  Application deadline: 11 th December 2024  

Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews are expected to take place in January and February 2025. As part of the interview process, applicants will be asked to give a short presentation and answer a series of panel questions consistent with previous practice on the pathway during the Wales DTP and guided by the WGSSS’s commitments on EDI.   

Interviews may be held in person but should also be available through Zoom/Teams for all students who wish to participate in that way.   

Most applicants can expect to hear the outcome of their interview within 10-12 weeks.  

Informal enquiries are welcome, please contact Dr Mike Harrison:  [email protected]  (Criminology) or Dr Emma Nishio:  [email protected]  (Law)

*External Partner Application Data Sharing  – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.

Browser does not support script.

• Prospective Students
• Current Students

Lauren Bursey, LSE Law PhD Student, wins Canadian Centennial Scholarship

10 october 2024.

Congratulations to Lauren Bursey, an LSE Law School PhD candidate, has won the 2024/25 Canadian Centennial Scholarship , a prestigious award for outstanding students from across Canada who are enrolled in postgraduate programmes at UK universities, colleges, institutes or conservatories. Her research focuses on the illicit trade in antiquities and the role of non-State actors and market intermediaries in effectively enforcing the transnational regime to protect cultural heritage and prevent the illicit trade. 

Click here for more information about Lauren and her research.

The Bartlett School of Planning

• Urban planning PhD funding and scholarships

Planning MPhil/PhD scholarships and funding

The Bartlett School of Planning's MPhil/PhD students are eligible for funding to support their research throughout the course of their MPhil/PhD.

Whether you are a current student or a prospective student there are a range of funding to support you whilst you are undertaking your MPhil/PhD research available from our Faculty and beyond.

Find opportunities for:   Prospective students  |  Current students

Funding for prospective students

Funded studentships are available for urban studies, planning and spatial science through the UBEL Doctoral Training Partnership.

Find out more on the UBEL website ►

The Bartlett Promise is a long-term project to tackle the lack of diversity in the built environment. This scholarship is open to  UK domiciled students with home fee status  pursuing a  Bartlett PhD programme . 

Find out more about The Bartlett Promise PhD Scholarship ►

UCL's Research Opportunity Scholarship supports UK resident Black Asian and Minority Ethnic postgraduate research degree students and is open to both prospective and current students.

Find out about the UCL Research Opportunity Scholarship ►

UCL’s Research Excellence Scholarship is a new prestigious scholarship which aims to attract outstanding scholars to undertake doctoral research at UCL. Both prospective and current UCL doctoral students from any country can apply.

Find out about the UCL Research Excellence Scholarship ►

You might be eligible for other scholarship and funding opportunities on the basis of your personal circumstances, your country of domicile or your academic achievements. You can explore these on the

UCL postgraduate research funding page ►

Funding for current students

Our faculty, The Bartlett offers funds available to current students through competition annually.

Find out more on The Bartlett's Scholarships and Funding webpage ►

Register your interest

Register your interest in postgraduate degrees ►