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Law postgraduate research degrees

Postgraduate research in law

Ready to start your research career? Explore our postgraduate research degrees in law

If you're ready to take your expertise and qualifications in Law into a postgraduate research degree, Portsmouth is the perfect place to do it.

As a postgraduate researcher, you could explore how our laws and legal system shape society and affect the daily lives of people at all levels within it. Your research outputs could be used by governments, organisations and individuals in the development and implementation of new legal policies.

Examples of our research include our work around  will and inheritance laws  and the sale of ivory in the UK. When you study for a postgraduate research degree with us, you'll make your own contribution to our exceptional work.

Types of research degrees

Find out about our PhD, MPhil and PhD by Publication opportunities in Law below, including how to apply, entry requirements and funding your degree. For more detailed information about the application process, visit our  How to Apply  pages.

Law PhDs and MPhils

Explore our pre-approved funded and self-funded PhD projects in Law, or submit your own research idea. 

PhD and MPhil projects

Funded projects.

There are currently no funded PhD projects available in this area – for more information on funding your own research project, visit our pages on  funding your research degree .

Self-funded projects

• Equality Law and Employment Law after Brexit
• Establishing Human Rights Frameworks for AI Regulation

Submit your own idea

If you already have a research idea, find a supervisor whose research interests match yours by searching our  Find a PhD Supervisor  page. Once you've identified someone suitable, contact them to discuss your idea.

PhD by Publication

A PhD by publication is a postgraduate research degree based on research you've already undertaken and had published (excluding self-publishing) before registering with us.

Eligible research outputs include peer-reviewed academic papers, complete books or chapters in anthologies, and other materials accepted for publication, exhibited or performed. You'll have to submit these materials for examination between 6–12 months after registering with us.

For more information, please visit our  PhD by Publication  page.

Duration, fees and funding 

What do my tuition fees cover.

If you're self-funding your PhD, you'll pay tuition fees to the University to cover course and university costs.

Your tuition fees cover:

• The cost of your postgraduate research programme* at the University as well as charges for registration, tuition, supervision, and examinations
• Bespoke training, professional development courses, networking, and research support through  The Graduate School
• Research seminars and workshops (university-wide and faculty-specific)
• A contribution to funding to attend a conference or development activity in your research field
• Tailor-made weekly and monthly events, including weekly, themed experienced researcher-led talks and workshops
• Helping you become part of our thriving research community, including Research and Innovation services where 77% of our research is world leading and internationally excellent in  REF 2021
• Your graduation ceremony
• Viva examination and administration costs
• The  facilities  and equipment you need to complete your studies, such as computer rooms, access to laptops, the  Library , and  laboratories
• Access to resources including electronic journals, alternative guide to funding, and thousands of hours of educational videos on LinkedIn Learning
• University support services  including academic, financial, careers and wellbeing support and personal tutors
• Membership of the Students' Union (giving you the right to vote in elections, join clubs and societies, and get free independent advice)
• Access to software such as Microsoft Office, SPSS and Adobe Creative Suite (this includes Photoshop, InDesign, and Adobe Premiere Pro)

*Please note that some research programmes may come with additional bench fees.

How long will my research degree take?

• MPhil:   2 years full-time, 4 years part-time
• PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
• PhD by Publication: 1 year part-time

How much will my degree cost?

February 2025 and april 2025 fees.

PhD and MPhil

UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students 

• Full-time:   £4,786 per year 
• Part-time and part-time distance learning: £2,393 per year

EU students

(including Transition Scholarship )

• Full-time:   £4,786 per year

International students

• Full-time: £17,900 (may be subject to annual increase)
• Part-time and part-time distance learning: £8,950 (may be subject to annual increase)

PhD by Publication 

External candidates: £4,786

Members of staff: £1,950

All fees are subject to annual increase. If you are an EU student starting a programme in 2024/25 please visit this page .

Some PhD projects may include additional fees – known as bench fees – for equipment and other consumables, and these will be added to your standard tuition fee. Speak to the supervisory team during your interview about any additional fees you may have to pay. Please note, bench fees are not eligible for discounts and are non-refundable.

Funding support

MPhil full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the  Government Postgraduate Loan  (UK/EU students only).

PhD full-time and part-time courses are eligible for the  Government Doctoral Loan  (UK/EU students only).

For information on other sources of funding, visit our  funding your postgraduate research degree  page.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for a PhD, or MPhil include an upper second class honours degree or equivalent in a relevant subject, or a master’s degree in an appropriate subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications may be considered. All applicants are subject to interview.

If English is not your first language, you'll need English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a  pre-sessional English programme  before you start your course.

Support and facilities

When you join us, you'll be supported by our  Graduate School , alongside your assigned supervisory team, who'll help you get the most from our facilities. The Graduate School will help you become part of our thriving, collaborative research community, and help grow your skills as a researcher through the  Graduate School Development Programme , which offers training, workshops and events.

What can a postgraduate research degree do for my career?

Once you complete your postgraduate research degree, you'll be a highly-skilled researcher with the knowledge and skills to make an impact in many different industries.

Your postgraduate research qualification demonstrates to potential employers that you're an intelligent, capable and motivated person, with provable abilities and experience in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, communication, leadership and creativity.

Apply for a research degree in Law by completing our online form.

February (2025 start)

April (2025 start), october (2025 start), current research.

Explore the work we're doing across our 3 areas of research expertise in  Law .

Accountability, risk and rights

Research in this area covers topics including employment protection, data protection, the regulation and governance of companies, and how the law affects people throughout their lives.

Well-being, legal education and the legal profession

Our research is identifying new ways of delivering legal education and new approaches that could deliver education more broadly. It also explores the growing issue of stress and wellbeing among law students and academics.

PhD or LLM by Research

Find a course

Start dates.

January 2024 / June 2024 / September 2024

Application deadline

It typically takes up to four months (five months for International and EU applicants) from application to enrollment on your programme. This is subject to all the necessary documentation being in place.

Course length

Full time: 1 - 3 years

Part time: 1 - 4 years

School of Law and Social Sciences

Funding status

Self-funded

[email protected]

We have a lively and supportive research culture with a number of specialist research groups led by internationally recognised academics.

As a research student, you will be encouraged to become involved in Law’s research activities and will have the opportunity to work alongside Oxford Brookes academics who are at the forefront of a wide range of internationally recognised and world-leading research and projects.

Research expertise

Law is placed within the School of Law and Social Sciences which comprises a number of research groups, supporting our doctoral students and encouraging wide participation both through our partnerships with other research groups, and our busy programme of conferences, research events and lectures.

We strongly recommend that prior to submitting a full application you identify and make contact directly with a potential Director of Studies. Please look at our research group pages and individual staff profiles to help you identify the appropriate member of staff and to find out whether your proposed research focus is one that we can supervise.

• Criminal Law and Criminal Justice
• Fundamental Rights and Equality
• International Law

Degree routes

We offer a wide range of postgraduate degrees, ranging from LLM by Research, PhD, PhD by Publication.

The degree for which you register will depend on your academic qualifications and research experience.

There are two routes toward obtaining a PhD.

MPhil/PhD route

By far the most popular and common is the MPhil/PhD route. All students enrol as probationer research students. This entails students initially registering for the degree of MPhil/PhD, before transferring to full PhD status, should sufficient progress have been made with their work. Transfer to full PhD status normally happens after 18 months for full time students and after roughly 24-26 months for part time students.

Thesis: 80,000 - 100,000 words.

Length of study: minimum of three years full time and four years part time.

Entry requirement: the minimum entry requirement for the MPhil/PhD route is:

• a first-class or upper second-class UK honours degree
• a relevant master’s qualification
• or an equivalent qualification.

Applications from those holding qualifications other than the above will be considered on their merits and in relation to the nature and scope of the work proposed.

The alternative route toward obtaining a PhD is known as a PhD Direct in which the student registers directly to study for a PhD. Accordingly, the student does not need to undergo a formal transfer assessment and the minimum period of study is shorter compared to the MPhil/PhD route.

Length of study: minimum of two years full time and three years part time.

Entry requirement: This is the same as for the MPhil/PhD route, except that the student must demonstrate an exceptional level of preparedness and aptitude for PhD study, for instance in the form of an MPhil degree or an outstanding performance at Masters level in an area very closely aligned with the PhD.

PhD by Published Work

The degree of PhD on the basis of published work may be awarded to candidates whose submitted work: 

• reflects the same academic standards as those which operate for a traditional PhD based upon an approved programme of supervised research
• forms a coherent programme of research
• demonstrates the use of appropriate research methodology
• and makes an original and sufficient contribution to the present state of knowledge in a particular field to the satisfaction of the examiners. 

Thesis/critical appraisal: 7,500 - 15,000 words.

Length of study:  Normally 1 year.

Entry requirements: Applicants should normally have had a very clear and demonstrable association with Oxford Brookes University (e.g. as a past student or member of staff, as an associate lecturer undertaking regular teaching at Brookes, or as a research collaborator with an established member of staff). The submission for examination comprises the published work on which the application is based, together with a supporting critical appraisal of this work.

LLM by Research

These research degrees allow students to critically investigate and evaluate an approved topic and combine the equivalent of up to one semester’s taught programme (focusing on research training) with a major research project. As with other research degrees, they are examined by thesis and viva.

Thesis: 30,000 words.

Length of study: 1 year full time or 2 years part time.

Why Oxford Brookes University?

• Research students in the Faculty will be allocated funding towards the costs associated with specific research activities during the research programme.  MPhil/PhD students receive £700, LLM by Research students receive £350.
• Close supervision from experts in your chosen research area, including joint supervision across departments for interdisciplinary projects. 
• research seminars with presentations from high profile external guest speakers
• specialist seminars organised by individual research groups and clusters
• methodology workshops.  
• You will also be encouraged to submit publications to leading research journals.
• You may have the opportunity to develop your teaching, mentoring and demonstrating skills by undertaking paid teaching activities for up to six hours a week. You may also be required to attend the Associate Teachers course which is run by the University’s which is run by the University’s Oxford Centre for Academic Enhancement and Development .

After you graduate

Career prospects.

We are passionate about fostering the careers of our researchers and ensure that they gain research skills training, leadership experience and teaching practice as part of the doctoral programmes we offer.

Bespoke careers advice is also embedded into our programme as we think this is a key element of your personal and professional development during your time with us.

Upon completing their PhD, our graduates venture into diverse career paths, including lecturing and teaching roles, policy advisers for international organisations, barristers and solicitors.

How to apply

Entry requirements.

Please see the specific entry requirement details in the degree routes section above.

If you choose to study full-time you must be able to devote a minimum of 35 hours per week over a 44-week year to your research. You should not undertake more than 20 hours per week paid employment or other commitments (including a maximum of six hours per week teaching, demonstrating, or other paid work directly related to your research training).

If you choose to study part-time you must be able to devote a minimum of 15 hours per week over a 44-week year to the programme of research.

You must also meet our  residence requirements .

English language requirements

Applicants whose main language is not English must meet the Faculty’s English language requirements. The minimum IELTS score required for entry to the research degree programme is 6.5–7 overall. 

In addition, we require a minimum of 6.5 in each component of the test. We do not accept IELTS certificates that are over two years old. 

The Faculty reserves the right to decline an application from a candidate who wishes to conduct part of their work outside of the UK if there are concerns over supervision, attendance or the separation of the student from the research environment.

Application process

It is essential that you first check whether your specific research interests can be adequately supervised before submitting a full application. To do this please email the Research Administrator ( [email protected] ) your provisional research proposal. This should be 1500–2000 words in length and should include a title and a summary of the proposed subject area.

There is no specific format for research proposals but the following areas are usually covered:

• introduction
• evidence of background reading and knowledge/previous experience of research area
• details of research methods proposed to carry out the project
• the aims of the research project and any proposed hypotheses/outcomes
• literature review
• how your research project will make an original and independent contribution to knowledge.

If your area of research can potentially be supervised you will be encouraged to submit a full application  via our online application system .

The Research Administrator will acknowledge receipt of your application by email. We strive to make a decision within one month of receiving your application. Please note, however, decisions may take longer during busier periods of the academic year.

Supporting documents

Please read through the  list of supporting documentation  that  must  be uploaded along with your application or emailed separately.

Tuition fees

Fees quoted are for the first year only. If you are studying a course that lasts longer than one year, your fees will increase each year.

For International fees the following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support. 

Home fees are set by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and are released approximately five months before the start of each academic year.

If you have any questions about fees, get in touch with the Research Degrees Team at  [email protected] .

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

• For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
• For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy  page

Compulsory costs

Optional costs, funding your studies, financial support and scholarships.

Featured funding opportunities available for this course.

All financial support and scholarships

View all funding opportunities for this course

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What are you looking for?

• Law ​MPhil/PhD/PhD by Published works​​
• Courses by subject

Postgraduate PG PhD

MPhil: Full time 12 months - 3 years, Part time 30 months - 5 years PhD: Full time 2 years - 4 years, Part time 3 years - 6 years PhD by Published Works: 1 - 2 years

October, March​

Updated 24/09/2024

Get in touch

For questions regarding study and admissions please contact us:

UK/EU STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

[email protected] 0300 303 2772

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ENQUIRIES

[email protected] 44 (0)1604 892134

This PhD programme at the University of Northampton with our Faculty in Business and Law , offers the opportunity to undertake advanced legal research. If you are a graduate in Law or similar discipline, this Law MPhil/ PhD / PhD by Published Works programme offers an excellent route to expand your knowledge and research skills. A PhD in Law entails writing a thesis over a period of three, or at most four years (four to six years for part-time students). Students in our PhD programme receive excellent training and work under the supervision of academic supervisors. Our doctoral students become members of a lively academic community which plays a significant role in the education of lawyers and law teachers from around the world. Successful defence of the final thesis will provide the researcher with the highest qualification that any UK university can award and offer an excellent opportunity to move into higher management positions within the industry.

Find out more about the following Research Institutes and Centres: ​

• Centre for Sustainable Business Practices (CSBP)
• Centre for Global Economic and Social Development (GESD)
• Centre for Sustainable Futures
• Institute for Public Safety, Crime and Justice (IPSCJ)

The closing dates for applications for the October intake is 1 August, and for the March intake is 11 December.

• ​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​
• ​Regular research seminars, conferences and research activities led by our Research Centres and the Graduate School .​

Entry Requirements

As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their international equivalent:

• an upper second-class or higher undergraduate degree with honours  in a relevant subject to the proposed area of research
• a Masters degree in a relevant subject to the proposed area of research​

In the absence of the above qualifications, candidates may be admitted with lower-level qualifications or qualifications in a different subject area, and relevant experience will also be considered on an individual basis.

​All suitable candidates will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

​All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:

• successful interview by the University
• suitable Research Supervision Support

​For Additional information on how to apply to study with us, how to find a potential Supervisor and what documents are required as part of the application process, please see our  How to Apply page .

​This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement.  The minimum scores required to meet the University’s higher level are IELTS at 7.0, with no component less than 6.5 specifically in writing (or equivalent). Applications received with IELTS lower than 5.5 in all components will not be considered.

Course Content

This Law PhD programme is a way for you to develop your specialism and improve your research, written, presentation and practice skills. While developing and setting up research projects, you will initially receive general, discipline-based and project specific training so that you can conduct your research effectively and independently. You will be supervised throughout your project by Law staff who are specialists in their areas and will guide you through the process with regular in-person or online meetings. When you finish this course, you will be able to find research and development roles within the industry, progress into an academic career or enter business at a managerial level.

Research topics

​​This course is unique to the University of Northampton. We can supervise topics including:

• Environmental Law and Justice
• Sustainability (including human rights) ​
• Trafficking of Wild Animals
• Medical law and Ethics
• ​Treatment decisions and critically ill babies
• Experiences of families in medical settings
• ​The Hart-Dworkin Debate
• ​Naturalised jurisprudence/ legal positivism
• Criminal Justice
• Criminal Procedure
• ​Suspects’ rights
• ​Fair trials

​Previously we have supervised doctoral research on:

• ​Airport Security and Counterterrorism
• Post-conflict state reconstruction
• Modelling the use of legal English for Algerian law tutors

​We offer opportunities to develop interdisciplinary study and Practice as Research projects.

Fees and Funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2024/25 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

Doctor Of Philosophy Degrees

Including: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) practice based in the Arts, Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

• UK – Full Time: £5,500
• UK – Part Time: £2,775
• International – Full Time: £15,950
• International – Part Time: £7,450

Doctor of Philosophy Degrees by Means of Published Works

• UK – Part Time: £3,500
• International – Part Time: £7,650

Please visit the funding pages and our scholarship pages for more details on how to fund your study.

Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

• UK – Full Time: £5,340
• UK – Part Time: £2,695
• International – Full Time: £15,480
• International – Part Time: £7,245
• UK – Part Time: £3,400
• International – Part Time:  £7,460

Associate Professor in Learning & Teaching Faculty of Business and Law

Simon Sneddon

Associate Professor in Criminal Justice & Procedure Faculty of Business and Law

Ed Johnston

Associate Professor in Sustainable Development Law Faculty of Business and Law

Ebenezer Laryea

Senior Lecturer in Law Faculty of Business and Law

Nicola Smithers

Careers and employability.

UON Research students will pursue a range of career paths after completion of their doctorate degree. Many will take up academic posts or pursue postdoctoral research of one sort or another. Some will enter legal practice as solicitors, barristers, advocates, or judges; others will become legal advisors, advising government departments, non-governmental organisations, and private companies.

The University of Northampton has an excellent careers service. Our Careers and Employability Service is dedicated to equipping students with the skills to thrive, adapt and innovate in our ever-changing world. ​

​​ Our PhD students have access to exceptional research facilities such as:

• Opportunities for research collaboration with staff and students
• Dedicated PhD study area with computer and printer in the Learning Hub
• Spacious individual and group working space and discussion areas
• Well-equipped library with access to academic e-books, journal articles and learning resources for on-site and off-site study
• Excellent social groups for student meetings and engagement  ​
• Library and Learning support for PhD students ​
• Skills support for PhD students ​
• Teaching and Research Assistant opportunities should you meet the requirements  ​

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PhD by Publication

The PhD by Publication is an accelerated, part-time PhD award intended for those who have carried out extensive research over a significant period of time and have a number of publications arising from this work which have already been published in high-quality journals.

This should not be confused with the standard PhD (3-4 years full-time).

If you have any questions about the PhD by Publication degree which are not answered on this page, please email us  or call us .