The Law School welcomes applications from prospective students in any legal discipline where supervision can be offered. Details about applications can be found in the postgraduate research section. Research students are required to undertake appropriate training to acquire the necessary skills to become successful researchers. For socio-legal students, this will be through undertaking the MSc Socio-Legal Studies which is recognised by the ESRC, and for which ESRC Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) awards are available.

DTC interdisciplinary streams are also available in respect of doctoral study at the University of Bristol in the fields of Global Political Economy; Security, Conflict and Justice; Environment, Energy and Resilience; and Heath and Well-being. See Fees and Funding for information on research awards and scholarships.

The Law School is part of the South West & Wales Doctoral Training Partnership and Arts and Human Research Council (AHRC), which offers studentships to students with evidence of exceptional promise for PhD study, who have a compelling research idea which complements their research themes and supervisory expertise. And the the University of Bristol Doctoral College which supports and develops a thriving community of postgraduate researchers across all research degree programmes at the University of Bristol.

Arrangements to ensure full integration of PGRs into the research life of the School include:

• drop-in clinics provided as an opportunity to ask questions or share concerns,
• encouragement to attend relevant conferences (a budget of £500 and further discretionary support),
• desk space in shared offices, and smaller offices for those in the final year or engaged in teaching,
• inclusion in the School research seminar series, invitations to staff PU research presentations and opportunities to present research to other students,
• thematic discussion groups bringing together research students and staff, such as the Socio-legal Reading Group and
• an elected student representative for the Staff Student Liaison Committee and School Meetings.

Summer schools and exchanges are also organised to encourage students to travel and engage with PG students from other institutions.