Law
Overview
PhD study is substantially different from other types of postgraduate work as each candidate devises their own independent research project. At the University of Bristol Law School, comprehensive research training is provided by expert academics, who also offer guidance and supervision of your research project. If you are undertaking socio-legal research, initial research training will take the form of the MSc Socio-Legal Studies programme, which is recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council.
As a PhD Law student you will become part of the school’s primary unit system, which provides support for research students, and you will be invited to participate in the Law School's staff seminar programme. There may also be opportunities to undertake some part-time teaching within the school. Travel and conference funding is available for research students.
Entry requirements
A minimum of an upper second-class honours degree in law (or equivalent) and normally at least a merit at master's level (or equivalent). Alternatively, a first-class honours degree in law (or equivalent) and evidence of ability to conduct independent and original research.
See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.
Read the programme admissions statement for important information on entry requirements, the application process and supporting documents required.
If English is not your first language, you will need to reach the requirements outlined in our profile level B.
Further information about English language requirements and profile levels.
Fees and funding
- UK: full-time
- £4,665 per year
- UK: part-time
- £2,332 per year
- Overseas: full-time
- £20,100 per year
Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.
More about tuition fees, living costs and financial support.
Alumni discount
University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.
Funding for 2023/24
The Faculty of Social Sciences and Law has an allocation of 1+3 (MSc and PhD) and +3 (PhD) ESRC scholarships. Applicants may also be interested in applying for funding from the AHRC, the University of Bristol scholarship fund or alumni PhD scholarship fund.
ESRC funding: Internal deadline - noon, 9 December 2022. ESRC deadline - noon, 13 January 2023.
There may be a graduate teaching assistantship available in the Law School. Visit the school's fees and funding webpages for further information.
Further information on funding for prospective UK and international postgraduate students.
Career prospects
The PhD offers useful preparation for several different careers. The first of these is academic work, particularly if the dissertation or parts of it are published in well-respected academic journals. The ability to plan, research and write a sophisticated dissertation, including an ability to conduct detailed doctrinal analysis, to think in broad theoretical terms and to engage in empirical research can provide a firm foundation for a career in the academy.
A second possible career is that of working for an NGO or policy organisation, drawing on skills in research and writing, which are invaluable for work of this kind. A third possibility is working within governments, again building on analytical, doctrinal or empirical research skills developed through the PhD, which incorporate both an ability to undertake rigorous research and to see the bigger picture.
Finally, some students choose to enter the legal profession, carrying with them a rich understanding of legal principles and practice.
Meet our supervisors
The following list shows potential supervisors for this programme. Visit their profiles for details of their research and expertise.
Research groups
A wide variety of subject areas are covered in the Law School. This reflects a range of different approaches to legal research - doctrinal, socio-legal/interdisciplinary and theoretical. The school has a strong portfolio in human rights, housing, corporate governance and regulation, international law, employment law, and health law and policy.
The school usually has 50 research postgraduates at any one time, working in a wide variety of subject areas and adopting a range of different approaches to legal research.
Research in the school is facilitated by a generous policy of study leave, teaching relief and payment for student research assistants; a system of research pairing to assist with project development, review of work in progress and effective dissemination of research; and a vibrant programme of staff seminars, with roughly equal division between internal and external contributions.
Please visit our research webpages for more information.
Contact us
- Contact
Postgraduate Admissions Administrator
- Phone
- +44 (0) 117 394 0062
- law-pgr-admissions@bristol.ac.uk