Law PhD / MPhil / MJur

We offer a wide range of expertise to support your research. Research areas include: commercial law, criminal law, criminal justice, judicial administration, European law, public law, human rights, international law, private law, conflicts of law, international economic law, comparative law, health and social welfare, socio-legal studies, and legal theory. 

Course structure

It usually takes three years (full-time) or six years (part-time) to complete a PhD, while the normal length of an MPhil is either two years (full-time) or four years (part-time). The MJur is either one year (full-time) or two years (part-time).

• Our research expertise spans a wide range of areas and we welcome research that goes across subject boundaries. You'll receive personalised support from at least two supervisors. 
• Join our diverse community of staff and students from around the world, providing you with a supportive environment to conduct your research. 
• Conduct your PhD research from anywhere in the world through our online distance learning option. We also offer part-time options so you can fit your research around other commitments.
• PhD, MJur and MPhil options available to suit different research needs.

Prepare for your future career

Stand out from the crowd with opportunities and support from our Centre for Employability, Professional Legal Education and Research (CEPLER).

You can attend training seminars and present your work at forums and workshops. Get ready to enhance your employability by gaining practical experiences and insights into professional working life in the legal sector.

You won't have any formal lectures or seminars. Instead, you’ll undertake research under the expert guidance of a primary supervisor, co-supervisor and mentor, supported by complementary research training

• Your supervisory team will meet with you at regular intervals throughout your programme to offer guidance on how best to approach, implement and report on your research.
• If you take the distance learning PhD, you’ll receive the same level of support and supervision as on-campus students, but with supervisory sessions taking place online. You'll be funded to make one compulsory visit to the University, enabling you to meet your supervisory team, undertake intensive research skills training and make a start on your doctoral studies.
• You’re expected to take full responsibility for your work, developing your own timetable for your research project so you can successfully complete it on time.

Explore our research themes:

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 be 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 contact us using the 'Ask us a question' button. 

You'll normally need to submit a research proposal. The word count is around 2,500 words for Law programmes. See the Application Process section for more information.  

English language requirements

If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.

For this course we require IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:

• TOEFL: 95 overall with no less than 22 in any component
• Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 76 with no less than 67 in all four skills
• Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency - minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component
• LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): C1 'Expert' with no less than 25 in each skill

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.

* 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.

We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2025 entry are above.

The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of your programme.

Paying your tuition fees

Tuition fees can either be paid in full or by instalments. You can check whether you are eligible for UK or international fees with our admissions team.

Learn more about postgraduate tuition fees and funding.

Funding options

Apply for a PhD that already has funding attached

These are most common in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) subjects, but they can sometimes be available for pre-defined research projects in the arts, humanities or social sciences. These may be advertised as fully funded (with fees and a stipend) or competition funded, meaning the projects compete against other projects at each institution.

Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship once you have an offer

You devise your own PhD topic, find a supervisor, write a research proposal and apply to the relevant programme. If you’re offered a place at Birmingham, you can then apply for studentships or funding from various sources. Our Postgraduate Scholarships and Funding database lists all available funding.

A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.

Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership

For 2025 entry Midlands4Cities Doctoral Training Partnership is offering up to 87 fully funded PhD studentships for eligible students in arts and humanities through an Open Competition and 23 studentships through Collaborative Doctoral Awards (CDA). 

The deadline for AHRC funding applications is 12:00 GMT on 13 January 2025.

Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership 

For 2025 entry Midlands Graduate School ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership offers pathways at the University of Birmingham in:

• Applied Linguistics
• Area Studies
• Cross-disciplinary Methodologies and Advanced Data Analysis
• Economic and Social History
• Living in a Digital Society
• Socio-Legal Studies
• Sustainable Development, Net Zero and Climate Resilience 

The deadline for ESRC funding applications is 12:00 GMT on 21 January 2025.

When proposing your own research topic you’ll need to make sure the department offers the necessary expertise. We ask that you identify an appropriate supervisor before you submit your application and contact them in the first instance to discuss your research proposal. 

If there is a good fit between your proposed research and our research strengths, we’ll be able to give you advice on a draft of your research proposal before you make a formal application.

When contacting a member of our staff, it would be helpful to include the following:

• A draft research proposal or a summary of your research ideas
• Details of university-level qualifications and any relevant professional experience
• Details on how you propose to fund your research

Please contact only one member of staff in the first instance. 

Find a supervisor

A summary of our key research areas, and staff working within those, can be found below.

• Commercial and company law - including banking, international commercial law and 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
• Family law
• Health and healthcare law
• Human rights and civil liberties
• International law and global legal studies - including conflicts, international economic law, international sale of goods, international trade law, transitional justice, law and development and international criminal law
• Jurisprudence and legal theory
• Law and society - including disability law, law and religion, gender and sexuality
• Legal education and the legal profession - including judicial administration
• Private law - including contract, tort, restitution and common law
• Property law - including intellectual property law

Research proposal

The research proposal is a key part of your application, so take your time. Your potential supervisors will use it to decide if your research is something they can support.

Your proposal should be a clear and concise summary of your research. It generally consists of an outline of your proposed research project, including your main research questions and the methods you intend to use.

You should also comment on the potential impact and importance of your intended research and on how your work would interact with current trends in your academic field. It should illustrate the relevance of your topic to the research interests and expertise of the staff within your chosen department. 

The word count is typically 1,000-1,500 words for Arts programmes and around 2,500 words for Law programmes. 

Submitting your application 

If you are submitting your own research proposal, applications are accepted all year round. However, if you wish to start in September, we would encourage you to apply by 1 June. Whilst you are still welcome to apply after this date, it is important to allow time for us to review your application.

If you are seeking funding, please be aware that the majority of funding opportunities have deadlines in early spring so we would encourage you to apply as early as possible.

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.

If the programme has a Distance learning option then students will usually attend a residential visit in September or January, and those students wishing to attend the September residential are also encouraged to apply by 1 June 2024. The visit will take place at the end of September/beginning of October and you will receive further details once you have accepted your offer.

If you experience any difficulties with the application process and contacting potential supervisors, please contact us via the "Ask us a question" form above.

When you're ready, return to this page and begin your application by clicking APPLY NOW

Careers Network

Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network offers a range of events and support services including networking opportunities, career coaching, one to one guidance, careers fairs and links with leading graduate recruiters.

As a postgraduate researcher, you’ll benefit from tailored support to prepare you for a career in academia or set you up for a wide range of other professions.

We also offer subject specific careers consultants and a dedicated careers website for international students.

Our bustling campus with its beautiful grounds, friendly community and excellent facilities will quickly make you feel at home. We offer you a huge variety of accommodation options in the UK’s second city, exciting activities to get involved in outside your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.