PhD Law

With well-established research centres and links to leading institutions around the world, the School of Law is a dynamic centre for PhD study. We have a vibrant and diverse academic and social community, with research students from all over the world.

We promote research excellence, recognising that high-quality legal research may take many different forms. We use a variety of research methods across our projects.

You will be assigned two supervisors who will have the appropriate expertise to support your research project. The school offers supervision in most subject areas and for interdisciplinary projects that have a legal aspect to them.

Research students and academics are all engaged in the same endeavours and can learn a great deal from each other. We actively encourage our doctoral students to engage in the wider community of the school and play a full role in its research activities.

While legal research is often an individual pursuit, many collaborative research activities take place, including co-authorship of publications, and reading and discussion groups. In addition, our research students organise their own seminar series, with the support of a member of staff, which helps them practise and develop their presentation skills.

Completing your PhD at Nottingham would be your first, essential step to pursuing a successful academic career.

Our research areas include:

You must complete a written thesis of up to 100,000 words, with support and advice from your academic supervisor(s). You will also take a verbal examination called a viva voce where you explain your project in depth to an examination panel.

You will also be required to take the Legal Research Methods module, which considers the diverse spectrum of legal scholarship and methodologies. You will refresh or enhance your legal research skills and receive training in a range of research methods and techniques.

It will enable you to identify various approaches to legal scholarship and characterise your research interests, apply research skills and methods, including being able to use, interpret and locate legal sources, and design, write and evaluate a research proposal.

You are also encouraged, where appropriate, to undertake modules offered as part of the school’s LLM programme, which is one of the most extensive in the country.

Full-time students should meet with their supervisors at least 10 times each year. This would be at least six times in the same period for part-time students. You will also receive an annual review of your progress for monitoring and support.

The Legal Research Methods module considers the diverse spectrum of legal scholarship and methodologies. You will refresh or enhance your legal research skills and receive training in a range of research methods and techniques.

It will enable you to identify various approaches to legal scholarship and characterise your research interests, apply research skills and methods, including being able to use, interpret and locate legal sources, and design, write and evaluate a research proposal.

You are also encouraged, where appropriate, to undertake modules offered as part of the school’s LLM programme, which is one of the most extensive in the country.

The School of Law has a multi-faceted approach to supporting students. All postgraduate research students are allocated an adviser, who is a member of academic staff with detailed knowledge of the doctoral programme and supervision process.

You will meet with your adviser regularly and they will act as a source of confidential support. In addition to your adviser, you are welcome to contact the co-directors of the research degrees programme at any point.

Supervisors also act as an important source of support. Throughout the duration of your studies, you will develop a strong working relationship with your supervisors. They will provide you with assistance and support as you carry out your research.

Second and third-year research students can apply to undertake paid teaching experience by delivering undergraduate tutorials. Teaching is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed. Training courses on teaching methods are on offer.