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SOAS University of London Research Degree Law (PhD)
SOAS University of London

Research Degree Law (PhD)

London, United Kingdom

3 up to 6 Years

English

Full time, Part time

Request application deadline

Sep 2025

GBP 22,490 / per year *

On-Campus

* for overseas student full-time | GBP 4,860 home student full-time | overseas student part-time: GBP 11,245 per year | home student part-time: GBP 2,430 per year

Introduction

The Law Research Degree (PhD) programme run by the School of Law accepts candidates for research work leading to a PhD.

The central feature of PhD work is the close relationship between the doctoral candidate and his or her supervisor, in which they meet regularly and consult closely. This relationship is supported and strengthened in various ways. Every doctoral candidate has an adjunct supervisor, or another member of staff with a close interest in the candidateโ€™s region and/or subfield of the discipline.

There is a departmental director of doctoral studies (research tutor) with overall responsibility for doctoral candidates who is available for a discussion of general problems. In addition, there are a number of other activities which contribute to a doctoral candidateโ€™s work and training. All incoming PhD candidates are required to take the School of Lawโ€™s Research Methods Seminar Programme in their first year.

Why study the Law Research Degrees (PhD) at SOAS?

  • We are the UK Top 20 and World Top 200 for Law (QS World University Rankings 2021)
  • Our research publications have been rated first in the UK - and our School of Law rated sixth in the UK - in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021
  • SOAS provides a unique environment and opportunity to engage with relevant issues taught by our expert staff who bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience of working and teaching in the field. This includes posts such as United Nations Independent Expert on human rights in Sudan, acting as advisors to national, regional and international bodies, and in multiple roles and affiliations with civil society organisations and actors
  • Doctoral candidates are encouraged to contribute to the research activities of the department Several of them are active in the various research centres run in the School of Law and are encouraged to participate in conferences and other projects organised by the department. Doctoral candidates are expected to participate in the School of Law PhD Colloquium which is held once a year. The colloquium, which is organised by a committee of PhD candidates, gives doctoral candidates the opportunity to present their research and progress to colleagues and staff
  • Many SOAS doctoral candidates spend some time doing fieldwork in the regions of their research. The School, and other members of SOAS, through their various connections with individuals and institutions in the universities and governments of Asia and Africa, facilitate this work with personal contacts and introductions
  • The Schoolโ€™s language training facilities are also available to doctoral candidates to develop their facility in an appropriate language for research purposes

Applicants must normally have an advanced degree equivalent in level and content to the School of Lawโ€™s LLM or MA.

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