Research Degree Law (PhD)
London, United Kingdom
Master degree
DURATION
6 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 4,860 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* Home | International: £23,390 per year
Key Summary
Course overview
The Law Research Degree (PhD) programme accepts candidates wishing to undertake a significant and original research project leading to a PhD in Law.
Studying for a PhD involves researching a chosen legal topic, typically over 3-4 years full-time (or longer part-time), to produce a dissertation/thesis of up to 100,000 words. The thesis must make a distinct and original contribution to knowledge of the subject. A unique feature of the postgraduate research student body at SOAS is its focus on international, critical, and/or regional legal study, often involving fieldwork in Asia, Africa, or the Middle East.
Law supervisors
An important feature of studying for a PhD is the close relationship between the doctoral candidate and their first supervisor, with whom they meet regularly and consult closely. This relationship is supported and strengthened by a second supervisor – another member of staff with an interest in the candidate’s research – who works to supplement the first supervisor. We encourage candidates to make contact with potential first supervisors, with relevant expertise in the topic the candidate wishes to study, before they apply.
There is a departmental director of doctoral studies (research tutor) with overall responsibility for doctoral candidates who provides further support to students. In addition, all incoming PhD candidates undertake the School of Law’s Postgraduate Research Training Seminar in their first year.
Applicants must normally have an advanced degree equivalent in level and content to the School of Law’s LLM or MA. Please note, applicants wishing to apply for scholarships are encouraged to apply early in order to ensure an offer (if appropriate) can be made in time. Ideally, applicants should apply to SOAS at least 6 weeks before the relevant scholarship deadline.
Why study a Law Research Degree (PhD) at SOAS?
- SOAS is ranked 14th in the UK for Law (QS World University Rankings 2024)
- We're ranked 11th for Academic Reputation (QS World University Rankings 2024)
- 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 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. Doctoral candidates 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 have the chance 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, allows doctoral candidates to present their research to colleagues and staff
- The SOAS Library is one of the world's most important academic libraries for the study of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, attracting scholars from all over the world. The Library houses over 1.2 million volumes, together with significant archival holdings, special collections, and a growing network of electronic resources
- Many SOAS doctoral candidates spend some time doing field work for their research in Asia, Africa, or the Middle East. The School, and other members of SOAS, through their various connections with individuals and institutions in relevant universities and governments, facilitate this work with personal contacts and introductions.
- SOAS’s language training facilities are available to doctoral candidates to develop their facility in an appropriate language for research purposes.
- Doctoral candidates have opportunities to lead clinical projects, such as with the SOAS Environmental Policy Clinic, and are encouraged to set up their initiatives related to their work.
- Doctoral candidates have opportunities to participate in journals that are housed within the SOAS School of Law, such as the Law, Environment and Development Journal.
- Doctoral students can participate in internal research clusters and events that are geared towards early and mid-career academics.
Year 1
During the first year, candidates are required to attend the School of Law’s Postgraduate Research Training Seminars, in order to introduce them to the principal practical and methodological issues associated with postgraduate legal studies. The seminars introduce candidates to an array of methodologies, as well as different bodies of legal scholarship and theory. Candidates are also able to attend general seminars on research methodology offered by the SOAS Doctoral School.
By the beginning of the third term of the first year, candidates are required to hand in a draft Research Plan that is an integrated document based on a research paper, draft dissertation abstract, draft table of contents, draft bibliography and working schedule.
Upgrading
All doctoral candidates are first registered as MPhil candidates. The process of upgrading - that is, upgrading registration from MPhil to PhD - takes place at the end of the first year of study (or part-time equivalent) and involves all members of the Supervisory Committee in the assessment of the candidate's work to date.
The Committee will consider the potential of the work to be developed into a PhD thesis of University of London standard. Candidates who are not upgraded in accordance with this process will not be eligible to proceed to submission of a PhD thesis, although they may proceed to submit for an MPhil at the end of two years of full-time registration or part-time equivalent.
Doctoral students will be required to complete the Research Integrity Online Programme, as part of their upgrading requirement.
After year 1
After their first year, doctoral candidates must carefully plan their time so that they can finish their draft thesis well in time before the end of their third year of registration. The process followed by each doctoral candidate is guided by their research project. This may include a period of field research if required by the nature of the project undertaken. Doctoral candidates are also encouraged to take part in the Law School's research activities and events, including the PhD Colloquium, activities organised by Research Centres, informal reading groups, and the Law School Research Seminar series.
Important notice
The information on the website reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. The modules are indicative options of the content students can expect and are/have been previously taught as part of these programmes.
However, this information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability is subject to change.
Knowledge
- Familiarity with legal approaches to research will be developed through lectures, seminar discussions, compulsory reading assignments, and the dissertation
- An understanding of the philosophical, ethical and political issues at the heart of law research (as well as possible solutions to such problems) will also be developed through lectures, seminar discussions, compulsory reading assignments, and the dissertation
- Critical comprehension of theoretical and empirical literature will be encouraged through substantive courses, compulsory reading assignments, lectures and seminars
Intellectual (thinking) Skills
- Planning and execution of an appropriate research design will be developed through independent projects, essays, and the dissertation
- Understanding and utilization of appropriate research methods will be encouraged through independent projects (e.g. essays), oral presentations, and the dissertation
Subject-Based Practical Skills
- The interpretation and critique of published research will be encouraged via compulsory reading assignments, synthetic/critical lectures, and regular seminar discussions, as well as long essays and the dissertation
Transferable Skills
- An awareness of research resources available to social scientists will be provided via 1) the provision of detailed reading lists, which include, where appropriate, reference to online materials and 2) compulsory reading
- Assignments which familiarize students with secondary sources
- An ability to write up and present the findings of analysis will be encouraged via long essays, coursework, exams, and the dissertation
SOAS Law graduates leave SOAS as civic minded and critically engaged individuals who can effectively contribute to their communities and societies. With a thorough understanding of the legal dimensions underlying many of our global challenges today, our Law students are valued by employers due to their analytical skills, specialist knowledge, and global perspective.
Careers
Our Recent School of Law SOAS PhD graduates are to be found working across a range of sectors (from top city Law firms to NGOs to international organisations to academia) in all parts of the world. Recent School of Law SOAS PhD graduates have been hired by organisations including:
- African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights
- Dialogue Office for Civil Society Cooperation
- European Commission
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi
- London School of Economics
- Malaysian Securities and Exchange Commission
- Medical Sans Frontiers
- Mines Advisory Group
- National Law School of India University, Bengaluru
- National Law University Delhi
- National Taiwan University
- Queen Mary University of London
- Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Colombia
- Oxfam Netherlands
- Security Council Report
- UCLAN Cyprus
- University of Arizona
- University of Bradford
- University of Cambridge
- University of Cape Town
- University of Derby
- University of Essex
- Université Hassan II de Casablanca
- University of Tabuk (Saudi Arabia)