Law MPhil, PhD

Research ( full-time, part-time)

Cambridge

January, April, September

Distance learning supervision is available on this course.

Apply online

For application deadlines visit our how to apply page.

Overview

Join an international group of researchers and practitioners with expertise in the areas of Law and Society, Digital Economy and Arbitration Law, and Criminal Justice. Our PhD research programme will allow you to explore your own interests in law, supported by the expertise of our staff. As a PhD research student here, you will be affiliated with the Centre for Access to Justice and Inclusion and you'll be supported to undertake research that makes an independent and original contribution to knowledge and to progress into your future career.

Full description

Supervision and support

Our permanent supervisory staff are recognised as experts in their fields, and have produced a large number of influential books, journal articles and edited collections. Our expertise in law includes:

Dr Ana Keglević Steffek: European contract law; Insurance contract law; Consumer law; Commercial arbitration

Dr Andrew Gilbert: Family law; Policy

Dr Egle Dagilyte: European Union law; Human rights law; Social security; Employment law

Dr Elina Konstantinidou: Criminal law; Criminal litigation; Corporate law; English legal system

Dr Helga Hejny: Discrimination law; European Union law, Transnational corporations; Human rights; Public law; Comparative studies

Dr Imranali Panjwani: Commercial Law; Human rights; Jurisprudence; Islamic Law

Dr Katerina Sidiropoulou: Employment law; Commercial law; Access to justice; Alternative/online dispute resolution; comparative studies

Professor Rohan Kariyawasam: Digital economy; Internet law; IP law; Competition law; Communications law; International development; the 'open society'; International trade and world trade law

Dr Ryan Hill: International human rights law; Theory and practice; The intersection between philosophy and law; Constitutional law and constitutionalism; Freedom of religion

Tom Serby: Sports law; Legal education; Business; Employment; Criminal law.

Where you'll research

Your department and faculty

You want the benefit of a thriving and highly regarded school where you can develop your skills and confidence for a potentially complex and competitive career. Graduating with this kind of specialist knowledge makes you valuable to employers, confident that you’ve learnt the tools to do the job. You know what it takes to be a professional in your field and we design our courses to get you on the right track, and to get you practicing in a safe environment as soon as possible. With professional accreditation to back up the theory of your degree, you’ll stand out from the crowd of other applicants and be ready for your first graduate job.

Where can I study?

Cambridge
Lord Ashcroft Building on our Cambridge campus

Our campus is close to the centre of Cambridge, often described as the perfect student city.

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Fees & funding

Course fees

UK students, 2024/25 (per year)

£4,786

UK students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year)

£2,392

International students, 2024/25 (per year)

£15,900

International students, 2024/25 (part-time, per year)

£7,950

Bench fees

In some cases extra costs known as bench fees will be charged for a postgraduate research degree. These are to cover additional/exceptional costs directly related to a specific research project.

Some examples of these costs are (the list is not exhaustive): equipment hire, access costs to specialist equipment/workshops, volunteer expenses, specialist tissue/cell culture, specialist reagents or materials, specialist software, access to specialist databases, data collection costs, specialist media, recording or digital storage needs.

We charge bench fees in bands. They may apply for every year of your course. These bands are the same for full- and part-time students.

If you have to pay bench fees this will be made clear at your interview, and stated in your offer letter.

For 2024/25 the bench fee bands are:

  1. £500
  2. £1,200
  3. £2,200
  4. £4,500
  5. £8,900

PhD by Published Work

Initial registration: £1,500
Full registration: £4,500

Writing up fees 2024/25

£1,200

How do I pay my fees?

You can pay your fees upfront, in full or in instalments – though you won't need to pay until you've accepted an offer to study with us. Find out more about paying your fees.

Funding

For advice on the Doctoral Loan and other sources of funding, including ARU scholarships, visit our finance guide for postgraduate researchers.

You might also find The Alternative Guide to Postgraduate Funding helpful.

ARU research

ARU's academic excellence was recognised in 2021, as part of the Research Excellence Framework (REF), an exercise which assesses the quality of academic research. Sixteen areas of our work were classed as generating world-leading research. The results showed that we're making a significant impact on the societies we live in.

Careers

We’ll provide you with many opportunities for career development and training, in areas like writing up a paper for publication, placing an academic article, giving a conference paper, the doctoral writing style, updates on research methods and literature searches, internet training, editing skills for doctoral research, subsequent monograph publication and working with agents and publishers. You might also be able to take on teaching responsibilities, or organise research events.

In conjunction with the University’s research support, you can request specific support for writing-up, conference papers, general research methods and other research skills if you need it.

Contact details

If you're interested in finding out more about research study opportunities in this area, please email [email protected]

Entry requirements

MPhil or PhD with progression from MPhil: You’ll need a Bachelors degree or equivalent with first or upper second class honours, in a related subject area.

PhD: You’ll need a Masters degree or equivalent in a related subject area.

Please note we consider candidates for PhD with progression from MPhil in the first instance. If you want to be considered for direct entry to the PhD route then this can be discussed at interview if you are shortlisted. Please note you’ll also need to provide academic justification for this request. 

If English is not your first language, you'll require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component (or equivalent test). If you don't meet our English language requirements, we offer a range of courses which could help you achieve the level required for entry. 

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Important additional notes

Our published entry requirements are a guide only and our decision will be based on your overall suitability for the programme as well as whether you meet the minimum entry requirements. Contact our postgraduate research degree team for more information about studying a PhD, MPhil or Professional Doctorate at ARU.

You'll need a computer and reliable internet access to successfully engage with your research programme.

Get more information

UK applicants

01245 686868

Enquire online

International applicants

+44 1245 683680

Enquire online