Key information

Full-time - 4 years

Start dates:
October 2023
January 2024

Part-time - 8 years

Start dates:
October 2023
January 2024

Why choose this programme

'It's been great doing a PhD at Surrey's School of Law. The intellectual engagement afforded me by both my fellow PhD students and the faculty has been incredibly valuable for my work. I feel privileged to be part of such a tight-knit group of friendly and helpful scholars of law.' --Simon Palmer, Law PhD Student

'I have found my entire experience on the Doctoral Programme to be immensely positive. My initial enquiries prior to my formal application were met with enthusiasm and since being accepted on the programme l have been closely assisted and supported by my supervisors and the other members of the Postgraduate Research Studies team. A PhD can be a daunting and lonely undertaking at times but it has been most reassuring to know l can access the support, advice and feedback of a friendly and motivated team to ensure l can overcome any hurdle and continue to make good progress with my research.' --Jason de Mink, Law PhD student

Our PhD in Law aims to train the next generation of legal thinkers, law reformers, policy advisors, political activists, and academics. The School of Law's  emphasis on combining theory and practice makes us unique in the UK, and a world-class centre for deep and creative legal research. 

Surrey’s specialisms in law offers you the opportunity to explore a diverse range of areas. We have particular research strengths in legal philosophy and legal theory, neuroscience and law, criminal law, Roman legal history, environmental law, health sciences and law, artificial intelligence and law, finance law and ethics, human rights law, European law, and public international law. Our unique concentration of expertise in legal philosophy and legal theory is largely unparalleled worldwide. 

Our academic staff are internationally recognised for their research and are experienced legal practitioners, providing consultancy to law firms, governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses around the world. As a School of Law doctoral student, you’ll be part of this thriving community of researchers engaged in a wide range of projects, and – depending on your area of study – will be able to join a subject or research group, as well as participating alongside academic staff in the activities of the School of Law. 

The School also enjoys excellent links with local, national and international legal communities. You’ll benefit from stimulating roundtables seminars, workshops and lectures delivered by distinguished academics, eminent judges and law practitioners. 

We are ranked 58th in the Times Higher Education World Rankings 2022 for Law. The School of Law is ranked 6th in the UK for research outputs with more than half of its research outputs rated world-leading (4*) by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021. The University as a whole is now also ranked in the top 20 in the UK by REF for the overall quality of research outputs – research papers and other published works.

 

Postgraduate Research at Surrey

Frequently asked questions about doing a PhD

What you will study

Through a variety of approaches, from doctrinal to philosophical, contemporary to historical, single jurisdiction to comparative, we will help you challenge ideas, hone your skills and develop the hallmarks of a leading researcher. You will work on a structured, supervised programme of research in one of the areas of law in which we have expertise.

You’ll be able to develop your teaching skills, as well as the ability to think theoretically and provide innovative practical solutions to legal problems. We encourage our postgraduate research students to present work and discuss ideas in both formal and informal settings. We can also support you intellectually and financially to present and exchange ideas and discuss your research in international fora.

At the end of your time as a PhD researcher at Surrey you’ll be expected to submit an extended thesis for examination. This thesis will demonstrate your ability to pursue scholarly research which makes an original contribution to knowledge. You will be required to answer questions on your thesis and your research in a viva voce examination.

Assessment

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate Careers and Employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Research themes

  • Artificial intelligence and law 
  • Criminal law and neuroscience 
  • European Union law 
  • Health sciences and law 
  • Human rights law 
  • Kantian legal philosophy and other intellectual historical approaches to legal problems, such as terrorism, human rights and refugee law 
  • Language and law 
  • Mental health law and neuroscience 
  • Methodology of intellectual legal history 
  • Philosophy of constitutional law 
  • Philosophy of contract law 
  • Philosophy of criminal law 
  • Philosophy of humanitarian law 
  • Philosophy of neuroscience and law 
  • Philosophy of tort law 
  • Philosophy of WTO 
  • Public international law 
  • Roman legal history and private law 
  • Rule of law and transnational law 
  • Socio-legal approaches to mental health and law, sex crimes, sentencing 
  • Technology and law 
  • Terrorism and law 
  • The logic of war 
  • The nature of law 
  • The normativity of law 
  • The philosophy of law and economics 
  • Criminal justice and AI 
  • Topics in international public law, such as state succession. 

Our academic staff

See a full list of all our academic staff within the School of Law.

Research facilities

The research centres at the School of Law are a core part of our research activities, and provide an important platform for the intellectual development of our research students. 

You’ll get an office space, computer, access to major electronic databases and a wide range of online research tools and resources. You’ll also have access to the latest e-resources and to our Library and Learning Centre facilities, as well as access to the Law School's 'Court of the Future'. 

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold at least a 2:1 Bachelors degree along with a Masters degree at a minimum of a merit level in Law, or other relevant discipline, from an approved university.

If you are unable to offer these qualifications, you may still be considered for admission if you hold a first-class Bachelors degree in Law, or other relevant discipline, from an approved university, or a professional or other qualification deemed to be appropriate and equivalent.

International entry requirements by country

English language requirements

IELTS Academic: 7.0 or above (or equivalent) with 6.5 in each individual category.

View the other English language qualifications that we accept.

If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Selection process

Selection is based on applicants meeting the expected entry requirements, assessment of application, successful interview and suitable references where required.

Research proposal

Before applying, please download our research proposal guidance document for information on submitting a suitable research proposal.

Writing sample

Applicants should submit an academic essay or other writing sample, written in English. If the text is an excerpt, please preface the text by a short note that puts the writing sample in context. The essay will be assessed for:

  • general understanding of the relevant area and its main problems
  • the ability to analyse and assess, and to construct and defend arguments
  • the clarity, structure and coherence of expression.

The dropdown below shows the available start months for this course. Please select from one of these available months when you are asked for your preferred start date within the application form.

Fees

Start date: October 2023

Full-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£18,600

Part-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£9,300

Start date: January 2024

Full-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£18,600

Part-time

UK
To be confirmed
Overseas
£9,300

For fees payable in 2022/23, these will increase by 4 per cent, rounded up to the nearest £100 for subsequent years of study. Any start date other than October will attract a pro-rata fee for that year of entry (75 per cent for January, 50 per cent for April and 25 per cent for July).

Overseas students applying for 2022 entry should note that annual fees will rise by 4% rounded up to the nearest £100.

View a complete list of all fees for our research programmes.

Additional costs

There are additional costs that you can expect to incur when studying at Surrey. Find out more.

Funding

A Postgraduate Doctoral Loan can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate doctoral course.

How to apply

If you are applying for a studentship to work on a particular project, you should enter the details of the specific project that you wish to apply for rather than your own research proposal.

More information on the application process.

Code of practice for research degrees

Surrey’s postgraduate research code of practice sets out the University's policy and procedural framework relating to research degrees. The code defines a set of standard procedures and specific responsibilities covering the academic supervision, administration and assessment of research degrees for all faculties within the University.

Download the code of practice for research degrees (PDF).

Terms and conditions

When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and regulations, and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our generic registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/2023 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
 
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course.

Disclaimer

This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.

Course location and contact details

Campus location

Stag Hill

Stag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught. 

University of Surrey Admissions

Contact Admissions Team

Address

University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH