My supervisors have been everything that any research student could dream of and for this I am very grateful to them. They have made my decision to come to Surrey worthwhile.
The School of Law provides a stimulating and supportive environment for postgraduate study. Members of our academic staff have international reputations for research and are experienced legal practitioners, providing consultancy to law firms, governments, non-governmental organisations and businesses around the world. The School of Law also enjoys excellent links with local, national and international legal communities.
As a School of Law doctoral student, you will be part of a thriving community of researchers engaged in a wide range of projects, usually joining a subject or research group as well as participating alongside academic staff in the activities of the School of Law.
Through a variety of approaches, from doctrinal to socio-legal, contemporary to historical, single jurisdiction to comparative, we will help you challenge ideas, hone your skills and develop the hallmarks of a leading researcher.
We will also provide you with office space, PCs, access to major electronic databases and a wide range of online research tools and resources. You also enjoy access to our excellent Law Library and a dedicated law librarian.
Our programme is a traditional UK-style PhD. You will undertake a structured, supervised programme of research into one of the areas of law in which we have expertise.
In your first year, you will take up to three modules of core research methods training, alongside advanced research training modules that further support your particular research. These include a range of modules focused on developing the practical skills required for subsequent careers.
Research training is selected from the University’s excellent offerings, and is supplemented by law-specific seminars. Our PhD researchers also organise and run their own annual research conference and attend research group seminars.
At the end of your time as a PhD researcher at Surrey you will 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 also be expected to answer questions on your thesis and your research in a viva voce examination.
You may be considered for a Faculty postgraduate research studentship to cover fees and an annual stipend.
Before completing your application, please get in touch with the relevant department to discuss your proposed area of research – see below for contact details.
PhD
September, January
Our expectation is that you 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.
Before applying, please download our research proposal guidance document for information on submitting a suitable research proposal.
Non-native speakers of English will normally require IELTS 7.0 or above with a minimum of 6.5 in each component (or equivalent).
We offer intensive English language pre-sessional courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
| Study mode | UK/EU fees | Overseas fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £4,050 | £13,300 |
| Part-time | £2,025 | £6,700 |
Please note these fees are for the academic year 2015/16 only. All fees are subject to annual review.
Our researcher development programme provides a range of workshops and support mechanisms for our postgraduate researchers.
Interested in studying at the University of Surrey? Find out all the specific information you need about applying from overseas, including entry requirements, local agents and recruitment events taking place in your country - just select your region below.
School of Law lecturer Luke Mason wins renowned national teaching award.
Mr Robert Jago to take up the post following outstanding work in his role as acting Head of School.
The Faculty of Business, Economics and Law is delighted to announce that it has been exceptionally successful in the latest round of Economic and Social Research Council Doctoral Training Centre studentships.
At Surrey we are committed to enhancing our portfolio of postgraduate programmes to meet the demands from industry. This year we have introduced 8 new Postgraduate programmes which will prepare the way forward for your exciting future.
A complete list of all of our postgraduate programmes can be found here.
The Environmental Regulatory Research Group (ERRG) bid successfully to the Institute of Advanced Studies jointly with the Schools of Politics, Psychology and the Centre for Environmental Strategy for funding to support the workshop ‘Greening Economy; Greening Society: Lessons for the EU’.
“Looking back at my time at Surrey, I realise just how much I have developed, not only as a researcher but also as a person.”
Key research areas in the School of Law include corporate and commercial law, corruption research, criminal law, environmental law, European law, international law and public law.
