Law

Program Overview

Key Facts

Qualification

PhD

Course duration

3 years

Typical Entry Requirements

• Entry Requirements: 2:1 Bachelors (Honours) degree in a relevant subject area, or equivalent.
• English Language Requirements: IELTS 7.0 with minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent
• Other Requirements: Applicants should submit a full research proposal at the point of application

Course Overview

The Department of Law and Criminology is always keen to welcome research students, who make an important contribution to the Department and University. The Department prides itself on the high standard of supervision provided for postgraduate students. You will find that your supervisor takes a keen interest in your progress, and is always on hand to offer encouragement, guidance and advice.

In recent years many postgraduate students from the Department of Law & Criminology have published their research in the form of books and articles, and members of staff are always happy to give advice to students about publication. There have also been several publications as a result of joint research projects between staff and postgraduates.

Research Training

Research Training is provided to all postgraduate research students, and it is an institutional requirement that appropriate training be provided for research students in accordance with the requirements of either the ESRC or Arts and Humanities Research Board (AHRB), depending on the subject matter and methodology of your research project.

Requirements for completion for the PhD

The degree of PhD requires a substantial thesis of approximately 80,000-100,000 words. The thesis will be written under the supervision of a member of staff of the Department. Those studying on a full-time basis will also take a course on research skills and strategy to assist them in acquiring the skills which are necessary for academic legal research. If your research project falls within the area of socio-legal studies or criminology you will be required to complete the ESRC-approved Faculty Research Training Programme. This is undertaken in your first year of PhD study and provides training in quantitative and qualitative research methodology and social science research needs.

About this course

PhD

A PhD is awarded upon the satisfactory completion of a thesis of about 80,000-100,000 words followed by a viva voce examination. The normal period of registration is three years (full-time) and it is expected that the thesis will be submitted within four years of initial registration. Part of the first year is spent undertaking research training, leaving the second and third years for full-time research into your chosen topic.

A PhD enables you to become expert in your chosen subject and to explore the intricacies of your subject in context, be it in law or criminology. In order to satisfy the examiners, you must demonstrate originality of thought as well as detailed analysis. A PhD is regarded as a major stepping-stone in academic and academic-related careers. It signifies that you are capable of undertaking detailed research and of presenting the results of that research in an understandable way.

DProf

The Professional Doctorate or DProf is more appropriate for those pursuing professional rather than academic careers and is designed to allow qualified professionals to study towards a doctorate while maintaining their employment. A DProf will be awarded in recognition of the successful completion of an approved taught programme of study, together with the successful completion of an advanced piece of research. The collaborative aspect provided by a work-based research project provides an ideal opportunity to embed new knowledge in the workplace and ensure that your research is relevant to your sector.

Modules September start - 2025

Year 1

Core

• Module Name | Module Code | Credit Value
  • | |

Options

• Module Name | Module Code | Credit Value
  • Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis (for social scientists) | PGM1010 | 10
  • Manuscript Skills: Post Medieval Palaeographic and Diplomatic | PGM1210 | 10
  • Principles of Research Design | PGM0210 | 10
  • Ways of Reading * | PGM0410 | 10

• Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The PhD in Law at Aberystwyth University is a research-based degree that allows students to explore a specific legal or criminological topic of their choosing under the supervision of leading researchers in their field. The program is available on a full-time or part-time basis and is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct independent research and contribute to the field of law.

Objectives:

The PhD program aims to:

• Develop students' expertise in a chosen area of law or criminology.
• Foster students' ability to conduct original and independent research.
• Equip students with the skills necessary to communicate their research findings effectively.
• Prepare students for careers in academia, research, or other legal professions.

Outline:

Structure:

The PhD program typically takes three years to complete on a full-time basis. The first year is dedicated to research training, while the second and third years are devoted to full-time research into the chosen topic.

Course Schedule:

• Year 1: Research training, including quantitative and qualitative research methodology, social science research needs, and manuscript skills.
• Year 2 & 3: Full-time research and thesis writing.

Modules:

• Quantitative Data Collection and Analysis (for social scientists): This module provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to collect and analyze quantitative data.
• Manuscript Skills: Post Medieval Palaeographic and Diplomatic: This module focuses on the skills needed to analyze and interpret historical documents.
• Principles of Research Design: This module covers the principles of research design, including the selection of research methods, data collection techniques, and data analysis methods.
• Ways of Reading: This module explores different approaches to reading and interpreting texts.

Assessment:

The PhD program is assessed through the submission of a substantial thesis of approximately 80,000-100,000 words. The thesis is written under the supervision of a member of staff of the Department and is followed by a viva voce examination.

Teaching:

• Supervision: The Department of Law and Criminology provides high-quality supervision for postgraduate students.
Supervisors take a keen interest in students' progress and offer encouragement, guidance, and advice.
• Research Training: All postgraduate research students receive research training, which is an institutional requirement.
The training is tailored to the subject matter and methodology of the research project.
• Faculty: The Department of Law and Criminology boasts a team of experienced and renowned legal academics who are actively involved in research and teaching.

Careers:

A PhD in Law from Aberystwyth University can open doors to a variety of career paths, including:

• Academia: A PhD is a prerequisite for most academic positions in law.
• Research: PhD graduates can pursue careers in research institutions, government agencies, or private organizations.
• Legal Professions: A PhD can enhance career prospects in law firms, legal departments, and other legal organizations.

Other:

• The Department of Law and Criminology encourages postgraduate students to publish their research in the form of books and articles.
• The Department has a well-stocked library and generous and up-to-date information technology provision.
• The Department is committed to providing a stimulating and friendly environment for students.