Program Overview

Law PhD / MPhil / MJur

The Law PhD / MPhil / MJur program at the University of Birmingham offers students the opportunity to conduct their own research with the support of legal specialists from Birmingham Law School. The program contributes to an established tradition of 85 years of world-leading research.

Course Structure

The program usually takes three years (full-time) or six years (part-time) to complete a PhD, while the normal length of an MPhil is either two years (full-time) or four years (part-time). The MJur is either one year (full-time) or two years (part-time).

• Year one: The first year (or part-time equivalent) of a PhD usually includes a literature review specific to the thesis and topic. Students begin to undertake their research and relevant training. The thesis is usually written in stages over the course of the PhD, and students receive regular feedback.
• Year two and three: For an MPhil and MJur, these timescales are condensed into two years for the MPhil and one year for the MJur (or two-four years if studying part-time).

Course Highlights

As a Top 10 UK Law School, students will be supported by experts who conduct internationally recognized research related to their area of interest. Birmingham Law School offers a friendly and supportive environment to start their research journey.

• Our research expertise spans a wide range of areas and welcomes research that goes across subject boundaries. Students will receive personalized support from at least two supervisors.
• Join our diverse community of staff and students from around the world, providing a supportive environment to conduct research.
• Conduct PhD research from anywhere in the world through our online distance learning option. We also offer part-time options so students can fit their research around other commitments.
• PhD, MJur, and MPhil options are available to suit different research needs.

Research Themes

Birmingham Law School is home to internationally renowned legal academics and a thriving postgraduate research community. The research expertise in the school spans a wide range of topics, from jurisprudence to justice, healthcare to human rights.

• Commercial and company law (including banking, international commercial law, corporate governance)
• Comparative law (including civil law)
• Constitutional and administrative law (including legal response to terrorism)
• Criminal law and criminal justice (including international criminal law and evidence)
• Environmental law
• European Union law
• Family law
• Health and health care law
• Human rights and civil liberties
• International law and global legal studies (to include conflicts, international economic law, International sale of goods, international trade law, transitional justice, law and development, international economic law, international criminal law)
• Jurisprudence and legal theory
• Law and society (disability law, law and religion, gender and sexuality)
• Legal education and the legal profession (legal education, judicial administration)
• Private law (contract, tort, restitution, and common law)
• Property law (including intellectual property)

Entry Requirements

• Merit in a Masters degree (for entry to a PhD). 2:1 Honours degree (for entry to MJur and MPhil programs).
• Our requirements for postgraduate research are dependent on the type of program students are applying for:
  • For MJur and MPhil programs, entry usually requires a good (normally a 2:1 or above) Honours degree in law (or a subject related to the proposed area of research) or its international equivalent.
  • Typically, applicants for a PhD will also need to hold a Masters qualification at Merit level or above in law (or a subject related to the proposed area of research) or its international equivalent.
• Any academic and professional qualifications or relevant professional experience students may have will also be taken into account.
• If students are applying to study by distance learning, they will also be required to demonstrate that they have the time, commitment, facilities, and experience to study by distance learning.

English Language Requirements

• If students are international students, they will need to demonstrate they have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification or a Presessional English course.
• For this course, we require IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any band, which is equivalent to:
  • TOEFL: 95 overall with no less than 22 in any component
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 76 with no less than 67 in all four skills
  • Cambridge English: C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency - minimum overall score of 185, with no less than 176 in any component
  • LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): C1 'Expert' with no less than 25 in each skill

Fees and Scholarships

• Fees information:
  • £5,181 (full-time)
  • £2,591 (part-time)
• The same fees apply to both campus-based and distance learning study. The distance learning program also includes one fully-funded visit to campus in the first year of study.
• International students applying for part-time study may have to choose our distance learning option, depending on visa status.
• We charge an annual tuition fee. Fees for 2026 entry are above.
• The fees quoted are for one year only. For those studying courses that are longer than one year, tuition fees will also be payable in subsequent years of the program.

Funding Options

• Apply for a PhD that already has funding attached
• Self-fund, or search for funding or a studentship
• A limited number of scholarships and studentships may be available to outstanding applicants. For further information, please explore our scholarships and funding database.

Application Process

• To apply for a postgraduate research program, students will need to submit their application and supporting documents online.
• When proposing their own research topic, students will need to make sure the department offers the necessary expertise. We ask that students identify an appropriate supervisor and contact them before they submit their application.
• If there is a good fit between the proposed research and our research strengths, we will be able to give students advice on a draft of their research proposal before they make a formal application.
• The research proposal is a key part of the application, so students should take their time. The potential supervisors will use it to decide if the research is something they can support.
• The proposal should be a clear and concise summary of the research. It generally consists of an outline of the proposed research project, including the main research questions and the methods students intend to use.

Career Opportunities

• The University is the top choice for the UK's major employers searching for graduate recruits.
• Receive one-to-one careers advice, including guidance on job applications, writing a CV, and improving interview technique.
• Meet employers face-to-face at on-campus recruitment fairs and employer presentations.
• At Birmingham, researchers are prepared to make an impact across every sector of society. Our PhD graduates are global change-makers: advancing knowledge, shaping policy, leading industries, and educating future generations.
• Students will benefit from dedicated careers support tailored to their unique paths. Our expert team of Careers Advisers, including a dedicated postgraduate research adviser, offer one-to-one guidance to help researchers navigate career decisions both within and beyond academia.