Program Overview

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MPhil in Law

The MPhil in Law is a one-year research masters degree offering advanced legal study and research training.

About the Course

During the first two terms of the MPhil, students will undertake a course in legal research methods. The MPhil ends with the submission of a dissertation. The course in legal research methods provides training in legal research methodology and exposes students to the diversity of intellectual challenges involved in legal scholarship.

Attendance

The course is full-time and requires attendance in Oxford. Full-time students are subject to the University's Residence requirements.

Resources to Support Study

As a graduate student, you will have access to the University's wide range of resources, including libraries, museums, galleries, digital resources, and IT services. The Bodleian Libraries is the largest library system in the UK, holding more than 13 million printed items and providing access to e-journals.

Supervision

The allocation of graduate supervision for this course is the responsibility of the Law Faculty. Students will work with an assigned supervisor who they will meet to discuss their work and provide feedback and advice. Students generally meet their supervisors nine times per year, with a concentration of meetings in the first term.

Assessment

Completing the course in legal research methods requires an oral presentation and submission of a 2,000-word written presentation based on the oral presentation. A dissertation of 25,000- to 30,000-words must be submitted normally at the beginning of August. The examination method for the thesis is the same as that used for the DPhil - two examiners are appointed who read the thesis and hold an in-depth oral examination, known as a viva voce, with you.

Graduate Destinations

MPhil students pursue a range of career paths after completion of the qualification. Some will proceed to the DPhil; some will enter legal practice as solicitors, barristers, advocates, and judges; others will become legal advisors advising government departments, non-governmental organisations, and private companies.

Research Areas

Youll have the opportunity to undertake research within the specialised themes of this course, which include:

• Business Law
• Computers and Law
• Family and Medical Law
• Human Rights Law
• Jurisprudence
• Law and Technology
• Legal History
• Private Law
• Public Law
• Public International Law
• Tax Law

Entry Requirements

The requirements described below are specific to this course and apply only in the year of entry that is shown.

• Proven and potential academic excellence: Applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve a first-class undergraduate degree with honours in law. Exceptionally, students with first-class honours in other subjects will be considered if the subject is relevant to the proposed area of research.
• Degree-level qualifications: As a minimum, applicants should hold or be predicted to achieve the following UK qualifications or their equivalent.
• GRE General Test scores: No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.
• Other qualifications, evidence of excellence and relevant experience: Publications are not expected but may, in certain circumstances, advantage an application.
• English language proficiency: This course requires proficiency in English at the University's higher level.

Funding

For entry in the academic year, the collegiate University expects to offer over 1,100 full or partial graduate scholarships across a wide range of graduate courses. Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

Costs

Annual Course Fees

The fees for this course are charged on an annual basis.

• Home: Ł10,910
• Overseas: Ł31,110

Additional Costs

Depending on your choice of research topic and the research required to complete it, you may incur additional expenses, such as travel expenses, research expenses, equipment, materials, and field trips.

Living Costs

In addition to your course fees and any additional course-specific costs, you will need to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your living costs for the duration of your course. The range of likely living costs for a single, full-time student is between Ł1,405 and Ł2,105 for each month spent in Oxford.

College Preference

Students enrolled on this course will belong to both a department/faculty and a college. The following colleges accept students on the MPhil in Law:

• Balliol College
• Blackfriars
• Brasenose College
• Campion Hall
• Christ Church
• Corpus Christi College
• Exeter College
• Harris Manchester College
• Hertford College
• Jesus College
• Keble College
• Lady Margaret Hall
• Linacre College
• Lincoln College
• Magdalen College
• Mansfield College
• Merton College
• New College
• Oriel College
• Pembroke College
• The Queen's College
• Regent's Park College
• Reuben College
• St Anne's College
• St Antony's College
• St Catherine's College
• St Cross College
• St Edmund Hall
• St Hilda's College
• St Hugh's College
• St John's College
• St Peter's College
• Somerville College
• Trinity College
• University College
• Wadham College
• Wolfson College
• Worcester College
• Wycliffe Hall

Application Process

You should refer to the information below when completing the application form, paying attention to the specific requirements for the supporting documents.

• Referees: Three overall, of which at least two must be academic.
• Official transcript(s): Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date.
• CV/résumé: A CV/résumé is compulsory for this course.
• Research proposal: A minimum of 600 to a maximum of 1,000 words.
• Written work: One essay, a maximum of 2,000 words.

Admission Status

Open to applications for entry in the academic year.

Deadlines

• 12:00 midday UK time on: Wednesday 28 January 2026: Latest deadline for most Oxford scholarships, final application deadline for entry in the academic year.