Law PhD

An PhD is an advanced postgraduate research degree that requires original research and the submission of a substantial dissertation of 60,000 to 100,000 words. MPhil/PhD researchers in law at Birkbeck benefit from the supervision of internationally renowned experts, classes in legal theory and research and presentation skills, seminars and extensive library facilities. The unifying themes of our research are social and legal theory and interdisciplinary study. Accordingly, we welcome applications both from lawyers and non-lawyers who wish to undertake research within the broad range of substantive areas of national, European and international law.

We also offer financial assistance for conference attendance, comprehensive independent monitoring of each student's yearly progress, and postgraduate student representation on the School of Law board. Ours is a vibrant community of researchers that organises, with the support of the School, a series of workshops, reading groups and a work-in-progress group, as well as frequent social events.

Concentrating on a number of clearly defined research areas in which our expertise is internationally recognised, we aim to:

• specialise in distinctive and innovative research
• establish and foster critical and multidisciplinary scholarships, by building links with other disciplines and by introducing the scholarly values and methods of the humanities and social sciences into the discipline of law
• promote a culture of joint research, publications and other forms of collaboration among our staff
• pursue a programme of national and international links.

Our key areas of research are:

• race, gender and culture
• law and humanities
• policy, practice and activism
• regulation, risk and surveillance
• human rights.

At Birkbeck, you are initially registered on an MPhil and you upgrade to a PhD after satisfactory progress in the first year or two.

Good honours degree in law or a related discipline from the humanities or social sciences.