PhD Law at Birmingham City University

We support a thriving PhD community, largely through its three main research centres: The Centre for American Legal Studies, The Centre for Human Rights and the Centre for Law, Science and Policy. We also contribute to the work of the University-wide Centre for Brexit Studies. We are currently supporting students to undertake doctoral research on a variety of topics, including capital punishment, international human rights standards and trade agreements, and the interface of law and science in the context of public health and criminal justice.

Faculty: Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences  |  Department: Law  |  Duration: 3-4 years full-time; 4-7 years part-time; 4-7 years distance learning  |  Study mode: full-time/online/part-time  |  Intake: September 2026, February 2027, May 2027  |  Location: Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

Doctoral research allows students to development advanced skills in research, project management, critical thinking, argument construction and drafting, and to be innovative. Our PhD students benefit from regular supervision meetings with academics who are experts in their field; and have the opportunity to become members of our proactive research community made up of academics, postgraduate researchers and external partners.

Career pathways

The PhD award is well established and valued professional qualifications within the legal sector and will enhance your career prospects. Should you want to follow a career in teaching and researching academic law in higher education, a PhD is highly desirable.

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