PhD Law at Queen's University Belfast

Programme overview

Research doctorate in the School of Law, which offers PhD supervision across the legal field, from doctrinal to socio-legal, comparative, criminological and critical approaches. Students join a community of about 70 PhD students and a bespoke School training programme.

Department: School of Law | Intake: 2027/28 academic year | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Supervision is available in human rights, justice, and law and governance, plus emerging areas including the UK's changing relationship with the EU, business and human rights, heritage, property and culture, and law and new technologies including AI. Interdisciplinary projects with other Queen's schools are accepted.

Career pathways

Doctoral graduates go on to careers including academic posts at law schools across the UK.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

An Upper Second or First Class Honours degree (or equivalent) in Law or another relevant discipline, plus a Master's degree with an average above 60%. Applicants with a 2:1 or First in Law or a relevant discipline who are currently studying a Master's degree are also considered, as are those with a 2:1 or First plus evidence of ability to conduct independent and original research (case by case). International applicants: IELTS 7.0 overall with at least 6.5 in each component (taken within the last 2 years) or equivalent.

International applicants: GBP 23,600 a year (2027/28). International and EU Other rate; NI, ROI and GB rates listed as TBC Source

Intake: September 2027

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