Postgraduate research
Law
Join our community of researchers across a wide range of subjects in public, private, domestic and international law.
About
Among our community we have leading authors and experts in their respective subjects.
We work with a wide variety of groups including the legal profession, policymakers in government and the EU and other research bodies and organisations around the world.
This reflects our strengths in many fields of legal and socio-legal research and these close links give our students the opportunity to study with internationally-respected scholars.
We engage in several nationally and internationally-funded research projects and our success in drawing in such funding is increasing year on year.
We are committed to expanding our research portfolio by recruiting leading scholars and early career researchers.
Main areas of research
Our research themes cover national and global issues and bring together cross-faculty academics. They include:
- law and technology
- international law and globalisation
- maritime law
- private and commercial law
- constitutional and public law
- property, equity and housing law
- criminal justice and crime analysis
- discrimination, equality and the law
- environmental law
Similar research degree topics
- business
- politics and international relations
- psychology
- social statistics and demography
- sociology, social policy and criminology
Find a research project
You can either apply for a structured studentship or propose your own PhD idea.
Structured studentships are advertised PhD projects with a title, supervisor, remit and funding already in place. These projects are set up through collaborations with industry, external partners or through one of several centres for doctoral training that we take part in.
Taking one of our structured studentships will give you access to additional training, conferences and secondments.
Advertised PhD research projects
0 advertised projects
Funding and fees
Find a funded PhD project
We offer a wide range of fully funded studentships. There are a range of fully funded studentships, often offered in partnership with doctoral training centres, meaning you'll benefit from enhanced training and guaranteed funding.
These studentships:
- are fully funded
- come with a maintenance grant to help towards living costs
- are open to UK and international students
Scholarships
We offer scholarships and teaching bursaries ourselves. Your potential supervisor can guide you on what is available.
If you’re an international student you may be able to apply for a scholarship from your country.
Find out more about scholarships
Fund your own PhD research project
Once you've found a supervisor, they can help you with potential funding sources. We offer match funding in some cases.
You'll need to state how you intend to pay for your tuition fees when you submit your application.
Find out more about funding your PhD
Take out a PhD loan
You can borrow up to £29,390 for a PhD starting on or after 1 August 2024. Doctoral loans are not means tested and you can decide how much you want to borrow.
Find out about PhD loans on GOV.UK
Apply for funding from a charity
You may be able to win funding from one or more charities to help fund your PhD.
2023 to 2024 entry:
| PhD | 2023/24 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | tbc | £18,600 |
| Part-time | tbc | £9,300 |
2024 to 2025 entry:
| PhD | 2023/24 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | £4,786 | £19,200 |
| Part-time | £2,393 | £9,600 |
2025 to 2026 entry:
| PhD | 2023/24 | 2023/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | tbc | £19,620 |
| Part-time | tbc | £9,810 |
Alumni discount
You're eligible for a 10% alumni discount on a self-funded PhD if you're a current student or graduate from the University of Southampton.
Potential supervisors
Research institutes, centres and groups
How to apply
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Choose your project type
Decide whether to apply to an advertised research project or create your own proposal.
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Contact your potential supervisors
It's a good idea to email potential supervisors to discuss the specifics of your project. It's best to do this well ahead of the application deadline.
You’ll find supervisors’ contact details listed with the advertised project, or you can search for supervisors in the staff directory.
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Gather your application documents
You’ll need to send us
- your CV with details of your academic record and research interests
- your academic transcript
- details of 2 current academic referees, with their institutional email addresses
- a short statement of your research interests
- IELTS or TOEFL certificate if English is not your first language
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Apply
Facilities
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Law student common room
Enjoy a dedicated study and meeting space based in the Southampton Law School. -
Law library collections
Support your casework exploration or research studies with access to a wealth of legal texts, documents, manuscripts and databases. -
Moot courtroom
In our mooting room you'll practise presenting and arguing hypothetical cases before barristers and judges.
Entry requirements
You’ll need to have a 2:1 Honours undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification, in a related subject area.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you'll need an IELTS minimum level of 7.0 with a 6.5 in writing, reading, speaking and listening.
Your awarded certificate needs to be dated within the last 2 years.
If you need further English language tuition before starting your degree, you can apply for one of our pre-sessional English language courses.
Requirements for advertised projects
Check the specific entry requirements listed on the project you’re interested in before you apply.
Programmes and durations
Our Law PhD is available to study in person or remotely.
Research degrees have a minimum and maximum duration, known as the candidature. Your candidature ends when you submit your thesis.
Most candidatures are longer than the minimum period.
| Degree type | Full time | Part time |
| Law PhD | 2 to 4 years | 3 to 7 years |