PhD Law

at University of Surrey

Assessment

Your final assessment will be based on the presentation of your research in a written thesis, which will be discussed in a viva examination with at least two examiners. You have the option of preparing your thesis as a monograph (one large volume in chapter form) or in publication format (including chapters written for publication), subject to the approval of your supervisors.

Research support

The professional development of postgraduate researchers is supported by the Doctoral College, which provides training in essential skills through its Researcher Development Programme of workshops, mentoring and coaching. A dedicated postgraduate Careers and Employability team will help you prepare for a successful career after the completion of your PhD.

Research themes
 

• Artificial intelligence and law 

• Criminal law and neuroscience 

• European Union law 

• Health sciences and law 

• Human rights law 

• Kantian legal philosophy and other intellectual historical approaches to legal problems, such as terrorism, human rights and refugee law 

• Language and law 

• Mental health law and neuroscience 

• Methodology of intellectual legal history 

• Philosophy of constitutional law 

• Philosophy of contract law 

• Philosophy of criminal law 

• Philosophy of humanitarian law 

• Philosophy of neuroscience and law 

• Philosophy of tort law 

• Philosophy of WTO 

• Public international law 

• Roman legal history and private law 

• Rule of law and transnational law 

• Socio-legal approaches to mental health and law, sex crimes, sentencing 

• Technology and law 

• Terrorism and law 

• The logic of war 

• The nature of law 

• The normativity of law 

• The philosophy of law and economics 

• Criminal justice and AI 

• Topics in international public law, such as state succession. 

Applicants are expected to hold at least a 2:1 Bachelors degree along with a Masters degree at a minimum of a merit level in Law, or other relevant discipline, from an approved university.

If you are unable to offer these qualifications, you may still be considered for admission if you hold a first-class Bachelors degree in Law, or other relevant discipline, from an approved university, or a professional or other qualification deemed to be appropriate and equivalent.

To apply for one of our postgraduate courses that require a UK 2:1, you must achieve at least 60% or 65% in the final two years of your undergraduate study depending on the institution you have completed your degree.

To apply for one of our postgraduate courses that require a UK 2:2, you must achieve at least 55% or 60% in the final two years of your undergraduate study depending on the institution you have completed your degree.

For courses that require a UK first-class degree to be eligible for a scholarship, you must achieve at least 65% or 70% in the final two years of your undergraduate study depending on the institution you have completed your degree.

English language requirements
 

• IELTS Academic: 6.5 or above (or equivalent) with 6.0 in each individual category and at least 7.0 in the writing component.

​​​​​​​If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.

Annual Tuition Fees:
 

• UK: £4,596

• Overseas: £18,100