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Research degrees in Law PhD

  • Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate research
  • Start Date(s): October 2024,
  • Duration: 2-4 years full-time, or 4-8 years part-time.
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time / Part-time
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements:
    More information

Introduction:

NLS has a diverse and vibrant community of postgraduate research candidates who are an integral part of our community. The School offers opportunities to study for a PhD by full-time or part-time study, and is now also available by distance learning.

Researchers in the Law School have interests in a diverse range of legal topics and use a variety of methodologies, including theoretical, doctrinal and socio-legal research. Candidates interested in pursuing a postgraduate research degree should contact the Postgraduate Research Tutor, Helen O’Nions, or the member of staff whose expertise aligns with the proposed project. Currently, members of staff have expressed interests in reviewing proposals on the follow areas:

  • Conflict, Rights and Justice
  • Legal Education and Legal Practice
  • Environmental Law
  • Medical Law and Ethics
  • Advocacy
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Sports Law
  • Business and Insolvency
  • International Criminal Law.

Supporting your studies

Carrying out research for a PhD or ProfD requires different skills from undergraduate or taught postgraduate study. You will mostly work on your own research project, but we also emphasise the importance of regular meetings with your supervisory team.

The team consists of a director of studies (who will usually have expertise in your subject area) and at least one other supervisor selected for their complementary expertise such as relevant research methods.

All candidates have access to a dedicated research librarian, and state-of-the-art library and information services including the full gamut of research databases.  They also have access to a range of academic software as well as legal and social science databases such as Westlaw, Lawtel, Hein-on-line and LexisNexis, and to numerous other databases across a wide spectrum of disciplines. Candidates have access to a large pool of workstations and storage space in the NTU Doctoral School. This newly refurbished accommodation provides congenial space for doctoral students to work, mingle, talk about their projects and share ideas.

The Law School is proud to host the Early Career Researchers’ Forum, wherein both ECR staff and PGR students are encouraged to share experiences and wisdom of the first steps in an academic career.

The Doctoral School Team will support you from your initial enquiry, through the application process and the various stages of your degree, until your viva voce examination and subsequent graduation. Once you begin your studies, you will have induction sessions to introduce you to the University, help you settle in and meet other researchers. There are also opportunities for many candidates to take up posts as hourly paid lecturers or research assistants within the Law School. and we seek to maximise such opportunities to provide career development.

Researcher training and career development

In addition to studying for a research degree, our Doctoral Plus programme is designed to develop knowledge and skills of all aspects of the research process, including the funding and dissemination of research. This will ensure that you have the necessary expertise to successfully complete your doctoral programme and lay sound foundations for your future career.

We also provide a structured programme of transferable skills training and career development. This is informed by the work of Vitae, the national organisation which support researchers throughout their careers.

Participation in academic conferences, seminars and external networks will cultivate contacts, skills and knowledge essential for successful research practice and the Law School ringfences a fund to enable postgraduate researchers to engage in such activities. These competencies are also transferable to a wide range of other careers. Researchers are also invited to take part in our research seminar series and Research Away Day, giving you the opportunity to present your work and discuss with other researchers at NTU.

There are some opportunities for research students to prepare for an academic career by teaching undergraduate students or undertaking research assistance. Students may also take part in the Introduction to Learning and Teaching in Higher Education training programme.

What you’ll study

Researchers in the Law School have interests in a diverse range of legal topics and use a variety of methodologies, both doctrinal and socio-legal. Contact the Doctoral School if you wish to discuss whether we could offer supervision for your topic.

Support and supervision

During your research you will be supported by a dedicated supervision team with both specialist knowledge in your field of activity and experience of successful doctoral supervision. You will also have full access to student support centres, financial advice, careers advice, language support, disability support, counselling and an accommodation service.

Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves

Student Profiles

Ini-Obong Nkang

I chose Nottingham Law School because I knew about the specific guidance, assistance, and expertise I would receive.

Steve John Atkin

He credits the working relationships and networks he formed throughout his time with NLS, particularly with his supervisory team, as the main contributing factor for his decision to undertake his PhD with NLS.

Staff Profiles

Rebecca Parry - Professor

Nottingham Law School

Rebecca Parry is a Professor at the Nottingham Law School, NTU and is the Co-Director of the Centre for Business and Insolvency Law.

Janice Denoncourt - Associate Professor

Nottingham Law School

Associate Professor Dr Janice Denoncourt Intellectual Property, Finance and Corporate Governance (2018) Routledge Taylor Francis.

Jonathan Doak - Associate Dean for Research

Nottingham Law School

Professor Jonathan Doak is the Associate Dean for Research at the Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University.

Paula Moffatt - Director of External Engagement

Nottingham Law School

Professor Paula Moffatt is the Director of External Engagement at the Nottingham Law School, Nottingham Trent University.

Helen Hall - Associate Professor

Nottingham Law School

Rev’d Dr Helen Hall is an Associate Professor at the Nottingham Law School, NTU and is a qualified solicitor and Anglican priest.

Helen O'Nions - Associate Professor

Nottingham Law School

Dr Helen O'Nions is an Associate Professor at the Nottingham Law School, NTU and is responsible for doctoral education in NLS.

Careers and employability

Your career development

Nottingham Trent University prides itself on the real-world relevance of its courses, and places particular emphasis on helping students to develop the academic and practical know-how that encourages initiative, innovation and academic excellence.

All our research degrees incorporate a programme of supporting studies designed to develop knowledge and skills of all aspects of the research process, including the funding and dissemination of research. This will ensure that you have the necessary expertise to successfully complete your doctoral programme and lay sound foundations for your future career.

Participation in academic conferences, seminars and external networks will cultivate contacts, skills and knowledge essential for successful research practice. These abilities are also transferable to a wide range of other careers. Researchers are also invited to take part in our own Research Conferences giving you the opportunity to present your work and discuss with other researchers at NTU.

There are some opportunities for research students to prepare for an academic career by teaching undergraduate students or supervising laboratory work, and students may take part in the Introduction to Learning and Teaching in Higher Education training programme.

Although formal placements are not a requirement of PhDs, the University has strong links with professionals in business and industry.

There are opportunities to participate in ERASMUS overseas exchanges in some subject areas. The University has links with many other institutions such as:

  • Sapienza Università di Roma
  • Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
  • l'Université d'Angers
  • Universitat Ramon Llull (Barcelona).

Re:search Re:imagined

To us, research is about more than writing papers and proposing new ideas. By daring to think differently, we’re disrupting the research landscape and finding the answers to the questions that really matter. From social media addiction to sustainable farming, we’re inspiring the brightest minds to rise up and find solutions to some of the most significant global challenges facing society

Campus and facilities

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You will need:

  • a minimum of a first or second-class degree or a Master's degree in a relevant discipline
  • a period of pre-PhD study is required for some subjects before entry to a PhD
  • and / or evidence of motivation and ability to conduct research at higher degree level.

English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 (with minimum sub-scores of 6.0).

Applicants who have taken a higher degree at a UK university are normally exempt from the English language requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English language proficiency requirement will normally be asked to complete an English Language course.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

Entry requirements

You will need:

  • a minimum of a first or second-class degree or a Master's degree in a relevant discipline
  • a period of pre-PhD study is required for some subjects before entry to a PhD
  • and / or evidence of motivation and ability to conduct research at higher degree level.

English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 (with minimum sub-scores of 6.0).

Applicants who have taken a higher degree at a UK university are normally exempt from the English language requirements. Applicants who do not meet the English language proficiency requirement will normally be asked to complete an English Language course.

International qualifications

We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)

If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:

English language entry requirements

You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Fees and funding

Please see the Doctoral School website.

Nottingham Trent University is part of the Midlands Graduate School, an accredited Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). See how the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership can help support you in your research.

Scholarships

We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.

Living costs

Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:

Paying fees

Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:

Would you like some advice on your study plans?

Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.

Nottingham Trent University is part of the Midlands Graduate School, an accredited Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP). See how the ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership can help support you in your research.

How to apply

Application process

To apply for a PhD please submit a research proposal (between 1,000 and a maximum of 2,000 words) which addresses the following points:

  • provisional title
  • the topic or area to be investigated (the subject or field that you are going to investigate)
  • the problem or hypothesis to be tested (the research questions or problem you want to address, the research objectives)
  • the relationship of the proposed research to the published literature and to current research in the field (how your project relates to other work)
  • an indication of the contribution to knowledge that the thesis is anticipated to make (what you hope to find out)
  • the methods and techniques to be used in the research (how you propose to go about the research)
  • a provisional timetable for the project, indicating anticipated activities
  • details of your previous work in the proposed field, or relationship to prior experience or study
  • a bibliography of sources already consulted or identified as of relevance to your proposal.

As you’re applying for a Research degree, you may also like to have a look around our Research pages. This may help you to spot academic staff, research areas or projects that interest you.

How to apply

Visit the Doctoral School’s step by step guide to make an application.

Please read our notes on the University’s commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

Application process

To apply for a PhD please submit a research proposal (between 1,000 and a maximum of 2,000 words) which addresses the following points:

  • provisional title
  • the topic or area to be investigated (the subject or field that you are going to investigate)
  • the problem or hypothesis to be tested (the research questions or problem you want to address, the research objectives)
  • the relationship of the proposed research to the published literature and to current research in the field (how your project relates to other work)
  • an indication of the contribution to knowledge that the thesis is anticipated to make (what you hope to find out)
  • the methods and techniques to be used in the research (how you propose to go about the research)
  • a provisional timetable for the project, indicating anticipated activities
  • details of your previous work in the proposed field, or relationship to prior experience or study
  • a bibliography of sources already consulted or identified as of relevance to your proposal.

As you’re applying for a Research degree, you may also like to have a look around our Research pages. This may help you to spot academic staff, research areas or projects that interest you.

How to apply

Visit the Doctoral School’s step by step guide to make an application.

Please read our notes on the University’s commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.