PhD in Law

The PhD in Law may be awarded after three to four years of full-time study  (including a probationary period) of supervised independent research on the basis of a thesis not exceeding 100,000 words, exclusive of bibliography, table of contents and any other preliminary matter. The course can also be taken part-time as either 60% or 75% of full-time study, and the course length will be adjusted accordingly. Students are appointed a principal Supervisor by the Faculty's Degree Committee as well as an academic advisor to act as a source of advice on matters relating to a student's research and research environment. If the project is interdisciplinary, a second Supervisor may be appointed. While individual arrangements may vary considerably, PhD students may normally expect to receive one-to-one supervision once a month during the early stages of their research. Meetings may be less frequent thereafter.

A PhD thesis must take due account of previously published work on the subject. It must represent a significant contribution to learning through, for example, the discovery of new knowledge, the connection of previously unrelated facts, the development of new theory or the revision of older views. A PhD research proposal of between 2,000 and 3,000 words in length (inclusive of footnotes but exclusive of bibliography) should be submitted at the time of application for consideration by the Faculty's Degree Committee. Candidates are initially registered for the Certificate of Postgraduate Study in Legal Studies and are required to attend the classes provided by the Faculty's Research Training and Development Programme, which aims to provide an introduction to advanced research techniques and methods in law and cognate disciplines.

Towards the end of May of their first year (or at a proportionally later date for part-time candidates), candidates are required to submit three items for a progress review: a personal progress log, a 15,000-word thesis, and a short explanation of the proposed topic of the PhD. The work is formally assessed (normally by two teaching members of the Faculty), and students must attend an oral examination.   

After this examination, the assessors' reports, along with a recommendation from the Supervisor(s), are considered by the Faculty's Degree Committee whose members then decide whether the candidate be upgraded to doctoral status. The PhD registration date is normally backdated so as to include the period spent working on the Certificate.

Open Days

The University hosts and attends fairs and events throughout the year, in the UK and across the world. We also offer online events to help you explore your options:

• Discover Cambridge: Master’s and PhD study webinars - these Spring events provide practical information about applying for postgraduate study.

• Postgraduate Virtual Open Days - taking place in November each year, the Open Days focus on subject and course information.

For more information about upcoming events visit our events pages.