Programme description

Research is central to the work of the School of Law. Our diverse, intellectual community brings together legal and socio-legal scholars, criminologists, ethicists, economists and sociologists who undertake doctrinal and empirical research, resulting in the production of a wide range of scholarly and policy-oriented publications.

Our research shapes law, policy and social change through active engagement with policy-makers, legislators, NGOs and activists working in a broad range of disciplines and sectors. We invite you to explore our research themes, through which we encourage collaboration and debate within the School and beyond. Our research degrees involve sustained, in-depth study into a specific topic, which is then written up as a thesis for examination.

Special features

Our core research is supported by four main centres, providing direction and guidance for staff and students with common interests.

Having specialised research centres at the School of Law allows us to ensure our research is focused and makes a real impact, both within the University and the wider community.

The Manchester Centre for Regulation, Governance and Public Law (ManReg) works to address regulatory issues in areas such as the environment, policing and intellectual property and biotechnology.

Our international law expertise at the Manchester International Law Centre (MILC) covers a range of areas including international trade, armed conflicts and cyber security.

The Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCCJ) is a hub for our criminology experts to conduct research into some of today's important issues around topics such as drug abuse, violence and organised crime.

Finally, experts at the Centre for Social Ethics and Policy (CSEP) are leading the ethical research of today's healthcare and legal debates in areas such as assisted suicide and euthanasia, mental health and capacity issues and reproduction.

Connect to our research centres: www.law.manchester.ac.uk/research/centres

Teaching and learning

Undertaking a PhD is challenging, but you will receive expert supervision during your time with us. This supervision includes regular meetings with your supervisors and an annual review session for you to present details of your progress to other academic staff.

Supervisors will normally be within the School, but collaborating with scholars from other areas of the University is also possible. Our dedicated researcher development team provides individual tailored training to support the progression of your research skills, as well as guidance for your career in academia or further afield. To test your ideas and disseminate your scholarship, the School actively supports and encourages you to engage with the wider academic community to present your work to and receive feedback from scholars outside of Manchester.

Coursework and assessment

For the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) you must successfully complete a period of supervised research and training, the results of which show convincing evidence of your capacity to pursue research and scholarship, and to make an original contribution and substantial addition to knowledge.  You must prepare a substantial thesis of up to 80,000 words, and also satisfy the examiners in an oral examination on the subject of the thesis. The subject is chosen by the candidate, but must be approved by the School's Research Committee. 

Postgraduate research students may commence their studies in September or January (with September being the main admissions date).

Scholarships and bursaries

Self-funded graduates of the Manchester Law School, who have applied within 3 years of graduation, will receive a loyalty discount of 20% on their annual tuition fees when they register for the programme.  

Various  funding opportunities  are available to students taking a 3 year PhD programme.

Facilities

At Manchester you will benefit greatly from our ongoing investment in the best research facilities, as well as a dynamic research culture that encourages innovative, cross-disciplinary collaboration.

The University of Manchester's Library is the third-largest university library in the UK, only Oxford and Cambridge (both non-deposit libraries) are larger. Manchester's vast resources include over four million books and journals, and the largest collection of electronic databases in the UK. This means the materials you need for your research are immediately available to you.

Disability support

Practical support and advice for current students and applicants is available from the Disability Advisory and Support Service. Email: dass@manchester.ac.uk