PhD Law

The PhD Law at Birmingham City University is designed for graduates with innovative ideas that can contribute to advanced legal research in society. The programme equips them with high-level research skills, critical thinking, and the ability to construct concrete legal arguments. It trains them to be professional in academia, research, and other relevant sectors.

Important learning areas include legal theory, human rights, environmental law, property law, commercial law, medical law and ethics, criminal law, legal education, American and international law, science-policy interaction, and research methodologies. Students participate in the school’s research centres, such as those focused on human rights or law and science.

Practical elements of the programme include teaching opportunities, regular supervision meetings with academic experts, industry placements, seminar involvement, peer presentations, and research dissemination at internal or external conferences. It comprises supervision, a mandatory PgCert in Research Practice, and culminates in a doctoral thesis and an oral examination (viva voce).

Birmingham City University is an established, public institution located in Birmingham, a major city in central England. It has a long history of providing higher education with a practical approach to learning, and has strong links with industries and professions. The university operates two main campuses: City South (health programmes) and City Centre (business, arts).

The university's modern campus features state-of-the-art libraries with extensive resources, specialist laboratories, bespoke law courtrooms for student use, and dedicated spaces for collaborative work and student support services, all to provide a positive learning experience.

The university offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in fields such as medicine, law, engineering, business, and the arts. Its research approach to education promotes quality, applied studies with regular opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration.

Applicants must submit a personal statement to outline their interest in the course and any academic or professional background. A reference from an academic or employer is required. Students can also upload a CV to show their work experience.

Grade Requirements:

• Applicants should hold a minimum of a 2:1 Honours degree in a law-related discipline.
• Applicants must also submit a research proposal of no more than 1500 words.
• Applicants with some funded opportunities may also be required to have a Masters-level degree 

English Proficiency:

• Applicants who do not speak English as their first language need an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with a minimum of 6.0 in each category.
• Alternatively, a Secure English Language Test (SELT) may be required for those wishing to undertake pre-sessional English courses before starting the PhD programme.

The tuition fee for the full-time PhD Law programme is £15,120 per year for the 2025/26 academic year for international students. Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may change.

Birmingham City University offers scholarships to international students to support them financially. Scholarships such as the prestigious Vice-Chancellor Scholarships, worth a £5,000 discount on tuition fees, and the Postgraduate Loyalty Scholarships are awarded to students who meet the standard criteria.

Graduates of this programme may pursue careers as:

• Human rights advocate
• Academic Researcher
• University Lecturer
• Legal Policy Advisor
• Legal Consultant
• Government Legal Advisor

Interested applicants can apply for the course directly on the university's website. For guidance, contact AHZ's trained counsellors.