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PhD / Research Degrees

Research Programmes

MPhil/PhD (P-M3P0) and LLM by Research (P-M3P2)


Research Degree Options at Warwick Law School

  • PhD (approximately 4 years)
    This involves a thesis of up to 80,000 words.
  • MPhil (minimum 2 years)
    This involves a thesis of up to 60,000 words.
  • LLM by Research (mininum 1 year)
    This involves a thesis of up to 40,000 words.

Our Research Degrees attempt to achieve a balance between individual study, academic supervision, and participation in a communal, scholarly learning environment. As a research student, you will be a vital part of our research culture and we will encourage you to fully participate in the life of the Law School.



Image of Alumni Christian Mecklenburg-Guzman

My PhD studies provided me with essential insights required for my work as a lawyer in investment banking in London. Warwick is the best place due to its renowned academics, expertise and interconnection with experts and practitioners in the field.

Christian Mecklenburg-Guzman, General Counsel at Credit Suisse (PhD 2019)

Our Research Degrees are distinctive because:

  • You will be part of an amazing community of students, academics and professional services where you will be supported and encouraged in your studies
  • We have dedicated work spaces for our PGR students, so you can carry out your research and writing on campus
  • The additional resources available to you include weekly research seminars and public lectures where speakers and fellow students share their exciting and thought provoking research

Research Centres

Contributing to events run by our specialist research centres will enable you to network and work alongside leading scholars from all over the world. Find out more about our 6 research centres.

Thesis Supervision

In this programme you will be carefully supervised by an individual specialist in your chosen area of study and supported to generate a research question and produce a thesis. With over forty members of staff we are able to offer research supervision over a wide range of legal topics. Before you apply, refer to our staff pages to find members of staff with expertise in your intended research area.

You are welcome to contact our staff directly to see if they can provide any advice on your proposed research, but will still need to submit an application and meet the selection criteria set by the University before any offer is made.

Director of Postgraduate Research - Dr Daniel Matthews

Daniel's primary interests lie in theories of sovereignty and political community. His most recent work examines how both orthodox and critical approaches to sovereignty are being challenged by planetary climatic change and the onset of the Anthropocene. Taking a transdisciplinary approach, his work draws on critical legal theory, political theory, literature, aesthetics and ecology. Find out more about Dr Daniel Matthews.


You will attend a research methods and theory course and meet with your supervisor at least once a month throughout your degree.

Each year postgraduate research students get the benefit of feedback and presentation opportunities, skills workshops, as well as a series of 'masterclass' events led by world-leading researchers. These workshops and events support a self critical assessment of research methods and techniques and allow you to learn from others working in your field. In addition, you will be invited to attend research seminars, public lectures and other training opportunities within the Law School and across the University.

On the PhD Programme, you will be encouraged after your first year to attend a research student seminar, and present your work-in-progress papers and participate in critical discussion of theoretical texts. With permission, you may attend some taught modules offered by the school or other departments.

Our research training will help you:

  • Evolve into a well-rounded socio-legal scholar, with the skills and experience necessary to gain employment in tertiary education, or in a national or international organisation
  • Develop an informed and wide-ranging understanding of the research process
  • Gain an understanding of relevant research methods
  • Situate socio-legal research within a theoretical framework which draws upon key philosophical approaches to the social sciences
  • To frame and refine effective research proposals
  • Enhance your study, presentation and writing skills

Hear from some of our students about their research.


Name Awarded Title of Thesis Supervisor
Sharon Kun-Amorngpong 2023

The Financial Trilemma and Cross-border Bank Crisis Management

Andy Campbell (University of Leeds) and Jonathan Garton (WLS).
Mohammad Al-Dabbous 2023

Central Bank of Kuwait and Bank Crisis Management: A Comparative Study

Dalvinder Singh
Sahar Shah 2023

Tragic and Comic Myths in Canadian ‘Tar Sands’ Jurisprudence

Sam Adelman and Christine Schwobel-Patel
Natalie Kyneswood 2023

The Application of s. 28 and Related Measures in Sex Offence Cases: Is Pre-recorded Cross-examination Achieving Best Evidence for Intimidated Complainants?

Jackie Hodgson and Vanessa Munro
Hugh Williams 2023

Reshaping ICL’s approach to child perpetrators

Andrew Williams
Rafael Quintero Godinez 2022

Systems Theory and Investment Arbitration: ICSID and its Judicialisation

Dalvinder Singh and Velimir Zivkovic
Yasemin Karadag 2022

Legal Integration of Syrian Refugees in Berlin, Germany: A Socio-Legal Study

Dallal Stevens
Alice King 2022

A Vital Piece of the Puzzle: Understanding students’ attitudes towards sexual violence at elite UK institutions

Vanessa Munro
Limia Trifena 2022

A Comparative Analysis of Macroprudential Reforms in the Aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis 2008: Lessons for Indonesia

Dalvinder Singh
Julie Mansuy 2022

Geographical Indications and the EU Legal and Policy Discourse: A Pursuit of Legitimacy?

Andrew Williams and Ania Zbyszewska
Mohammad Adulwahab Al Fahad 2022

A Triangle of Pluralist Norms at Play: An Analytical Study of the Debates of the Constitutional Assembly, the Constitution of Kuwait and Judgments of the Kuwait Constitutional Court

Shaheen Ali
Rahima 2022

The Small Island Developing States’ Demand for Climate Justice

Sam Adelman
Yasmine Benaich 2022

LLM by Research - 'Hello, World!': Towards a New Era of Algorithmic Contracting? Implications for Laws and Regulations

Christian Twigg-Flesner
Joy Oti 2022

An Integrated Framework for Consumer Adoption of E-commerce in Nigeria - Legal Insights from the Technology Adoption Model. An interdisciplinay thesis, applying analytical tools of business studies to legal questions.

Christopher Bisping
Angel Matoke-Njagi 2021

The Politics of Hate Speech

Illan Wall

Further information: