Study a MPhil/PhD in Law at the University of Warwick's Law School. Gain an understanding of relevant research methods and evolve into a well-rounded socio-legal scholar within a creative community of fellow researchers.
My experience as an international PhD researcher at Warwick Law School has been both intellectually challenging and highly rewarding. The programme gives me the freedom to develop my own research project, while regular discussions with my supervisors have helped me refine my ideas and grow in confidence as a researcher. As an international student, I have particularly valued the inclusive environment and the approachable support provided by both academic and professional services staff. I have also benefited from a supportive PGR community and the wide range of researcher development opportunities available across Warwick, which broadened my academic skills beyond my thesis. Taking on PGR representative and engagement roles has further allowed me to contribute to the Law School community while developing valuable communication and organisational skills.
Rui
PhD
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. For the MPhil you are required to write a thesis of up to 60,000 words and up to 80,000 for the PhD.
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.
Teaching and learning
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 and 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 with the Law School and across the University.
Entry requirements
A good Master's degree (or equivalent) in Law or a related subject plus a strong research proposal. Those with a good first-class undergraduate degree may also be considered for entry.
Overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 and minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
Please adjust your country as required:
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.
We typically ask for two academic references for research courses.
You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.
Before you submit your application, you must ensure we have a member of staff who shares your research interests. You should consult our staff directory to find out who is doing what in the department and identify potential supervisors. You should make contact initially via email prior to submitting an application. While individual academics cannot make a decision to accept a given application, most successful applicants have contacted potential supervisors to secure in-principle interest in supervising their particular research project.
Please note that an expression of interest from a supervisor, or even their involvement in refining your proposal, is not a guarantee that your application will be successful. Applicants must make initial contact with a potential supervisor before submitting their application otherwise it is likely the application will be rejected.
Research themes
Thirteen research clusters:
Arts, Culture and Law
Comparative Law and Culture
Contract, Business and Commercial Law
Development and Human Rights
Empirical Approaches
Family Law
Gender and the Law
Gen AI
Governance and Regulation
International and European Law
Law and Humanities
Legal Theory
Migration
Research Centres
Our research clusters feed into our interdisciplinary and interdepartmental research centres including:
Centre for Constitutions in Context
Centre for Global Health Law
Centre for Human Rights in Practice
Centre for Law, Regulation and Governance of the Global Economy
Centre for Operational Police Research
Creative Learning for Justice
Criminal Justice Centre
International Justice Arts Network
The Centre for Critical Legal Studies
The Centre for Ethics, Law and Public Affairs
Contributing to events run by our specialist research centres will enable you to network and work alongside leading scholars from all over the world.
The Law School's research is rooted in the twin themes of law in context and the international character of law.
There are several routes to finding a PhD supervisor at University of Warwick. Searching for a supervisor and submitting a research proposal will look different depending on the opportunity you are applying for. Below you’ll find guidance from the department about what is required for this course.
For more general advice, including top tips for finding and contacting a potential supervisor, and what to include in your research proposal visit the university’s guidance webpages.
Find your supervisor using the link below and discuss with them the area you'd like to research.
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.
You should make contact with a potential supervisor before submitting your application.
You will be required to submit a Research Proposal with your application. This should be 2000-2500 words (MPhil or PhD) or 1000-1500 words (LLM by Research), and contain the following:
Proposed research title and rationale, and a working hypothesis or research questions
Research methodology, including any proposed field work
Survey of the relevant literature and a clear expression of the originality of the proposed work
List of publications (where appropriate) and research experience
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and assessment and some student amenities.
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.
Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?
If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.
As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of research trips in the UK and overseas. In addition, you should consider the more general costs below:
Access to research material that is not available via university resources
Printing and binding a personal copy of your dissertation
Robe hire for your degree ceremony
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Since 1968, our School has built a reputation for looking beyond legislation alone and pioneering the ‘Law in Context’ approach – examining the law’s strengths and weaknesses, and its potential for improving society.
Be inspired by innovative research and teaching to think critically, question assumptions and engage with legal issues from multiple perspectives - alongside students and staff from around the world. Join a department ranked 10th in the UK for Law (Complete University Guide 2027) and 84th in the world (QS World University Subject Rankings 2026).
Based in the Social Sciences Building, Warwick Law School sits close to the Library, Warwick Arts Centre, modern teaching spaces and collaborative study areas, placing you at the heart of a vibrant academic community. You’ll have access to a dedicated Student Hub where you can work independently, develop group projects or simply relax. Plus, you’ll enjoy a full schedule of activities, events and opportunities within the Law School community.
Life at Warwick
This is where your journey begins. Our campus is the heart of it all. It’s more than just a campus - it's the places you visit, the people you meet, the fun that you have; the experiences you have here will be transformative.
Within a close-knit community of staff and students from all over the world, discover a campus alive with possibilities.
Our campus is where all the elements of your student experience come together in one place. You won't be short of ways to spend your time on campus - whether it's visiting Warwick Arts Centre, using our incredible sports facilities, socialising in our bars, nightclub and cafés, or enjoying an open-air event. Or if you need some peace and quiet, you can explore lakes, woodland and green spaces just a few minutes’ walk from central campus.
Follow our students around campus on our social channels to see their experiences first-hand.
Teaching facilities
Our campus is designed to cater for all of your learning needs. You will benefit from a variety of flexible, well-equipped study spaces and teaching facilities across the University.
Oculus, our outstanding learning hub, houses state-of-the-art lecture theatres and innovative social learning and network areas
Different study spaces offering you flexible individual and group study spaces, computers, printing and scanning facilities, multimedia resources and more
Supporting you
Our continuous support network is here to help you adjust to student life and to ensure you can easily access advice on many different issues. These may include managing your finances and workload, and settling into shared accommodation. We also have specialist disability and mental health support teams.
Whether you live on campus or off campus, in private accommodation in the well-serviced local area, you’ll be part of a community to get the most from your experience at Warwick.
Societies and sports play a huge part in community life at Warwick. With over 300 to choose from, getting involved is one of the easiest ways to make friends and share in experiences. Whether you’re into films, martial arts, astronomy, gaming or musical theatre, you can instantly connect with people with similar interests.
Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At Warwick, it’s where you discover who you could become.
68th
Warwick is ranked 68th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables
Our alumni community still call Warwick home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.
As Warwick graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.
Applications for courses starting in academic year 2026/27 are now open.
For research courses that start in September and October 2027, the application deadline for students who require a visa to study in the UK is 2 August 2027.
For courses starting at other times of year we recommend that you submit your application a minimum of 3 months prior to your intended start date.
This should allow sufficient time to complete the admissions process and to obtain a visa to study in the UK if required. We will still accept late applications, however cannot guarantee that the application will be processed in time to complete the admissions process if received late or there are a number of conditions to meet.
If applying late please include your degree certificates and transcripts, English proficiency evidence (if needed) and ensure referees can submit references promptly to allow time for CAS and visa processing (if applicable).
This information is applicable for 2027 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to Warwick.
Next steps
Explore your future university further at an upcoming event, online or in-person. Can't join? Receive regular email updates or ask current students and staff questions about life at Warwick.
