research proposal law school

• School of Law
• Postgraduate

Writing a PhD research proposal

The following guidance has been compiled to help you submit a high quality application that is targeted to the research strengths of The School of Law.

Choosing a research topic

PhDs are supposed to contain an element of originality and innovation. Originality need not mean that you explore a wholly new concept. For instance, it might also include applying new methods or new theories to existing scholarship on the topic. They also need to be backed up by logically reasoned evidence and argument – whether that is provided by theoretical or empirical sources.

The types of thesis that could be constructed:

An analysis of a specific area of law or criminology on which there is no significant existing literature. The lack of existing literature may be explained by the relative newness of the body of law and/or creation of institutions; or the previous lack of attention given to the practical impact of the chosen area of study. A thesis in this area might attempt to describe, explain and rationalise the development of this particular area of law and/ or critically analyse the content of the legal system being researched.

An analysis applying, analysing, or evaluating existing studies in a new context. For instance, one might extend a study of one jurisdiction to another, providing comparative evidence that tests the applicability of existing research and enables the existing theory to be challenged, reconsidered, or expanded upon.

An empirical study of  an area of law or criminology where there is existing doctrinal, conceptual, or theoretical literature, but limited empirical evidence to test those doctrines, concepts, or theories. Such an empirical study would still require a degree of originality but would be academically interesting if it offers a view of the area of study not previously attempted and/or allowed for an appraisal of the effectiveness of the law as it currently stands and is organised.

An in-depth critical study of a specific aspect of law or criminology. Such an examination may consist solely or mainly of library based or theoretical work, or include an element of socio-legal research. As well as recognising existing literature, such an approach needs to make clear how this project would build on and add to that work. The answer may be that the area of law or criminology has evolved or the work itself takes a very different approach to analysing the problem.

Before drafting a research proposal it is a good idea to consult with any academic contacts you already have for their feedback.

The Research Proposal

Applications must include an outline research proposal. If a proposal is submitted without a proposal it will be automatically rejected.

The application asks you to give a description of your research project, including the research questions to be addressed, the methodology to be used, the sources to be consulted and a brief timetable. Your proposal should be included in the application as a separate attachment, and distinguished from your supporting statement (if you include one).

There is no set format or page length for proposals, although to keep the proposal concise and clear while still providing enough information, we recommend limiting yourself to 1,500-2,500 words. Within your application it is useful to identify and bear in mind some or all of the following points:

It is important that you demonstrate clearly the area that you intend to research and provide some indication that you are already knowledgeable in the area that you intend to research. This can be achieved through suitable references and/or by supplying a bibliography to support your application.

Research is about more than collating knowledge already in the public domain. Within your application you should indicate how you intend to add to the knowledge that you will be uncovering. Examples of potential aims include: adding to existing theory; disproving previous understandings; a critique of the current legal position; a defended positive/negative prognosis of the impact of a new legal provision; new empirically obtained findings. You may find it helpful to express your research aims as questions to be answered, or as aims to fulfil by doing the research. Try to limit the number of aims of your study as much as possible.

A research application is more likely to be accepted if you can demonstrate that it has relevance and academic merit. Ultimately PhDs are awarded where a piece of work can demonstrate some originality and innovation. This should be explained within your application.

It is rare for an entirely original piece of research to be written. Therefore, the links with existing research should be made clear, as should the possibilities your work might open up for future research. You should provide some background to the research, exploring the wider literature and making as clear as possible what makes your proposed research original in the context of that literature.

In other words, how do you intend to undertake the research? Methods may include reviewing library-based resources or empirical research. If the latter, then what form – e.g. quantitative or qualitative analysis, and what evidence can you provide that you have the skills to undertake such research. These methods should be carefully considered in relation to the research aims and questions you are seeking to address in the proposed research.

You must consider the partnerships, knowledge exchange and impacts associated with your proposed research. If you already have collaborative arrangements in place with relevant external stakeholders then you should describe these and potentially also provide letters of support, in principle, if you have them. You should consider the likely impacts of your proposed research and how these will be achieved, as well as your plans for disseminating your research findings beyond academia.

If you are applying for WRDTP or WRoCAH scholarships, it is essential that you consider how your proposed research fits in with the research pathways or clusters of these two funders. The quality of your scholarship application will be judged partly by the fit of your research within these pathways or clusters.

Your application should not be too unrealistic as to what can be delivered. It is also wise to predict the likely challenges that you will face in undertaking the research and suggest ways in which those challenges can be overcome.

What to avoid

Research proposals should not be viewed as binding contracts. Most first-year PhD students adapt their research proposal once they start studying the topic in more depth and working with their supervisor. Nevertheless, a PhD proposal should amount to a coherent, intelligent, realistic and relatively well thought-out idea of an area of potential research.

The following errors should be avoided if possible:

Simplistic descriptions of an area of study should be avoided – eg ‘I want to research EU law’. The specific focus of the research must be clear.

Offer to review or analyse an area of law on which there is already a significant existing literature. PhDs should be attempting something more than bringing together knowledge that already exists.

Develop a research proposal primarily because the topic is or has been fashionable. Topics such as the legality of the war in Iraq, the operation of the International Criminal Court or the Human Rights Act 1998 remain extremely important areas of academic study, but as a PhD student it is going to be very difficult to say anything interesting, new or original about these topics.

Avoid trying to resolve grand problems in one thesis. The best research proposals tend to focus on discrete and well-confined subject areas.

Relying upon a comparison to provide the intellectual component of the proposal, whether that is a comparison between different institutions, different bodies of law or different countries. Comparative research proposals are worthy if properly thought out. If the comparison is between different legal systems for instance, in the submission it needs to be made clear why that comparison could be a useful one and what can be learnt from the comparison. For instance, you may be undertaking research in the UK and from Botswana, but that does not mean that there are any valid reasons why comparing the UK to Botswana is actually worthwhile in your subject area.

Relatedly, you should consider the research expertise of supervisors at the University of Sheffield, and the value that studying at Sheffield adds to your research. Generally a PhD submitted in a UK university should contribute to knowledge about the UK, or about global/international issues. If you want to research another country of jurisdiction, you need to provide a credible reason for why Sheffield is a good place to undertake that study, as opposed to an institution in that country.

Make sure that your methodology is as clear and specific as you can make it at this early stage. Proposals that say, “I will use qualitative methods” are unlikely to succeed because they suggest an ignorance of the diversity of qualitative methods. Ideally, you should be able to say something about: 

the methods you will use (e.g. surveys, documentary analysis, interviews, observation, ethnography, audio-visual methods...); 

the target populations of your research (eg, a study of criminal courts might seek to recruit judges, lawyers, ushers, defendants, police officers, or other actors. Which groups do you want to participate in your research, and why? The answer to this question should bear some relation to your research aims); and, 

If possible, the approximate number of participants you want to recruit for each method (for instance, you might want to conduct 10-15 interviews with each of two groups of participants, or to survey 500 people) and how they will be accessed/recruited. Try to be realistic about how long empirical research takes, and how many research participants it is possible to study.

How these chosen methods are likely to illuminate the research questions of the proposed research

Ethical considerations of the research in relation to things like informed consent, anonymity, the safeguarding of researchers and participants

It may not be possible to say much at this stage, but the more details you can provide, the clearer it will be that you have thought seriously about your research project, and the easier it will be for the School of Law to evaluate its feasibility.

Positive steps to take

When we make an offer we will do so on the basis of various considerations. Making an effort to foreshadow those considerations in your application is a good idea. It is advisable to submit a supporting statement alongside the research proposal. Issues to consider include:

Why did you choose to apply to the University of Sheffield?

Can you provide any evidence to suggest that you are capable of completing an extensive piece of research and have the character to undertake three years of study, on a relatively low income and with only supervisory support?

Does the research proposal fit into one of the areas in which the Law School has a speciality ? Often a proposal only needs minor adaptation to fall within an area the School can supervise, but to improve your chances of success it is worthwhile reviewing the academic profile of the various staff in the Law School before you submit an application.

If you are able, it would be helpful to have a look at some past PhD theses in your own area of interest which have been successfully submitted at a UK university. Most UK universities have copies in the library of all past successful PhDs, either as physical copies or in an online repository. 

The online application form requires you to provide some standard information about yourself and your past academic performance. Please ensure that this information is correct and that you provide evidence to support your qualifications.

The references that your referees provide are important sources of information for us. Wherever possible, it is helpful to provide (where possible) a reference from at least one academic who is aware of your research potential and has read some of your work.

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Writing a research proposal

As part of the process of applying for a research degree, you will need to prepare an outline of your proposed research. 

Please see our guidance on what to include below, including word count:

*Word count excludes footnotes. 

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How to Write a Research Proposal

As part of the application for admission onto our MJur, MPhil and PhD programmes, you must prepare a research proposal outlining your proposed area of study.

What is a research proposal?

A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of your proposed research. It sets out the central issues or questions that you intend to address. It outlines the general area of study within which your research falls, referring to the current state of knowledge and any recent debates on the topic. It also demonstrates the originality of your proposed research.

The proposal is the most important document that you submit as part of the application process. It gives you an opportunity to demonstrate that you have the aptitude for graduate level research, for example, by demonstrating that you have the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, concisely and critically. The proposal also helps us to match your research interest with an appropriate supervisor.

What should you include in the proposal?

Regardless of whether you are applying for the MJur, MPhil or PhD programmes, your research proposal should normally include the following information:

This is just a tentative title for your intended research. You will be able to revise your title during the course of your research if you are accepted for admission.

Examples of the thesis titles of some of our current and recent research students can be seen on our Current Projects page .

2. Abstract

The proposal should include a concise statement of your intended research of no more than 100 words. This may be a couple of sentences setting out the problem that you want to examine or the central question that you wish to address.

3. Research Context

You should explain the broad background against which you will conduct your research. You should include a brief overview of the general area of study within which your proposed research falls, summarising the current state of knowledge and recent debates on the topic. This will allow you to demonstrate a familiarity with the relevant field as well as the ability to communicate clearly and concisely.

4. Research Questions

The proposal should set out the central aims and questions that will guide your research. Before writing your proposal, you should take time to reflect on the key questions that you are seeking to answer. Many research proposals are too broad, so reflecting on your key research questions is a good way to make sure that your project is sufficiently narrow and feasible (i.e. one that is likely to be completed with the normal period for a MJur, MPhil or PhD degree).

You might find it helpful to prioritize one or two main questions, from which you can then derive a number of secondary research questions. The proposal should also explain your intended approach to answering the questions: will your approach be empirical, doctrinal or theoretical etc?

5. Research Methods

The proposal should outline your research methods, explaining how you are going to conduct your research. Your methods may include visiting particular libraries or archives, field work or interviews.

Most research is library-based. If your proposed research is library-based, you should explain where your key resources (e.g. law reports, journal articles) are located (in the Law School’s library, Westlaw etc). If you plan to conduct field work or collect empirical data, you should provide details about this (e.g. if you plan interviews, who will you interview? How many interviews will you conduct? Will there be problems of access?). This section should also explain how you are going to analyse your research findings.

6. Significance of Research

The proposal should demonstrate the originality of your intended research. You should therefore explain why your research is important (for example, by explaining how your research builds on and adds to the current state of knowledge in the field or by setting out reasons why it is timely to research your proposed topic).

7. Bibliography

The proposal should include a short bibliography identifying the most relevant works for your topic.

How long should the proposal be?

The proposal should usually be around 2,500 words. It is important to bear in mind that specific funding bodies might have different word limits.

Can the School comment on my draft proposal?

We recognise that you are likely still developing your research topic. We therefore recommend that you contact a member of our staff with appropriate expertise to discuss your proposed research. If there is a good fit between your proposed research and our research strengths, we will give you advice on a draft of your research proposal before you make a formal application. For details of our staff and there areas of expertise please visit our staff pages . 

Read a sample proposal from a successful application  

Learn more about Birmingham's doctoral research programmes in Law:

Birmingham Law School is home to a broad range of internationally excellent and world-leading legal academics, with a thriving postgraduate research community. The perfect place for your postgraduate study.

Law PhD / PhD by Distance Learning / MPhil / MJur

University of Bristol Law School

How to write a phd proposal.

We are delighted to consider applications for PhD research. We have a fantastic, diverse and energetic student body who are making the most of fabulous resources for postgraduate students. We welcome you to join us.

In order to help you with your application, the information below aims to give some guidance on how a typical research proposal might look.

Please be aware that if you are applying for   ESRC funding  then the proposal  must be no longer than 1,300 words ,  and if you are applying for  University of Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarship  then the proposal  must be no longer than 1,000 words (incl. footnotes).

Your aim here is to showcase your ability to carry out postgraduate research. PhD research often travels and what you apply to study for may differ from your ultimate PhD. It is perfectly acceptable for research to move over time in response to findings or changes in preference/supervision.

Please note:  we do not generally have the expertise to supervise PhD proposals that are exclusively in a jurisdiction outside UK, EU or international law. We have many expert supervisors in comparative, international and regional law but if your proposal is only to study the law in your home country, we may not be able to offer you supervision even if you meet the admission requirements.

Title. A short, indicative title is best.

Abstract. This is a succinct summary of your research proposal that will present a condensed outline, enabling the reader to get a very quick overview of your proposed project, lines of inquiry and possible outcomes. An abstract is often written last, after you have written the proposal and are able to summarise it effectively.

Rationale for the research project. This might include a description of the question/debate/phenomenon of interest, and the context(s) and situation in which you think the research will take place; an explanation of why the topic is of interest to you; and an outline of the reasons why the topic should be of interest to research and/ or practice (the 'so what?' question).

Issues and initial research question. What legal or governance question(s) do you intend to investigate? (This may be quite imprecise at the application stage); what might be some of the key literatures that might inform the issues (again, indicative at the application stage); and, as precisely as you can, what is the question you are trying to answer? A research proposal can and should make a positive and persuasive first impression and demonstrate your potential to become a good researcher. In particular, you need to demonstrate that you can think critically and analytically as well as communicate your ideas clearly.

Intended methodology. How do you think you might go about answering the question? At Bristol we supervise an incredibly wide range of PhDs, including doctrinal, theoretical, empirical, historical, comparative or policy-focused work. Even if your methods are, for example, doctrinal, please do make this clear and give some indication why you think this is the best methodology for your proposed study. If you have a key theorist in mind, do please outline this in your application, together with some understanding of any critiques that have been raised. If you are planning to do empirical work, do please give some indication of what your methods might be (quantitative (surveys, statistics etc); qualitative (interviews, ethnography etc)

Expected outcomes and impact. How do you think the research might add to existing knowledge; what might it enable organisations or interested parties to do differently? Increasingly in academia (and this is particularly so for ESRC-funded studentships) PhD students are being asked to consider how their research might contribute to both academic impact and/or economic and societal impact . This is well explained on the ESRC website if you would like to find out more.

Timetable. What is your initial estimation of the timetable of the dissertation? When will each of the key stages start and finish (refining proposal; literature review; developing research methods; fieldwork; analysis; writing the draft; final submission). There are likely to overlaps between the stages.

Why Bristol? Why –specifically - do you want to study for your PhD at Bristol? How would you fit into our research themes and research culture (please see the ’10 reasons to study for a PhD at Bristol’ section on the website for more information). You do not need to identify supervisors at the application stage.

Bibliography. Do make sure that you cite what you see as the key readings in the field. This does not have to be comprehensive but you are illustrating the range of sources you might use in your research.

Scholarships

A  number of scholarships  are available to study for a PhD at Bristol. You can see more information regarding scholarships on our  fees and funding  page. If you have any questions about which scholarship to apply for and how your research might fit in please contact the PGR Director, Yvette Russell   [email protected] .

Tips on writing a successful application

• Prepare your research proposal
• PhDs and research master's degrees

The School will review your research proposal to see if it provides the preliminary basis for an original scholarly contribution to the field of law.   

What to include in your proposal

The proposal should be up to 2000 words and provide the following:

• provisional title of the thesis
• names of proposed principal and associate advisors
• area of investigation and/or the questions to be investigated
• theoretical significance of the project
• proposed research methods
• expected impact and outcomes.

We recommend that as you draft your proposal, you contact your proposed advisor to develop it further. When you make contact, keep your message succinct. Make it clear how their research aligns with your interest area. 

Once your advisor confirms they support your proposal, submit your application online with all the required documentation. 

How to find a potential advisor

You can find a potential advisor in three ways:

• View our potential projects to see if any of these match your interest.
• Drill down through our research areas to find an academic who shares your interest.
• Browse our academic staff if you know the academic you’d like to approach to supervise you.

How to apply

Find out how to apply including all documentation required and important dates.

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HDR Liaison Officer

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Visiting Scholar/Visiting Researcher Program

VS/VR Admissions

Each year the Graduate Program hosts some 30 to 35 Visiting Scholars and Visiting Researchers (“Visitors”) from around the world. A Visiting Scholar is generally a Professor of Law at another institution; a Visiting Researcher is generally someone who is working towards a graduate degree or doing postgraduate work at another institution. In recent years our Visitors have included a Justice of the Supreme Court of Norway, a professor in a cyberlaw research institute at the University of Tokyo, the Director of the Graduate Programme in Law at Osgoode Hall Law School, and graduate students from all over the world.

The program provides Visitors access to Law School facilities (including the Law School’s libraries as well as other libraries at Harvard University) so that they can conduct research on an approved topic while in residence. Visitors may audit Law School courses on a non-credit basis with the permission of the course instructor and the Registrar’s Office. They may be able, from time to time, to consult with faculty members interested in their fields of study. The Graduate Program arranges a number of informal functions for Visitors at which they are able to present their work and meet each other as well as other members of the Law School community.

Visitors must be sponsored by a faculty member who is willing to act as an advisor to the proposed research project, and it is the responsibility of a prospective Visitor to contact appropriate faculty members and arrange for such sponsorship. Visitors do not have faculty status, nor do they have access to office space, telephones, or secretarial services. Please note that “Visiting Student” status is not available at Harvard Law School.

Because of the large number of applications we receive each year, the Graduate Program is unable to accommodate all those who express interest in visiting for research purposes. In selecting applicants for Visitor status, the Committee on Graduate Studies considers the applicant’s background, field of interest, scholarly achievement, research proposal, availability of Harvard Law School faculty for consultation in the proposed research area, and English language proficiency. Applicants should have completed their basic legal studies with high academic standing.

Visitors normally are in residence at the Law School for either a semester or academic year. Normally, applications for stays of less than one semester will not be considered. Prospective applicants interested in gaining access to the Harvard Law School libraries for shorter periods should visit the  Library Admission page  or contact: [email protected] or Library Access, Harvard Law School, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. Prospective applicants interested in an affiliation with a  specific research program  at the Law School should contact the respective program directly for application information and procedures.

For further information about the application process, please see  application information  for the Visiting Scholar/Visiting Researcher program.

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School of Law

Writing a research proposal.

• Our research students

Preparing your research proposal is the important first step to becoming a postgraduate research student at the School of Law.

The focus of your proposal will be slightly different depending on whether you wish to do a PhD or an LLM by research, but the principles of what to include and who to contact for advice are the same.

Speaking to a potential supervisor

Before you write your detailed research proposal, you may wish to contact a member of  our research staff  with knowledge of the subject area. They who should be able to advise you whether or not your proposed topic is feasible. 

This can be done prior to a formal application. 

If you are not sure who is the best person to contact, an initial enquiry can be made to our Postgraduate Administrator,  Susan Holmes .

What to include in your proposal

A proposal for an LLM by research or a PhD should not exceed 15 pages in length and is unlikely to be less than 8 pages in length.

Check the limit specified by the funding body to which you are applying.

It should include the following:

A working title

The research context.

This is the background against which your research will be carried out.

It should be a brief introduction outlining the general area of study and identifying the subject area within which your study falls. You should also refer to the current state of knowledge (i.e. what research has been done to date) and any recent debates on the subject.

You need to reference this in the same way as you would do if you were writing an essay e.g. any articles or books you refer to should have a footnote with the full details of author, title, publication date, etc.

The research issue, aims or questions

Outline the contribution that your research will make. It is normally best to do this in the form of specific aims or research questions or issues.

The importance of your proposed research

Demonstrate how your research fills a gap in existing research, by showing that it hasn’t been done before.

Explain why your research is important. It is not enough to say that this has not been studied previously, you need to explain why it is important or interesting enough to be studied.

‎Research methods

Here you need to explain how you will obtain the information necessary to write your thesis.

• Explain whether you will use secondary and/or primary sources
• Give some detail on exactly how you will obtain your information

For most law students, you will probably rely on documentary sources – information that already exists in some form e.g. journal articles, case reports, legislation, treaties, historical records.

In this case you need to say a little about how you will access these (bearing in mind that as a student of the University you will be provided with access to legal databases including Westlaw and LexisLibrary).

If yours is a comparative or international study, you will need to explain how you will obtain the relevant international materials and whether or not this will involve travel.

Some studies, however, might involve empirical research – information that is gathered through direct interaction with people and processes such as interviews, questionnaires, court observation or analysis of private records.

If you plan to undertake empirical research, you need to explain why this is an appropriate research method and give details of your planned methodology (e.g. who you hope to interview, how many interviews you will carry out).

In this section, you should also explain any special skills you have that will assist you in obtaining information, for example, if you plan to look at French law and you can read or speak French.

You should provide a very approximate timetable for the research.

For example, the timetable for a research LLM thesis comparing French law and Scots law might be:

• months 1-3 reading theoretical material and developing theoretical framework
• months 4-6 reading and analysing French materials
• months 7-9 reading and analysing Scottish materials
• months 9-12 writing up the thesis

Research proposals for a PhD

When choosing a subject for your thesis, consider the requirements for a relevant degree and whether you can stick within the time and word limits. A PhD thesis must be from 70,000 to 100,000 words including footnotes.

Consider how your study will demonstrate originality. It is not enough simply to reproduce existing knowledge. There are many ways in which you can do this – it does not necessarily require you to study something that has never been studied before in any way, shape or form. For example, you could:

• Study something that has never been studied before
• Bring new insights to an existing area of legal thought
• Work between disciplines eg. by applying philosophical, psychological or sociological analysis to legal issues
• Bring together areas of legal thought that have not been brought together before eg. use concepts from property law to analyse sexual offences
• Analyse new case law/new legislation in a particular area of law
• Identify new problems with existing case law/legislation in a particular area of law
• Undertake an empirical study to see if the law is achieving its objectives

You also need to make sure your topic is not too broad.  It is inappropriate to write a thesis that reads like a textbook.  This is not sufficiently advanced work and your treatment will be too superficial.  You need to choose something that will give you the scope both to describe and critically analyse the law.  For example, a thesis on “the law relating to criminal defences inScotland” or “a review of EC law governing the enforcement of European law in national courts of member states” would be too broad.  You would have to narrow down your topic to consideration of one particular aspect of the topic (e.g. one specific defence or one specific aspect of European law).

Recent and current PhD thesis topics have included: 

• Peacekeepers as enforcers? A legal analysis of the attribution of enforcement powers to UN peacekeeping operations in the new millenium
• The impact of the World Trade Organisation on the formulation of the anti-monopoly law of the People’s Republic ofChina
• Access to employment and career progression for women in the European labour market
• Consent to medical treatment and the competent adult
• Migratory things on or beneath land: a study of property and rights of use
• The effect of the constitutional relations betweenScotlandandEnglandon their conflict of laws relations: a Scottish perspective
• Persuasion: a historical-comparative study of the role of persuasion within the judicial decision-making process
• Law reform proposals for the protection of the right to seek refugee status in the European Community
• Historicizing the criminalization of youth

Research proposals for an LLM by research

For an LLM by research, your study should still be critical rather than simply describing the law in a particular area.

The field of study is likely to be significantly narrower than for a PhD, as it has a 30,000 word limit.

Recent and current LLM by research thesis topics have included:

• Sustainable development and urban governance in planning law
• Domestic abuse and Scots law
• Criminal liability for individuals who fail to prevent harm
• Legal and scientific evidence of torture
• The responsibility of international organisations: efforts of the international law commission

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PhD Programme in Law: FAQs

The opportunity to undertake advanced legal research at one of the world's best law schools.

If your question is not answered below, please contact us .

FAQs for Visiting Research Students can be found further down this page.

1. When can I apply to the PhD?

Applications open in October for the following academic year. We encourage you to apply as early as possible, to ensure that all the required materials have been received by the PhD selectors by the application deadline. 

2. Is there a deadline for applying?

The deadline is 1 December 2023.

3. How do I apply?

Full details of how to apply are provided on the Graduate Studies page.

4. Research proposal guidance

The strength of an applicant’s research proposal is one of the primary ways by which we identify promising candidates. Your proposal should be no more than 1,500 words in length. You should state your research topic as accurately as possible, and should address the following questions in the proposal:

1. What is your general topic?

2. What questions do you want to answer?

3. What is the key literature and its limitations?

4. What are the main hypotheses of the work?

5. What methodology do you intend to use?

6. What are your case studies, if any, and what are your case selection criteria?

MPhil/PhD applications that are received without a research proposal that addresses these questions will not be considered.

Your research proposal must be your own work. We recommend that you proofread your proposal carefully before you upload it, and that you make sure to upload the final corrected version. Please ensure that each page of your research proposal bears your name in a header or footer. Finally, you must stick to the word limit, as the PhD selectors are not required to read documents that exceed the word count.

5. How do I apply for funding from LSE?

LSE Law School aims to ensure that all students have adequate funding for their studies, typically through the award of an LSE PhD Studentship. There is no separate application process for LSE PhD Studentships, as funding awards are considered alongside admission to the doctoral programme. Further information on funding opportunities at LSE more generally is available from the Financial Support Office.

6. What are the admission requirements?

Our normal minimum entry requirement is a completed LLM degree or other masters-level qualification, awarded with an average mark of 70% (distinction/first class honours) or equivalent. Exceptionally, we may admit students who do not meet this requirement, where there is strong, alternative evidence of your suitability for our PhD programme.

Although we accept applications from students who have not yet completed their LLM or equivalent degree by the application deadline, we give priority within the admissions process to students who have already obtained the required grade by this date. Strong candidates who are currently completing their LLM/other masters degree may therefore wish to defer their application until they have received the requisite grade. Offers of admission and funding that are made to applicants who are currently undertaking their LLM/other masters degree are made on a “conditional” basis, meaning that the offer cannot be confirmed until the minimum entry requirement has been achieved. Conditional offers must be confirmed by the end of July of the year of entry at the latest. This means that current master students who will not have their final grades/transcript by the end of July (including students on the LSE LLM degree) are not eligible to apply to the PhD programme, unless they already hold another masters degree with the requisite grade.

It must be emphasised that meeting the minimum entry requirement does not guarantee entry. The PhD programme is heavily over-subscribed, meaning that the large majority of applicants who meet this requirement each year do not receive a place. We select students based on a variety of factors, including past academic performance, motivation for doctoral study, the viability of the applicant’s research proposal and its anticipated contribution to legal scholarship, the availability of suitable supervisors, and the diversity of the incoming PhD cohort, including diversity of subject-areas.

7. Can I apply if I do not have a law degree?

The LSE PhD programme in Law provides students with the opportunity to undertake innovative advanced legal research. Students without a law background may apply to the PhD programme, but they must demonstrate a high level of academic competence in areas closely related to their proposed research. Each application is considered on its own merits. 

8. Is there an interview as part of the admission process?

Yes, in most instances we hold a brief interview with shortlisted applicants as part of the admissions process. This is typically conducted by an applicant’s potential supervisors, it takes place virtually (e.g. over Zoom), and it lasts about half an hour. The purpose of the interview is to further assess both the applicant’s motivation for doctoral study and the feasibility of the proposed research project. No preparation is required for the interview, although we recommend that you look over the material that you have submitted with your application beforehand.

9. What is the application process and fees?

See Application Process & Fees . BAME applicants of UK nationality may wish to apply through the ACE PGR Initiative .

10. Can I do the PhD part-time?

Yes. The programme can be taken over an 8-year period. However, part-time students must reside in the UK, attend weekly seminars (especially in their first year), and meet with their supervisors regularly. Applicants should indicate in their personal statement that they wish to be considered for part-time study. Such applicants may also wish to contact one or more potential supervisors in advance, to gauge their willingness to take on a part-time PhD student, as not all supervisors wish to do so. 

11. Is there a residency requirement?

Yes. You must live in London or within easy reach.  This applies to full time and part time students.

12. Do I need to approach an academic member of staff to supervise before applying?

No. Applicants may wish to approach potential supervisors at the Law School to gauge their availability in a particular year and/or their willingness to supervise a specific research topic. The research interests of Law School academic staff can be found at https://www.lse.ac.uk/law/people . Co-supervision with staff members from other LSE departments or research centres is also possible, though more unusual. You should indicate in your application if you have discussed your proposed research with any member of LSE academic staff and the name of that person. Potential supervisors are unable to give detailed feedback on draft research proposals.

However, you are not required to contact potential supervisors before applying, and doing so provides no advantage in the admissions process. If your application is successful, two academic members of staff will be appointed to supervise you. 

Visiting Research Students

13. Is there a deadline for applying?

There is no deadline to apply for the Visiting Research Student Scheme but you are encouraged to apply as far in advance of your proposed visit as possible.

14. How do I apply for funding from LSE?

We do not offer funding to Visiting Research Students. You are required to have sufficient personal or other sources of funding for the duration of your visit. 

15. Can I visit the Law School on a part-time basis?

It is not possible to apply for the Visiting Research Student scheme as a part-time student.

16. Is there a residency requirement?

Yes. You must live in London during the programme.

17. Am I entitled to supervision?

Yes. All Visiting Research Students are allocated a supervisor.

PhD Home page

PhD Programme structure

PhD Applications, fees and funding

FAQs Your questions about the PhD programme

PhD completions Browse our completed PhDs

Careers Our careers information and resources

Visiting research students How to apply as a visiting student

PhD Academy A dedicated space for PhD students

LSE Life Academic, personal, professional development

Visiting Researcher Program

Interested in joining the researcher program.

The Institute for Global Law and Policy accommodates a small number of Visiting Researchers and Visiting Scholars each academic year, funded by outside resources. Visiting Researchers and Scholars apply to do research at the Law School for three months to one year. In making selections, the Committee at the Institute considers the applicant’s background, field of interest, scholarly achievements, availability of Harvard Law School faculty for consultation in

achievements, availability of Harvard Law School faculty for consultation in the proposed research area, and English language proficiency. Applicants should have completed their basic legal studies with high academic standing.

Applicants at a relatively senior stage of their professional career may be designated Visiting Scholars. This designation is made on the basis of the nature of the applicant’s proposal, the expected duration of their research and prior academic experience. Visiting Scholar applicants are also required to be affiliated with a university, research institute or governmental program in their home country.

APPLICATION

Applicants are responsible for assembling and submitting all required documents through the online application form by the deadline, April 15, for scholars wishing to begin their residency in August or September. Applications for scholars wishing to begin at other times are accepted on a rolling basis. The application must include:

– A cover letter indicating proposed length of stay, source/s and amount of funds available to cover expenses (financial aid is not available for Visiting Researchers/Scholars), and a summary of research plans. – A resume/CV that clearly shows degrees received and current position, as well as your current academic affiliation – A 2-3 page research proposal – Official transcripts, and/or grading sheets (Faculty members at other universities who are applying to the IGLP need not include these) – Two letters of recommendation, including a letter of support from your doctoral or other academic supervisor, if appropriate. (Faculty members who are applying to the IGLP need not include these) – TOEFL score (see below) – Application fee (check payable to Harvard Law School for U.S. $75.00)

More details

English language proficiency is essential for Visitors to ensure the most beneficial and efficient use of time at the IGLP at Harvard Law School. All applicants from non-English-speaking countries who did not do their basic legal education entirely in the English language must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) within two years prior to submitting their applications. Normally, we require a minimum total score of 100 (with a score of at least 25 for each of the 4 subsections) on the Internet-based test (IBT), or a score of 600 or better on the paper-based test (PBT) (with a minimum score of 60 for each of the three subsections and a score of at least 5.0 on the TWE). To ensure that your TOEFL score reaches the Harvard Law School Graduate Program Admissions Office, please use the following reporting code – Institution code: 3457; Department code: Graduate Law.

Applicants with at least two consecutive years of full-time university education conducted entirely in English may request a waiver of the TOEFL when submitting an online application. Such waivers are not automatic and are granted at the sole discretion of the IGLP.

IGLP-RCC Applicants

Applicants from Spain who wish to apply in conjunction with the Real Colegio Complutense are required to submit their application online and follow the same policies and procedures indicated above. Consideration for admission to the IGLP-RCC Visiting Researcher/Scholar Program occurs once a year. The deadline for applications is April 15 for applicants wishing to commence research for the Fall and Spring semesters of the upcoming academic year.

Note: The IGLP program fee is waived for scholars sponsored by the Real Colegio Complutense (RCC).

Visiting Scholars Program

Requirements.

The program is open only to senior scholars, judges, and governmental officials with a substantial record of professional achievement and a well-developed research agenda. Junior scholars and officials interested in studying at Stanford Law School should apply instead to the Stanford Program in International Legal Studies (SPILS) or, if appropriate, to Stanford Law School’s LL.M. programs with the following specializations: Corporate Governance & Practice; Environmental Law & Policy; Law, Science & Technology; and International Economic Law, Business & Policy. Information on these programs can be found on the Advanced Degree Programs webpage .

5-10 scholars per year

Selection Criteria

Visiting Scholars are selected on the basis of experience, prior professional achievements, and the quality of research proposals. All scholars must be proficient in the English language. Also, Visiting Scholars must have a Stanford Law School faculty sponsor, who will be in residence at the time of the Scholar’s visit, and who is interested in the Scholar’s proposed research plan.

Visiting Scholars gain certain access privileges to the Robert Crown Law Library as described here , Stanford libraries, a computer account, printing privileges at the law school, and the opportunity to audit up to two courses on a non-credit basis with the consent of the instructor. Visiting Scholars also are welcome to attend a variety of workshops, colloquia and other academic presentations at the Law School. Long term visiting scholars are eligible to use the University’s recreational and athletic facilities, with the exception of the Stanford Golf Course.

Tuition and Fees

For the 2023-2024 academic year, Visiting Scholars are charged $3,816 per academic quarter.  In addition to tuition fees, there is a one-time administrative/visa processing fee of $200. Additional US government fees may be required.

Stanford does not offer any financial aid for Visiting Scholars, nor can the Law School defray tuition. Fees are payable in US dollars, in a check made out to “Stanford Law School”, or by bank wire transfer, and are due upon arrival.

Application Process

Prospective visiting scholars must submit the following information in support of their application either by mail or by email (Office of Admissions, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, CA 94305 or by email at [email protected] ):

• Written confirmation from a Stanford Law School faculty member agreeing to sponsor your visit. Look in the directory  for a list of SLS faculty.
• A current resume, including a complete list of publications and any significant honors
• A proposed research agenda (along with an explanation of why the applicant wishes to conduct the research at Stanford Law School)
• Two letters of reference
• The proposed dates of residence (Month Date, Year format)
• A statement of the candidate’s source of funding for his or her visit
• Proof of personal financial resources in the amount of $2,500/month for length of requested visit. Bank statements or letters from your home institution stating their support are examples of such documentation

Stanford does not provide housing for visiting scholars. You should research local resources advertising housing carefully before making a commitment.  Click here for housing resources .

Visiting Scholars who are in J-1 visas are responsible for obtaining insurance for themselves and their dependents and must provide proof of insurance upon arrival to campus.

English Proficiency Requirements for J-1 Visa

According to new regulations, which went into effect on January 5, 2015, all sponsors of J Exchange Visitors must retain “evidence” of “objective measures” of a prospective Exchange Visitor’s English proficiency before a DS-2019 can be issued.

The prospective visitor will need to possess “sufficient proficiency in the English language as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in his or her program and to function on a day-to-day basis.”

This “objective measure” can take the following forms:

• A TOEFL score (or equivalent test) of 89 or higher
• Signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school
• A documented interview conducted by the department either in-person, by videoconferencing, or by telephoning if the videoconferencing is not a viable option.

Exemption from English proficiency: Exemptions may be granted to applicants who have earned a U.S. bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association in the United States, or the international equivalent degree from a university of recognized standing in a country in which all instruction is provided in English. Therefore, applicants with degrees from the U.S., Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore, Ireland and the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales) may be exempt from the English Proficiency requirement. Should the exemption not  be granted, the applicant must provide an “objective measure” of English proficiency as listed above.

J Students have already submitted an objective measurement of English proficiency in the form of a recognized English test required of all those admitted to Stanford’s degree seeking programs.

Application Deadlines

Summer arrival (June): Materials must be submitted by February 15th

Fall arrival (September): Materials must be submitted by April 15th

Winter arrival (January): Materials must be submitted by August 15th

Spring arrival (April): Materials must be submitted by November 15th

The maximum stay is one year, however, visitors have the option of staying for just one or two academic quarters if they choose to do so.

Normally, applications for stays of less than one quarter will not be considered.

The Budget Lab at Yale Launches to Provide Novel Analysis for Federal Policy Proposals

The  Budget Lab at Yale , a nonpartisan policy research center, launched on April 12 to provide in-depth analysis for federal policy proposals impacting the American economy. For too long, according to the center’s founders, policy analysis has been narrowly focused on short-term cost estimates, or traditional budget scores, according to the center’s founders. The Budget Lab aims to fill a critical gap in policy evaluation, particularly focusing on the long-term effects of proposed policies on the economy, the income distribution, and recipients. The Budget Lab’s initial analysis , released today, examines both the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC) through this broader lens.  

The Budget Lab is co-founded by leading economic advisors and academics whose goal is to bring fresh ideas and new methods to policy making. 

• Natasha Sarin, Co-founder and President, is a Professor of Law at Yale Law School with a secondary appointment at the Yale School of Management in the Finance Department. She served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy and later as a Counselor to the U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. 
• Danny Yagan, Co-founder and Chief Economist, is an Associate Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley and a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research. He was the Chief Economist of the White House Office of Management and Budget.
• Martha Gimbel, Co-founder and Executive Director, is a former Senior Advisor at the White House Council of Economic Advisers, Senior Policy Advisor to the U.S Secretary of Labor, and Senior Economist and Research Director at Congress’s Joint Economic Committee. 

“For many of the greatest policy challenges of our time — investing in children, combating climate change — their most important impact is not on short-run GDP. We need to understand the effects on poverty, on emissions reduction, on the income distribution,” said Sarin. “We are excited to share the tools we have built to analyze the fiscal and social impacts of government policies so policymakers can make better choices.”

The Budget Lab’s work will look at issues not included in current budget policy assessment methods, particularly in evaluating the full scope of costs and returns related to policies including the child tax credit, tax cuts, paid family leave, deficit reduction, and universal pre-K. The Lab’s innovative approach bridges this gap by offering a combination of existing open-source models and our microsimulation tax model to provide fast, transparent, and innovative estimates that unlock deeper insights.

“Our approach implements a new lens to improve existing conventions for distributional impacts by showing how policies affect families over time,” added Yagan. 

One key aspect of the Budget Lab’s commitment to transparency is its open-access model code. The code used to produce analysis is publicly available, fostering trust and allowing policymakers to understand how the Budget Lab arrives at its results. It also allows for the infrastructure of the budget model the team is developing to be leveraged by others interested in similar analysis. 

“Our aim is to provide rapid responses to important policy questions with the ability to think not only about the costs of policies but also about benefits and the return on investments,” said Martha Gimbel.  “Our tax microsimulation model, budget estimates, and interactives will paint a broader and more realistic picture of how Americans will benefit from proposed government initiatives.”  

The Budget Lab is hosting a launch event at the National Press Club on April 12 where the leadership team will share new research on budget scoring for TCJA and CTC. The event will include remarks by Shalanda Young, Director of the Office of Management and Budget and a panel discussion with Joshua Bolten, former Director of the Office of Management and Budget and White House Chief of Staff for President George W. Bush; Doug Holtz-Eakin, former Director of Congressional Budget Office and economic policy advisor to Sen. John McCain; and will be moderated by Greg Ip of The Wall Street Journal .   

Budget Lab Team

In addition to the Budget Lab co-founders, the team includes leading economists who have extensive experience in the public sector. 

Ernie Tedeschi, Director of Economics, was most recently the chief economist at the White House Council of Economic Advisors. Rich Prisinzano, is the Director of Policy Analysis, previously served at the Penn Wharton Budget Model and for over a decade as an economist in the Office of Tax Analysis in the U.S. Department of Treasury. John Ricco, Associate Director of Policy Analysis, is an economic researcher with a decade of experience building microsimulation models to inform public policy debates and was formerly with the Penn Wharton Budget Model and also a research analyst at the International Monetary Fund. Harris Eppsteiner, Associate Director of Policy Analysis, was a Special Assistant to the Chairman and research economist at the White House Council on Economic Advisors. 

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