MPhil/PhD Law
When can you start this course? | Fees | Course length | Entry requirements
Why choose this course?
- With an MPhil or PhD you'll be able to start your academic career in a university with either a research or teaching focus.
You can enter legal practice and establish yourself as an expert in areas of practical significance. - You'll be supported and supervised throughout by our team of experts.
- Many members of our Research Group have editorial positions on sector journals and present their findings at conferences both in the UK and internationally.
- You'll study alongside research students from many countries.
- We have unique legal facilities including a virtual court room, Crown Court and interview suites, and we subscribe to the leading online legal resources including WestLaw, LexisNexis and HeinOnline amongst others.
- Study full time or part time.
About the course
Research is an important component of academic life. It plays a major role in supporting what we teach to our students, and directly helps organisations to solve real world issues.
Our research combines the best of both worlds by having strong connections with the Derbyshire region and active international links. The work - only some of which is highlighted here - often contributes directly, not only to the development and well-being of the region, but also to the body of knowledge in the scientific community at large.
Current research projects include:
- Improving the efficiency and fairness of criminal interviews
- A world view of law and legal systems
- Creating a world privacy principle
- The United Nations convention on contracts for the international sale of goods
- Intellectual property rights and the harmonisation of law and protection within Middle Eastern and North African countries
- Fraud in documentary credits within international transactions
- Electronic contracting: comparison of Jordanian with EU law
- Rights in personal privacy in the context of e-governance by UK public authorities.
These higher degrees are awarded in recognition of a successful period of research training normally culminating in the production of a thesis.
There are three routes to a higher degree:
MPhil
This is designed for graduates who want to gain a strong knowledge and understanding of the subject and then take the discipline forward through an approved programme of original research.
New Route PhD
The route is for recently qualified graduates with good honours degrees who are keen to progress immediately to a research experience in their preparations for a career in which the ability to undertake research will play a key role.
Traditional Route PhD
This route entails a programme of research which normally takes three years of full time study. You can choose to take it part time over a period of up to six years. The traditional route enables capable and qualified individuals to pursue an original research investigation into a chosen topic within a field of enquiry.
For more information on postgraduate research degrees visit www.derby.ac.uk/research/research-degrees
Your career
You'll develop a real expertise in your chosen area which can lead to real career progression either in business or in academia.
What our students say
Developing international law, Dr Chalen Westaby
Chalen Westaby completed her PhD at Derby, specialising in interdisciplinary approaches to the analysis of the development of customary international law. Drawing inspiration from the personal papers of Sir Gerald Fitzmaurice, housed at the University, she pioneered a methodology that makes use of diplomatic history and cultural analysis to study the development of the colonial right to self-determination.
She has progressed to an academic career and is an active researcher and teacher at Sheffield Hallam University.
Supervision
We'll design an individual research programme to suit your topic, and you will regularly meet your supervisor for guidance and progress monitoring.
Anything else?
Start dates
These courses start in May, October and January.
Contact us
Discuss your research proposal or initial ideas with Chris Poole.
Contact us on +44 (0) 1332 591896 or email:
For queries regarding the application process, contact Dr Victoria Carpenter on +44 (0) 1332 591896 or email v.carpenter@derby.ac.uk
Apply
Apply using forms RD2 and RD3 at www.derby.ac.uk/research
Start dates
You can start in May, October or January.
Fees*
Please contact us for details of the fees for this course.Course length
- The MPhil is studied over two years.
- You can study the PhD for three years full time, or six years part time.
- The new route PhD is studied over four years.
Entry requirements
You will normally hold a first or second class honours degree, an equivalent qualification or ...
